Jamaica Travel Guide

Banks/Currency
You don’t need to get Jamaican money before you get to the island. In all resort areas, licensed cambios and bureaux de change are easily and readily accessible, and just about all currencies can be exchanged in banks. The official rate of exchange varies daily, so it’s not a bad idea to shop around for a rate that suits you before changing large amounts of cash. Many Jamaican ATMs accept international bank cards with Visa, Mastercard, Cirus and Plus logos, and banks give credit card advances, change traveller’s cheques and offer other financial services. At the end of your trip, you may take Jamaican currency with you (for your next time in Jamaica!) or you may exchange it at the airport.

Climate
Jamaica has a tropical climate at sea level and a temperate climate towards the highlands of the interior. As a popular Jamaican poem says, “we have neither summer nor winter/neither autumn nor spring…” and it's true. Instead, each year the island sees two rainy seasons from May to June and September to November. Many Jamaicans characterize the seasons according to the fruits available at that time! Some of the most important ‘seasons’ are mango season (May to July), guinep season (July to late September) and cane crop season (late October to about January). Of note also is the hurricane season from June to September, during which time large storms may, but rarely do, pass over the island. (Don’t worry about hurricanes, the last hurricane to directly hit Jamaica happened in 1988 and before that in 1952!) Although there is little real variation in temperature year round, between December and April the weather is practically perfect for any activity every day. The average temperature ranges from 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit) to 32 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) all year. Will it rain during your holiday? If it does, don’t worry. Most times, the short tropical showers provide a welcome break from the afternoon heat – just look at it as liquid sunshine, not rain!

Driving
The most important thing to remember when driving in Jamaica is that here, we drive on the LEFT, although some flexibility is required to avoid collisions with pedestrians, cows, goats, chickens and other domestic animals. We have over 17 000 kilometres of road networks connecting all major towns and cities, the speed limit is 50 kmph (30 mph) in built-up areas, and 80 kmph (50 mph) on highways. All drivers are required to carry a valid licence. Jamaica recognizes valid International Driver’s Licenses, but visitors from North America may use their country’s licence for up to three months per visit. Visitors from the United Kingdom may use theirs for up to twelve months, while visitors from Japan may use theirs licenses for up to one month. The driver and front passenger are required to wear safety belts, and children under 3 years old must be restrained in infant carriers. Car rental is available in most major towns and cities, and usually, clients must be no less than 25 years old to rent.

Holidays
Officially, Jamaicans celebrate ten public holidays per year. New Year’s Day (January 1), Labour Day (May 23), Emancipation Day (August 1), Independence Day (August 6), Christmas Day Dec 25) and Boxing Day (Dec 26), in addition to Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Heroes Day (third Monday in October). On public holidays all government agencies, schools and most private businesses are closed, and much of the country ‘locks down’ for the day. We take our holidays seriously, and from the night before, lively parties and stage shows (live music concerts) add to the range of nightlife options available. On holidays, Jamaicans throng to beaches and parks for picnics, fun-days and outings, the celebrations continuing way into the night. There are some days held in high esteem by many Jamaicans that are not official public holidays, such as Bob Marley Day (February 6), Carnival Sunday (the first Sunday after Easter). Check the calendar of events for exact holiday dates this year, and if you’re here for one of these or for a public holiday, be sure to bring your dancing shoes!

Language
The official language of Jamaica is English, although most Jamaicans speak a local patois influenced by a combination of several different languages. It may take some time for you to become accustomed to it. When that happens, though, you’ll have fun trying the local expressions.

Time Zone
Jamaica falls within the Eastern Time Zone (UTC/GMT -5 Hours) and does NOT observe Daylight Savings Time. At times in Jamaica, however, it seems as if we don’t observe any time at all, so for the least amount of stress on your vacation, you may want to think about leaving your watch behind! At approximately 18 degrees north of the equator, the island falls within the tropics, and as such does not experience drastic seasonal changes in sunrise and sunset times. Year round the island averages between 11.5 and 12.5 hours of sunlight per day – always enough time to do everything, or never enough for anything!

Water
Xamayca’ is the name that the first Jamaicans, the Tainos, gave to this country. It means ‘Land of Wood and Water’, and for good reason, Jamaica has hundreds of spring and rivers, both above and under ground. Over the years, we have developed extensive water treatment and supply systems islandwide, so all drinking water in Jamaica is purified and filtered by modern methods. Our water is safe for you to drink, clean your teeth, bathe and wash clothing in. We understand though, that some people are still wary about drinking the water in a strange country. If you choose not to drink the water, rest assured, there are many brands of Jamaican Spring water that meet or exceed the highest international standards, available at most shops and restaurants.