Jamaica

AIRPORTS

    (KGN)-Norman Manley International Airport, 13 miles from Kingston.

    (MBJ)-Donald Sangster International Airport, 2 miles from downtown Montego Bay.

    Sangster to: Ocho Rios 30 minutes Negril 30 minutes Manley to Port Antonio - only charter service is currently available - time 40 minutes.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

    Citizens of the US and Canada do not require a visa to come to Jamaica as tourists, and are permitted to visit the island for a period not exceeding six months.

    Citizens 16 years and older of these countries may use the following documents for entry: valid passport (or passport which has expired for a period not exceeding one year), or an original Birth Certificate (with raised seal) along with a photo ID (documents must bear the same name).

    Residents may use an alien registration card, however, some residents may require a visa. Press personnel on assignment will require a work permit. Additionally, all visitors are required to travel with a round-trip or onward airline ticket for entry into Jamaica.

    UK: Commonwealth citizens need passport (no visa required). All other countries, please contact the Jamaica Tourist Board office near you for requirements.

    Japan: passport required. (Visa required for stay of over 30 days). Commonwealth citizens need a passport, no visa is required (except for citizens of Pakistan and Sri Lanka).

    Indian citizens will not require a visa for a maximum stay of ten (10) days in the island, but will require visa in excess of ten days.

GATEWAYS/FLYING TIMES To:

  • Baltimore-3 hours
  • Boston-3 hours 40 min.
  • Chicago-3 hours 45 min.
  • Dallas-3 hours 20 min..
  • Los Angeles-5 hours 30 min..
  • Miami-1 hour 25 min.. ·
  • Montego Bay from Atlanta-2 hours 40 min..
  • New Orleans-3 hours
  • New York-3 hours 20 min..
  • Toronto-4 hours

LOCAL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

  • · New Year's Day
  • · February 28: Ash Wednesday
  • · April 10: Good Friday
  • · April 13: Easter Monday
  • · May 23: Labour Day
  • · August 1: Emancipation Day
  • · August 6: Independence Day
  • · October 19: National Heroes Day
  • · December 25: Christmas Day
  • · December 26: Boxing Day

LEGAL CURRENCY

50

100

500

1000

    The official rate of exchange fluctuates daily, depending on foreign exchange markets.  Bank of Jamaica

    Currently US$1.00 is about JA$65.00. There are several licensed authorized foreign exchange dealers located island wide. These are called cambios.

MONEY/BUSINESS GUIDE

MAJOR BANKS

  • Bank of Jamaica. Bank of Nova Scotia Ja. Ltd. First Caribbean Bank Ja. Ltd. Citibank. Citizens Bank (Jamaica) Ltd., National Commercial Bank Ja. Ltd., RBTT Bank Ja. Ltd., and Jamaica National Building Society.

BANKING HOURS

  • Monday to Thursday 9 AM-2 PM.
    Friday: CIBC JA. Ltd. & Bank 9 AM-12 PM & 2:30-5:00 PM.
    Most other commercial banks 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
    Exchange Bureaus are open in Montego Bay and Kingston airports for all international flight arrivals and departures.

BUSINESS HOURS

  • Monday to Friday 0900-1700.
    Shopping Monday to Friday 0900-1700. Saturday 1000-1800.

TAXES & SERVICE CHARGES

    Departure tax JA$1,000 or US$ equivalent (this rate is subject to change without prior notice due to the fluctuation of the Jamaican dollar) or its equivalent in foreign currency is payable at the airport upon departure.
    General Consumption Tax: a 16.5%.
    Tax Free Status: Due to a tax treaty passed in 1981 with the US, all expenses incurred for holding meetings or conventions in Jamaica are tax deductible.

 

 

AIRLINES

Air Canada · Air Jamaica · ALM. · American Airlines · American Trans Air · Avianca · British Airways · BWIA · Cayman Airways · Condor · Continental · COPA · Cubana · Delta · LTU · Northwest · Trans World Airlines · US Air

COUNTRY PROFILE

Latitude 17.43 degrees/18.43 degrees north. Longitude 76.11 degrees/78.21 degrees west. The highest point above sea level is the Blue Mountain Peak at 7,402 ft. Mountainous, with some 120 rivers throughout the island. Jamaica is also known for its flora and fauna with over 200 species of orchids, 550 varieties of ferns and 250 species of birds of which 24 are endemic. The country is the third largest in the Caribbean, 146 miles long and varying between 22 miles and 51 miles in width. Beaches are found along all the island's coasts.

CLIMATE

Temperatures high/low-Summer 80 degrees F/70-80 degrees F. Winter 80 degrees F/70 degrees F.
Annual average temperature is 82 degrees F.
In the hills it's cooler with an average temperature around 70 degrees F.
In Kingston, humidity ranges from 63% in February to 75% in October.
In Montego Bay, humidity ranges from 71 to 77
Average rainfall is 77" annually.
Approx. sunrise/sunset 0600/1900.

HISTORY

Settled by the Taino Indians, Jamaica comes from the word Xaymaca meaning Land of Wood and Water. Ruled by the Spanish and subsequently the British, Jamaica gained her independence on August 6, 1962. The country's motto, "Out of Many, One People" refers to the many heritage of people that make up the island.

LANGUAGE

The official language spoken is English. Patois, a mix of English and African, is also spoken.

POPULATION

2.5 million.

DINING

Restaurants available - Local and International Fast food to Gourmet. International Tipping: 10-15% (Some hotels have a built in service charge). Dress code is casual or casually elegant. Some hotel restaurants do require jacket and ties, particularly in the winter season.

SHOPPING

Locally produced items: Blue Mountain Coffee, Tia Maria, Rum, Pimento (all spice), Straw items, Wood carvings, Craft items, Resort wear, Jewelry, Handmade linens, tablecloths. Duty free items are available at approximately 20-50% off stateside prices.

ATTRACTIONS / SIGHTSEEING PORT ANTONIO

The Blue Lagoon * Frenchman’s Cove * San San Beach * Long Bay * Port Antonio Marina * Trident Castle * Port Antonio Market, Reach Falls, Boston Beach * Nonsuch Caves* Crystal Spring Resort * Navy Island * Rio Grande Rafting * Somerset Falls * Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour * Horseback Riding * Winnifred Beach * Scuba Dive * Deep Sea Fishing

TRANSPORTATION

Driving is on the left hand side of the road. Rentals available include-Cars, mopeds and bicycles. Temporary licence/permit requirements: A US driver's licence is valid for up to three months per visit. A UK driver's licence is valid for up to 12 months per visit. Japanese driver's license is valid for up to one month from time of entry. Local Services -Taxi, tour buses, intra island flights. Sightseeing and visitor transfer bus service available in all resort areas.

ELECTRICITY

110 Volts/50 AC is standard. 220 volts is available in some hotels. Some hotels supply adaptors.

 
MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS

Visitors can be married just 24 hours after arriving in Jamaica providing prior application has been made for a marriage licence.
1) Proof of citizenship, certified Birth Certificate, which includes father's name.
2) Parents' written consent if under 21.
3) Proof of divorce (if applicable) - original Certificate of Divorce.
4) Certified Death Certificate for widow or widower. Blood test: none. Persons need to have a heterosexual relationship for marriage as a prerequisite.

 

MEDICAL FACILITIES

There are facilities in all major resort areas as well as drug stores that provide pharmaceuticals. There are private doctors and dentists throughout the island.

PET REGULATIONS:Pets are not allowed into the country.

 
RELIGION

There are many religious groups in Jamaica, including Anglicans, Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Jewish, Pentecostals, Presbyterians and Rastafarians are found island wide. Jamaica has been noted for having the most churches per square mile.