Jamaica Travel Tips

Social Conventions
Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. As tourism is a major industry in Jamaica, the visitor is well catered for, and hotel and restaurant staff are generally friendly and efficient. Outside Kingston, the pace of life is relaxed and people are welcoming and hospitable. Normal codes of practice should be observed when visiting someone’s home. It may be common to see signs on the island referring to ‘Jah lives’, Jah being the name given to God by the Rastafarians. Casual wear is suitable during the day, but shorts and swimsuits must be confined to beaches and poolsides. Evening dress varies from very casual in Negril to quite formal during the season in other resorts, where some hotels and restaurants require men to wear jackets and ties at dinner. Possession of marijuana may lead to imprisonment and deportation.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The national airline is Air Jamaica (JM) (website: www.airjamaica.com).

Departure Tax
None.

Main Airports
Norman Manley International (KIN) (Kingston) is 18km (11 miles) southeast of the city. To/from the airport: Coach, bus and taxis depart to the city (journey time – 30 to 60 minutes). Facilities: Banks/bureaux de change, bars, restaurants, shops, duty-free, and car hire.

Montego Bay (MBJ) (International) is 3km (2 miles) north of the city. To/from the airport: Air Jamaica Express runs shuttle services between the airports. Facilities: Duty-free facilities.

Getting There by Water
Main ports: Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are ports of call for several cruise lines.
 
Other passenger/freight lines (Geest) sail from North, South and Central American ports.

Overview
The following goods may be imported into Jamaica without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco; 1l of spirits and all other goods including gifts and souvenirs amounting to £145.

Indecent or obscene articles. All publications of de Laurence Scott and Company or Red Star Publishing Company of Chicago, in the USA, relating to divination, magic, cultism or supernatural arts. Goatskin articles.

Meat, fruit and vegetables, ground provisions, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, herb teas, firearms, used tires, two-way radios, coconut derivatives, oil producing seeds, edible oils, detergents, motor vehicles, explosives, alcohol in bulk, sugar, human remains, pesticides and live animals.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
The Air Jamaica Express (website: www.airjamaica.com) runs services to and from Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios and Port Antonio. During the winter season, there are frequent daily flights. For more information, contact the airline (tel: 923 6664 or (800) 523 5585, toll-free in North America and the Caribbean).

Getting Around by Water
There are a number of local operators running yacht tours around the island, as well as cruises. Boats and yachts can also be hired on a daily or weekly basis. Contact the Jamaica Tourist Board for details (see Top Things To Do).

Getting Around by Rail
Since 1994, the service has been suspended with no immediate plans to resume a daily scheduled service.

Getting Around by Road
There is a 17,000km (11,000-mile) road network, one-third tarred. Traffic in Jamaica drives on the left. Speed limits are 30mph (48kph) in towns and 50mph (80kph) on highways. Bus: Reliable service in Kingston and Montego Bay; less reliable for trans-island travel. Coach and minibus tours are bookable at most hotels. JUTA (tel: 952 0813) is the main provider of scheduled and unscheduled bus/minibus and vehicle charter services. Taxi: Route taxis drive designated courses and pick up passengers on the way; they are the cheapest and quickest way of getting around the island. These have red plates marked PP (Public Passenger). They charge fixed rates, and it is best to check standard charges prior to embarkation. A 10 per cent tip is usual. It is recommended that only taxis authorized by the Jamaica Union of Travelers Association and ordered from hotels (unshared) should be used. Car hire: Most major towns, as well as airports, have hire facilities, both local and international. Hire can also be arranged via hotels. Drivers must be aged 25 or over. There is a general consumption tax of 15 per cent on all car hire transactions. Regulations: Seat belts must be worn at all times and children under 3 years must sit in a child seat. Documentation: A full UK driving license is valid for up to 12 months.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
Most transport in the capital is by private minibus.

Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Montego Bay to other major cities/towns in Jamaica.

	Air	Road
Kingston	0.30	3.00
Negril	0.20	1.30
Ocho Rios	0.30	2.00
Port Antonio	0.40	4.30

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