Jamaica Travel Guide

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Shopping

Local produce, handicrafts and duty-free bargains are just some of the reasons to hit the shops. Jamaica is renowned for its fine hand-loomed fabrics, embroidery, silk screening, woodcarvings, oil paintings, sandal-making and woven raffia. There is also a popular Quaker-run workshop specializing in wicker furniture, floor mats and other tropical furnishings at Highgate Village in the mountains. At the In-Craft center, it is also possible to buy custom-made rugs and reproductions of pewter and china from the 17th-century ruins of the ancient submerged city of Port Royal.

Jamaican specialties include rum and rum-related products, such as Ian Sangsters Rum Cream. The island’s most famous produce market is Coronation Market, Kingston. Other markets: Linstead Market, St Catherine; Brownstown Market, St Anne; the Savanna-la-mar Market, Westmoreland; and the Albert George Market, Falmouth. Also locally made and sold are Pepper Jellies, jams, Blue Mountain coffee, hot sauces and spices.

So-called ‘in-bond’ shopping allows tourists to purchase international goods free of tax or duty. Goods are sealed (hence the ‘bond’) until away from Jamaican waters and must be paid for in Jamaican Dollars.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600; Sat 0800-1300. Some shops close half day Wednesday in Kingston, and Thursday on the rest of the island.

Currency

Jamaican Dollar (JMD; symbol J$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of J$1,000, 500, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of J$20, 10, 5 and 1, and 25, 10 and 1 cents.

Jamaican law requires that local currency be used when paying for all goods and services, though that law is followed very loosely and the US Dollar is accepted almost universally. To avoid confusion determine which dollar unit is being quoted in the price prior to any transaction being made.

Currency Exchange

Exchange bureau are located in airports, hotels, cruise ports and commercial banks. Hold onto receipts when changing money as black market exchange is illegal.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

Plastic is invaluable when traveling in Jamaica. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted as are other cards bearing the Cirrus or Plus logo. Most Jamaican ATMs accept international bank cards and many banks give credit card cash advances.

Travelers Checks

Traveller's checks in US Dollars are widely accepted throughout Jamaica.

Currency Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding US$10,000 or equivalent must be declared.

Banking Hours

Mon-Thurs 0900-1400; Fri 0900-1200 and 1430-1700, with 24-hour ATMs in major cities and resort areas.

Exchange Rate