Capital: Kingston
Time zone: GMT – 5
Telephone services: Country Code: 1 876
Outgoing Code: 011
Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 119, Fire/Ambulance 110.
Tourist information: Jamaica Tourist Board (at High Commission in London) Tel: (020) 7224 0505 Fax: (020) 7224 0551.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of the USA and Canada entering Jamaica from the USA or Canada who hold a valid national ID. If entering from other countries they do require a passport. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.
Visa information: Visa required by all except: Nationals of EU countries (For varying lengths of stay – see the High Commission). Nationals of commonwealth countries for stays not exceeding 6 months. Nationals of the USA for stays not exceeding 6 months. Nationals of Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Norway, Turkey, for stays not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Japan, and Uruguay for a period not exceeding 30 days. Nationals of Venezuela for stays not exceeding 14 days.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.
Currency: Jamaican Dollar (J$) = 100 cents.
Exchange: Visitors should only change money at airport bureaux, banks or hotels.
All major credit cards are accepted. US dollar travellers cheques are recommended
ATM availability: Over 45 locations.
Cost of living: Expensive in the tourist centres.
Languages: English. Local patois is also spoken.
Weather: Tropical climate. Offically the rainy season is May/June and September/October although showers can occur at any time. Evenings tend to be cooler. Jamaica is in the Caribbean hurricane path, hurricanes if they strike are most likely July through November. Check for likelihood before travel.
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 50 Hz. American 2 pin plugs are mainly used.
Post: 4-5 days
Transport: ROAD: One third of the 17.000 km network is tarred. BUS: Reliable in Kingston and Montego bay less so for trans island travel. TAXI: Not all taxis are metered. CAR HIRE: Most major towns and airport have hire facilities. DOCUMENTATION: A full UK licence is valid for up to 1 year.
Special information: HIGH RISK: Most visits to Jamaica are trouble free but travellers need to be constantly vigilant because violent crime and robbery are continuing problems. Do not resist robbers. Do not walk out or use public transport at night, avoid isolated areas in daytime and do not walk alone on beaches. There are severe penalties for drug offences. Be cautious travelling to and from Kingston Airport as this route traverses inner city areas which can be violent.