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General Information about Jamaica
Jamaica is 4,411 square miles or 11,424 square kilometers. The island is 146 miles long with widths varying between 22 and 58 miles. It is a very mountainous country. Almost half the island is above 1,000 feet. The highest point (Blue Mountain Peak) is 7,402 feet. Because of the effects of the mountains, rainfall is evenly distributed. The annual average rainfall is 78 inches. Some hilly areas get nearly 300 inches a year while parts of the western plains get as little as 30 inches. It is summer all year round.
Jamaica has many rivers flowing to the coast from the central mountain ranges. The flow on the north side tend to be shorter and swifter than on the south side.
Capital: Kingston.
Climate: tropical; hot; humid; temperate interior.
The annual average temperature is 80 degrees F. (27 degrees C.). The rainy seasons are from May to June and September to October. The Blue Mountain Peak has an average annual temperature of 13 degrees C. The tides around the coast hardly vary. The difference between high and low tide is never more than 16 inches.
LANGUAGE
Although a patois (a derivative of African, French and Spanish languages) is spoken by the majority of the people. English is the official language of the people of Jamaica. English is spoken and understood by all Jamaicans.
Ethnic divisions: African 76.3%, Afro-European 15.1%, East Indian and Afro-East Indian 3%, white 3.2%, Chinese and Afro-Chinese 1.2%, other 1.2%
Religions: Protestant 55.9% (Church of God 18.4%, Baptist 10%, Anglican 7.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.9%, Pentecostal 5.2%, Methodist 3.1%, United Church 2.7%, other 2.5%), Roman Catholic 5%, other, including some spiritual cults 39.1% (1982)
Industries:
Tourism, bauxite mining, textiles, food processing, light manufactures
Agriculture:
Commercial crops - sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, potatoes, vegetables, livestock and livestock products including poultry, goats, milk; meat, and dairy products.
Time
Jamaica is on Eastern Standard Time and does not practice day-light saving time.
Communications
When dialing direct to Jamaica, dial 1 + 876 + the local number.
Visitors may bring personal effects into Jamaica without paying duty. Those over 18 years of age may include 25 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 1 pint of alcohol (except rum), 1lb. of tobacco and 1 quart of wine. Incoming restricted items include fresh flowers, plants, honey, fruits, meats and vegetables (except canned) and firearms.
Immigration
Visitors from USA and Canada must carry proof of citizenship and ticket for onward destination, for a visit not exceeding 6 months. Visas are required from some countries, please check with the Jamaican Consulate near you.
Electricity
The standard electrical current in Jamaica is 110 volts, AC 50HZ. 220 Volts is available in some hotels.
Water
All drinking water in Jamaica is purified and filtered by the most modern techniques and perfectly safe to drink.
TRANSPORTATION
DRIVING REGULATIONS
U.S. driver's license is valid for up to 3 months per visit. U.K. driver's license is valid up to 12 months per visit. The speed limit is 50 Km. (30 MPH) in urban areas and built up villages and 80 Km. (50 MPH) on highways unless otherwise sign posted. Driving is on the left! When driving in Jamaica, "the right side is the wrong side therefore, the Left side is the right side".
Taxi
Taxis are often not metered. It is important, initially, to ask the price for your journey. Take only Taxi's with red PP licence plates.
Car Rentals
Car rental agencies are numerous including internationally known operators. In addition, there are several reputable local rental firms.
To rent a car, you must be at least 24 years of age with a valid driver's license and a major credit card.
Air
Two International Airports:
- Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston
- Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay
Four Domestic Airports:
- Tinson Pen, Kingston
- Negril Aerodrome, Negril
- Boscobel, Ocho Rios
- Ken Jones, Port Antonio
Driving Time :
- Montego Bay to Negril 80 Km (50 miles) 1 1/2 hours
- Montego Bay to Ocho Rios 100 Km (62 miles) 1 1/2 hours
- Ocho Rios to Port Antonio 97 Km (60 miles) 2 1/2 hours
- Ocho Rios to Kingston 96 Km (60 miles) 2 hours
- Kingston to Mandeville 105 Km (65 miles) 1 1/2 hours
- Kingston to Port Antonio 109 Km (68 miles) 2 hours
Tax Information
GENERAL CONSUMPTION TAX (GCT)
A government tax (currently 15%) is applied to most goods and some services supplied in Jamaica.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
On leaving Jamaica, every person 12 years of age and over must pay JA$1000.00 or equivalent in foreign currency departure tax.
HOTEL TAX
There is a room occupancy tax which varies somewhat according to the type of hotel. On average there is a 10% service charge plus a 15% G.C.T. charge. Some hotels include this in their rack rate.
Currency and Banking
Jamaican currency is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents equals one dollar). U.S. Dollars, traveler's cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted.
The official rate of exchange fluctuates daily, depending on the foreign exchange markets. The purchase of goods and services in Jamaica may be made in any currency. Jamaican dollars may be converted to foreign currency at any bank or licensed exchange bureau. Banks are generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Fridays. A few are open on Saturdays. Foreign Exchange Bureaus also operate at all International Airports and Resort Hotels.
Business Hours
General office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Very few offices open on Saturdays. Shopping hours vary around Jamaica, but usually run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday with half day closing on Wednesday or Thursdays in some areas. Most shops, except in-bond shops are closed on Sundays.
Shopping
Large department stores, malls, gift shops, local and international fashion boutiques, specialty stores and craft markets abound in Jamaica. Good buys include quality wood, straw and pottery, furniture, ornaments and kitchen ware, local paintings, fine arts and crafts, local designer fashions.
Duty-free shops are found in various locations in Kingston and Montego Bay in addition to all resort areas, international airports and resort hotels. Most galleries, museums and tourist attractions have retail outlets which stock an excellent range of interesting items.
Tipping
At any time, tipping is your choice.
Medical Facilities
Public Hospitals:
- Kingston - University Hospital
- Montego Bay - Cornwall Regional Hospital
- Ocho Rios - St. Ann's Bay Hospital
Most hotels have trained nurses in attendance and a doctor on call.
Drugs
Possession of ganja (marijuana) and any "hard" drugs carries stiff penalties in Jamaica. A doctor's prescription is required to purchase drugs at pharmacies, but popular proprietary drugs are available "over the counter."
Illicit drugs warning!: The Jamaican government has an active anti-drug and cannabis eradication program. Stiff penalties exist for possession of and or trafficking in drugs.
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