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Jamaican Vacation Info

Jamaican Vacation and Jamaican Travel Information

Things To Know

  1. Airlines to Jamaica
  2. Jamaica airports
  3. Jamaica entry requirements
  4. Gateways flying times
  5. Taxes & service charges
  6. Jamaica currency
  7. Jamaica Time Zone
  8. What is the Standard electrical voltage in Jamaica?
  9. What language is spoken in Jamaica?
  10. Jamaica nightlife
  11. Jamaica geography
  12. What do I need to get married in Jamaica?
  13. Can I take my pet with to Jamaica?
  14. Transportation in Jamaica
  15. Jamaica dining
  16. When is Jamaica's rainy season?
  17. What type of clothing should I wear?
  18. Can I access the Internet in Jamaica?
  19. Do I need a vaccination to enter the island?
  20. What is the age limit on renting a car in Jamaica?
  21. What is the age of consent in Jamaica?
  22. What is the drinking age in Jamaica?
  23. What are the banking hours in Jamaica?
  24. What is the cheapest way to call 'home' from Jamaica?

AIRLINES
Air Canada. Air Europe. Air Jamaica. Air Jamaica Express. American Airlines. American Trans Air. British Airways. BWIA. Cayman Airways. Condor. Continental Airlines. COPA. Cubana. Delta Airlines. Martin Air. Northwest Airlines. US Air. United Airlines.

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AIRPORTS
(KIN)- Norman Manley International Airport, 13 mls from Kingston. (MBJ)- Sangster International Airport, 2 mls from downtown Montego Bay. Sangster to: Ocho Rios 1.5 hrs. Negril 1.5 hrs. Manley to Port Antonio is 2 hrs. South Coast 2.0 hrs.

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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Citizens of the US and Canada do not require a visa to go 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 an official photo ID (e.g. driver's license or voter registration card; 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 (JTB) office or Jamaican Consulate 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.

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GATEWAYS/FLYING TIMES

To Baltimore3 hrs.
Boston3 hrs 40 mins
Chicag3 hrs 45 mins
Dallas3 hrs 20 mins
Los Angeles5 hrs 30 mins
Miami1 hr 25 mins
Montego Bay from Atlanta2 hrs 40 mins
New Orleans3 hrs
New York3 hrs 20 mins
Toronto4 hrs

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TAXES & SERVICE CHARGES
Departure tax is JA$1,000 standard or US$25.00. General Consumption Tax: a 15% government tax has been introduced to replace the accommodations and other indirect taxes. 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.

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CURRENCY
The official rate of exchange fluctuates daily, depending on foreign exchange markets. Foreign currency may be exchanged for Jamaican dollars at any bank during regular business hours or at licensed exchange bureaus or cambios. Rates may vary marginally from bank to bank and are subject to change.

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TIME ZONE
Jamaica's Time Zone is EST. Jamaica does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

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

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

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NIGHTLIFE
Discos. Nightclubs. Dinner/Dances. Theaters. Live music. Cinemas.

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GEOGRAPHY
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 mls long and varying between 22 mls and 51 mls in width. Beaches are found along all the island's coasts.

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MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS
Visitors can be married just 24 hours after arriving in Jamaica providing prior application has been made for marriage license.

The couple must call the Ministry of National Security before you go, at 1-876-906-4908/9, to apply for your marriage license.

Cost for a license is two hundred Jamaican dollars (approximately US$5-US$6). There are non-denominational Marriage Officers who can officiate either at their offices, in their homes or at a place chosen by the couple, and are able to provide witnesses. Marriage Officers charge anywhere from US$50 - US$250.

The following documentation is required for couples wishing to get married in Jamaica:

  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. No blood test required. Persons need to have a heterosexual relationship for marriage as a prerequisite.

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PET REGULATIONS
To import pets into the country you will need a written application from the Director of Veterinary Services Division of The Ministry of Agriculture, Hope Gardens, Kingston 6. *Cats and dogs are allowed into the country only from England.

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DINING
Local. Fast food. Gourmet. International. Tipping: 10-15%

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

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THE RAINY SEASONS
Jamaica's rainy season is May-June and Sept-October

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WHAT TYPE OF CLOTHING SHOULD I WEAR?
Light clothing. However you may need a sweater for evenings during winter.

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CAN I ACCESS THE INTERNET?
Yes! Below is a list of providers.

  • Jamaica Online
  • InfoChannel
  • KasNet Online
  • COLIS BBS
  • JamWeb
  • Cable and Wireless Jamaica

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DO I NEED A VACCINATION TO ENTER JAMAICA?
Vaccinations are not required to enter the island unless you have visited any of the following countries within the past 6 weeks: Asia, Africa, Central & South America, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Trinidad & Tobago. Ask your Travel agent or Around the Clock travel , who helped us compile this information.?

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WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE TO RENT A CAR IN JAMAICA?
You must be 25 years of age.

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WHAT IS THE AGE OF CONSENT IN JAMAICA?
The age of consent is 16.

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WHAT IS THE DRINKING AGE IN JAMAICA?
The age of consent, however drinking and getting drunk is frowned upon in Jamaica and you will rarely find young people under the age of 25 drinking.

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WHAT IS THE BANKING HOURS IN JAMAICA?
Banks are open between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm Monday to Thursday, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm to 5 pm. A limited amount of banks are open on Saturdays.

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WHAT IS THE CHEAPEST WAY TO CALL 'HOME' FROM JAMAICA? The least expensive way to call outside of Jamaica is to buy a pre-paid calling card while in Jamaica.

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