The Caribbean travellers finest resource

Email this page to:

Close

Jamaica / Car Rental

Hiring a car can be an excellent addition to a visit to the Caribbean, but particularly so in Jamaica because the country is great fun to drive around. It is large enough to have proper variety and is exceptionally attractive. There are more than 8,000 miles of paved roads (well, usually!) encircling the island and there is a lot to explore. Actually the roads in Jamaica are quite good at the moment as there has been an extensive building programme in recent years. It is quite possible to set up an itinerary lasting a couple of weeks, staying a few nights in the different areas of the island and in varied types of accommodation.

The minimum age for renting and driving a hired vehicle is 21 years, though some companies charge an “underage” surcharge for drivers under the ages of 23-25 years (it depends on the car hire company). Drivers must have held a licence for at least two years, though some will accept one year for underage drivers for a surcharge. The maximum age for hiring and driving varies between 65 and 70 years, again depending on the car rental company. Please note that the wearing of safety belts is compulsory and children under 3 years of age must be placed in a child seat. Child seats cost approximately US$6 per day to hire.

Unlike most other Caribbean islands, there is no need to purchase a local driving licence when driving in Jamaica. Visitors from the UK may use their licence for up to 12 months and visitors from North America may use their country’s licence for up to three months - both per visit. Jamaica also recognises valid International Driver’s Licences (unlike many other Caribbean islands where a local licence is required). You are required to carry a valid licence at all times when driving in Jamaica.

You may also want to read our article - Essential Notes on Driving in the Caribbean.

Please see below for our recommended Jamaica car rental companies and full directory listings.

Browse Car Rental on other islands

Anguilla | Antigua and Barbuda | Barbados | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Grenada & Carriacou | Jamaica | Nevis | Saba | St Barthélemy | St Eustatius | St Kitts | St Lucia | St Martin/St Maarten | St Vincent and the Grenadines | Tobago | Trinidad

Or read our other island guides

Anguilla | Antigua | Aruba | Bahamas | Barbados | Bermuda | Bonaire | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Cuba | Curacao | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Grenada and Carriacou | Guadeloupe | Haiti | Jamaica | Martinique | Montserrat | Nevis | Puerto Rico | Saba | St Barthélemy | St Eustatius | St Kitts | St Lucia | St Martin/St Maarten | St Vincent and the Grenadines | Tobago | Trinidad | Turks & Caicos Islands | US Virgin Islands

island_map View on map

Jamaica’s weather

Jamaica weather chart

When to go and weather

Looking for inspiration?

  1. Sample some fiery jerk chicken or pork at one of the many stands in Boston - the home of jerk 
  2. Take a tour of Appleton Estate, Jamaica's oldest rum producer
  3. Spend the day exploring Dunn's River Falls & Park
  4. Enjoy a round of golf at one of Montego Bay's five, 18-hole courses
  5. Immerse yourself in local culture and pay a visit to the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston

Jamaica Events

View calendar