Jamaica / Island Essentials

All travellers to Jamaica will need to know the essential island facts.  The information on Jamaica shown below is current (2011/12).

Currency/Credit Cards

The currency of Jamaica is the Jamaica Dollar J$, which is often known as the ‘J’. It floats on the foreign exchanges and it is currently valued at approximately US$1 = J$86 and £1 = J$135. 

While most transactions take place in Jamaican dollars, the US dollar is widely accepted, particularly in places that deal with tourists on a regular basis (though you will probably receive your change in Jamaican dollars). If you do pay in US, it is probably a good idea to ask what exchange rate you will be offered however, because it can sometimes be quite low.

If you hear Jamaicans referring to ‘a dollar’ in a way that doesn’t ring quite true, it is probably because the word ‘dollar’ is also used as shorthand for J$100.

You will find plenty of banks or licensed exchange bureaus, called cambios, in the main towns. There are also plenty of ATMs, which accept international banks cards such as Visa and MasterCard logos in the banks, shopping malls and major petrol stations.

Credit cards can be widely used in all businesses, restaurants, shops and of course hotels that have any contact with tourism. Do not expect to be able to use them in local bars or shops outside the tourist areas and Kingston.

Check-In/Check-Out

Check-out times vary between 11am and 12 noon and check-in is seldom prior to 3pm, during which time accommodations are made ready for new arrivals. Normally the times are not an issue (most international flight arrivals into Jamaica are in the mid to late afternoon), but if you are travelling within Jamaica and want to arrive earlier than this then let the hotel know in advance and they may be able to sort a room for you. Some properties may provide day rooms/shower facilities subject to availability.

Departure Tax/Taxes

An airport departure tax of J$1000 is payable by all passengers over the age of 12 years when departing Jamaica. In most cases will be included in the cost of your airline ticket. If not, it is payable on check-in. Only cash, either US or Jamaica dollars, is accepted as payment. 

A 17.5% government General Consumption Tax is applied to most goods and some services in Jamaica, including car hire, restaurants, entertainment and retail sales. Although this tax is included in the prices listed in most shops, note that in restaurants GCT is generally added to the bill.

A Government Room Occupancy Tax of 8.25% is added to hotel and villa accommodation rates. A 10-15% service charge may either be included or applied to room rates in lieu of tipping. These amounts may make quite a difference to the eventual price of your holiday, so make sure to calculate them when pricing it up.

Electricity

The electrical supply in Jamaica is 110 volts/50 cycles. Sockets are all 2-pin, of the type used in North America.

Embassies/Consulates.

Canada
Canadian High Commission, 3 West Kings House Road, Kingston 10, t 926 1500-7, f 960 3861, kngtn-td@dfait-maeci.gc.ca 
Opening hours 8am-4.30pm Mon-Thu and 8am-1.30pm Fri 

United Kingdom
British High Commission, 28 Trafalgar Road, PO Box 575, Kingston 10, t 510 0700, f 510 0737, bhckingston@mail.infochan.com 
Opening Hours, 8am-1pm and 2pm-4.30pm Mon-Thu and 8am-1pm Fri 

British Honorary Consul, Montego Bay, t/f 999 9693 (office hours only), f 954 6394/5 

United States
Embassy of The United States of America, Mutual Life Building, 3rd floor, 2 Oxford Road, Kingston 5, t 929 4850-9, f 935 6001, after hours emergency t            001 876 926 6440      , usis@cwjamaica.com 
Opening hours 7.15am-4pm Mon-Fri 

United States of America Consular Agency, St James Place, 2nd Floor, Gloucester Avenue, Montego Bay, t 952 0160/952 5050 or 952-6575 (home) 
Opening hours 9am-12 noon Mon-Fri

Emergencies

Police – 119 
Fire – 110 
Ambulance – 110 
Air/Sea Rescue – 119 
Hurricane Update - 116 

Hospitals with Accident and Emergency facilities include:
Cornwall Regional Hospital, Montego Bay, t 952 5100 or MoBay Hope Medical Centre t 953 3649/3981/9310/2712. Kingston Public Hospital, t 922 0210 or University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston t 927 1620. St Ann’s Bay Hospital (for Ocho Rios) t 972 2272, Port Antonio Hospital t 993 2646, Savanna-La-Mar Hospital (for Negril) t 955-2533

Medical

Like the rest of the Caribbean, Jamaica has a hot but fairly benign climate. If you are unlucky enough in your holiday to need them, there are medical facilities in all of the main towns on the island, however your first port of call should probably be your hotel front desk as most hotels have a doctor on call. Pharmacies are located island wide, with many offering a 24-hour service. Visitors’ prescriptions can be fulfilled following consultation with a local physician. 

Hospitals 
The following are primary hospitals and have either an A&E department or 24-hour emergency service. 

Cornwall Regional Hospital, Montego Bay, t 952 5100, MoBay Hope Medical Centre, Half Moon Shopping Centre, t 953 3649. Kingston Public Hospital, t 922 0210, University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, t 927 1620. 

Secondary hospitals include St Ann’s Hospital, St Ann’s Bay (for Ocho Rios), t 972 2272, Port Antonio Hospital, t 993 2646 and Savanna-La-Mar Hospital(for Negril), t 955 2533. 

Vaccinations 
Vaccinations are not required for entry into Jamaica with the exception of travellers who are coming from an area infected with Yellow Fever. In this case a vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age. 

There is no malaria in Jamaica, but there are very occasional outbreaks of dengue fever – another mosquito-borne disease which happens after considerable rain. You should take normal precautions against mosquito bites. If you are susceptible then make sure to use insect repellent during daylight hours and after sunset. 

Non-profit organisations and Government links: 
Cornwall Regional Hospital, Mt Salem, Montego Bay, t 952 5100 c/o Western Region Health Authority info@wrha.gov.jm 
http://www.wrha.gov.jm/content/WRHA_CRH.html

Kingston Public Hospital, North Street, Kingson, t 922 0210 c/o South East Regional Health Authority, kph@serha.gov.jm 
http://www.serha.gov.jm/KingstonPublic.aspx

Nudity

Officially toplessness and nudity are illegal in Jamaica, except in certain designated areas. These are usually within hotels away from the public beaches. While they are slightly less prudish than many former British West Indians, the Jamaicans do not particularly like nudity. It may occasionally happen in the major tourist resorts, but you are advised not to strip off or go topless in remote or ‘local’ areas of the island.

Service Charge/Tipping

Hotel and villa accommodation rates in Jamaica incur a 105% Government Accommodation Tax and usually a 10% service charge and they are normally added to your bill on departure. At one fifth of the rack rate, 20% can make quite a difference to the eventual price of a holiday, so if you are booking direct make sure you calculate it in when pricing up your trip. Some private villas management companies will suggest a 10% service charge during winter and 15% during summer as villa staff gratuities, and in order to make sure staff get the correct amount they will offer to pre-collect this with rental payments. Although tipping is discretionary it is made very clear that it is expected and that villa guests tip staff appropriately. 

Tipping for good service in restaurants and elsewhere is obviously appreciated and it is regarded as the norm. In restaurants and bars, check the bill, but around 10-15% should be added. Some add this automatically along with the government's 17.5% General Consumption Tax.

Time Zone

Jamaica is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone, the same as the eastern seaboard of the United States. The island does not observe Daylight Saving Time and so in the summer, when the eastern seaboard moves onto Summer Time, it is an hour behind. 

During the winter Jamaica is five hours behind Britain (GMT) and six behind mainland Europe, and during the summer (British Summer Time) it is six hours behind Britain and seven behind Europe.

Water

The drinking water in Jamaica is filtered and purified by modern methods and is therefore safe to drink straight from the taps. If you prefer to drink bottled water, there are many brands of Jamaican spring water readily available. 

Brands of Jamaican bottled water include Catherine’s Peak, which is bottled in the Blue Mountains, Wata, Jamaica Blue Mountain and Mivida.