.:Customs regulations
It is allowed to import 2 liters of alcoholic beverages, 2 packs of cigarettes, goods purchased in duty free shops, and personal items within a reasonable rate into Jamaica duty-free (everything else can be confiscated). It is forbidden to import any narcotic drugs: increased control over drug trafficking has been established at the border. Strict restrictions have been introduced on the import of food, weapons, explosives, medicines, animals – special licenses and certificates must be presented at the border.
.:Entry
Citizens of Russia and the CIS countries do not need to apply for a visa in advance to travel to Jamaica if the period of stay on the island does not exceed 30 days, and the purpose of the visit is tourism or transit to a third country. Issued at the airport upon arrival, cost = 25 USD . You must have a passport with a validity period of at least 6 months at the time of entry into the country, an air ticket, a confirmation of hotel reservation. An airport tax of USD 27 will be charged upon departure (cash only!). When entering the country, you must present a completed tourist card (you can find it at the airport) and keep a copy of it until departure.
.: Meeting at the airport and information meeting
In the lobby of the airport, after passing through passport control and claiming your luggage, you will be met with a sign with your name on it. Company representatives need to transfer vouchers for transfer and accommodation.
.: Geography, population, religion, time
The island of Jamaica is located in the western part of the Caribbean Sea, 144 km. south of Cuba, bordering the Caribbean Sea. Together with Cuba, Haiti and Puerto Rico, Jamaica is part of the archipelago of the Greater Antilles of the West Indies. Jamaica is the third largest and largest English-speaking island of all the Caribbean islands. There are 120 rivers and many mountains on the island, the highest of which is the peak of the Blue Mountain – 2256 m. The capital is Kingston.
Most of the island population, numbering about 2.6 million people, are Jamaicans of African descent, but a strong mixture of immigrants from the African continent with emigrants from Europe, China, India and the Middle East, who entered into mixed marriages, formed a fairly diverse ethnic group, which considered to be an independent nation.
The majority of the population are Christians (about 60% are Protestants, 6% are Catholics, etc.). However, the influence of the traditional beliefs of the African continent, often mixed with Christian norms, is strong. Time – behind Moscow for 9 hours.
.: Language
English is also widely spoken local dialect – Patois.
.: Local currency and banks
The national currency of the country is the Jamaican dollar (international designation – JMD, within the country – JD or J$), consisting of 100 cents. In circulation, banknotes are used in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 100 dollars, as well as coins of 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 cents, 1 and 5 dollars. At the same time, coins of old issues and a large number of jubilee coins, often of very unexpected shapes, are in circulation.
Money can be changed at specialized currency exchange offices, banks, hotels and airports.
Almost everywhere you can pay with US dollars.
Approximate exchange rate:
Jamaican dollar (JMD) / United States dollar (USD)
1 USD = 85.47 JMD
100 JMD = 1.17 USD
Jamaican dollar (JMD) / Euro (EUR)
1 EUR = 116.10 JMD
1000 JMD = 8.61 EUR
.:Phone
The international country code is +1-876. To call Jamaica, you need to dial 8 – dial tone – 10 – 1876 (country code) – area code – seven-digit number of the called subscriber.
Cellular communication is represented by GSM-900 and TDMA formats and covers only the island itself. You can rent local telephones from Cable & Wireless offices.
: Shopping and shopping
Discs with reggae rhythms and souvenirs with Rastafarian symbols, Blue Mountain coffee, considered one of the best in the world, Appleton rum. In Jamaica, the sale, use and transportation of any kind of drugs is prohibited.
.: Health care
The Jamaican sun is a serious danger. Severe sunburn can occur even on cloudy days, so sunscreen with a high SPF is a must. In the early evening, midges often appear at the resorts – we recommend treating the skin with an insect repellent in advance. No vaccinations are required to visit Jamaica. It is easy to find all common medicines here, but we recommend that you bring any specific medicines you need with you. We also recommend that you drink bottled water.
.: Tips
In most hotels, tips are 10-15% of the bill and are included in the cost of staying at the hotel. Approximately the same in restaurants, where the cost of services is not included in the bill. In many hotels operating on the ALL INCLUSIVE system, tips are included in the price.
.: Electricity
Mains voltage is usually 110 V., 50 Hz. American style sockets with flat plug. In some large hotels – 220 V., 50 Hz.
.: Car rent
Car rental in Jamaica is one of the most expensive in the entire Caribbean. The main rental points are concentrated at the airport; you can also rent a car at a special desk in most hotels. However, it should be borne in mind that prices on the spot will be higher than for pre-booking via the Internet. On the roads you need to be extremely careful – the locals prefer an aggressive driving style. In cities, the speed is limited to 50 km/h, on suburban highways – up to 80 km/h. To rent a car, you need to have an international driver’s license and be over 25 years old.
.: Security
The security situation is rather ambiguous. Within the boundaries of large tourist areas, you don’t have to worry about personal safety – the work of its own security services is quite well established here and special police units operate. Outside of resorts, you should always exercise extra caution when dealing with locals. The standard of living of the bulk of the country’s population is extremely low, which cannot but leave an imprint on their attitude towards tourists.
You should not appear outside the resort areas alone – only in groups. Be careful when responding to the invitation of a local resident to “show the real Jamaica” – most likely it will be a banal brothel or a hangout of “marijuana-loaded” local “informals”. You should especially be wary of poshly dressed young Jamaicans, who rather intrusively demonstrate their omniscience of everything and everyone – usually these are banal scammers. Women should be doubly careful.
Never eat unwashed fruits and vegetables. Milk is pasteurized, dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meats, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat, but many local dishes are unfamiliar and can cause stomach upset.
.: Beaches
Basically all the beaches are municipal. Some hotels and some beach clubs have special beaches for nudists (especially in Negril). These areas are marked with “swimwear optional” signs. In all other places, sunbathing without clothes or topless is prohibited by law.
.: Check out from the hotel
A representative of the company will warn you in advance about the time of meeting in the hotel lobby for transfer to the airport (usually verbally or in writing, leaving you a message at the check-in desk).
.: Attention!!!
You need to remember that check – out (the official time when you need to vacate the room) is 12:00. Half an hour before the appointed time, it is advisable to go down to the hall with things. At the reception desk you will have to pay all bills for additional services (minibar, telephone conversations, etc.) and hand over the room key. Be sure to check if you forgot to take things from your safe and your passport from the porter.
Important: All airports in the 27 countries of the European Union must check passengers’ hand luggage and not allow liquids in excess of 100 milliliters, with a total volume of no more than 1 liter, to be carried on board aircraft. Medicines and baby food are checked separately and are not limited in volume. Perfumes, drinks, alcohol and aerosols purchased from duty-free shops at the airport and packed in sealed plastic bags can also be carried in hand luggage.
