Be ready for your vacation to Jamaica with these top tips on health, safety and etiquette © Peter Phipp / Getty Images
Pulsating reggae and dancehall beats aside, Jamaica’s natural beauty – gorgeous beaches, jungle-covered mountains and tropical waterfalls – and world-renowned culinary scene, are what set it apart from other islands in the Caribbean.
Learning the nation's unspoken rules and etiquette goes a long way toward helping you understand what makes Jamaica such a remarkable place and manage any travel concerns you might have. Here's everything you should know before you go.
1. Choose where to stay wisely
Jamaica is one of the largest islands in the Caribbean, so where you decide to stay depends on what you’re into. For beaches and water sports, Negril and the north coast are your best bets.
Montego Bay and Ocho Rios combine excellent dining scenes with proximity to natural attractions and buzzy nightlife, though when it comes to the Jamaican music scene, Kingston – the capital – reigns supreme.
Treasure Beach (south coast) and Port Antonio (north coast) offer a taste of low-key, laid-back Jamaica, while those interested in traditional Maroon culture can visit Charles Town on the northeastern coast.
Hiking up Blue Mountain peak and trekking in remote Cockpit Country are best organized from Kingston or Falmouth, respectively.
2. Bring a mosquito net (just in case)
Jamaican mosquitoes do not carry malaria but there are occasional outbreaks of dengue fever. Some of the guesthouses and hotels don’t provide mosquito nets, so bring your own.
The best repellent for no-see-ums (midges) – tiny biting insects that live near water, whose bites are extremely itchy – is Avon Skin So Soft.
3. Carry some cash
In upmarket hotels, shops and restaurants credit cards are almost universally accepted. Elsewhere in Jamaica, cash (Jamaican dollars) is king, though in touristy destinations you can largely get by with US dollars.
ATMs and currency exchanges are plentiful in Montego Bay, Kingston and Ocho Rios, though currency exchanges (cambios) give you the best rates. Airport rates are not great, and you’ll get hit with ATM charges if you withdraw cash. Small change is best for buying from street vendors and using public transport.
4. You can travel during hurricane season
Jamaica is vulnerable to hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season (early June to late November); most storms occur between August and October. Timing your visit to Jamaica during hurricane season is possible if you follow a few basic rules:
Take out travel insurance that covers hurricanes.
Download a hurricane tracker app.
Decide (as soon as possible) whether you’ll try to catch an early flight home (which may be expensive/difficult) or hunker down in case of a hurricane.
Find out whether your hotel/guesthouse has a hurricane shelter, and whether it’s likely to be affected by flooding or landslides, bearing in mind that only hotels with private generators are unlikely to get hit by power outages.
Charge your electronics and make sure you have a flashlight, first aid kit, and a supply of food and water.
Comply with evacuation orders.
Consider relocating closer to the airport in Kingston or Montego Bay to make it easier to get help/get out after a hurricane.
If Jamaica is hit by a hurricane, have plenty of patience and be prepared to extend your trip.
5. You don't need to hire a car
The main towns in Jamaica are served by a combination of comfortable, air-conditioned buses, crowded minibuses and route taxis.
It’s entirely possible to get around Jamaica using public transportation, though for exploring more remote destinations, you’ll need either ample time and patience or your own set of wheels.
If you plan on taking a road trip, car hire is available at airports in Kingston and Montego Bay.
6. Feel free to let loose on a night out
Casual summer wear is perfectly acceptable for most occasions, though some upscale resorts and pricier restaurants expect smart casual attire.
At nightclubs in Kingston and Montego Bay, “batty riders” (skin-tight shorts) and similarly figure-hugging tops are a popular choice for women, while men tend to wear jeans and shirts. Remember, the vibe is laid-back and nonjudgemental so staring or judging is unacceptable.
If something casual and low-key is more your fashion speed, come as you are. It’s a party after all.
If you’re a newcomer to the dancehall scene, it can be a real eye-opener. The dancing can be pretty suggestive and locals try to outdo each other when it comes to “whining” – gyrating hips and waists to the music.
You’ll likely get pushed into the melee, and then it’s sink or swim time! You’ll get a lot of good-natured remarks from regulars if you give the dancing your best shot, and they might even offer to teach you to dance.
7. Stay up for the nightlife
Jamaica never sleeps. At least, that’s true for Kingston, Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Negril is best for beach parties while Kingston has the slickest nightclubs, the best music events and street dances.
Things rarely get going before midnight and revelers party until sunrise. Overnight reggae and dancehall concerts involve at least a dozen performers, with the audience expressing their enthusiasm with shouts of “bullet bullet,” and two-finger gun salutes. It’s raucous, but typically all in good fun.
8. Do talk to strangers
Unlike many other big cities where striking up conversations with strangers is a massive faux pas, in Jamaica, the opposite is true.
Some Jamaicans will talk with you in the hopes of doing business (see “How to handle hustling and harassment”). Still, many are genuinely interested in learning more about you, and find standoffishness offensive. You’ll find yourself saying “good morning” “good afternoon” and “good night” (in greeting as well as farewell) a whole lot.
Elders are treated with extra respect. An exchange of friendly banter with vendors trying to sell you fruit or souvenirs is infinitely preferable to coldly ignoring people just trying to make a living.
9. Respect Rastafarianism
Around 1% of Jamaicans practice Rastafarianism. This religious and political movement combines Biblical teachings with seeing Ethiopia as the Promised Land, using ganja in order to commune with Jah (God), and living a “natural” lifestyle involving I-tal food (free from artificial additives), and the growing of locs and beards for men.
Some Rastafarians live in small, secluded and self-sustaining communities – outsiders may only visit if they contact the elders in advance to request permission. The Rastafari Indigenous Village outside Montego Bay is a more accessible (and much more touristy) experience.
10. Gentle bartering over prices is common in markets
Gentle haggling is common and expected when you’re buying souvenirs from individual sellers or shopping in local markets.
Elsewhere, you’re expected to pay the stated price. As always, be respectful of the fact this is someone's livelihood and if you're not happy with the price, walk away with a smile.
11. Jamaica is not an LGBTIQ+ friendly country
Jamaican society is largely homophobic and the gay scene in Kingston is firmly underground, with public displays of affection between gay couples strongly inadvisable – sexual acts between men are illegal and punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
That said, in popular tourist destinations, there are hotels (including some all-inclusive) that welcome LGBTIQ+ travelers.
12. Clean public bathrooms are not easily found
Shopping malls, cafes and restaurants charge for the use of their facilities, which don’t always meet basic hygiene standards, and woe betide you if you need the bathroom away from the hospitality sector.
13. Jamaican tap water is generally drinkable
Jamaica’s tap water is generally safe to drink in most parts of the island. Avoid faucet water in far-flung rural areas, and steer clear of ice, sold at street stands as "bellywash," "snocones" or "skyjuice" (shaved-ice cones sweetened with fruit juice).
While bottled water is readily available, recycling plastic is an issue, so it’s best to bring reusable flasks with you.
14. Vegetarian and vegans can eat well in Jamaica
Plant-based I-tal ("vital") food, an essential tenet of Rastafarianism, is widely available and delicious.
Expect freshly squeezed fruit juices, plantain fritters, steamed callaloo (Jamaica’s answer to spinach), tropical fruit and much more. In non-Rasta eateries, rice ‘n’ peas (rice with kidney beans) is the most common accompaniment to most dishes.
15. Expect hustlers to hustle and sometimes harass
Travelers are extremely likely to encounter constant sales pitches from hustlers, particularly around the major tourist centers or Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios.
Some may be aggressively persistent in the hopes that you’ll buy whatever it is they’re selling just to be left alone; be firm yet polite in your refusals.
16. Avoid common payment scams when taking tours
Common scams involve young men offering transportation to a popular tourist attraction (waterfall, swimming hole) and then claiming that you only paid a one-way fee.
Self-appointed “guides” may come up with various add-ons at the end of tours, so in both cases, be absolutely clear as to what the agreed-upon fee covers before accepting their services.
17. Gang violence doesn't target tourists
Organized crime in Jamaica revolves around gang violence. In the 1970s, Jamaica’s two rival political parties armed their supporters in Kingston’s neighborhoods and set in motion deadly feuds lasting generations.
Today, neighborhoods are controlled by local dons who are no longer reliant on politicians for guns or money.
Gang violence does not target visitors unless you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Opportunistic muggings and pickpocketing do occur, however, so it’s best to take common sense precautions (taking a taxi back at night, carrying as little cash as possible).
18. Female travelers have reported assaults
If you’re a single woman, you may well find yourself on the receiving end of anything from flirting to blunt propositioning – constant come-ons can be wearying. Be polite yet firm if you are not interested.
There have been a number of assaults on female tourists by staff at some of Jamaica’s top beach resorts over the years, with the allegations mishandled, covered up or with trips refunded in exchange for signing non-disclosure agreements.
19. Smoking ganja (weed) in public is still illegal
Smoking “di holy herb” is an integral part of life not just for the Rastafari but also for a substantial number of Jamaicans. Weed is ubiquitous and cheap, and you are very likely to be approached by vendors selling joints.
Since 2015, ganja has been decriminalized, and while smoking weed in public is still illegal and punishable with a fine of J$500, you may have up to two ounces for personal use without it going on your criminal record.
Exceptions are made for religious and medical purposes. Several medical dispensaries have opened up around the country (in Kingston, St Ann’s Bay, Falmouth and Montego Bay) where visitors may legally purchase marijuana with a doctor’s prescription, and make use of on-site smoking rooms.
But if you try to take some ganja home at the end of your vacation, you’ll find your Jamaica stay extended by two years in Fort Augusta prison (for women) or Spanish Town prison (for men).
20. Other drugs and law enforcement
Besides ganja, cocaine is also widely available (Jamaica is a major trans-shipment point for the Colombia–US route), along with hallucinogenic “tea” made from wild mushrooms.
The global drugs trade helps to fuel gang violence (particularly in Kingston and Montego Bay) and penalties for possession of hard drugs are severe.
You may encounter roadblocks and random car searches, performed by police in combat gear; occasional extortion to supplement wages is not unheard of. Don’t accept drinks from strangers in nightclubs since date rape drugs are a concern.
21. Driving in Jamaica is not for the fainthearted
In contrast to their typical laid-back attitude, many Jamaicans drive hard and fast, especially around cities and along winding mountain roads.
Watch out for drivers overtaking around blind corners and swerving onto the opposite side of the road to avoid ubiquitous potholes. Drive on the left, and perhaps avoid Kingston and Montego Bay if you’re a first-timer.
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