Travel tips for Jamaica - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

1. Citizens of many countries do not need a visa to enter Jamaica if they plan to stay on the island for less than 30 days. Check if your country is eligible for no-visa entry. In all other cases, it is possible to get a visa right in the airport upon arrival. The visa costs US$25. To get the visa, applicants need a passport that is valid at least six months after the arrival, airplane tickets, and a document that proves hotel booking.

2. It is allowed to carry an unlimited sum of foreign currency. It is prohibited to carry inwards Jamaican dollars. The tax-free amount of imported goods is the following: 2 liters of alcoholic drinks, 2 blocks of cigarettes, no more than 150gr of perfume, and no more than 340ml of eau de parfum. It is prohibited to import all kinds of narcotic substances, plants, fruit, and firearms. It is also prohibited to carry animals without corresponding documents. There are no limits regarding the export of tobacco and alcohol from Jamaica.

3. Both Jamaican and US dollars are adopted on the island. Banks and exchange offices offer the most beneficial exchange rate between the currencies. It is also possible to exchange the money in the airport, but the exchange rate unfavorable there. Tourists can exchange Jamaican dollars back to American ones only when leaving the country. To be able to do this, tourists need to show receipts that proove the exchange of American dollars to Jamaican ones. It is also possible to pay with American dollars when making a purchase in Jamaica, but tourists will get the change in Jamaican dollars in this case, and sellers will use a very unfavorable exchange rate. Many tourist areas accept credit and debit cards.

4. Tourists do not need to do special vaccines before visiting Jamaica. However, it is recommended to get an insurance certificate for a vacation. Travelers interested in sex tourism need to keep in mind that the number of HIV and STD infected sex workers is high on the island.

5. During a vacation in Jamaica, it usually takes 2 to 3 days to get accustomed to local climatic conditions. During this time, it is recommended to use sunscreen and wear light clothes. Sunscreen and sunglasses bought on the island will be approximately 20% more expensive. Tourists also need to stock up on repellents to protect themselves from mosquitos and other insects.

6. Many hotels include tips of 10-15% in the total. Don’t forget to leave a similar tip in restaurants. When using taxi during the daytime, add a tip of 10-15% to the driver. At night, the taxi fare is 25% higher. Cars do not have meters as there is a fixed taxi price between different destinations.

6. Many three- and four-star hotels offer beach towels. In this case, it is possible to get one from receptionist. Not all tourists are aware of this service, so it is better to specify in advance whether your hotel offers it. Beach towels are provided for free. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

8. Tourists need to take into consideration the low income of local people. They might try to trick foreigners and, for example, offer something as a gift. Tourists do not need to accept such gifts because they may be asked to pay for the gift later.

9. Jamaicans are big patriots. For tourists, it is prohibited to say anything negative about the country and traditions of its people. Needless to say, all kinds of racism are also prohibited. When eating, do not leave food on the plate. Locals may consider this a sign of dislike of the national cuisine. Wearing revealing clothing is not recommended. Some restaurants and hotels have “evening dress” rules that oblige men to wear trousers and long sleeve shirts and women can put on an evening dress.

10. During a vacation in Jamaica, tourists can be sure that they are in safety in tourist areas. These zones have police patrols and guards that are always ready to help. In order to prevent different conflicts outside tourist areas, travelers need to be careful when dealing with locals and do not hang out in residential areas where ordinary Jamaicans live.

11. Tourists can rent a car in order to explore the island. To be eligible for this, they need the international driver’s permit. Left driving is adopted in Jamaica. Take into consideration that there are almost no road signs. Locals use buses to reach different towns of the island, but tourists are better to refrain from this type of transport because it is usually very crowded and not always safe.

12. It is better not to eat local fruits and vegetables until you wash them thoroughly. Processed meat, seafood, and dairy products are safe to eat, but they might still cause digestion problems due to the peculiarity of the national cuisine. It is better not to drink tap water. To quench thirst, use bottled water instead.