Jamaica Travel Tips: Best Time, Safety, Landscapes and More

For those of you who are planning a trip to the land of reggae or are planning to visit it soon, I bring you 9 tips from Jamaica that will make your trip through the country a LOT easier.

Home to beautiful landscapes, this Caribbean island is still a destination little explored by most tourists and, therefore, many doubts may arise on a first trip to Jamaica.

Many people consider Jamaica to be a dangerous country and suggest avoiding backpacking in the region. However, with the right amount of care, there is a lot to do in Jamaica, and it is quite common for the destination to be a stop for wonderful cruises.

This, from its capital Kingston to the traditional beach destinations Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. Follow me from now on and discover great tips for your itinerary through the unmissable landscapes of Jamaica.

As it is a small country, it is possible to visit the main cities in a relatively short trip or take itineraries that include other Caribbean countries in addition to Jamaica, such as Cuba. 

Jamaica travel tips

1. Best time to go

The best time to go and discover Jamaica is during the dry season, which occurs in the country from December to April. During this period, the incidence of rain is lower, which allows you to better enjoy outdoor activities on the island.

Although it is summer, the temperatures are mild and the water is pleasant. However, be prepared: as it is high season, the island tends to have a greater flow of tourists and prices increase.

The rest of the year it is perfectly possible to visit the country. However, there is a high probability of rain in the region, which could hamper most of your programs.

In the months of June to November, however, it is not advisable to visit Jamaica, due to a greater possibility of cyclones and hurricanes occurring on the island (although they are infrequent). 

2. Currency

Jamaica’s official currency is the Jamaican dollar. However, on the island, the US dollar is very well accepted and may be the only currency you need to take into the country.

To make the most of your trip, one of Jamaica’s tips is to buy United States dollars while still in your home country, taking advantage of the best prices in the months before your trip.

After arriving in Jamaica with US dollars, you can pay all your expenses and make a better exchange rate for Jamaican dollars, if necessary. In addition, it is always safer to take more than one payment method when traveling internationally. Therefore, it is a good idea to bring an international credit card or a prepaid travel card to Jamaica for emergencies.

3. Visa, Passport and Vaccination

To enter Jamaica you must have a passport valid for at least 6 months, with at least one blank page. A tourist visa is not required to stay in the country for up to 90 days.

Another requirement to enter Jamaica is to have been immunized with the yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before your trip. The accepted document to prove vaccination to international authorities is the International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis (CIVP).

You will need your CPF and correctly completed proof of vaccination, which will be delivered to the health center after your vaccination.

Attention: issuing the CIVP can take up to 10 business days, so it is very important to plan in advance.

Another tip from Jamaica to make your entry into the country easier is to take with you printed, or on your smartphone, your round-trip tickets and proof of accommodation reservation. This way, the passage through the Jamaican authorities will certainly be much smoother.

4. Health and Travel Insurance

When traveling, we are subject to different situations that can affect our health. When the destination is international, we need to take additional care, as medical care abroad is usually quite expensive and access is often limited.

It is highly recommended to take out travel insurance for Jamaica before embarking. The public health system is precarious, and with insurance you will have support if you need to seek medical care on the island.

Insurance is also important if there is a need to return to your country for health reasons. Another very important recommendation is to take your medications for continuous use on the trip. This is because, these may not be found in Jamaica. To avoid any problems, always carry a prescription in English with you. This is one of the important tips in Jamaica.

5. Food

When visiting Jamaica, prepare yourself for a gastronomic experience rich in exotic flavors. Jamaican cuisine is heavily influenced by the country’s typical fruits, such as ackee and breadfruit.

Several ancestral methods are used to prepare the dishes, such as the famous jerk, a meat smoking technique. Furthermore, Jamaican food is quite democratic, adapting to different traveler profiles.

Vegetarians will find great options in Rastafarian cuisine, which favors the consumption of fruits and vegetables and seeks simple preparation techniques, without excess additives.

Furthermore, you can find great food options from street markets to the most sophisticated restaurants. 

6. Security

According to many sources, a trip to Jamaica should be undertaken with a high degree of caution. This is necessary, as Jamaica, like any other nation, has crime and security problems, especially in Jamaica’s main cities, such as Kingston and Montego Bay.

For this reason, it is important to always be aware of your belongings and strange movements in public places. This is one of the tips for Jamaica that also applies to every trip we take.

Try to avoid walking outside tourist areas, especially at night and unaccompanied. With these small precautions, it is possible to have a peaceful trip to Jamaica.

Although quite widespread on the island, the consumption of marijuana and other narcotics is also a crime in Jamaica. Therefore, it is very important to be aware, since the supply of marijuana is large in cities and beaches. Speaking of which, see more interesting facts about Jamaica.

Furthermore, when traveling to the country between June and November, it is essential to follow the weather forecasts, as during this period there is a chance of cyclones and hurricanes in Jamaica.

7. Sockets in Jamaica

One of the essential Jamaica tips for your trip is the type of plug used on the island. In order for you to charge your cell phone, camera and electronic equipment in Jamaica, an adapter is required.

This is because in the country type A or B sockets are used. Type A socket has two parallel flat holes, while type B has two parallel flat holes with a third round hole below. On the island, the sockets are 110V.

However, due to the large presence of American tourists, many hotels offer the type of plug present in the United States.

8. Car Rental

If you intend to rent a car in Jamaica to travel around the island during your trip, it is important to pay attention to the fact that in the country the English way is used – you drive on the left side of the road.

Highways cover the entire island, but care must be taken as some may be poorly paved, especially in less touristy regions. Wearing a seat belt is mandatory in Jamaica.

9. Cruise

One of the most comfortable ways to get to know the cities and beaches in Jamaica is on cruises that disembark on the island and which can also travel to other countries in the Caribbean Sea.

The main disembarkation ports for ships in Jamaica are the cities of Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Falmouth, on the north coast of the island. In these cities, there is certainly no shortage of things to do, including beaches and waterfalls.

Generally lasting 7 days, these cruises usually depart from Panama, Colombia or the United States. From the simplest to the most luxurious options, cruises are a good option for those who want to combine several destinations to explore some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, in addition to the experience of being on a large ship.

Also Read: Best Places to Visit in USA

Planning is essential for traveling to Jamaica

Carrying out a dream trip to Jamaica doesn’t just depend on choosing the best tourist attractions and best hotels in Jamaica. Advance planning regarding necessary documents, finances and daily details is essential to avoid setbacks and travel more safely and comfortably around the island. With these tips about Jamaica, I’m sure your stay in the country will be much more fruitful.