Jamaica Climate:
Jamaica is usually warm and sunny, between 75 –
90 degrees Fahrenheit all year. During the winter the
nights can become cool, so bring a jacket.
Jamaica Entry Requirement:
Every person entering Jamaica must have of one of the
following to provide proof of citizenship:
A valid passport
An official (original copy with a raised seal) birth certificate,
plus a valid driver’s license.
Jamaica Electricity:
110 volts/50 cycles - same as in the U.S.
No adapters necessary for North American visitors, but
European visitors will require one.
Jamaica Firearms:
Firearms are forbidden by Jamaican law. This includes
ammunition also. Firearms must be declared on arrival
and surrendered to Customs. They will be given back immediately
prior to departure from the island.
Jamaica Business Hours:
Banking hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00
p.m. Friday hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Jamaica Safety:
Most Jamaican people are friendly and peaceful, however,
petty crime is a problem in urban areas. Use common sense:
don't walk the streets at night and draw attention with
flashy jewelry or large sums of money.
Jamaica Language:
The official language is English. There is a very strong
dialect, so don’t be surprised if it can be difficult
to understand.
Jamaica Beaches:
Jamaica is known its fabulous beaches. The best beaches
are found in Discovery Bay, Runaway Bay, Ocho Rios and
Negril.
Jamaica Driving:
Driving is on the left side of the road. English style.
Jamaica Airlines:
Air Canada
Air Jamaica
American Airlines
British Airways
BWIA
Cayman Airlines
Continental Airlines
Northwest
US Air
Montego Bay is usually the airport used when staying at
any of our villas.
Approximate flight times:
Miami to Jamaica: 1.5 hours
New York to Jamaica: 3.5 hours
Jamaica Car/Van Rentals:
We have a dedicated group of professional drivers in Jamaica, and we highly recommend you and your group rent a private van with driver that will be dedicated to you during your stay. This convenient service is about the same cost as renting a car or van on your own plus it allows you to relax on your vacation, not worry about driving on the left side of the roads and enjoy the knowledgeable drivers and let them be your tour guides.
View all of our information on renting
a van in Jamaica.
Here are the approximate drive times between towns:
Montego Bay - Montego Bay = 15 minutes
Montego Bay - Discovery Bay = 1 hours
Montego Bay - Runaway Bay = 1 hour 15 minutes
Montego Bay - Ocho Rios = 1.5 hours
Montego Bay - Negril = 1 hour
Kingston - Ocho Rios = 2 hours
Jamaica Budgeting/Extra Costs:
In addition to the weekly villa rental cost, here are
some examples of other possible costs:
Air Transportation
Airport Transfers:
Included in weekly van rental price below.
Weekly Van Rental (private driver):
Average of about $800 for one week.
Groceries & Drinks:
Budget approximately US $245-$315 per person/adult
for 3 full meals per week. (These prices can go
up or down depending on the type of food you purchase,
and how much alcoholic beverages you have.)
Tip for the staff:
We recommend that you tip the staff about 10% of
the total villa rental. You may either divide up
the tips yourself, or give one lump sum at the end
of your stay.
Souvenir Shopping
Jamaica Villa Check-in/Check-out times:
Check-in time is generally after 1:00 PM and check-out
time is generally 12:00 noon. These times can be flexible
depending on when another group is coming in or leaving.
Just let us know what your needs are and we will work
to try and accommodate you.
More Information:
You can contact the Jamaica Tourist Board at Tourism Centre,
2 St. Lucia Avenue, New Kingston 5, Jamaica; (809) 929-9200
or 800-JAMAICA. There are Jamaica Tourist Board offices
in New York, Los Angeles, Coral Cables, Chicago and Dallas.
The phone number in New York is (212) 856-9727.
Fun Facts
Independence Day: August 16, 1962
National Flower: Lignum Vitae (Wood of Life)
National Tree: Hibiscus elatus (Blue Mahoe)
National Bird: Trochilus polytmus (Doctor Bird)
National Dish: Ackee and saltfish
It was Harry Belefonte who called Jamaica Island in the
sun
The national dish of Jamaica is Ackee and Saltfish
The name Jamaica comes from a word of the Arawak Indians,
"Xaymaca", meaning land of wood and water.
The words barbecue, canoe, hurricane, potato and tobacco
come from the language of the first colonists of Jamaica,
the Arawak Indians.
Rum is the national drink of Jamaica; the island was the
world's first commercial producer of rum.
Ackee, the Jamaican national fruit, is often eaten for
breakfast. If ackee fruit is opened before it is ripe
it gives off a poison which can be fatal.
Today, the sugar industry is the highest employer in Jamaica
- in the eighteenth century the island was the world's
largest sugar producer.
Coffee from Jamaica's Blue Mountains is among the world's most famous and expensive.
The Blue Mountains are named for the mists that often
cover them, which look blue from a distance.
Noel Coward spent many years living in his Jamaican
home, "Firefly", near Ocho Rios. He is buried
in the garden.
Errol Flynn, the famous film star, bought a hotel and
a large estate in Jamaica and lived there for a number
of years.
Ian Fleming designed and built his home, "Goldeneye",
in Jamaica and wrote ten of his James Bond novels there.
Fleming borrowed the name of his famous spy, James
Bond, from James Bond, the author of a guide to the
birds of the West Indies.
Bob Marley, a major influence on modern popular music
- Jammin; No Woman, No Cry - died of cancer at the age
of 36.
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