Organize your stay Jamaica
Money Jamaica
The currency is the Jamaican dollar (JMD). The US dollar (US$) is also widely used, especially in tourist areas, but accepted everywhere. Many ATMs offer a choice of both currencies. However, it is always better to pay in JMD. Always bring cash to avoid any inconvenience and negotiate as best you can.
The exchange rate in January 2022 is: 100 JMD = 0.57 € = 0.64 US$; 1US$ = 156 JMD. Be aware that the Jamaican dollar is very volatile. Therefore, the reference is often the US dollar, especially in large hotels and at the entrance of tourist attractions
Budget & Tips Jamaica
Prices in supermarkets, souvenir stores or restaurants with international standards are generally comparable or even higher than those in France. The following average budgets correspond to the daily expenses on site, including hotel, food, visits and various expenses. Small budget: from 50 to 70 US$ per day; medium budget: from 70 to 130 US$ per day; large budget: over 130 US$ per day
Passport and visas Jamaica
For French, Swiss, Belgian and Canadian citizens, no visa is required for stays of 30 days or less. All you need is a passport valid for 6 months after your return from Jamaica. A visa is required for a stay of more than 30 days, or for a business trip. If you wish to extend your stay without a visa, you must contact the Immigration Office in Kingston (10,000 JMD to extend the visa to 60 days)
Please note: if your plane has a stopover in the United States, which is often the case when traveling to Jamaica, you must have an ESTA form. The request must be made by the travelers, at the latest 72 hours before departure. The document costs US$14 and is payable online (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov).
Driver's license Jamaica
Your French license is sufficient to rent a car in Jamaica.
Health Jamaica
There are no major health risks in Jamaica. At worst, fear sunstroke or mosquito bites! A few cases of dengue fever have been observed, and the chikungunya epidemic that hit the island in 2016 is now over. However, optimal protection against mosquitoes is a must. Avian flu has also affected the country, but nothing to worry about. No vaccinations are required to enter the country; just make sure your vaccinations are up to date. No special precautions regarding food or water are required either. All common medicines and parapharmaceuticals are available locally, although prices are quite high.
Water. Tap water is filtered in most hotels. However, you should not drink it. There are no special precautions to take, and no suspicion of ice cubes! Mineral water, local or imported, is quite expensive.
Dengue epidemic: be careful. Beware all the same of mosquito bites. In 2019, an epidemic of dengue fever occurred in Jamaica. The most affected region is Westmoreland, in the extreme west of the island. This area is rather touristy since it is in this parish that Negril is located with its many hotels and resorts. However, the epidemic mainly affects the local population living in communities that do not have running water and depend on rainwater that is collected and recuperated in huge barrels that are not systematically covered and that favor mosquito breeding grounds
Mandatory vaccination Jamaica
No vaccinations are required to enter Jamaica.
Security Jamaica
Jamaica's high crime rate is largely due to the violence of the Kingston ghettos. Guns are commonplace, and when you add in drug trafficking and political strife between gangs, you get record homicide rates. With 1,463 murders in 2021, the crime rate has reached record highs, a rate of 47 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, the highest rate in all of Central and Latin America... However, it is confined to the poor areas of the capital (Down Town, August Town and River Town), or in the vicinity of Spanish Town, as well as in some areas of Montego Bay (Klanbers, Norwood, Quarie and Salt Spring). Most of these incidents are settling of accounts between gangs and/or traffickers. In response to this spike in violence since 2017 and the spike in violent crime, Jamaica has declared a state of emergency in the city of Montego Bay and has increased the military and police presence there
For the latest information on local security, consult the "Travel Advice" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie. gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers, which may give - wrongly - a somewhat alarmist picture of the situation in the country
Time difference Jamaica
Time zone: UTC-5 (Universal Time minus 5 hours). No daylight saving time. 6 hours time difference with France in winter, 7 hours in summer. When it is noon in Paris in January, it is only 6am in Kingston.
Spoken languages Jamaica
English is the official language, but Patwa, also known as Jamaican Creole, remains the national language. Most islanders use this language for everyday conversation, but are happy to address foreigners in English. In some areas, especially rural areas, however, Patwa is the only language spoken and can be difficult to understand. It can be very useful to integrate a few words of Patwa into your daily vocabulary: the population appreciates that foreigners make a linguistic effort, and this has certain advantages, notably that of being less overtaxed
The French, rare on the island and reputedly rebellious, enjoy a sympathetic image in the eyes of Jamaicans, and the French language, which is not widely spoken on the island, often arouses interest and curiosity
Communication Jamaica
Hotels all have wifi, more or less fast and powerful, restaurants rather high end too. Plan to have a local SIM card and Internet data to really use it everywhere.
Electricity and measurements Jamaica
Electricity: The voltage in Jamaica varies between 110 V and 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. You will need an adapter to plug in your European appliances, type A or B adapters
Weight: weights are inpounds. 1 kg = 2.20 lbs and 1lbs = 0.45 kg
Measurements: they are given infeet andinches. 1 foot = 30.48 cm and 1 cm = 0.032 foot.
Luggage Jamaica
Regardless of the season, Jamaica is hot. Bring shorts, T-shirts and short-sleeved shirts, as well as lightweight, breathable shoes. Don't forget a raincoat or small umbrella if you plan to explore the Portland and Blue Mountains area. For the mid-elevation central regions, bring a sweatshirt, light sweater or summer jacket for evenings that are often cool, but never cold. For hikes in the Blue Mountains, bring at least one pair of hiking boots and one or two light sweaters
