From the airport to the city centre Jamaica
In Kingston, the Normal Manley International Airport (KIN ) (+1 876 924 8452; www.nmia.aero.com) is served by airlines from Europe and the United States, although it is less popular than Montego Bay, which is closer to the beaches where tourism is concentrated. On site: Digicel store to buy a SIM card (to have a GPS if you rent a car upon arrival). Fast food and jerk chicken. Car rental companies are located in the airport annex building. ATMs, currency exchange and of course souvenirs
To/from the airport: Norman Manley Airport is located on the spit of land that closes off Kingston Bay, accessible by cab or bus, a short 18 km trip to New Kingston, depending on traffic. Bus 98, from North Parade, runs between Kingston and Port Royal, stopping at the airport entrance (120 JMD). You will have to walk a bit. By cab: count between 40 and 50 US$ for New Kingston according to the number of passengers, maximum 60 US$ according to the district. For Ocho Rios, count 150 US$. Uber is now present and much cheaper
In Montego Bay, the Sangster International Airport (MBJ) (+1 876 952 3124; www.mbjairport.com) is the most important airport on the island, ahead of Kingston, because of its proximity to the beaches of the northwest of the island where all the luxury resorts are concentrated. It is very close to the center of Montego Bay by car (4 km). This small airport is very busy: most tourists land here. Expect a long line at the immigration desk to enter the country. Place yourself as much as possible at the front of the plane to get out first... In addition to the many agencies, you will find ATMs in the airport lobby, and some small restaurants. Once in the commercial area, you will be lured by many touts to take a cab, tours, etc., at local agencies that have an office here
From/to the airport, everything is negotiable: up to 20 US$ for a cab to the center, which is too much to pay for the distance as the airport is only 10 minutes away by car, but the competition is tough and the price is flat... If you can, book a shuttle negotiated with the hotel in advance. You will find informal drivers in the parking lot who will offer you a ride for 10 or 15 US$. Finally, near the traffic circle further on (if you have a suitcase: forget it), you will find minibuses that go to the center for 1 US$.
Arrival by boat Jamaica
There are four major cruise ship destinations in Jamaica: Ocho Rios, the most popular, Montego Bay, which is popular for its beaches, Falmouth and Port Royal near Kingston. The companies have their own shuttle services for passengers.
Public transport Jamaica
Bus. For more comfort (but a more expensive fare), you can contact Knutsford Express (18 Dominica Drive; Kingston 5; +1 876 960 5499; www.knutsfordexpress.com, switchboard open every day from 7am to 9:30pm). This agency offers air-conditioned bus trips between Kingston and the country's main cities. Many departures throughout the day. Entrance to the bus station via Grenada Crescent. Remember to book in advance as buses are often full. Tickets available via the website and directly at the Knutsford Express office. Efficient and pleasant, reasonable prices, but buses are not always punctual
Minibus. The easiest and cheapest way to get to nearby towns is by minibus, which makes regular stops wherever passengers want, often requiring vehicle changes. Finally, there are "route-taxis", collective cabs that also go back and forth between different towns. Each city has a bus terminal where minibuses and collective cabs meet and criss-cross the island in all directions and at all hours. Although not very comfortable, the minibus is the most economical way to discover the country. Depending on the city where you want to go, the departures are from different places. The largest departure and arrival points in Kingston are the following centers: Half Way Tree, North and South Parade and Coronation Market, Down Town. Don't hesitate to ask passers-by who will always be able to tell you where the different buses leave from. Some indicative prices of minibuses: Kingston-Morant Bay: 500 JMD; Kingston-Mandeville: 750 JMD; Kingston-Ocho Rios: 600 JMD.
Bike, scooters & co Jamaica
Many Jamaicans ride bicycles, both in the cities and on the main roads. One wonders how they manage not to get run over, because the roads are narrow, the vehicles drive fast without much visibility and it is therefore quite risky to pedal along the roads, which is unfortunate because the island lends itself to it... Renting a scooter can be very practical in cities like Negril or Treasure Beach, but in Kingston, it is better to travel by bus, cab or on foot
With a driver Jamaica
Official passenger vehicles can be identified by their red license plates. The only company recommended by the offices of the Jamaica Tourist Board is JUTA (Jamaica Union of Traveller's Association), a company with licensed drivers and vehicles, and therefore the highest fares. But other companies, and even some independent cabs, are not to be rejected. The best thing is to find a friendly and honest cab driver to use for every trip. This will make it easier to negotiate the rates. Charters (pronounced "cha'ta") are the equivalent of local cabs as we know them here. The only difference is that they do not have a meter; the price of the trip is therefore negotiated, preferably before departure to avoid any unpleasant surprises. It is necessary to count a minimum of 4 000 JMD for a journey of more than 100 km. Beware of illegal cabs, particularly numerous in Montego Bay. They do not have a red plate, nor the name "cab route" on the front of the vehicle, nor a black and white chessboard type strip along the doors. Although they are cheaper, you use them at your own risk.
The arrival of Uber in Kingston and its surroundings (up to the beaches and the airport) since the end of 2021 has changed the habits (and especially the prices) of cabs. In Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios and the rest of the country, you will have to take private cabs. The agencies as well as the hotels organize private transfers from/to the airport and for all possible excursions. It is best to ask for an interesting package for the whole stay. There are also local VTC companies that you can contact directly.
By car Jamaica
It is the most recommended means of transportation to get off the beaten track, and to have the pleasure of getting lost on small roads to a fishing village or to climb in the mountains in search of a waterfall or river
The only drawback and not the least: the driving is, to say the least... sporty! It is already an adventure in itself! On the left, with an automatic car, and with a medium to large sedan, even very large if you opt for the 4x4. Anyway, no small city cars here, it's more the American way. The roads are in good condition on all the main roads along the coast (except in the south of the island), but the roads in the interior are often in poor condition, winding, steep and littered with potholes that must be avoided to avoid dying. The interior is marked by tight mountain twists and turns, with few highways and bumpy coastal roads. Road lighting is quite rare, so it is advisable to avoid long night trips. Traffic laws and signs are similar to those in the United States. Not to mention the Jamaicans behind the wheel: sometimes very (too) slow with old pugs, or very (too) fast and overtaking on the white lines. Many Jamaican motorists enjoy speed and strong acceleration that makes tires squeal and engines roar. Don't be impressed by the so-called boss drivers! Do like everyone else, know how to use the horn very quickly, it will be very useful! Routine police controls are frequent on the roads and in the city. The speed limit is 50 km/h in the city and 80 km/h on the roads.
In the cities: be careful to use important roads and not to enter ghettos by following the GPS (especially in Kingston or Spanish Town) and to drive in daylight. It is very easy to get around by car in the city because the cities are divided into American-style blocks. At night, take a cab and leave your car in a secure parking lot because of the risk of car jacking (especially in Kingston).
Rent a car. It is best to rent a car directly at your arrival airport. Island Car Rental (www.islandcarrentals.com) is a good national company with competitive prices and we highly recommend it. The cars are very well maintained (important given the road conditions), the staff is very smiling and friendly. Other local and international rental companies are located in the arrival halls of Kingston and Montego Bay international airports: Avis (www.avis.com), Budget (www.budget.com), etc
Tourist traps Jamaica
Always ask for the price (and negotiate if necessary) before getting into a road cab, a minibus or a cab. This goes without saying so as not to have any unpleasant surprises on arrival since there is no meter and no official price... And remember to have change in Jamaican dollars for the local minibuses.
