Jamaica
FAQ's
Frequently
Asked Questions
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Banks
& Currency
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You
don’t need to get Jamaican money before
you get to the island. In all resort areas,
licensed cambios and bureaux de change are
easily and readily accessible, and just
about all currencies can be exchanged in
banks. The official rate of exchange varies
daily, so it’s not a bad idea to shop
around for a rate that suits you before
changing large amounts of cash. |
Many Jamaican ATMs accept international bank
cards with Visa, Mastercard, Cirus and Plus
logos, and banks give credit card advances,
change traveller’s cheques and offer other
financial services. At the end of your trip,
you may take Jamaican currency with you (for
your next time in Jamaica!) or you may exchange
it at the airport.
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Climate
Jamaica
has a tropical climate at sea level and a temperate
climate towards the highlands of the interior.
As a popular Jamaican poem says, “we have
neither summer nor winter/neither autumn nor
spring…” and it's true. Instead,
each year the island sees two rainy seasons
from May to June and September to November.
Many Jamaicans characterize the seasons according
to the fruits available at that time! Some of
the most important ‘seasons’ are
mango season (May to July), guinep season (July
to late September) and cane crop season (late
October to about January). Of note also is the
hurricane season from June to September, during
which time large storms may, but rarely do,
pass over the island. (Don’t worry about
hurricanes, the last hurricane to directly hit
Jamaica happened in 1988 and before that in
1952!) Although there is little real variation
in temperature year round, between December
and April the weather is practically perfect
for any activity every day.
The
average temperature ranges from 19 degrees Celsius
(66 degrees Fahrenheit) to 32 degrees Celsius
(99 degrees Fahrenheit) all year. Will it rain
during your holiday? If it does, don’t
worry. Most times, the short tropical showers
provide a welcome break from the afternoon heat
– just look at it as liquid sunshine,
not rain!
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Communications
Jamaica
is well connected to the rest of the world.
Direct international telephone service operates
in all areas 24 hours a day, and telephone operators
will gladly facilitate collect, third party
or credit card calls. International faxes, cables
and telegrams can be sent from most hotels and
post offices. Email and Internet access is available
too, usually at hotels and parish libraries,
but also at local Internet Cafes. There are
three daily national newspapers and five weekend
newspapers, all available at hotel front desks,
newsstands and vendors islandwide. Some hotels
and gift shops receive the international editions
of major newspapers and magazines such as the
New York Times, TIME, The Economist and the
London Times. There are about five local television
stations, all of which broadcast islandwide,
showing a combination of local and international
productions. Radio is immensely popular in Jamaica,
and with close to 20 FM stations, one can get
up-to-the-minute local and international news,
sports and weather, as well as continuous music
of all genres.
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Driving
The
most important thing to remember when driving
in Jamaica is that here, we drive on the LEFT,
although some flexibility is required to avoid
collisions with pedestrians, cows, goats, chickens
and other domestic animals. We have over 17
000 kilometres of road networks connecting all
major towns and cities, the speed limit is 50
kmph (30 mph) in built-up areas, and 80 kmph
(50 mph) on highways. All drivers are required
to carry a valid licence. Jamaica recognizes
valid International Driver’s Licenses,
but visitors from North America may use their
country’s licence for up to three months
per visit. Visitors from the United Kingdom
may use theirs for up to twelve months, while
visitors from Japan may use theirs licenses
for up to one month. The driver and front passenger
are required to wear safety belts, and children
under 3 years old must be restrained in infant
carriers. Mostly clients must be no less than
25 years old to rent.
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Drugs
In
Jamaica, the use, sale, and possession of drugs
such as ganja (marijuana), cocaine, crack, ecstasy,
heroin and any other controlled substance is
ILLEGAL. Violators are subject to severe punishments
– specifically arrest, fine and imprisonment.
DO NOT attempt to purchase, use, consume or
transport ANY drug. If there is someone trying
to sell you drugs, be firm and say NO! Incarceration
is not a pleasant way to extend your holiday
– you really don’t get much sightseeing
done from behind the bars of a prison!
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Electricity
The
electrical supply in Jamaica is 110 volts/50
cycles standard, and electrical appliances use
plugs that are two-pronged and flat (such as
those used in the United States and Canada).
If your appliances do not use 110 volts or flat
two-pronged plugs, bring the requisite adaptors
and converters with you. Although adaptors and
converters are available in Jamaica, they may
not be easy to come by. Most laptop computers
have built-in converters and can be used with
an adaptor. If the idea of lugging all this
equipment around seems daunting, leave it behind.
Most hotels have hair dryers, alarm clocks,
radios and clothes irons available, and in any
case you probably won’t need many appliances.
You are, after all, on holiday …
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Language
The
official language of Jamaica is English, although
most Jamaicans speak a local patois influenced
by a combination of several different languages.
It may take some time for you to become accustomed
to it. When that happens, though, you’ll
have fun trying the local expressions.
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Time
Zone
Jamaica
falls within the Eastern Time Zone (UTC/GMT
-5 Hours) and does NOT observe Daylight Savings
Time. At times in Jamaica, however, it seems
as if we don’t observe any time at all,
so for the least amount of stress on your vacation,
you may want to think about leaving your watch
behind! At approximately 18 degrees north of
the equator, the island falls within the tropics,
and as such does not experience drastic seasonal
changes in sunrise and sunset times. Year round
the island averages between 11.5 and 12.5 hours
of sunlight per day – always enough time
to do everything, or never enough for anything!
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Water
‘Xamayca’ is the name that the first
Jamaicans, the Tainos, gave to this country.
It means ‘Land of Wood and Water’,
and for good reason, Jamaica has hundreds of
spring and rivers, both above and under ground.
Over the years, we have developed extensive
water treatment and supply systems islandwide,
so all drinking water in Jamaica is purified
and filtered by modern methods. Our water is
safe for you to drink, clean your teeth, bathe
and wash clothing in. We understand though,
that some people are still wary about drinking
the water in a strange country. If you choose
not to drink the water, rest assured, there
are many brands of Jamaican Spring water that
meet or exceed the highest international standards,
available at most shops and restaurants.
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Links
& Sources:
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