Jamaica Travel Tips

30 Jamaica Travel Tips And Facts - Part 1.

Jamaican Driving Rules: A U.S. driver's license is valid for up to 3 months per visit to Jamaica. A U.K. driver's license is valid up to 12 months per visit to Jamaica. The speed limit is 50 Km. (30 MPH) in Jamaican urban areas and built up Jamaican villages and 80 Km. (50 MPH) on Jamaican highways unless otherwise sign posted. Driving is on the left! When driving in Jamaica, "the right side is the wrong side therefore, the Left side is the right side".

Jamaican Clothing: Lightweight tropical Jamaican clothing is best suited throughout the year. On the Jamaican beaches shorts and swimwear are acceptable. A light sweater is suggested for evening, especially in the winter months. Some hotels require casual evening wear for women and a jacket for men when dining. Laundering and dry cleaning facilities are available.

Jamaican Time: Eastern Standard Time. Jamaica does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Jamaican Internet/E-mail: There are a few Internet kiosks at shopping centers in Kingston; more should soon be available. Cyber cafés also exist in Kingston and other towns. ISPs include Cable & Wireless and other third party company. Available in most hotels and offices.

Jamaica Cuisine (Jamaican food): In Jamaica, every tropical Jamaican food you've ever dreamed of is available. The national dish is Ackee and Salt fish. It is generally had Jamaican breakfast. Jamaicans will curry just about anything, from Jamaican curried goat to Jamaican fruit.

Jamaican Currency: $JMD or the Jamaican Dollar, is the countries currency, however there is also USD$ United States dollars which are usually accepted in most Jamaican hotels and Jamaican companies.
Jamaica's currency is the Jamaican dollar, not to be confused with the U.S. dollar. The value of the Jamaican dollar fluctuates but in Feb. 2006 it was approximately JMD$66 to USD$1

Jamaican Modern Day Music: Reggae, Jamaica's popular music has achieved world fame through the emergence of reggae and dancehall, a music form that emerged from traditional indigenous Jamaican music with African and Black American roots. Many reggae artistes have won international fame for original compositions, recordings and performances - notably the late Robert (Bob) Marley. For his Jamaican cultural contributions, Marley received Jamaica's third highest national honor the Order of Merit (OM) of Jamaica.

Jamaican Cultural Folk Music is said to have its origin in the folk music of West Africa. Thus it is both African and Jamaican. Jamaican Mento and other traditional Jamaican folk music are encouraged by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC). The Jamaica Folk Singers led by Dr. Olive Lewin, who has researched, recorded and documented Jamaican folk music, is the most accomplished group which specializes in performing folk music. Other prominent groups include: the Jamaican University Singers; the Jamaican Carifolk Singers and the Jamaican National Dance Theater Company (NDTC).

Jamaican Money: The Jamaican dollar is the only legal tender, though prices are often quoted in US dollars, which are widely accepted. European currencies are generally frowned upon in Jamaica so it's best to have US dollar traveler's checks. All major brands of traveler's checks and credit cards are accepted in Jamaica and at Jamaican point of sales.

Jamaican Economy: Jamaica operates an open economy which is market driven. Several international firms from Europe, USA, Canada, Asia and Latin America operate in Jamaica taking advantage of the attractive incentives offered to investors. They are engaged in Jamaican Tourism, Jamaican Agribusiness and services for both domestic and export markets.

Jamaican Products & Promotions: