Jamaican Travel Facts

30 Jamaican Travel Facts - Part II.

At present, Jamaican tourism is the main foreign exchange earner overtaking Jamaican bauxite and alumina. The apparel sector of the manufacturing industry is also a significant earner of foreign exchange for the country.

Jamaican Electricity: 110 volts AC, 50Hz, single phase. American 2-pin plugs are standard, but many hotels offer, in addition, 220 volts AC, 50Hz, single phase, from 3-pin sockets.

Jamaican Drugs: Possession of Jamaican ganja (marijuana) and any hard drugs carries stiff penalties in Jamaica. A doctor's prescription is required to purchase drugs at pharmacies, but popular proprietary drugs are available over the counter. The Jamaican government has an active anti-drug and Jamaican cannabis eradication program. Stiff penalties exist for possession of and or trafficking in Jamaican drugs.

Jamaican Capital City: Kingston is the capital of Jamaica and has a population of just under 1 million

Jamaican Pets: Even if they were brought from Jamaica initially pets are not allowed entry. There is no rabies in Jamaica.

Jamaican Departure Tax: Jamaica has a departure tax that is payable in cash only at the Jamaican airport upon your departure. Currently, the tax is JA$1000 or US$27. Cruise ship passengers also are subject to a Jamaican departure tax of US$15.

Jamaican taxis or cabs: Jamaican taxis have predetermined rates between one location and another. All cabs have red Jamaican PPV plates (Public Passenger Vehicle) along with regular license plates. Jamaican limousines, air-conditioned coaches and local bus service also connect all Jamaican villages, Jamaican cities and Jamaican towns.

 Jamaican History: Although Jamaica was settled by the Spanish after Columbus discovered it in 1494, the island is more closely linked to England, having been under English rule for more than 300 years. Similar to many other Caribbean islands, Jamaica’s history is punctuated with pirates and plantations. When first visited by Christopher Columbus in 1494, Jamaica was populated by its original inhabitants, the Arawak Indians. From 1494 until 1655, when it was captured by the British, Jamaica was a Spanish colony. Under the British in the 18th century, who used extensive supplies of slave labor from Africa in Jamaica, it became known for the wealth of Jamaica’s sugar plantations. Emancipation of the slaves took place in 1838 and at time, indentured labor from India and China was imported to work on the Jamaican sugar estates.

In subsequent years, setbacks in the Jamaican sugar industry brought the island economic hardship. After the long period of direct British colonial rule, Jamaica began to gradually achieve local political control in the late 1930's. This was a time of social unrest with instances of violence as political leaders pushed for universal adult suffrage, which as ultimately achieved in 1944. Jamaica's leading political parties were formed during this period  The Jamaica Labor Party headed by Sir Alexander Bustamante and the People's National Party headed by Norman Manley.

In 1958, Jamaica joined the West Indies Federation, but withdrew in 1961 following a referendum. Complete Jamaican independence from the United Kingdom was attained in August 1962, although Jamaica remains a member of the British Commonwealth.

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