tourism for jamaica

Jamaica   Travel Guide

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Why Go To Jamaica

To many, Jamaica is the heart of the Caribbean. The birthplace of reggae music, the Rastafari movement and all-inclusive resorts (at least as we know them today, the concept originated with Club Med in Europe), Jamaica symbolizes many of the things most loved and, perhaps, most misunderstood about the region. A simple remedy to clear the confusion? Come to the land of sugar cane, coffee and limestone, and form your own opinion. Your new ideas are bound to be swathed in cream-colored beaches, bordered by rugged  Blue Mountains and anchored in foamy waterfalls. 

Most who travel here don't leave the comforts of their all-inclusive resort; those who do typically don't venture too far outside their immediate area. As the third-largest island of the Caribbean, Jamaica is hard to cover in one trip. Rather, it's best to choose your activities and vacation priorities, then make your hotel plans accordingly. Of the three main tourist pockets on the island, westernmost Negril is popular for its beaches and upscale accommodations; northwestern Montego Bay is well-liked by golfers; and Ocho Rios in the northeast appeals most to adventurous types who might be interested in climbing waterfalls like Dunn's River . Some visitors choose the eastern area of Port Antonio to try top-notch surfing at  Boston Beach , hiking amongst the Blue Mountains and rafting on the Rio Grande River. If you want to explore areas of the island not often seen by tourists, sign up for one of the best tours in Jamaica .

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• # 1 in Best Cheap Destination Wedding Locations
• # 1 in Best Destination Wedding Spots in the Caribbean
• # 2 in Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations

See All 9 Rankings

Best of Jamaica

Best hotels in jamaica.

• # 1 in Round Hill Hotel and Villas
• # 2 in Jamaica Inn
• # 3 in Half Moon

Best Things to Do in Jamaica

• # 1 in Dunn's River Falls and Park (Ocho Rios)
• # 2 in Seven Mile Beach (Negril)
• # 3 in Blue Hole (Ocho Rios)

Popular Tours

Club Mobay Sangster Airport VIP Lounge with Fast-Track Entry

(6534 reviews)

from $ 37.50

ATV, Horse Ride, Zipline, Catamaran at Ocean Outpost Park

(749 reviews)

from $ 205.00

Catamaran Cruise Full Day Tour to Rick's Cafe and Negril Beach

(288 reviews)

from $ 89.00

Jamaica Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Jamaica is November to mid-December. That's when the island's already beautiful weather (ranging from mid-70s to the high 80s all year-round) is the most pleasant and the hotel and flight deals are the easiest to find. Rates are also cheap during the summer, but you'll risk the wrath of hurricane season (which runs from June through November). January to March is the peak travel season to the island – room rates can spike to more than $700 per night at some hotels .

Weather in Jamaica

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

It's the home of reggae From ska, rock steady and dancehall to anything by Bob Marley, you'll hear a lot of great music wafting through hotel lobbies and vibrating poolside.

It's the home of jerk seasoning  This spicy-smoky rub tastes good on many types of meat, fish and even tofu. Try it for yourself and then take a few jars home.

It's the home of James Bond  From his home on the north coast, author Ian Fleming wrote many novels and short stories about the British secret agent.

How to Save Money in Jamaica

Learn to haggle  Bargaining for a better price is expected and encouraged in many souvenir shops. When visiting the craft vendors or taking a cab ride, don't accept the first amount quoted to you.

Pay for it all upfront  Jamaica is the nerve center of the all-inclusive. Many of the resorts include more than just food and drinks in their packages (think: water sports equipment and gratuities for resort employees).

Skip spring break Throughout March and early April, prices at area resorts skyrocket thanks to an influx of spring break crowds.

Culture & Customs

Jamaican culture has often been lumped together with Caribbean culture – though it is true that the music, food and phrases from Jamaican culture have pervaded other nearby islands. But more so than other Caribbean islands, Jamaica's strong ties to its African history play a large role in its modern culture. 

Jamaicans speak English, but use a number of idioms that may not easily translate for tourists. In fact, many have been adopted from the Rastafarian religion and culture. For example, when a Jamaican says, "all fruits ripe" it indicates that all is well. 

Jamaica's currency is the Jamaican dollar; roughly one U.S. dollar is equal to about 151 Jamaican dollars. You can pay in U.S. dollars at most of the island's resorts, especially those that are all-inclusive. When dining out, servers in restaurants usually expect a tip equal to 10% to 15% of the bill; if the service charge is already included, travelers can add an additional 3% to 5% based on good service. Note that at most all-inclusive resorts, tipping is included in the cost. Don't worry about carrying cash with you at all times; most hotels and restaurants accept credit cards. 

What to Eat

Jamaica is known for unique cuisine that fuses flavors and ingredients from different cultures. Seafood is a staple, and no Jamaican vacation is complete without sampling some of the island's fresh produce or main courses enhanced with some zesty jerk seasoning. Where to dine largely depends on where you're staying, but many area restaurants serve traditional dishes like ackee (the island's national fruit) and saltfish,  callaloo  (a stew-like soup made with callaloo leafy greens) or fried plantains. To try some spicy jerk seasoning, look for the nearest roadside stand and order a jerk chicken skewer or jerk pork with rice and peas. 

Although many travelers choose to dine from the all-inclusive options at their hotels , Jamaica has hundreds of restaurants – some of which are worth venturing off the beaten path for. The beachside Blue Mahoe Restaurant in Negril, attached to Ocean Cliff Hotel Negril, earns high marks among travelers for its views (especially at sunset) and diverse menu. Scotchies is an affordable restaurant known for its delicious, local fare in Montego Bay. Meanwhile, Miss T's Kitchen in Ocho Rios serves up a colorful experience and a menu of healthy plates.

Keep in mind that some parts of Jamaica are safer than others. Exercise caution when moving around at night, avoid traveling in buses and stay in groups when at all possible. Petty theft has been reported in the past, so make sure to keep your valuables near you at all times. According to the U.S. State Department, violent crime can occur too, even at all-inclusive resorts. Areas of Kingston, Montego Bay and Spanish Town are particularly prone to violence. Visit the state department's website  for more details. 

Getting Around Jamaica

The best way to get around Jamaica is by taxi, whether you're coming from one of the airports – Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport (MBJ) is the most accessible to the tourist areas – or making your way around town. Renting a car is also an option, but driving on the left side of the road can be confusing, road signs are unhelpful, drivers can be aggressive and potholes are rampant. Many cruise lines, including  Carnival ,  Celebrity  and  Holland America , make stops in Jamaica. They usually head for Montego Bay on the northwestern side or Ocho Rios in the northeast.

Entry & Exit Requirements

Entry and Exit Requirements:

All United States citizens will need a passport for entry into and exit out of Jamaica. And keep in mind that customs officials may ask you to provide evidence of sufficient funds for your stay plus evidence of a return trip to the U.S. or an onward journey. A departure tax is generally included in the cost of your airfare; you won't be charged an additional fee upon leaving Jamaica. For more information on entry and exit requirements, visit the U.S. State Department's website .

This Port Antonio shore has some of the best jerk food on the island, plus waves that will satisfy most beginner surfers.

Explore More of Jamaica

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Jamaica

Written by Karen Hastings Updated Mar 18, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Karen Hastings spent many happy days exploring Jamaica with her husband and their two children.

Known as the "birthplace of reggae," Jamaica offers tourists a treasure trove of natural attractions and a colorful African vibe. Golden beaches ; lush, green mountains; turquoise seas; coral reefs; rainforests; and rivers are just some of the island's enviable assets.

Nature lovers will find plenty of things to do in Jamaica. You can hike and bird-watch in the jungle, or dive and snorkel along the fringing reefs. Jamaica is also renowned for its many historic plantations, where you can sample tropical fruits and tour the property. You'll also find some of the Caribbean's most luxurious all-inclusive resorts here.

Lively Montego Bay is one of the most popular resort towns. Ocho Rios is the island's major port of call for cruise ships, and Negril is famous for its long and lazy beach lined with clear waters and coconut palms. Ecotourists love peaceful Port Antonio , thanks to its proximity to the spectacular Blue Mountains.

In Kingston , Jamaica's edgy capital, you can tour reggae legend Bob Marley's former home and explore the city's museums and historic sites.

Learn more about the best places to visit with our list of the top attractions in Jamaica.

1. Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios

2. seven mile beach, negril, 3. blue hole, ocho rios, 4. rainforest adventures mystic mountain, ocho rios, 5. rose hall great house, montego bay, 6. doctor's cave beach, montego bay, 7. rafting the martha brae river, 8. negril cliffs, negril, 9. the bob marley museum, kingston, 10. mayfield falls, pennycooke, 11. reach falls, portland, 12. port antonio, 13. black river safari boat tour and ys falls, 14. zipline adventure tours, 15. blue and john crow mountains national park, 16. rio grande river, 17. falmouth, 18. kingston, frequently asked questions, when is the best time to visit jamaica, where is the best place to stay in jamaica.

Dunn's River Falls is one of the top attractions in Ocho Rios . These gently terraced waterfalls tumble over rocks and limestone ledges into the sea.

You can climb the natural tiers to the top of the falls with the aid of a guide and cool off in the refreshing pools at the base. It's a good idea to wear water shoes and clothing that you don't mind getting wet. Also, try to plan your visit around the cruise ship crowds — this is one of Jamaica's most famous waterfalls , and it's a popular place to visit for tourists.

Tours: For a fun full-day outing, try the Dunn's River Falls and Bob Marley's Nine Mile tour. This tour stops by the village of Nine Mile, birthplace of Bob Marley, and then heads over to the Dunn's River Falls for a guided hike up to the falls and a slide or swim in the natural pools. Extend your adventure by adding on an optional Mystic Lagoon night boat ride and dinner. Hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance fees, and a guide are included.

Alternatively, take a Jamaica Catamaran Cruise to Dunn's River Falls from Ocho Rios or Montego Bay. Snorkel over coral reefs, enjoy an ocean cruise, and relax and play in the water at the falls.

Seven Mile Beach, also known as Negril Beach, is one of Jamaica's most beautiful stretches of white sand and aqua sea. Backed by the famous Negril Cliffs, it's also one of the best beaches in Jamaica and a top place to visit for families.

Although it's actually closer to four miles long, the beach extends from Bloody Bay to Long Bay . Tucked within groves of coconut palms, resorts fringe the shore here, from large all-inclusive resorts to smaller boutique properties.

Water sports abound, and snorkelers will find schools of fish swimming in the clear waters. But be prepared for persistent hawkers prowling the beach. There are restrooms and changing rooms on hand, which is a plus for tourists traveling with children.

High in the rainforest-cloaked mountains outside Ocho Rios, the Blue Hole is a series of picturesque waterholes fed by gushing cascades. It's also called Island Gully Falls or the Irie Blue Hole.

Guides lead you around the area, where you can explore the falls and jump off cliffs into the refreshing pools below. The higher up the falls you climb, the less people you will probably encounter, but negotiating the trail can be tricky. The adventure involves clambering over slippery rocks, so appropriate water shoes are recommended.

Visiting these beautiful falls is one of the most popular things to do in Ocho Rios.

Ready for an adrenaline fix? Head to Rainforest Adventures Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios. Here, you can zoom down the mountain on Bobsled Jamaica , a single-person roller coaster ride through the forest, or glide through the treetops on ziplines.

You can also enjoy panoramic views of the town and sea on the Sky Explorer , a chairlift ascending the mountain.

Other attractions here include guided nature walks, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, a ropes course, rides, an infinity pool and waterslide, and a climbing wall.

Built in 1770, Rose Hall is a restored plantation house with beautiful ocean views. Legendary Annie Palmer (the White Witch) ruled here with cruelty, and met a violent death. Today, her home is adorned with period furniture.

Rose Hall offers several tours . You can choose a day tour, but if you're a fan of ghost stories, opt for the spooky evening tour by candlelight. Guides dressed in character share plenty of spine-chilling tales of ghost sightings, and they'll definitely keep you on your toes. Who knows, you might even see the White Witch herself!

Address: Rose Hall Road, Montego Bay, Jamaica

One of the best beaches in Montego Bay, Doctor's Cave Beach is an alluring strip of white sand fringed by clear waters.

Changerooms, restaurants, and shops are all available nearby, and you can rent beach equipment here, too. Note that there's a fee to access the beach.

This famous beach actually helped shape the fate of this popular tourist town. In the early 1920s, a famous British osteopath declared that the water had curative powers after swimming here, a claim that began to lure visitors from around the world. Hotels sprouted up, and the area became a thriving tourist destination.

The namesake cave was destroyed by a hurricane in 1932, but the beach is as popular as ever — hanging out here is one of the top things to do in Montego Bay, and it's often crowded with cruise ship passengers.

Rafting the Martha Brae is one of the most popular things to do in Jamaica for couples. At Martha Brae Rafter's Village, you can glide down a picturesque stretch of the river on bamboo rafts poled by local guides .

This relaxing trip is a great way to soak up some of the tropical scenery, and you can even stop at local vendors along the way to purchase souvenirs or refreshments. Best of all, some of the guides will entertain you during the trip, singing reggae songs or sharing interesting information about the flora and fauna.

This is a popular day trip from Montego Bay (about 37 kilometers away) and Ocho Rios (abut 70 kilometers away). You can also do this from Negril, but it takes about two hours one way to reach the Martha Brae Rafting Village, where the tours launch.

If you're staying in Montego Bay, the Martha Brae private river rafting tour is a great option. It includes pickup and drop-off from and to your hotel or cruise terminal, a tour of a medicinal garden, and a professional guide.

The spectacular Negril Cliffs stand high above the coral-fringed coast on Jamaica's western shore. Rugged and beautiful, these cliffs a great place to visit for a sunset and a popular place for couples.

This stunning locale boasts unimpeded vistas of the crystal-clear water below. Be sure to pack a camera and a swimsuit, as jumping off Negril Cliffs is one of the top things to do in Negril .

The cliffs are also home to some of Negril's most luxurious resorts, like The Caves and The Cliff Hotel . Staying at one of these top resorts makes it easy to explore the cliffs.

If you aren't booked into a clifftop resort, stop in at Rick's Café , a local restaurant that's been serving up fresh local fare and an optimal spot for cliff jumping for over 45 years. This is an ideal spot to watch the sun set, but you may have to fight the crowds for a seat during high season.

For reggae lovers, visiting Jamaica without touring the Bob Marley Museum is akin to traveling to Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower. You won't need much time to visit the famous musician's former home — an hour or two will do it. Here, you'll see his guitar and other treasured possessions donated by his wife, Rita, as well as his favorite rooms as they were set up during his life.

There's also an 80-seat theater on-site, as well as a record store and a gift shop selling all the Bob Marley paraphernalia you never knew you wanted. Book a "One Love" Tour to gain access to both the museum and the Tuff Gong Recording Studio .

If you're based in Montego Bay, the Bob Marley Museum full-day tour takes care of the transportation for you, and includes an authentic Jamaican lunch.

Insider's tip: Time your visit around lunch, so you can grab a tasty bite at the museum's One Love Café , after your tour.

Address: 56 Hope Road, Kingston

Nestled in the mountains , about an hour's drive from Negril through rainforest villages, Mayfield Falls & Mineral Springs is a haven for nature lovers.

Here, you'll find two beautiful waterfalls; 21 natural pools ; and a profusion of ferns, tropical flowers, and other rainforest flora. Butterflies and birds flit through the lush foliage, and thatched riverside gazebos beckon for pit stops.

You can choose between a guided hike along the river or you can wade through the cool waters, clambering over slick boulders, jumping off cliffs, and relaxing under the cascades.

Be sure to bring a camera, and wear water shoes and swimwear.

A hidden gem, Reach Falls are among Jamaica's prettiest waterfalls . They lie tucked in the Montane Forest of the John Crow Mountain Range, near Port Antonio. A gentle hike through tropical rainforest takes you to the top of the falls where a lifeguard patrols.

You can stand under the streaming cascades, explore underwater caves , and swim in the fern-fringed waters surrounded by rainforest — more than 20 different species of ferns grow in this emerald forest.

Keep an eye out, too, for some of the many species of birds here, including yellow-billed parrots. It's also a good idea to bring water shoes.

Set between mountains and a double harbor, Port Antonio exudes the relaxed charm of a sleepy fishing village. Once a center for banana export, the area is distinctly less commercial than the other resort towns.

Activities: Popular things to do in Port Antonio include hiking jungle trails, rafting the Rio Grande, taking a tour to Reach Falls, and snorkeling and diving the coral reefs. A favorite swimming spot is the beautiful 60-meter-deep Blue Lagoon, fed by freshwater springs.

Other highlights of the area include the 18th-century British stronghold of Fort George and beautiful Frenchman's Cove, where a fish-filled river flows into the sea.

Port Antonio beaches are a wonderful mix of white sand, shallow waters, and lush outcroppings of land. But if you prefer to take a dip in freshwater, the nearby Daniel's River plunges through a gorge of natural rock in a series of cascades and pools known as Somerset Falls .

Set between Port Antonio's two harbors and reached by ferry, Navy Island was once owned by movie swashbuckler Errol Flynn. Today, the island is a favorite for picnics and day trips.

Jamaica's spicy "jerk-style" of cooking originated in the region and some of the best can be found at Boston Beach east of Port Antonio.

Fringed with mangroves, the Black River is the longest river in Jamaica , and you can tour this tranquil river on a guided boat tour .

Nature lovers will be in heaven. Crocodiles and more than 100 species of birds, including herons and snowy egrets, are among the critters that make their home here, and you can learn all about the area's ecology and history during the tour.

YS Falls: A short drive away and often combined with the Black River for tours, the beautiful YS Falls are Jamaica's largest cascades. If you're looking for things to do in Jamaica with kids, this is a top choice. Some of the seven waterfalls flow into peaceful natural pools, which are lovely for a dip on a hot day. One of the pools is suitable for children as well.

You can also play Tarzan on the rope swing and plunge into a wading pool below fed by natural springs. Ziplining and river tubing are also available.

If you're staying in Negril, the seven-hour Black River Safari and YS Falls Tour takes you to both these popular Jamaica attractions. It includes a guided boat tour down the river and a visit to the falls with time to splash and swim, as well as entrance fees and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers can test their skills kayaking and ziplining as they explore the Great River.

Two-hour guided tours take guests kayaking through rolling rapids and calm waters, or ziplining above the river for a little adrenaline-infused adventure. A tour guide gives a safety and equipment briefing and offers insight into the wildlife and vegetation along the river.

The Jamaica Zipline and Kayak Adventure Tour, which departs from hotels in Negril and Montego Bay, includes hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, equipment, a guide, and basic instruction. Participants must be at least six years of age.

In 2015, the spectacular Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park was inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for its rich natural and cultural heritage.

Once a refuge for former slaves and the Indigenous Taino, who fled here to escape slavery, this unspoiled preserve offers breathtaking scenery . Within its borders, you can explore jungle-clad mountains, waterfalls, lush rainforests, and coffee plantations.

The wildlife is also impressive. More than 800 species of endemic plants, 200 species of birds, and the world's second largest butterfly live within the park.

Getting around the park can be an adventure in itself. The roads and tracks are rough — especially after rain — so 4WD vehicles and/or experienced guides are highly recommended.

A highlight of a visit here is the hike (or mule ride) up Jamaica's highest peak, 2,256-meter-high Blue Mountain Peak. This two-day trip offers thrilling views, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Cuba. Most sightseeing tours depart from Kingston.

If you're looking for a stress detox, sign up for a rafting trip down the beautiful Rio Grande River. Few activities could be more relaxing than floating gently down a lush jungle river, poled by an expert guide. This stretch of water also tends to be less crowded than the Martha Brae.

You can purchase ice-cold refreshments to take with you, then sit back and relax. Tropical rainforest drifts by as your friendly guide nudges you along the crystal-clear waters, sharing stories about the area while negotiating the gentle rapids with ease.

Rafting here dates back to around 1911, when banana farmers in the Rio Grande Valley used to transport their bananas along the river, and you'll learn about this history on your tour. Along the way, you'll stop for a hearty lunch at a local restaurant.

The tour takes about two and a half hours.

Surrounded by sugar estates and cattle land, Falmouth is one of the Caribbean's best-preserved Georgian towns . Once a leading port, the town offers excellent examples of 19th-century Georgian architecture, including a faithful restoration of the courthouse.

Greenwood Great House is a major tourist attraction in the area. Built in 1790 by Richard Barrett, a relative of poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the Great House is now a museum with period furniture and a rare collection of musical instruments and Wedgwood china.

Other popular things to do in Falmouth include exploring Good Hope , an old-established coconut and sugar plantation built in 1755, and basking on Red Stripe and Burwood Beach .

East of Falmouth is the Luminous Lagoon , named for its marine phosphorescence.

At the foot of the Blue Mountains, Jamaica's busy capital city offers a cosmopolitan contrast to the island's relaxed pace. Gritty and rough around the edges, Kingston can be intimidating, but you can experience some of the top things to do in Kingston on organized tours.

One of the most popular places to visit is the Bob Marley Museum , at the reggae superstar's former home. Reggae fans can also visit the Trench Town Culture Yard Museum in the ghetto where reggae music was born.

Other favorite attractions in Kingston include historic mansions, like Devon House , as well as museums such as the excellent National Gallery and the Natural History Museum .

Music concerts are often staged at Emancipation Park, a palm-studded green space in the middle of the city, and National Heroes Park features statues of leading players of Jamaican history and independence.

At the tip of the peninsula surrounding Kingston Harbor lies the community of Port Royal , the focus of British fortification in the late 17th century.

The best time to visit Jamaica is from November through March, when rainfall is low and the days are warm and typically sunny. The risk of hurricanes is at its lowest during this time of year, but prices will be at their highest - especially during the holiday season. Jamaica is known for its many all-inclusive resorts, so you can compare prices and amenities throughout the island without worrying about additional, unexpected, costs. The weather is ideal in Jamaica from November through March, with little rainfall and picturesque days.

Since this is the best time to visit Jamaica, be prepared for large crowds of tourists at the beaches and restaurants, and limited availability at the resorts. If you travel during this time, you will want to book excursions in advance to make sure they are not full on the days that you prefer.

Jamaica offers an impressive range of resorts to suit every type of traveler. You can choose from luxury resorts and family resorts to plantation-style resorts in the lush mountains.

As for location, it depends on your sightseeing priorities as to where you want to base yourself. Montego Bay has everything you need for a fun vacation with the family, including many high-end all-inclusive resorts. Negril typically attracts a younger crowd seeking the silky white sands of its beautiful beaches, and Ocho Rios is cruise ship central, with plenty of package tourists and a solid tourism infrastructure. Seeking a little more serenity? Head to Port Antonio .

More on Jamaica

Update April 12, 2024

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Jamaica Travel Advisory

Travel advisory january 23, 2024, jamaica - level 3: reconsider travel.

Last Update: Reissued with updates to crime and health information

Reconsider travel to Jamaica due to  crime and medical services . U.S. government personnel under Chief of Mission (COM) security responsibility are prohibited from traveling to many areas due to increased risk. Please read the entire Travel Advisory. 

Country Summary:  Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.

Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica has for several years been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. government personnel under COM security responsibility are prohibited from traveling to the areas listed below, from using public buses, and from driving outside of prescribed areas of Kingston at night.

Emergency services and hospital care vary throughout the island, and response times and quality of care may vary from U.S. standards. Public hospitals are under-resourced and cannot always provide high level or specialized care. Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients and may not have the ability to provide specialized care. Ambulance services are not always readily available, especially in rural areas, and are not always staffed by trained personnel.

We strongly encourage you to obtain traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling to Jamaica. The Department of State does not pay medical bills.

Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. U.S. citizens with medical emergencies can face bills in the tens of thousands of dollars, with air ambulance service to the United States in the range of $30,000-50,000.  Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Jamaica.

If you decide to travel to Jamaica:

• Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition.  This includes stray rounds, shells or empty casings . The penalties for carrying firearms and/or ammunition, even inadvertently, are severe, and can include lengthy prison sentences.
• Avoid walking or driving at night.
• Avoid public buses.
• Avoid secluded places or situations.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Jamaica.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Violence and shootings occur regularly in many neighborhoods, communities, and parishes in Jamaica. 

U.S. government personnel under COM security responsibility are prohibited from traveling to the following areas of Jamaica due to crime:

St. Ann’s Parish—Do Not Travel - Steer Town and the Buckfield neighborhood near Ocho Rios

St. Catherine’s Parish—Do Not Travel

• Spanish Town
• Central Village
• Areas within Portmore, including: Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, and Waterford

All of Clarendon Parish—Do Not Travel

All of Clarendon Parish, except passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways.

St. Elizabeth’s Parish—Do Not Travel

Vineyard District Community, between the communities of Salt Spring and Burnt Savanna, St. Elizabeth

Hanover Parish—Do Not Travel

Logwood and Orange Bay

St. James Parish/Montego Bay—Do Not Travel

All of Montego Bay on the inland side of the A1 highway and The Queen’s Drive from San San to Harmony Beach Park

Kingston and St. Andrew Parish—Do Not Travel

• Cassava Piece
• Downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.
• Duhaney Park
• Swallowfield
• Elleston Flats
• August Town

Manchester Parish—Do Not Travel

Green Vale, Gray Ground, Red Ground, and Vineyard neighborhoods of Mandeville

St. Thomas Parish—Do Not Travel

• Black Lane neighborhood in Seaforth
• Grands Penn
• Church Corner neighborhood near Yallahs
• Town of Yallahs, except when driving through on the main highway

Trelawny Parish—Do Not Travel

• Clarks Town

Westmoreland Parish—Do Not Travel

• Russia community in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Street and south of the A2 highway/Barracks Road)
• Kings Valley
• The Whitehall, Bethel Town, and Red Ground neighborhoods of Negril

If you do decide to travel to the above-listed Do Not Travel areas, please visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Travel Advisory Levels

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Jamaica travel advice

Latest updates: Health – editorial update

Last updated: May 6, 2024 11:16 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, jamaica - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Jamaica due to the high level of violent crime.

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Violent crime

Violent crime, including armed robbery and murder, is a problem in large cities and tourist areas, including parts of Kingston and Montego Bay, despite the presence of police to counter criminal activity. The availability of firearms is widespread, and most violent drug- and gang-related crimes, especially murder, involve firearms. There is a risk of becoming the victim of crossfire in these areas. Tourists are also at risk of crimes of opportunity, especially theft and robberies.

Crimes tend to be concentrated within what the police refer to as “traditional hot spots” or “high-risk communities”, but can take place anywhere and at any time.

The following areas have a significant gang population and high incidences of violent crime:

Greater Kingston

• Arnett Gardens
• August Town
• Cassava Piece
• Delacree Park
• Denham Town
• Felstead Pen
• Grant’s Pen
• Greenwich Town
• Hannah Town
• Harbour View
• Lower Cockburn Gardens
• Mountain View
• Olympic Gardens
• Rennock Lodge
• Riverton City
• Seaview Gardens
• Tavares Gardens
• Tivoli Gardens
• Trench Town
• Waltham Gardens
• West Kingston
• Whitfield Town

St. Catherine

• Central Village
• Ravensworth
• Spanish Town

Montego Bay

• Hart Street
• Mount Salem
• Norwood Gardens
• Rose Heights
• St. Clavers Avenue

South Coast

If you decide to travel to these areas:

• maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times
• avoid visiting or travelling at night
• follow the advice of local authorities
• avoid walking alone, even during the day
• go out in groups with people that you know
• avoid visiting isolated areas and beaches

If you’re threatened by robbers, don’t resist, and hand over your cash and valuables. Resistance may provoke the use of violence.

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, are common in major tourist areas and crowded places.

• Ensure that your belongings and travel documents are secure at all times
• Don’t carry large amounts of cash
• Don’t show signs of affluence
• Use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business
• Protect your cell phone, which is a popular item for theft
• Use the hotel safe to secure your valuables
• Don’t leave valuables in plain view, even while you are in your hotel room
• Enquire with reception upon check-in on security precautions related to theft from hotel rooms 

State of emergency

Local authorities periodically  declare a state of emergency in various parishes  to fight against gang-related crime.

When a state of emergency is in effect, security forces have increased rights to conduct searches, seizures, and detain persons of interest.

If you are travelling in an area where a state of emergency is in effect:

• be aware that you may be subject to searches by security forces
• always cooperate with military and police officers
• carry valid ID at all times and be prepared for various checkpoints
• allow extra time to reach your destination
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• monitor local news to stay informed on the current situation

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

2SLGBTQI+ travellers have experienced harassment and verbal or physical abuse.

Avoid public displays of affection.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Women's safety and sexual assault

There have been reports of sexual assaults at tourist resorts carried out by resort staff and, in some cases, by other tourists. Women travelling alone are often harassed.

Be particularly vigilant if you are staying at a smaller or isolated establishment with less security. Compounds that are gated and guarded are considered the safest accommodation option in Jamaica.

• Be wary of strangers who seem friendly
• Refrain from excessive drinking, especially at all-inclusive resorts
• Ensure that your hotel room doors and windows are locked

Advice for women travellers

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum, or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as they may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. When using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when others are handling your cards
• use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Romance scams

Internet romance scams via dating apps, websites or social media have occurred. Criminals especially target apps and websites popular among 2SLGBTQI+ travellers.

Assaults and incidents of robbery have occurred as a result of encounters set up through dating apps.

• Be wary of people who profess friendship or romantic interest over the internet
• Keep in mind that you may be the victim of a scam if you are travelling to Jamaica to meet an online contact
• Plan to meet in a known, secure location
• Be wary of inviting new acquaintances into your accommodation

Lottery scams

Tourists have been targets of lottery scams. Scammers convince targets that they have won a prize or lottery, but must pay a fee to claim their winnings.

• Never send money to someone in Jamaica who says you’ve won a lottery or prize
• Never travel to Jamaica to claim a “prize” or money

Overseas fraud

Demonstrations

Demonstrations may occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Criminals often use these events to pickpocket demonstrators.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Water activities

Coastal waters can be dangerous. Riptides are common.

Not all beaches have lifeguards or warning flags.

• Exercise caution when swimming
• Don’t swim alone, after hours or outside marked areas
• Consult residents and tour operators for information on possible hazards and safe swimming areas

Water sports

Tour operators may not adhere to international standards.

If you participate in water sports:

• choose a well-established and reputable company that has insurance
• ensure that safety equipment, such as helmets and life jackets, are available and in good condition
• ensure that your travel insurance covers the recreational activities you choose

If in doubt concerning the safety of the facilities or equipment, don’t use them.

Water safety abroad

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety can vary greatly throughout the country. Coastal roads are in fair condition but driving in inland can be dangerous due to:

• narrow, winding roads
• insufficient road maintenance
• poor lighting
• inadequate signage
• poor lane markings
• damage to roads during the hurricane season

Speeding, as well as driving under the influence of marijuana or alcohol, are common.

When driving between Norman Manley International Airport and Kingston, take the South Camp Road – also known as the Hummingbird Route – rather than Mountain View Avenue, where several robbery incidents have been reported.

Roadside assistance is available island-wide.

• Stay on main roads as much as possible
• Drive defensively
• Keep vehicle windows closed and doors locked
• Keep valuables out of sight

Public transportation

Public transportation is generally not safe due to high levels of crime and overcrowding.

Knutsford Express offers safe, reliable and comfortable bus transportation between major towns.

Avoid travelling on local city buses.

Taxis and ridesharing services

Avoid taking unmarked taxis due to the risk of robbery and sexual assault.

Use only taxis ordered from hotels and authorized by the Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA). These are identified by red-and-white “PP” licence plates and a lime-green JUTA sticker on the window.

• Agree on the fare with the driver before departure, since taxis aren’t metered
• Don’t share a taxi with strangers

Ridesharing services are also available and generally safe. If you use a trusted ridesharing app, confirm the driver’s identity and the licence plate before getting in the car.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Jamaican authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the expected duration of your stay in Jamaica.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required Work visa: not required Business visa: not required  Student visa: not required

Immigration officers will generally grant visitors to Jamaica visitor landed status for 90 days. You must seek an extension if you are planning to stay up to an additional 90 days. You may request an extension at any immigration office. For stays beyond 90 days, you will require a visa.

Overstaying a visa or entry stamp is a criminal offence and can lead to prison time, heavy fines and deportation.

Persons found working illegally may be held in a local prison until arrangements for their return to Canada are made at their own cost.

Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency – Government of Jamaica

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay. 

You must provide certain information to immigration officials. You can do this online before arriving in Jamaica, or complete and sign a Jamaican immigration landing card, usually given to travellers upon arrival at the airport or during the flight. If you complete the immigration landing card:

• present it to an immigration official at the airport
• retain the card and present it to immigration officials upon departure from Jamaica

Immigration/Customs C5 card – Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024
• Dengue: Advice for travellers - 6 May, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country   where yellow fever occurs.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Contact a designated  Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre  well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that  country entry requirements  may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest  diplomatic or consular office  of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Salmonellosis is a common illness among travellers to this country. It can be spread through contaminated food or beverages, such as raw or undercooked poultry and eggs, as well as fruits or vegetables.

Practice safe food and water precautions . This includes only eating food that is properly cooked and still hot when served.

Pregnant women, children under 5 years of age, those over 60 years of age, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill.

Most people recover on their own without medical treatment and from proper rehydration (drinking lots of fluids).

• Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Travellers with severe symptoms should consult a health care professional as soon as possible.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)   is a virus that attacks and impairs the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). 

High risk activities include anything which puts you in contact with blood or body fluids, such as unprotected sex and exposure to unsterilized needles for medications or other substances (for example, steroids and drugs), tattooing, body-piercing or acupuncture.

Medical services and facilities

Good to excellent medical facilities exist in all tourist areas and in Kingston.

Medical care and hospital facilities in remote areas are limited. Ambulance services are limited in both urban and rural areas.

Medical expenses can be very high. Clinics may require payment upfront or credit card information as a guarantee of payment before providing medical care.

Medical evacuation can be very expensive and you may need it in case of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Jamaican law prohibits sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Other related offences include being in a same-sex marriage and the "promotion of homosexuality." Those convicted can face sentences of up to 10 years in prison, though authorities rarely enforce the law.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics.

Though violence against 2SLGBTQI+ persons and their allies has declined significantly over the past decade, 2SLGBTQI+ travellers should:

• carefully consider the risks of travelling to Jamaica
• be cautious and avoid public displays of affection with someone of the same sex

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy prison sentences.

Departing visitors are thoroughly screened for drug possession. Many Canadians are serving prison sentences for drug crimes, in some cases committed unwittingly. When leaving Ocho Rios and Montego Bay by cruise ship, you may be searched for drugs by local authorities. You should have a witness accompany you if you undergo such procedures.

• Pack all luggage yourself
• Don’t carry anything through customs for anyone else

Jamaica decriminalized the possession of up to two ounces of cannabis, which will be punishable by a fine and will not result in a criminal record. Smoking cannabis in public places, however, remains prohibited. Jamaican authorities continue to enforce strict laws against the possession and trafficking of narcotics, in accordance with international agreements to combat drug trafficking.

Don’t attempt to depart Jamaica and cross international borders with any amount of cannabis.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Illegal activities

It’s illegal to:

• wear, buy or sell army or police camouflage clothing
• nudist bathing in non-designated areas 
• use of indecent language

Imports and exports

There are strict import and export regulations on:

• fruits and vegetables
• animals, including pets
• animal products

Entering the country with a firearm or even a single round of ammunition is considered a serious crime.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Jamaica.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Jamaica, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Jamaica.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Jamaica by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Jamaica to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Traffic drives on the left.

You can drive in Jamaica with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to six months. After 6 months, you must obtain a Jamaican driver’s licence.

It is mandatory to wear a helmet on mopeds, motor scooters and motorcycles, and to wear a seatbelt in cars and taxis. There are heavy fines for non-compliance.

You should carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

Investments

If you plan on buying property or making other investments in Jamaica, seek legal advice in Canada and in Jamaica. Do so before making commitments. Related disputes could take time and be costly to resolve.

The currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican dollar (JMD).

Hotels and businesses catering to tourists accept major credit cards.

There is limited ATM availability outside Kingston and Montego Bay. Make sure you have enough cash to cover your expenses if travelling outside these areas.

Hurricane season

Hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.

These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season:

• know that you expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad
• Active storm tracking and hurricane watches and warnings  - United States’ National Hurricane Center

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Jamaica is located in an active seismic zone. It is subject to earthquakes and is at risk of tsunamis.

A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. However, the risk of tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. If you’re staying on the coast, familiarize yourself with the region’s evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami warning.

In the event of an earthquake:

• monitor local media to stay informed of the evolving situation
• follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders
• Earthquakes – What to Do?
• Latest earthquakes  - U.S. Geological Survey
• Tsunami warning system  - U.S. National Weather Service

Local services

• police: 119
• medical assistance: 911
• firefighters: 911

Tourist information

Jamaica Tourist Board offices are located throughout the island. They have direct radio links with local police and information on safe public beaches.

Jamaica Tourist Board

Consular assistance

Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands

For emergency consular assistance, call the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica, in Kingston, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

© Caspar Rae

Jamaica comes with its own soundtrack. Groove to its singular rhythm as you explore the sandy beaches, lush mountains and unique flavors of this powerfully beautiful island.

Best Time to Visit

Best places to visit, attractions, must-see attractions.

Reach Falls

Ocho Rios, Port Antonio & the North Coast

Even in a country that abounds in waterfalls, Reach Falls stands out as one of the most beautiful places in Jamaica. The white rushing cascades are…

High on the White River, Jamaica's heavenly Blue Hole is a vision and is an undisputed highlight in Ocho Rios. To reach this popular spot, make your way…

Blue Lagoon

The waters that launched Brooke Shields’ movie career are by any measure one of the most beautiful spots in Jamaica. The 180ft-deep (55m) “Blue Hole” (as…

Appleton Rum Estate

You can smell the sweetness of molasses wafting from the Appleton Estate well before you reach it, almost a mile northeast of Maggotty. The largest and…

Deeply secluded in St Elizabeth parish, you’d be forgiven for thinking YS Falls emerged out of Eden. This series of seven cascades, hemmed in by limestone…

National Gallery of Jamaica

The superlative collection of Jamaican art housed by the National Gallery is the finest on the island and should on no account be missed. As well as…

Blue Mountain Peak

Kingston, Blue Mountains & the Southeast Coast

Highest of the highlights, Blue Mountain Peak reaches 2256m above sea level, and no visit to the area should neglect a predawn hike to its summit for a…

Nanny Falls

The idyllic waterfall and swimming hole of Nanny Falls is a 30-minute walk uphill from the end of Moore Town, passing under huge ferns, Jamaican apple…

Top picks from our travel experts

18 of the best things to do in jamaica.

Pelican Bar

Treasure Beach

A thatched hut on stilts, built on a submerged sandbar 1km out to sea after owner Floyd saw it in a dream, is still Jamaica’s – and perhaps the planet’s –…

Winnifred Beach

Perched on a cliff 13km east of Port Antonio is the little hamlet of Fairy Hill. Follow the road steeply downhill and you’ll reach Winnifred Beach, yet…

Dunn’s River Falls

These famous falls, 3km west of town, are Jamaica’s top-grossing tourist attraction. Great throngs of people at peak hours can sometimes make it seem more…

Hampden Estate

Montego Bay & Northwest Coast

A lane lined with palm trees leads you to the landscaped grounds of Hampden Great House estate, dotted with strutting peacocks. Tours assemble beneath a…

Bob Marley Museum

The large, creaky, colonial-era wooden house on Hope Rd, where Bob Marley lived and recorded from 1975 until his death in 1981, is the city’s most-visited…

Frenchman’s Cove

This beautiful little cove just east of Drapers boasts a small but perfect white-sand beach, where the water is fed by a freshwater river that spits…

Boston Bay Beach

Boston Bay's beach sits in a small pretty cove, and while its golden sand is draw enough, the shape of the bay and prevailing weather make it a perfect…

Rose Hall Great House

This splendid 1770s mansion is the most famous great house in Jamaica. John Palmer, a wealthy plantation owner, and his wife, Rose (after whom the house…

Devon's Coffee Ranch

Most Blue Mountain coffee tours are on the southern ridge of the mountains, accessible from the Kingston side, but this small plantation is a great option…

Somerset Falls

This dark waterfall is hidden in a deep gorge about 3km east of Hope Bay. The Daniels River cascades down through a lush garden of ferns, heliconias,…

Fort Charles

Jamaica’s latitude and longitude are measured from the flagstaff of Fort Charles, a weathered redoubt originally laid in 1655, and the only one of the…

Glistening Waters

Glistening Waters, also known as ‘Luminous Lagoon,’ actually lives up to the hype. Located in an estuary near Rock, 1.6km east of Falmouth, the water here…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Best Things to Do

Bob Marley. Bobsledding. Beers by the beach. Get a real Caribbean experience and a greater understanding of Jamaica with these 18 essential experiences.

Things to Know

From planning and partying to etiquette and safety, here's everything you need to know before you go to Jamaica.

Transportation

Jamaica is one of the Caribbean's larger islands. Here are the best ways to travel around it.

Visa Requirements

Jamaica has specific entry requirements tailored to different nationalities. Here's what you need to know about visas for a hassle-free visit.

Money and Costs

Want to experience Jamaica but have a limited budget? Follow this guide on how to make the most of your visit while spending less.

Traveling with Kids

From zipping through rainforest canopies to splashing in the waves, there are plenty of great activities for families in Jamaica.

Best Road Trips

From mountain viewpoints to stunning coastal drives, here are our favorite driving routes in Jamaica.

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Tourism push in new markets continues

PUSHING to grow its visitor arrival from a number of new destinations across the globe, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has said these efforts continue in earnest as the sector in this fiscal year continues to strategically allocate time and resources to build out a presence in more markets.

Speaking during his sectoral budget debate presentation last week, the minister singled out markets such as India, Latin America, as well as some emerging demographics in the US and Canada which he believes continue to show promising potential for both leisure and business travel to Jamaica.

Reporting a 40 per cent increase in arrivals from Latin America, he said the country welcomed approximately 36,000 visitors from this market in 2023.

“This region remains our most significant new growth market opportunity. Our partnership with Copa Airlines, a key player in this market, has expanded significantly, with daily flights from Panama to both Kingston and Montego Bay. These routes offer convenient connections to destinations such as Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, and Mexico — strengthening our accessibility and appeal to Latin American travellers,” the tourism minister said during his presentation.

Further speaking to the progress in Asia, regarding which Jamaica first made clear its intentions to go after these markets when it approached India, Bartlett said that even without the desired success to date, plans remain ongoing with an aim to reap better successes in the not-too-distant future.

“Recognising India as a high-potential tourism market, we have appointed TRAC Representations (India) as our local market representative. Their role will involve engaging with local travel partners and media, fostering trade and consumer awareness of the Jamaican brand, and developing suitable air connectivity options to the island,” Bartlett said.

“This strategic partnership seeks to tap into India’s burgeoning travel market and position Jamaica as a desirable destination for Indian travellers,” he added.

First tapping the popularity of famous West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle, who has become a famed musical act with a huge fan base in India, the ministry more than a year ago had said it would be working with the sporting legend to shore up its marketing campaign in that country.

As the largest continent, Asia boasts a population of approximately 4.5 billion people and is diversely rich in people, culture and resources. As income levels rise on the continent, Asians are doing more discretionary spending, including taking holidays, and Jamaica wants to tap into that market.

The local tourism sector which last year surged pass previous projections, saw gross earnings of US$4.38 billion — almost 10 per cent above that of the previous year — owing to an estimated stopover arrival of nearly three million.

For fiscal year 2023/24 combined, revenues from the island’s two international airports amounted to approximately $30 billion, largely driven by a record-breaking 6.9 million passenger traffic which passed through the facilities.

Positively contributing to economic growth over the last 10 consecutive quarters since the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the sector, Bartlett said, remains committed to delivering even better results this year. This as it seeks to ensure that more people-centred initiatives are developed and that every Jamaican can feel the positive impact of tourism’s success — and not just a select few.

“This is not a difficult task given the wide-ranging impact of tourism which provides employment opportunities for countless families. There is still, however, much work to be done, and we will continue to strive to spread the wealth created by tourism.

“As we step into 2024 we embrace the ethos of ‘Even More in ‘24’, recognising the transformative power of Jamaica’s tourism industry. The interconnected web of the tourism value chain is not just a beacon of hope but a powerful force that fosters positive change and uplifts the lives of the Jamaican people and local businesses,” Bartlett said.

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Tourism in Jamaica

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8 Best Cruises to Jamaica for Every Type of Traveler

T here’s no other voyage quite like a cruise to Jamaica , the Caribbean island that’s the birthplace of both reggae music and the legendary musician Bob Marley. When your ship arrives in port, you’ll find reef-lined sandy beaches, soaring mountains, tropical rainforests, and rum cocktails you’ll be daydreaming about for months. 

Jamaica is home to five cruise ports equipped to handle everything from intimate yachts to mega-ships. Ocho Rios is Jamaica’s largest port and a gateway to attractions like Dunn’s River Falls. Montego Bay is a golfer’s dream while Kingston, the Jamaican capital, offers an opportunity to visit the Bob Marley Museum and dine at a restaurant owned by Olympian Usain Bolt. Here's everything to know about booking a cruise to Jamaica .

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

What cruise lines sail to Jamaica?

Several cruise lines sail to Jamaica with most itineraries departing from the United States. Royal Caribbean sails to Jamaica from Tampa, Florida. Celebrity cruises to both Ocho Rios and another Jamaican port, Falmouth. Carnival has several itineraries that stop in Jamaica, including a few that sail the Panama Canal. Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises sail to both Montego Bay, located on the northern side of the island, and Ocho Rios. MSC, Norwegian , and Holland America also include Jamaica on their cruise itineraries. 

MSC alone offers more than 50 cruises that stop in Jamaica.

Jamaica cruise itineraries often depart from Texas or Florida and include other Caribbean islands. Some include more adventures, sailing to Central America or through the Panama Canal. 

What cruise ships sail to Jamaica?

Cruises to Jamaica tend to be longer, with many itineraries falling into the five- to seven-night range, so you’ll need more than a long weekend for this vacation. Ships sailing here tend to be larger and stacked with onboard entertainment and activities. Most ships sailing to Jamaica, like Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas , the Norwegian Escape , and the MSC Meraviglia , carry thousands of passengers, but Viking Cruises and Oceania Cruises sail to Jamaica on ships that carry 1,200 passengers or less.

Whatever kind of cruise experience you’re looking for, you can find it on a ship headed toward the sandy beaches and reggae beats of Jamaica. These are some of the best Jamaica cruises for every kind of traveler. 

Which Jamaica cruise port is better?

Ocho Rios on Jamaica’s northern coast is the island's largest and best-located cruise port. It offers easy access to two of Jamaica’s top attractions—Dunn’s River Falls and Mystic Mountain, where you’ll find bobsledding and zip-lining—and several of Jamaica’s most popular activities. In Ocho Rios, you can ride horses on the beach, take a tour to learn about Bob Marley and the roots of reggae music, or relax on sandy beaches. The port is a quick walk from town, making it easy to explore on your own if you choose not to take an excursion.  

What is the best month to cruise to Jamaica?

There’s no place like Jamaica to escape winter. Jamaica’s dry season stretches from mid-December through April and brings sunny days with pleasant temperatures. Cruise to Jamaica between mid-December and April for perfect beach days and good weather for exploring rainforests and local markets. Avoid cruising the Caribbean in August and September, which is peak hurricane season. 

Find the right cruise for you:

• Best Jamaica cruises for solo travelers  
• Best Jamaica cruises for thrill-seekers  
• Best cruise to Jamaica for families  

Best cruise to Jamaica for relaxing

• Best cruise to Jamaica for partying  
• Best megaship cruise to Jamaica  
• Best smaller ship Jamaica cruise  
• Best long cruise to Jamaica  

Best Jamaica cruises for solo travelers 

Holland America, one of the best cruise lines for solo travelers , offers a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary that includes a full day in port in Ocho Rios. Check out Dunn’s River Falls and go for a swim at the Blue Hole. Relax on a bamboo raft, ride horses, listen to reggae or try zip-lining. Back on board the Nieuw Statendam , enjoy having one of the ship’s 12 oceanview solo staterooms all to yourself. These solo staterooms are small —between 127 and 172 square feet— but with so much to do onboard that might not matter. The Nieuw Statendam is a Pinnacle Class ship with several live entertainment venues, an expansive fitness center, shopping, and a spa. There are multiple dining options on board, and the cruise line hosts several events for solo travelers each sailing. The Nieuw Statendam ’s Western Caribbean itinerary departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida , and also stops in Cozumel, the Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas. 

Book now with Holland America

Best Jamaica cruises for thrill-seekers 

Royal Caribbean cruises to Falmouth, Jamaica, on the Independence of the Seas , a modern cruise ship made for unforgettable adventures at sea. Spend your Jamaica port day zip-lining, bobsledding, or snorkeling. Try white-water rafting or go tubing through the Jamaican jungle. Climb to the top of Dunn’s River Falls or opt for a lazy day on a gorgeous beach eating beef patties. Back on board the Independence of the Seas , try out the 40-foot-long FlowRider surf simulator or scale an outdoor rock climbing wall with epic ocean views. Play glow-in-the-dark laser tag or race down dueling waterslides. You might just find yourself wishing for more sea days. The ship sails from and returns to Miami . Five-night itineraries also stop in Labadee, Haiti. 

Book now with Royal Caribbean

Best cruise to Jamaica for families 

If you’re looking for a cruise line that’s got something for everyone , MSC has you covered. The MSC Meraviglia starts its Caribbean journey in Port Canaveral, Florida, giving families a chance to visit Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, or the Kennedy Space Center before heading out on an unforgettable Caribbean vacation. The  11-night itinerary visits the Bahamas, Aruba, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. In Ocho Rios, guests can choose from several excursions including a traditional bamboo rafting tour. Adults may prefer the island tour and rum-tasting excursion. That excursion dives into the history of the island, taking travelers to historical sights as well as scenic spots. Guests learn about rum production on the island while sampling locally made rums. Juice tastings are available for any kids who may want to join this experience. 

But there’s so much to do on the Meraviglia , it may be tough to get your kids off the ship. The ship is home to a full-size bowling alley, F1 simulators, an epic waterpark with twisty slides and a sports field. There’s also a kid’s club, several shows to choose from, and an expansive pool. 

Book now with MSC

For a relaxing Jamaican cruise, jump on board the brand new Celebrity Beyond , which sails a  nine-night Caribbean itinerary round trip from Fort Lauderdale. The Celebrity Beyond is the cruise line’s newest ship. It boasts 32 restaurants, bars, and lounges and has a spa that offers a selection of more than 120 treatments. The cruise makes its first stop in Grand Cayman before stopping in Aruba and Curacao. Its last stop is Falmouth, Jamaica, a town with cobblestone streets lined with Georgian architecture that sits between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. From Falmouth, cruise passengers can opt to ride a bamboo raft along the Martha Brae River, climb to the top of Dunn’s River Falls, or lounge on the beach. This is an area of Jamaica known for its long emerald rivers, caves, waterfalls, and beaches, there may be no better place to relax in Jamaica. 

For a longer cruise, consider the  Celebrity Beyond ’s 11-night Southern Caribbean itinerary which adds a stop in Cartagena, Colombia. 

Book now with Celebrity

Best cruise to Jamaica for partying 

If you’re looking to party on your Jamaican cruise , look no further than Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival is the cruise line for travelers looking to let loose on vacation and is known for its fun onboard atmosphere. Carnival sails to Ocho Rios and Montego Bay from Florida. 

The  Carnival Sunrise sails roundtrip from Miami to Ocho Rios, Jamaica's most popular cruise port. This five-night itinerary starts with a day at sea—the perfect way to ease yourself into vacation mode, especially if you spent the night before sailing sampling Miami’s epic nightlife. The ship’s first port is Ocho Rios, where travelers can climb the 600-foot Dunn’s River Falls, drive a dune buggy through Jamaican woodlands, swim with dolphins, ride horses on the beach or try out river tubing. The ship stops in Grand Cayman before making its way back to Miami. 

Onboard, spend your sea days sipping cocktails by the pool. Spend your evenings at the Red Frog Pub, the onboard piano bar, or laughing your heart out at the ship’s comedy club. 

Book now with Carnival

Best megaship cruise to Jamaica 

To cruise to Jamaica with everything you could ever want on board, book yourself on the Norwegian Escape , a ship built in 2015 that can accommodate more than 4,200 passengers. This is a ship with dining options to suit even the pickiest palates. There’s even an American Diner on board should you get a little homesick. 

The Escape cruises to Jamaica on a  seven-day itinerary that includes stops in Cozumel, Mexico, George Town, Grand Cayman, and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, in addition to Ocho Rios, where it spends a full day in port. Excursion options in Ocho Rios include a 4x4 safari to Dunn’s River Falls, island sightseeing and beach breaks.

The itinerary includes two sea days, offering plenty of time for lounging by the pool or relaxing by the spa. Or try your hand at the ship’s ropes course and catch a show at the onboard comedy club. 

Book now with Norwegian

Best smaller ship Jamaica cruise 

If you’re looking for a luxury cruise experience and a trip of a lifetime that stops in Jamaica, Viking has you covered with its  15-day Panama Canal and Central America itinerary on board the Viking Star. The Viking Star is smaller than most of the cruise ships that call on Jamaica. It accommodates just 930 guests, ensuring top-notch service for everyone on board. 

​​Being a smaller ship, you won't find the same breadth of dining and entertainment offerings on board the Viking Star as you may on other cruise lines calling on Jamaica, but you're guaranteed not to get hungry or get bored on this luxury vessel. The Viking Star has two pools, a spa, and a fitness center. It also has a sports deck, piano lounge, and a handful of dining venues. This is a cruise line that focuses on enrichment, so expect lots of opportunities to learn about your destinations along the way. 

Viking’s Panama Canal and Central America journey begins and ends in Fort Lauderdale. It takes passengers on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, before sailing through a portion of the Panama Canal. Its last stop before returning to Fort Lauderdale is Montego Bay. 

Book now with Viking

Best long cruise to Jamaica 

Oceania's  27-day Rome to Miami Grand Caribbean Crossing may be the most exciting way to make your way to Jamaica. This epic journey begins in Rome and spends a day sailing the Mediterranean Sea before sailing to Valencia and Santa Cruz de Tenerife in Spain. From Spain, the Oceania Vista crosses the Atlantic Ocean for just over two weeks of hopping around some of the Caribbean's top destinations. The cruise stops in Antigua, Puerto Rico, and Cozumel, before eventually making its way to Montego Bay. 

This itinerary does include several sea days, but with cabins that feel more like a home than a room on a ship, lots of great food, and a selection of cocktail experiences, you may not mind. The luxurious ship also offers cooking classes, shows, a spa, and lots of gorgeous photo spots. 

Book now with Oceania

Jamaica’s Tourism Sector is Resilient (September, 2022)

Jamaica’s tourism sector is resilient.

Written By:  Prof. Lloyd Waller, Executive Director

Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, University of the West Indies 

Despite cyclical disruptions such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, Jamaica’s resilient tourism industry continues to be one of the main drivers of the country’s long-term economic development.  It is the largest generator of foreign exchange, a major contributor to the GDP and employment, and has been among the country’s fastest-growing industries for several decades. Tourism directly employs 175 000 Jamaicans and generates indirect employment for another 354000 Jamaicans. It drives 15.0 per cent of construction, 10.0 per cent of banking and finance, 20.0 per cent of manufacturing and 21.0 per cent of utilities, agriculture, and fisheries. Overall, the tourism sector has grown by 36.0 per cent over the past 30 years against a total economic growth of 10.0 per cent. 

 The tourism industry has generally positioned itself as a strong pillar of economic development in Jamaica mainly because of the vital economic linkages it has facilitated within the broader macroeconomic context.  The tourism value chain already incorporates several sectors. Its promotion requires the construction and operation of hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related facilities through backward linkages and the development of basic infrastructure services, such as energy, telecommunications and environmental services, agriculture, manufacturing and other support services. Tourism has also created a wide range of forward linkages with sectors supplying services consumed by tourists. These include financial, telecommunications, retail, recreational, cultural, personal, hospitality, security and health services. In addition, the strengthening of the tourism sector has required the development of other tourism-supporting infrastructure such as airports, proper roads, ports, hospitals and banks, which are essential for providing access to high-quality services and creating a competitive tourism destination.

These preceding data on the tourism value chain in Jamaican confirm the vital importance of tourism to the country’s macroeconomic growth. In fact, it is impossible to have a vibrant Jamaican economy without a strong tourism sector.  This has been further confirmed by the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.  In 2020, the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) indicated that an overall year-to-year decline of 18.0 per cent in GDP growth within the Jamaican economy was mainly attributable to a precipitous 87.5 per cent contraction of the hotels and restaurant industry between 2019 and 2020. The impact of tourism decline in Jamaica has been made worse by the fact that other key sources of incomes/revenues, foreign direct investment and remittances, are also at risk, given that primary suppliers—the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada—have also faced severe economic setbacks. The undiversified nature of the Jamaican economy further compounds the adverse economic consequences of prolonged disruption to the tourism industry.

While the COVID pandemic has presented the greatest challenge to the tourism industry in modern history, the strong resurgence of the sector over the last several months has demonstrated the tourism sector’s “tried, tested and proven” adaptability and resilience. Since the tourism sector reopened in June 2020, it has continued to weather the proverbial storm and has remained open for business amid cyclical threats associated with new COVID variants, new waves of outbreaks, tightening travel restrictions and the reintroduction of border closures by some countries. Indeed, with several major hotel construction projects in the pipeline, Jamaica is about to enter its largest wave of tourism development and expansion in recent history. The fast pace of the recovery of the tourism sector from the COVID-19 pandemic mimics the sector’s pace of recovery from previous shocks including the SARS Outbreak 2002–2004; the H1NI Outbreak 2009; the Global Financial Crisis 2007–2009 to name a few.

Globally, there has, however, been disparity in the pace of recovery of tourism across countries and regions. This largely reflects differences in levels of prioritization and investment in building resilient tourism architectures before and during the pandemic. Tourism resilience is defined as “the ability of social, economic or ecological systems to recover from tourism induced stress” (Tyrell, Johnson, 2008). Other interpretations of tourism resilience emphasize the capacity of destinations to not only quickly recover from shocks but also to anticipate these shocks and put in place effective measures and strategies that may either prevent them from happening or mitigate their impact.. Thus, resilience is the catalyst of a country’s ability to not only track disruptions, like a pandemic, an earthquake, a hurricane, cybercrimes, economic downturns, or terrorism, but also to mitigate them, to recover quickly, and continue to thrive.

 From the perspective of the Jamaican tourism sector, recovery has been aided by the continuous building out of a robust tourism resilience architecture that has combined elements such as continuous development, enforcement and monitoring of standards and protocols, strong political leadership, and providing a constant balance between warning and reassurance. It also includes human resource training, research and development, product diversification and segmentation, continuous risk-mapping, the development of sustainable strategies and policies, leveraging the power of transformative technologies, improving internal and external coordination among stakeholders, timely and appropriate fiscal interventions. Notably, a focal point has been established – the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre – for coordinating destination preparedness, management, and recovery from disruptions and/or crises that impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods.

The resilience of the tourism industry in Jamaica has unequivocally, over the past two years, remained competitive among the top tourism destinations of the world because of the integrity of the country’s product which has remained safe, secure, and seamless. During the pandemic, the country’s Tourism Ministry took strong and decisive actions to contain the spread of the virus. It collaborated extensively with tourism partners and other stakeholders to develop an even more resilient approach to tourism. To ensure that the industry reopened safely, seamlessly, and responsibly, protocols to ensure destination assurance were developed through partnership among the Ministries of Tourism, Health and Wellness, National Security, and Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and in consultation with a number of international tourism bodies. The protocols were designed to support and maintain consistent standards across all sectors of the industry.

The Ministry of Tourism also introduced its Tourism Resilient Corridors. The resilient corridors, which encompass most of the island’s tourism regions, allow visitors to enjoy more of the country’s unique offerings, as many COVID-19-compliant attractions, located along the areas, are authorized for visits by the health authorities. The Resilient Corridors, which cover more than 85.0 per cent of the island’s tourism product and include less than 1.0 per cent of the population, have recorded an infection rate of less than 1.0 per cent over the past year; demonstrating the clear success of the programme, the only one of its kind in the Caribbean.

Jamaica’s tourism resilience-building framework has also emphasized six pillars that reflect a forward-thinking vision for the sustainable growth of the tourism industry in the post-COVID era. They are facilitating investments; strengthening linkages; investing in human capital development; diversifying the tourism product; building out a supportive tourism infrastructure; and creating a Destination Assurance Framework that assures an authentic, safe and seamless visitor experience.

In conclusion, Jamaica’s resilient tourism industry is indispensable to the country’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is also a catalyst of the country’s path to sustainable development because of its potential to unlock opportunities in key areas of sustainability such as inclusive and sustainable economic growth; social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction; resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change mitigation and adaptation; cultural values, diversity and heritage and mutual understanding, peace and security.  Accordingly, sustained and dedicated efforts are required by all stakeholders to ensure that the sector maximizes its full economic potential and remains resilient and competitive.

Up Next:  A Suh Granny Seh: Chicken Merry Hawk deh Near! (October, 2022)

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Blog launch – welcome to “vision 2030 jamaica and beyond”, message from the director-general, planning institute of jamaica (pioj), a suh granny seh: chicken merry hawk deh near (october, 2022).

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We thought you’d never ask! For these reasons and many more, plan your trip to visit Jamaica.

• Honeymoons :  From the naturally heart-shaped 'jacuzzi' at Reach Falls to sunsets in Negril so beautiful they make you fall in love, Jamaica is one of the most romantic holiday destinations in the world.
• Weddings : There's no better place to get married than here. In Jamaica there are so many ways to rest, relax and enjoy your time before, during and after saying your "I do's". 
• Nature : Come see why Errol Flynn, and countless others, have called Jamaica the most beautiful place their eyes have ever seen. Majestic waterfalls, grand rivers and lush landscapes are just the beginning of the journey. 
• History: As one of the most diverse places in the world, visiting Jamaica is a fascinating learning experience.
• Adventure: The island of rhythm and sway is also the island of adventure. Come and explore our top spots.
• Food: From jerk to patties to world-famous ice cream, Jamaica is a destination for foodies.
• Beaches: Lay claim to your spot on our picturesque beaches. Whether you're interested in exploring the underwater world or soaking up the sun, there's a beach for you in Jamaica. 
• Entertainment: Jamaica is the cultural capital of the Caribbean. Visit us to experience live reggae music, street dances, festivals, carnival and much more.
• Weather: Warm Caribbean weather with occasional liquid sunshine makes for an enjoyable holiday.
• The People: From the moment you land you’ll meet upon some of the friendliest people in the world. Say hi, chat with us! Don’t worry we’ll teach you a bit of our dialect patois. 

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Safety tips from the US government for Americans traveling to Mexico

A travel advisory for the country has been in effect since late august 2023, by dana williams • published may 4, 2024 • updated on may 4, 2024 at 5:24 pm.

The U.S. Department of State has been cautioning Americans to reconsider travel to Baja California, the region of Mexico, where four bodies were recently found .

The warning is part of a travel advisory for the country that has been in effect since late August 2023. According to the department’s website, “violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico.”

It also adds that because U.S. government employees are restricted or prohibited from going to certain areas in Mexico, it makes it difficult for them to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens who might need it.

However, they shared tips for Americans who travel to the region against their warning:

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• Keep friends and family informed of your travel plans. 
• If separating from a group, share your GPS location with a friend. 
• If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi’s number and/or plate and send it to a friend. 
• Use toll roads when you can and do not drive alone or at night. 
• Be extra cautious when visiting local bars, nightclubs or casinos. 
• Do not show any signs of wealth (i.e. jewelry, etc.)
• Be vigilant around banks and ATMs.

The department also suggests enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program .

For more information on the travel advisory, click here .

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TPDCo to spend $50m on ‘jamiconic’ selfie signs

The Tourism Product Development Company, TPDCo, plans to spend just over $50 million to set up destination “jamiconic” signs at five destinations frequented by tourists. The locations are Falmouth, Ocho Rios, Holland Bamboo, Port Royal, and Hope...

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The Tourism Product Development Company, TPDCo, plans to spend just over $50 million to set up destination “jamiconic” signs at five destinations frequented by tourists.

The locations are Falmouth, Ocho Rios, Holland Bamboo, Port Royal, and Hope Gardens.

“We expect to finish three of the five locations this fiscal year,” said Wade Mars, executive director of TPDCo.

The others are to be erected in FY2025/26.

The ministry views these signs as “transformational” because it’s expected to drive traffic and spending in the locations.

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“It is an advertising windfall and brings more traffic to the area. In this form of social media marketing we have to create things that allow people to take pics and share experiences. It is the way of the world,” said Mars. “People pay for clicks and we are making the investment, and putting the infrastructure down. We are turning the average visitor into an influencer.”

The first sign was erected in the city of Montego Bay, and Negril followed. But Montego Bay’s sign was placed in the centre of the busy roundabout which largely precludes pedestrian photo takers. The Negril sign, however, was approachable to pedestrian traffic.

Mars said the drive to add more “jamiconic signs” came out of the success of the Negril sign.

“It worked well,” he said. “It has provided a postcard experience that visitors can create for themselves.”

Critics argued that these signs are costly but Mars responded that the return on investment is multifaceted.

“People fail to recognise that a lot of work goes into these jamiconic experiences,” he said.

He explained that the Negril sign required a retaining wall, a solid structure for persons to stand on.

Additionally: “We had to create a lay-by for parking, we added lighting and barriers for cars,” he said.

TPDCo is an agency of the tourism ministry. The signage forms part of the policy of Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett to use art to increase interest in locations across Jamaica.

Tourist visitors to Jamaica are trending at record levels with one million visitors generating US$1 billion in spending from January to February 2024.

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