20 things to know before traveling to Jamaica

Pulsating reggae and dancehall beats aside, Jamaica puts on a full display of natural beauty – gorgeous beaches, jungle-covered mountains and tropical waterfalls – as well as serves up a culinary scene that sets it apart from other islands in the Caribbean.

Learning the nation's unspoken rules and etiquette goes a long way toward helping you understand what makes Jamaica such a remarkable place and manage any travel concerns you might have. Here's everything you should know before you go.

Practical advice

1. Choose where to stay based on your interests

Jamaica is one of the largest islands in the Caribbean, so deciding the best place to stay depends on what you’re into.

For beaches and water sports, Negril and the north coast are your best bets. Montego Bay and Ocho Rios combine excellent dining with proximity to Jamaica's top attractions and buzzy nightlife, though when it comes to the Jamaican music scene, Kingston – the capital – reigns supreme.

Treasure Beach (on the south coast) and Port Antonio (on the north coast) offer a taste of low-key Jamaica, while those interested in traditional Maroon culture can visit Charles Town on the northeastern coast. Hiking up a Blue Mountain peak and trekking in the remote Cockpit Country are best organized from Kingston or Falmouth, respectively.

2. Bring a mosquito net (just in case)

Jamaican mosquitoes do not carry malaria, but there are occasional outbreaks of dengue fever. Some guesthouses and hotels don’t provide mosquito nets, so bring your own.

The best repellent for no-see-ums (midges) – tiny biting insects that live near water and whose bites are extremely itchy – is Avon Skin So Soft.

3. You can travel during hurricane season

Jamaica is vulnerable to hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season (early June to late November); most storms occur between August and October. Timing your visit to Jamaica during hurricane season is possible if you follow a few basic rules:

• Take out travel insurance that covers hurricanes.

• Download a hurricane tracker app.

• If a storm is incoming, decide as soon as possible whether you’ll try to catch an early flight home (which may be expensive and difficult) or hunker down.

• Find out whether your lodging has a hurricane shelter and whether it’s likely to be affected by flooding or landslides, bearing in mind that only hotels with private generators are unlikely to get hit by power outages.

• Charge your electronics and make sure you have a flashlight, first aid kit, and a supply of food and water.

• Comply with evacuation orders.

• Consider relocating to a hotel closer to the airports in Kingston or Montego Bay to make it easier to get help or return home after a hurricane.

• If Jamaica is hit by a hurricane, have plenty of patience and be prepared to extend your trip.

Editor's note: Jamaica is still recovering from Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm system that destroyed much of the country's infrastructure in October. 

4. Carry some cash

In upmarket hotels, shops and restaurants, credit cards are almost universally accepted. Elsewhere, cash – primarily Jamaican dollars (J$) – is king, though in touristy destinations you can largely get by with US dollars.

ATMs and currency exchanges are plentiful in Montego Bay, Kingston and Ocho Rios, though currency exchanges (cambios) give you the best rates.

Airport rates are not great, and you’ll get hit with ATM charges if you withdraw cash. Small change is best for buying from street vendors and using public transportation.

5. Vegetarians and vegans can eat well in Jamaica

Plant-based I-tal (vital) food, an essential tenet of Rastafarianism, is widely available and delicious. Expect freshly squeezed fruit juices, plantain fritters, steamed callaloo (Jamaica’s answer to spinach) and tropical fruit.

In non-Rasta eateries, rice and peas (rice with kidney beans) is the most common accompaniment to most dishes.

6. Clean public bathrooms are not easily found

Shopping malls, cafes and restaurants charge for the use of their facilities, which don’t always meet basic hygiene standards, and woe betide you if you need the bathroom away from the hospitality sector.

Transportation in Jamaica

7. You don't need to rent a car

The main towns in Jamaica are served by a combination of air-conditioned buses, crowded minibuses and route taxis. It’s entirely possible to get around Jamaica using public transportation, though for exploring more remote destinations, you’ll need either ample time and patience or your own set of wheels.

If you plan on taking a road trip, car rentals are available at the airports in Kingston and Montego Bay.

8. But if you do, driving in Jamaica is not for the fainthearted

In contrast to their typical laid-back attitude, many Jamaicans drive hard and fast, especially around cities and along winding mountain roads.

Watch out for drivers overtaking around blind corners and swerving onto the opposite side of the road to avoid the ubiquitous potholes. Drive on the left, and perhaps avoid Kingston and Montego Bay if you’re a first-timer.

Etiquette in Jamaica

9. Talk to strangers

Unlike in big cities where striking up conversations with strangers is a massive faux pas, in Jamaica, the opposite is true.

Some Jamaicans will talk with you in the hope of doing business (more on this below). Still, many are genuinely interested in learning about you, and they consider standoffishness offensive. You’ll find yourself saying “good morning” “good afternoon” and “good night” (in greeting as well as farewell) a whole lot.

Elders are treated with extra respect. An exchange of friendly banter with vendors trying to sell you fruit or souvenirs is infinitely preferable to coldly ignoring people just trying to make a living.

10. Respect Rastafarianism

Around 1% of Jamaicans practice Rastafarianism. This religious and political movement combines Biblical teachings with seeing Ethiopia as the promised land, using ganja to commune with Jah (God), living a natural lifestyle involving I-tal food (free from artificial additives) and, for men, growing locs and beards.

Some Rastafarians live in small, secluded and self-sustaining communities – outsiders may only visit if they contact the elders in advance to request permission. The Rastafari Indigenous Village outside Montego Bay is a more accessible (and much more touristy) experience.

11. Gentle bartering over prices is common in markets

Gentle haggling is common and expected when you’re buying souvenirs from individual sellers or shopping in local markets.

Elsewhere, you’re expected to pay the stated price. As always, be respectful that this is someone's livelihood, and if you're not happy with the price, walk away with a smile.

12. Feel free to let loose

Casual summer wear is perfectly acceptable for most occasions, though some upscale resorts and pricier restaurants expect smart casual attire.

At nightclubs in Kingston and Montego Bay, batty riders (skintight shorts) and similarly figure-hugging tops are a popular choice for women, while men tend to wear jeans and shirts. Remember, the vibe is relaxed and tolerant, so staring or judging is unacceptable.

If something casual and low key is more your fashion speed, come as you are. It’s a party after all.

If you’re a newcomer to the dancehall scene, it can be a real eye-opener. The dancing can be pretty suggestive, and locals try to outdo each other when it comes to whining – gyrating hips and waists to the music.

You’ll likely get pushed into the melee, and then it’s sink or swim! You’ll get a lot of good-natured remarks from regulars if you give the dancing your best shot, and they might even offer to teach you to dance.

13. Stay up for the nightlife

Jamaica never sleeps. At least that’s true for Kingston, Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Negril is best for beach parties, while Kingston has the slickest nightclubs, the best music events and street dances.

Things rarely get going before midnight, and revelers party until sunrise. Overnight reggae and dancehall concerts involve at least a dozen performers, with the audience expressing their enthusiasm with shouts of “bullet bullet” and two-finger gun salutes. It’s raucous but typically all in good fun.

Safety in Jamaica

14. Jamaica is not an LGBTQ-friendly country

Jamaican society is largely homophobic, and the LGBTQ+ scene in Kingston is firmly underground, with public displays of affection between same-sex couples strongly inadvisable – sexual acts between men are illegal and punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

That said, in popular tourist destinations, there are hotels (including some all-inclusive) that welcome LGBTQ+ travelers.

15. Jamaican tap water is generally drinkable

Jamaica’s tap water is generally safe to drink in most parts of the island. Avoid faucet water in far-flung rural areas, and steer clear of ice, sold at street stands as bellywash, snocones or kyjuice (shaved-ice cones sweetened with fruit juice).

While bottled water is readily available, recycling plastic is an issue, so it’s best to bring reusable flasks with you.

16. Expect hustlers to hustle and sometimes harass

Travelers are extremely likely to encounter constant sales pitches from hustlers, particularly around the major tourist centers as well as in Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios.

Some may be aggressively persistent in the hope that you’ll buy whatever it is they’re selling just to be left alone; be firm yet polite in your refusals.

17. Avoid common payment scams when taking tours

Common scams involve offering transportation to a popular tourist attraction – a waterfall or swimming hole, for example – and then claiming that you only paid a one-way fee.

Self-appointed guides may come up with various add-ons at the end of tours, so in both cases, be absolutely clear as to what the agreed-upon fee covers before accepting their services.

18. Gang violence doesn't target tourists

Organized crime in Jamaica revolves around gang violence. In the 1970s, Jamaica’s two rival political parties armed their supporters in Kingston’s neighborhoods and set in motion deadly feuds lasting generations. Today, neighborhoods are controlled by local dons who are no longer reliant on politicians for guns or money.

Gang violence does not target visitors unless you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Opportunistic muggings and pickpocketing do occur, however, so it’s best to take common sense precautions like taking a taxi at night and carrying as little cash as possible.

19. Smoking ganja in public is still illegal

Smoking “di holy herb” is an integral part of life, not just for the Rastafari but also for a substantial number of Jamaicans. Weed is ubiquitous and inexpensive, and you are very likely to be approached by vendors selling joints.

Since 2015, ganja has been decriminalized, and while smoking weed in public is still illegal and punishable with a fine of J$500, you may have up to 2 ounces for personal use without it going on your criminal record.

Exceptions are made for religious and medical purposes. Several medical dispensaries have opened around the country (in Kingston, St Ann’s Bay, Falmouth and Montego Bay), and visitors may legally purchase marijuana with a doctor’s prescription and make use of on-site smoking rooms.

But if you try to take some ganja home at the end of your vacation, your stay in Jamaica will be extended in jail.

20. Other drugs and law enforcement

Besides ganja, cocaine is also widely available, along with hallucinogenic tea made from wild mushrooms.

The global drug trade fuels gang violence (particularly in Kingston and Montego Bay), and penalties for possession of illegal drugs are severe.

You may encounter roadblocks and random car searches, performed by police in combat gear; occasional extortion to supplement wages is not unheard of. Don’t accept drinks from strangers in nightclubs.