Traveling to Jamaica for the first time- 10 Things you should know before your trip
So you’ve just gotten your passport and you have decided that your first trip outside your country will be Jamaica, or you’ve finally decided that your next trip will be to Jamaica. When visiting a destination for the first time, sometimes you might not know what to expect- besides the fact that you’re going to pack your swimwear, sunscreen, your summer bests and you’re going to have an amazing experience, right? Well, you are not alone, we are here to guide you. Here are 9 things you should know before traveling to Jamaica.
1. Prepare to be on “Jamaican Time”
Most people that vacation in Jamaica are traveling from America, Canada or Europe where things are more fast paced. Imagine living in New York and visiting Jamaica for the first time. We’re pretty sure you’ll end up wondering why is everyone so easy going. And this is why vacationers usually get a bit shocked about how laid back everything is. The minute you get to the island, prepare to be on “Jamaican time”. We call it “Jamaican time” because most things are done at a slower pace and it might seem as if we are never in a hurry to get anywhere. Leave all your worries behind, just relax and get into vacation mode right away. That’s why we are famous for the saying, “Jamaica, no problem”.
2. Airport Lines
Jamaica is one of the top destinations in the Caribbean. As of May 2022, our island has received over 1 million visitors and is on track to receive over 3.2 million at the end of year. You can imagine that, because of this, our airports are usually buzzing with people. If you are traveling to the tourism hub of Jamaica (Montego Bay), especially if you’re traveling on a weekend, you can expect a little wait in lines to go through Immigrations and Customs. We understand that this can be a bit of a buzz kill and if you don’t like waiting in lines, that’s okay! There’s a VIP Airport Service you can use that will fast track you through Immigrations and Customs and give you full access to the Club Mobay VIP airport lounge.
P.S. If you’re arriving in Kingston, there’s a VIP airport lounge at Norman Manley International airport as well- Club Kingston.
3. Warm, friendly people
If you know anyone that has been to Jamaica before, ask them what they like about Jamaica. We can guarantee you one of the reasons will be “the people”. We’ve heard this so many times, that it’s always expected. The minute you arrive on the island, you will be greeted with bright smiles and a nice Jamaican welcome. Throughout your entire vacation, you can expect that you will be treated with kindness. Jamaicans are usually quick to start a conversation and will proudly teach you a few words of our dialect – Jamaican Patwah (patois). Don’t be surprised if you are taught a few curse words as well!
4. Book Airport Transfers before you get to the island
When you’re visiting a country for the first time, it’s always best to plan your vacation before you get to the island. This will make you feel prepared and reduce travel anxiety because you know everything is already taken care of. Some people usually leave ground transportation for the very last minute or even until they arrive on the island. We don’t recommend you do this, especially if it’s your first time visiting Jamaica. Book your airport transfers before you get to the island to avoid getting overcharged when you get to the airport and you can trust that you’ll have a great driver to take you and your travel party to your hotel.
5. Expect a Little Drizzle Occasionally
When you think of Jamaica, we’re sure you think of sunshine and good weather, right? We know one of the main reasons you visit our island is for the beaches and good weather. After all, we are always saying,”it’s summer all year round” in Jamaica. So you might be expecting that it’s always going to be clear skies, sunny beach days, and having a Bob Marley drink by the pool, right? Being located in the tropics, we are exposed to the north east trade winds that cause it to rain sometimes. We’ve seen visitors who have been disappointed about their Jamaican experience because of rainfall. You can expect a little drizzle but don’t let it dampen your vacation. Usually when it rains, it doesn’t rain all day and you can get back to relaxing and having some fun in the sun.
P.S. Our island’s rainy season is May to June and September to November.
6. Keep Left when Driving
If you’re an immersive traveler and love a more hands on experience when traveling, you might opt for driving yourself. In Jamaica, we drive on the left side of the road. If you’re an American or Canadian, it might be a bit tricky. Just remember to keep left and pass right. Also, keep in mind that not all of our roads are highways and there are potholes on these roads.
7. Prepare to be Approached by Local Vendors
Jamaica is a festive island and a part of the daily festivities are people selling. When taking a stroll on the road or on the beach, or you’re in a local market area, be prepared to be approached by local vendors. Selling to visitors of the island is a part of the livelihood of a lot of people in Jamaica, so they will approach you with souvenirs and gifts to buy to take back home. Don’t be alarmed, even the people that live on the island are approached daily to purchase items. If you’re not interested in what they have to offer, it’s okay to be polite and say “no”. If you’re interested in what they are offering, there’s usually flexibility where you can bargain and get great value for your money.
8. Don’t Take an Unregistered Taxi for Excursions and Activities
To make sure you’re protected, Jamaica Tourist Board has regulated transportation for our island’s guests. We get that sometimes you might not plan ahead and you might feel spontaneous while on vacation, and decide at the last minute you would like to do an excursion. Always take a taxi that’s registered to carry tourists.We don’t recommend going on the road and taking a random taxi or hitchhiking. You can ask your concierge and he/she will be able to guide you. Take it from us, to ease the pressure of deciding what activities to do while on vacation, it’s easier to book your excursions before arriving on the island. This way, you can stay in vacation mode and not be concerned with things like this when you should be enjoying your vacation.
9. It’s Safe to Drink Tap Water
We’ve heard many experiences of people vacationing in certain countries and getting sick from drinking tap water, and we’re pretty sure you’ve heard these stories too. Because of this, you might be skeptical about drinking tap water when visiting a foreign country. We totally get it and would be a bit cautious too. We are happy to let you know our country has invested in providing safe tap water for our people and it is safe to drink tap water here in Jamaica. Most hotels have also made sure to filter their water system to provide safe drinking water for their guests. If you usually do not drink tap water at home, to be on the safe side, you can opt for bottled water instead.
10. Currency
Sometimes when you’re visiting a country for the first time, you might not know what currency to use. Your instinct will tell you to research that country’s local currency. While it’s good to know the value of the money here, it makes no sense to use up your energy trying to to figure it all out. A lot of times visitors get persuaded into exchange their US dollars (USD) to Jamaican dollars (JMD) and then have issues with figuring out how to use the local dollar. Let us save you the time and energy! USD is widely accepted and used in Jamaica, so if you already have USD, don’t convert it.
And that’s a wrap
Now that you know more of what to expect before you visit Jamaica, keep these things in mind to help you get the most out of your stay here. Get to planning, get your passports ready and start packing your bags. Jamaica is waiting! Until next time- live, laugh and explore! 😊