Pulsating reggae and dancehall beats apart, Jamaica’s pure magnificence – beautiful seashores, jungle-covered mountains, tropical waterfalls – and world-renowned culinary scene is what units it other than different islands within the Caribbean.
That stated, the island’s fame as a musical powerhouse goes hand-in-hand (at instances) with its status for gang violence. As somebody who labored in Jamaica for a 12 months as a paralegal for an NGO, spending a lot time in Kingston’s neighborhoods and prisons, there are a lot of issues I want I’d identified earlier than arriving.
Studying the nation’s unstated guidelines and etiquette goes a great distance towards serving to you perceive what makes Jamaica such a outstanding place. Listed below are our prime suggestions that will help you take advantage of your go to.
Planning your journey to Jamaica
Which a part of the island is greatest for me?
Jamaica is among the largest islands within the Caribbean, so the place you resolve to remain is dependent upon what you’re into. For seashores and water sports activities, Negril and the north coast are your greatest bets.
Montego Bay and Ocho Rios mix wonderful eating scenes with proximity to pure points of interest and buzzy nightlife, although in terms of the Jamaican music scene, Kingston – the capital – is king.
Treasure Seaside (south coast) and Port Antonio (north coast) supply a style of low-key, laid-back Jamaica, whereas these eager about traditional Maroon culture can attain the 2 Maroon cities from the west coast and the north coast. Climbing up Blue Mountain peak and trekking in distant Cockpit Nation is greatest organized from Kingston or Falmouth, respectively.
Convey a mosquito internet (simply in case)
Jamaican mosquitoes don’t carry malaria however there are occasional outbreaks of dengue fever. A number of the guesthouses and motels don’t present mosquito nets, so deliver your individual. A internet can price between USD$23–60.
The very best repellent for no-see-ums (midges) – tiny biting bugs that dwell close to water, whose bites are extraordinarily itchy – is Avon Pores and skin So Comfortable.
Select between public transportation and hiring a automobile
The primary cities in Jamaica are served by a mix of snug, air-conditioned buses, crowded minibusses and route taxis.
It’s solely doable to get round Jamaica utilizing public transportation, although for exploring remoter locations, you’ll want both ample time and endurance, or your individual set of wheels. Automotive rent is accessible at airports in Kingston and Montego Bay.
Carry just a few Jamaican {dollars}
In upmarket motels, retailers and eating places bank cards are virtually universally accepted. Elsewhere in Jamaica, money (Jamaican {dollars}) is king, although in touristy locations you’ll be able to largely get by with US {dollars}.
ATMs and forex exchanges are plentiful in Montego Bay, Kingston and Ocho Rios. Foreign money exchanges (cambios) provide the greatest charges. Airport charges are usually not nice, and also you’ll get hit with ATM prices should you withdraw money. You’ll need small change for getting from avenue distributors and for utilizing public transport.
You may journey throughout hurricane season
Jamaica is susceptible to hurricanes in the course of the Atlantic hurricane season (early June to late November); most storms happen between August and October. Journey to Jamaica is feasible throughout hurricane season should you comply with just a few primary guidelines:
- Take out journey insurance coverage that covers hurricanes
- Obtain a hurricane tracker app
- Determine (as quickly as doable) whether or not you’ll attempt to catch an early flight dwelling (which can be costly/troublesome) or hunker down in case of a hurricane
- Discover out whether or not your lodge/guesthouse has a hurricane shelter, and whether or not it’s more likely to be affected by flooding or landslides, taking into consideration that solely motels with non-public mills are unlikely to get hit by energy outages
- Cost your electronics and ensure you have a flashlight, first support package and a provide of meals and water
- Adjust to evacuation orders
- Take into account relocating nearer to the airport in Kingston or Montego Bay to make it simpler to get assist/get out after a hurricane
- If Jamaica is hit by a hurricane, have loads of endurance and be ready to increase your journey
Etiquette in Jamaica
Be at liberty to let unfastened on an evening out
Informal summer time put on is completely acceptable for many events, although some upscale resorts and pricier eating places anticipate smart-casual apparel.
At nightclubs in Kingston and Montego Bay, “batty riders” (skin-tight shorts) and equally figure-hugging tops are a well-liked alternative for ladies, whereas males are likely to put on denims and shirts. Keep in mind, clothes doesn’t outline an individual, so staring or judging is unacceptable.
If one thing extra informal and low-key is extra your style velocity, come as you’re. It’s a celebration in spite of everything.
In case you’re a newcomer to the dancehall scene, it may be an actual eye-opener. The dancing could be very specific and locals attempt to outdo one another in terms of “whining” – gyrating one’s hips/physique in a sensual method.
You’re more likely to get pushed into the melee, after which it’s sink or swim time! You’ll get numerous good-natured remarks from regulars should you give the dancing your greatest shot, and so they would possibly even supply to show you to bop correctly!
Look forward to the nightlife
Jamaica by no means sleeps. At the very least, that’s true for Kingston, Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Negril is greatest for seaside events whereas Kingston has the slickest nightclubs, the very best music occasions and avenue dances.
Issues not often get going earlier than midnight and revelers celebration till dawn. In a single day reggae and dancehall live shows contain at the very least a dozen performers, with the viewers expressing their enthusiasm with shouts of “bullet bullet”, and two-finger gun salutes. It’s raucous, however sometimes all in good enjoyable.
Do speak to strangers
Not like London and New York Metropolis, the place hanging up conversations with strangers is a large fake pas, in Jamaica, the alternative is true.
Some Jamaicans will strike up conversations with you within the hopes of doing enterprise (see “How you can deal with hustling and harassment”), however many are genuinely eager about studying extra about you, and discover standoffishness offensive.
You’ll end up saying “good morning”, “good afternoon” and “good night time” (in greeting in addition to farewell) a complete lot. Elders are handled with further respect. An change of pleasant banter with distributors attempting to promote you fruit or souvenirs is infinitely preferable to coldly ignoring folks simply attempting to make a dwelling.
Respect Rastafarianism
Round 1% of Jamaicans apply Rastafarianism – a spiritual and political motion that mixes Biblical teachings with seeing Ethiopia because the Promised Land, utilizing ganja to be able to commune with Jah (God) and dwelling a “pure” life-style involving I-tal meals (pure free from synthetic components), and the rising of locs and beards for males.
Some Rastafarians dwell in small, secluded and self-sustaining communities; outsiders could solely go to in the event that they contact the elders upfront to request permission. The Rastafari Indigenous Village outdoors Montego Bay is a extra accessible (and way more touristy) expertise.
Is bargaining acceptable?
Light haggling is frequent and anticipated once you’re shopping for souvenirs from particular person sellers, or buying in native markets. Elsewhere, you’re anticipated to pay the said value.
Is Jamaica an LGBTIQ+-friendly nation?
Derogatory references to battyman (homosexual males) pepper dancehall lyrics, indignant Kingstonians boycotted a cinema in Kingston for screening Brokeback Mountain (2005), and sexual acts between males are unlawful and punishable by as much as 10 years in jail.
Jamaican society is essentially homophobic and the homosexual scene in Kingston is firmly underground, with public shows of affection between homosexual {couples} strongly inadvisable.
That stated, in standard vacationer locations, there are motels (together with some all-inclusives) that welcome homosexual vacationers.
Well being and security in Jamaica
What it’s best to learn about public bogs
Purchasing malls, cafes and eating places cost for the usage of their services, which don’t at all times meet primary hygiene requirements, and woe betide you should you want the lavatory away from the hospitality sector.
Is Jamaican faucet water drinkable?
Jamaica’s faucet water is usually protected to drink in most components of the island. Keep away from faucet water in far-flung rural areas, and keep away from ice, offered at avenue stands as “bellywash”, “snocones” or “skyjuice” (shaved-ice cones sweetened with fruit juice). Whereas bottled water is available, recycling plastic is a matter, so it’s greatest to deliver reusable flasks with you.
Is Jamaica a vegetarian-/vegan-friendly vacation spot?
Plant-based I-tal (“very important”) meals, a vital tenet of Rastafarianism, is broadly obtainable and scrumptious. Count on freshly squeezed fruit juices, plantain fritters, steamed callaloo (Jamaica’s reply to spinach), tropical fruit and way more. In non-Rasta eateries, rice ‘n’ peas (rice with kidney beans) is the commonest accompaniment to most dishes.
How you can deal with hustling and harassment
Vacationers are extraordinarily more likely to encounter fixed gross sales pitches from hustlers, notably across the main vacationer facilities or Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. Some could also be aggressively persistent within the hopes that you simply’ll purchase no matter it’s they’re promoting simply tobe left alone; be agency but well mannered in your refusals.
Keep away from scams
Frequent scams contain younger males providing transportation to a well-liked vacationer attraction (waterfall, swimming gap) after which claiming that you simply solely paid a one-way price. Self-appointed “guides” could give you numerous add-ons on the finish of excursions, so in each circumstances, be completely clear as what the agreed-upon price covers earlier than accepting their providers.
What’s Jamaica like for solo girls vacationers?
In case you’re a single girl, you might nicely end up on the receiving finish of something from flirting to blunt propositioning.
Some girls vacationers come to Jamaica (Negril specifically) to have interaction in a “likkle love beneat’ de palms” with “Rastitutes” or “rent-a-dreads” – younger males comfortable to have flings with vacationers in change for being wined and dined – but when that’s not your intention, fixed come-ons could be wearying. Be well mannered but agency if not .
There have been quite a lot of assaults on feminine vacationers by workers at a few of Jamaica’s prime seaside resorts through the years, with the allegations mishandled, lined up or with journeys refunded in change for signing of non-disclosure agreements.
Does crime have an effect on vacationers?
Organized crime in Jamaica revolves round gang violence. Within the Seventies, Jamaica’s two rival political events armed their supporters in Kingston’s neighborhoods and set in movement lethal feuds lasting generations.
Residents of PNP-affiliated neighborhoods could not safely set foot in JLP-affiliated neighborhoods and vice versa. Immediately, neighborhoods are managed by native dons who’re now not reliant on politicians for weapons or cash, since a lot of their funds come from the worldwide drug commerce, and gang members are sometimes better-armed than the police.
Authorities help for the poorest sectors of the inhabitants is minimal. For younger males rising up in neighborhoods with excessive ranges of poverty, an elementary faculty training and few employment alternatives imply changing into foot troopers for the dons – usually probably the most profitable prospect.
Gang violence doesn’t goal guests, until you occur to be within the fallacious place on the fallacious time. Opportunistic muggings and pickpocketing do happen, nonetheless, so it’s greatest to take frequent sense precautions (taking a taxi again at night time, carrying as little money as doable) do apply.
Is ganja (weed) authorized?
Smoking “di holy herb” is an integral a part of life not only for the Rastafari but in addition for a considerable variety of Jamaicans. Weed is ubiquitous and low-cost, and you’re very more likely to be approached by distributors promoting joints.
Since 2015, ganja has been decriminalized, and whereas smoking weed in public remains to be unlawful and punishable with a fantastic of J$500, you will have as much as two ounces for private use with out it going in your prison report.
Exceptions are made for non secular and medical functions. A number of medical dispensaries have opened up across the nation (in Kingston, St Ann’s Bay, Falmouth and Montego Bay) the place guests could legally buy marijuana with a health care provider’s prescription, and make use of on-site smoking rooms.
However should you attempt to take some ganja dwelling on the finish of your trip, you’ll discover your Jamaica keep prolonged by two years in Fort Augusta jail (for ladies) or Spanish City jail (for males).
Different medicine and regulation enforcement
Apart from ganja, cocaine can also be broadly obtainable (Jamaica is a significant trans-shipment level for the Colombia–US route), together with hallucinogenic “tea” made out of wild mushrooms.
The worldwide medicine commerce helps to gasoline gang violence (notably in Kingston and Montego Bay) and penalties for possession of exhausting medicine are extreme.
It’s possible you’ll encounter roadblocks and random automobile searches, carried out by police in fight gear; occasional extortion to complement wages is just not exceptional. Don’t settle for drinks from strangers in nightclubs since date rape medicine are a priority.
Driving in Jamaica is just not for the faint-hearted
In distinction to their typical laid-back angle, many Jamaicans drive exhausting and quick, particularly round cities and alongside winding mountain roads.
Be careful for drivers overtaking round blind corners and swerving onto the alternative aspect of the highway to keep away from ubiquitous potholes. Drive on the left, and maybe keep away from Kingston and Montego Bay should you’re a first-timer.
