TRAVEL WARNING
Country-specific safety information
Crime
Because of the high crime rate, increased caution is required, especially in the capital Kingston, but also in urban districts of the tourist centers of Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. It is not uncommon for theft or armed robbery to occur. Resistance is strongly discouraged in such cases as there is a high willingness to use weapons. In recent years there have been isolated attacks on buses while driving overland. Robbery and assault in connection with marijuana use and trafficking are also common. Young tourists are often affected. There are known cases where drug traffickers and police officers set traps together for naive tourists.
It is strongly advised not to take any drug cocktails, which are mainly offered in the tourist centers.
After dark you should try not to move alone, especially not on foot, outside the hotel complexes.
Valuables should not be left unattended in your hotel room, rental car or on the beach, you should only carry small amounts of money with you and you should use credit cards, which are easily accepted in Jamaica. Air tickets, travel documents, travelers checks, etc. should be deposited in the hotel locker or worn undetectably under clothing. Important documents (passport, international driver’s license, etc.) should be copied and kept separate from the originals.
A large part of the population is hostile to homosexuals. There has been an increasing number of violent attacks against homosexuals and transsexuals.
MONEY
Currency
1 Jamaican dollar = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: J $, JMD (ISO code). In Jamaica, a country located in North America according to naturegnosis, banknotes are available in denominations of 5000, 1000, 500, 100 and 50 J $. Coins with denominations of 20, 10, 5 and 1 J $ as well as 25, 10 and 1 cents. In everyday language the currency is also called jay.
Credit cards
American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa are accepted. Details from the issuer of the respective credit card. In the banks, money can be withdrawn with the credit card. Many Jamaican ATMs can also be used to withdraw money with the Visa, Cirrus, Maestro and Plus logo.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbols are accepted in some ATMs in Jamaica, but not in stores. Further information from banks and credit institutes.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Thu 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
The import and export of the local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currencies is unrestricted, declaration obligation. Export of foreign currencies up to the amount declared on entry.
Currency Exchange
Money can be changed in the airport exchange office, in all holiday resorts in official exchange offices and in every bank. Receipts must be kept.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are 144 hotels and guest houses on which a consumption tax of 15% is levied. 90% of the hotels are members of the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association, 2 Ardenne Road, JM-Kingston 10. Tel: 926 36 35/36. (Internet: http://www.jhta.org/).
Categories: The hotels are checked regularly and are divided into four categories: A, B, C and D. The categories are not based on the standard, but on the winter and summer season prices. Many hotels offer accommodation based on specific ‘plans’. These plans are widely used in the Caribbean, including the Modified American Plan (MAP), which offers rooms with half board, and theEuropean Plan (EP), which only provides for room rental.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Tropical all year round. Rain showers in every season. Cooler temperatures in the evening. Rainy seasons May and August to October, hurricane season June to November. Best travel time December to April.