Jamaica travel advice

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the summary (consular assistance figures). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus - (swine flu) in Jamaica, including reports of one death (source: the Ministry of Health). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic threat alert phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated swine flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on pandemic flu is available on the UK Department of Health website.
  
  
• The hurricane season in Jamaica normally runs from June to November. You should monitor weather updates. See the natural disasters section of this advice and tropical cyclones for more details.
  
  
• Most visits to Jamaica are trouble-free. 160 British nationals required consular assistance in Jamaica in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident, deaths (31 cases), hospitalisations (6 cases), and arrests, for a variety of offences (107 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (121 cases). There are high levels of crime and violence, particularly in Kingston. See the crime section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the general (insurance) section of this advice and travel insurance for more details.
  

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see terrorism abroad.

Political Situation

Jamaica country profile

Crime

In view of the high levels of crime and violence, you should follow these common sense guidelines:

Be particularly alert for thieves but do not offer resistance in the event of an attempted robbery.

Don’t walk or use buses at night. Only hire taxis authorised by the Jamaica Tourist Board usually operated by the Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) or taxis ordered from hotels for your sole use (i.e. unshared).

Do not give lifts to strangers and keep car doors and windows locked.

Avoid large crowds and public demonstrations. Criminals use the confusion of such events to engage in acts such as robbery.

Do not carry large amounts of cash or wear eye-catching jewellery. Use hotel safety deposit boxes to store valuables, money and passports.

Try to vary which restaurants you use. Frequenting the same place too often might make you a target for thieves.

Unless you are fully acquainted with the route and are driving in daylight hours, you should not self-drive a car to or from Kingston International Airport. Instead, take an official 'JUTA' taxi, or taxi recommended by your hotel or airport’s official taxi despatcher for your journey to or from the airport. There have been outbreaks of violence in the Mountain View area on one route from the airport to the city. You should therefore avoid this route and use the alternative Humming Bird route via South Camp Road.

Gang violence and shootings are usually concentrated in inner city neighbourhoods, including West Kingston, Grant's Pen, August Town, Harbour View, Spanish Town and certain parts of Montego Bay (not the resort areas). Public order incidents and demonstrations, sometimes violent, can occur in Kingston, Spanish Town and Montego Bay.

The motive for most attacks on tourists is robbery. Although the Jamaican government has a system of mobile police patrols, there is a risk in walking alone in isolated areas or on deserted beaches even in daylight hours.

Most hotels and resorts are well guarded. Longer-term visitors and residents should ensure proper door locks and window grilles are fitted and consider employing a guard and/or fitting a house alarm. Gated/guarded compounds represent the safest accommodation in the Kingston area.

You should still maintain vigilance even when staying with family or friends.

Criminals have targeted visiting British nationals and those returning to resettle permanently in Jamaica. There have been some violent incidents, including cases of armed robber, murder and rape. Before returning, seek advice from the Jamaican High Commission in London and/or the local Jamaican Information Service.

For more general information see victims of crime abroad.

In the event of an emergency in Jamaica, call 119 for police and 110 for an ambulance.

Local travel

Road Travel

You can drive in Jamaica on a UK driving licence for up to six months. If you are unfamiliar with Kingston, you should not drive a vehicle in the city. If you get lost, you may risk putting yourself and your passengers in personal danger.

Tourists are advised to use Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) approved taxis or minibuses for excursions, airport transfers and sightseeing. Do not hail taxis in the street. Most hotels and resorts have assigned JTB drivers who carry photo ID and display a prominent blue JTB sticker on the front windscreen.

Road traffic accidents and fatalities are common in Jamaica. Much of the road network is badly maintained with poor signage, while roads in rural areas are narrow, winding and poorly lit at night, if at all. Speeding and drink-driving are commonplace. Drive defensively, and apply caution on the roads whether in a vehicle or as a pedestrian. Drivers and front seat passengers must wear seat belts at all times. Motorcycle riders must wear helmets. When driving, it is recommended that you keep the windows up and doors locked.

Tropical storms and/or roadworks can render some roads temporarily impassable. Check your route in advance.

For more general information see driving abroad.

Local laws and customs

There are severe penalties for all drug offences, including those involving ganja. Arrests of British nationals for attempting to traffic ganja have increased markedly since 2005. Possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs can lead to imprisonment. All sentences are served in Jamaica. Prison conditions are harsh. Pack all your luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.

Contrary to popular myth, it is illegal to smoke ganja in Jamaica. The local police have stepped up their efforts to clamp down on the practice. Several British nationals have been arrested, fined and even imprisoned for this offence.

Jamaica has laws which make certain homosexual acts illegal. The attitude of many Jamaicans to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people is hostile.

For more general information for different types of travellers see your trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

British nationals do not require visas to enter Jamaica. However, overstaying without the proper authority can result in detention and/or a fine.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for at least six months from date of arrival in Jamaica.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on entry requirements, check with the Jamaican High Commission in London.

Personal imports of meat and dairy products from the UK are banned. Customs officials can search all baggage and will impound and destroy banned foodstuffs.

Health

Medical treatment can be expensive. The standard of private medical facilities can vary throughout the island.

There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus - (swine flu) in Jamaica, including reports of one death (source: Ministry of Health). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website has further details. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated swine flu page on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website.

Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region with just over 300 cases reported in Jamaica. The outbreak is mainly concentrated in Kingston and St Catherine.

In the 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 26,000 adults aged 15 or over in Jamaica were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.6% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Jamaica and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see travel health.

Natural disasters

Jamaica is still suffering from the hurricane season and some local road diversions remain in force. Drivers should exercise extreme caution and obey diversion signals.

The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Hurricane Centre. See tropical cyclones for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see travel insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is how we can help.

Hotel taxes

Since December 2007, some hotels in Jamaica have added an occupancy surcharge of US$10 per night per room. This surcharge is linked to the increase in oil and utilities costs and has the support of Jamaica Hotels and Tourist Association (JHTA). To avoid any misunderstandings, which may lead to visitors being unable to pay for their hotel accommodation, visitors should consult their hotel to confirm hotel costs.

Arrival and departure taxes

Arrival and departure taxes are usually levied at the point of sale for scheduled flights and should be included in the cost of your ticket. These taxes are not always included in the ticket price for charter flights. Arrival tax is 10 US Dollars for air passengers and 2 US Dollars for cruise passengers. Departure tax is 1,000 Jamaican Dollars.

Consular Registration

If you are living, working or staying in Jamaica for three months or more you should register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.