TRAVEL TIPS
JAMAICA
OVERVIEW TRANSPORTATION VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES
WHERE TO STAYONDE WHERE TO EAT SHOPPING COMPRAS FICAR ONDE COMER
OVERVIEW One of the biggest island in the Caribbean Sea
will have many different attractions to visit and
is also one of the most vibrants. It is normal
things to do. Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril
to walk through the streets and listen to some
and Ocho Rios are only some of the many
reggae music, Jamaica’s trademark. Many
beautiful cities.
beaches, fantastic sights, crystalline water and very receptive people, that is what you will
The weather in Jamaica is tropical with low
find in Jamaica. Here you will relax, forget a
temperature variations through the year. The
little bit about the life, contemplate the nature
temperatures are always between 25°C and
and have a lot of fun with the frequent parties.
38°C. The ocean winds relieve the humidity and the warm weather. In the mountains it is
In the museum you will learn the history of the
always colder. The rainy season is from May
country and of the legendary Bob Marley. You
to December and there is a risk of cyclone
will also find many trails, peaceful beaches,
because of the strong winds. To run away
street markets and typical food. Jamaica lives
from the rain you can plan your trip between
almost exclusively for the tourism, that means
January and May, when the climate is drier.
you will be really welcome in the island and
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In the winter it is warm during the daytime and it gets colder at night. But in the Summer it is always warm. Do not forget that the rain can happen during the hole year. The weather is very stable in Jamaica so you do not really have to worry about it. You will enjoy the nature and the beautiful sights at any time of the year. From December until April the island is full of tourists so it is necessary to book everything in advance. If you want to visit Jamaica in a quiet period you should go from May until June. From June to November there is the cyclone season, but that does not mean that you cannot visit the country. The cyclones usually do not reach the land, but when they do, they are brief and harmless. Visiting Jamaica is really worthwhile: the rich culture and the wonderful sights will make your trip unforgettable.
TRANSPORT The public transport in Jamaica is really precarious. The bus tickets are cheap, but there is no right schedule and they are usually crowded. The ride can be tiring and irritating. If you have a bigger budget, there is another A good option is to rent a car. There are
option: domestic flights using helicopters. You
many different car renting companies but
will reach your destiny faster and will have an
you will be allowed to drive in Jamaica only if
incredible view. There are many different lines
you are 25 years old and if you have a valid
in the international airports from Kingston and
driver’s license from your country. In Jamaica
Montego Bay. You can also find this service in
the traffic is left-handed so you should pay
smaller airports like the ones in Portland, Ocho
attention when driving.
Rios and Negril.
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The good and old taxis can be ordered by phone or you can find many of them on the streets. Most taxis have the taximeter but some have a pre-established price pro ride. Taxis with a red plate and the PPV (Public Passenger Service)
ATTRACTIONS BLUE MOUNTAINS
abbreviation will charge a 10 to 12% tip. After
There are many tracks for you to walk
midnight it will be charge 25% tip.
through and climb. The peaks of the 2100m high mountains have a bluish tinge and are
Another interesting and useful kind of
surrounded by a fog. In the Blue Mountains
transport is the JUTA (Jamaica Union of
there are more than 200 species of birds and
Travellers Association). You just need to call
800 of plants.
(1876) 952 0813 and ask for their services. They have buses, minibuses, vans and luxury
BOB MARLEY MUSEUM
cars available. They offer a really personalized
Located in Kingston, the Jamaican capital. The
service with comfort and professionalism. Since
wood house that used to be Bob Marley’s
the drivers are able to tell everything about
studio is a mandatory destiny in Jamaica and is
Jamaica and its history, geography and culture,
a kind of sanctuary for the visitors.
there is the possibility of making city tours.
RIO GRANDE Enjoy the unique experience of bamboo river rafting through banana and sugar cane plantations in the Rio Grande river. You can start at the Blue Mountains in Berrydale and end in Margaret’s Bay.
KINGSTON Jamaica’s capital and the city where Bob Marley lived. Here you will be immersed in the jamaican culture and will get in touch with the real jamaican lifestyle. When in Jamaica, Kingston is a mandatory destiny.
LIMESTONE CAVES You will have an incredible experience with such natural phenomena: stalactites, stalagmites, cliffs, tunnels and an underground lake. The Green Grotto was used as a shelter by the Arawak Indians.
CARNIVAL The Carnival starts in February and ends in the Easter week (in April). It is a cultural explosion with musicians and dancers in the street. It is a huge party that happens in the whole island. You will have a lot of fun with the jamaican people and their happiness.
COLUMBUS PARK In this open air and 24 hours a day open museum you will find relics from the jamaican history. This is a memorial park that marksCristopher Columbus arrival in America in 1494.
DOLPHINS In Ocho Rios there is the biggest bottlenose dolphin lake where it is possible to swim and Interact with those lovely animals. It is an unforgettable experience!
MONTEGO BAY The most bustling city in Jamaica offers you many parties and lots of fun. You can also relax at the Doctor’s Cave beach or walk through the Gloucester. The nightlife is very inviting and most of the tourists does not even want to go away after staying one night at Montego Bay. Jamaica has much more to offer and you will always find something new and undiscovered. Some other attractions are: the Port Royal Museum, the Botanical Gardens in Shaw Park, the Spanish Town, the Treasure Bay and also the Montego Bay Marine Park.
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WHERE TO STAY
located in the mountains and has a wonderful panoramic sight from Montego Bay, and also has a pool, a tennis court, a restaurant and an optional babysitting service.
There are many possibilities, each one with its particularity:
FLATS
CAMPING If you enjoy being in the nature and also wants to save some money this is the best option. The
A great option for the ones who like comfort
best part of camping in Jamaica is that you have
and privacy during a long stay in Jamaica. The
many different options of campingsites: botanical
flats are furnished and ready to be rented.
gardens, mountains and parks. But when
The “Fleur Flats” stays close to the beach and
camping in Jamaica, be aware if you are going to
includes a cleaning service. The “El Greco” is
camp in a safe place, like the ones in Negril.
BED-AND-BREAKFAST
beaches. The “Pastel Villa” has a pool and
Here you will have a huge contact with the
rooms with air conditioning.
jamaican culture and will get in touch with native people, play domino, listen to stories
HOTELS
at the balcony and to reggae music. As the
There are many luxury hotels in Jamaica with
name says, the Bed-and-Breakfast are only
tennis court, jacuzzis, gyms and much more.
for a night stay, but it is worthwhile, since you
But anyone who has already been in Jamaica
will have an interesting and cultural exchange.
would recommend a stay in a place where you
The “Chateau Margarita” stays close to the
can get in touch with the nature, stay close
Montego Bay International Airport and the
to the sea and enjoy the wonderful sights. At
“Zion Country” is surrounded by a forest,
theFirefly beach, in Negril, you stay literally in
perfect for the nature lovers.
front of the beach. There is a hotel in the sand
GUEST HOUSE
and surrounded by trees that offers rooms for singles, couples or even for groups. Everything
The jamaican folk is very receptive and happy.
is well equipped and decorated with good
Many house owners will be willing to receive
taste. This hotel also promotes many parties, it
tourists for a very accessible price. Just as
is interesting to make a visit.
in the Bed-and-Breakfasts, here you will have a friendly and informal experience. The
A great innovation are the Eco Lodges,
rooms are really simple, without luxury, but
which are accommodations committed to
everything is in a good quality. The “Palm
conservation with the added value of cultural
View Guest House” offers 15 rooms and is
sensitivity, isolation and style. In Jamaica you
located near to the Sangster International
find the “Mocking Bird Hill” and many other
Airport and to many restaurants, malls and
resorts. This type of environmental attitude
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has everything to do with the island: it
sweet potatoes. The jamaican cuisine is exotic
preserves the biggest jamaican treasure and
and spicy. The most popular style of cooking
also serves the tourists.
is the Jerk, in which meat is dry-rubber or wet marinated with a very hot spice mixture. The traditional recipe is made with pork or chicken,
DINING OUT
but nowadays other types of meat can be used. All of this you will find in the many restaurants
The tropical weather and the nature ask for a healthy and light meal. Fruits like mango, lemon, coconut, avocado, guanabana, ackee and banana are grow in Jamaica. Fried bananas are the favourite dessert in the island, and the duckoono is another dessert made with green bananas mixed with coconut flakes and
around the town. In Kingston the “Norma’s” has all the best jamaican specialties and the “Strawberry Hill” offers an interesting environment. In Montego Bay you will discover the “Margaritaville”, the “Pork Pit” and the “Glistening Waters” and their both national and international recipes. These are just some of
the best restaurants in Jamaica. There are other like the “Spring Garden Café & Seafood Grill” in Ocho Rios, the “Blue Mahoe Restaurant” in Negril and the “Pelican Bar” in Treasure Beach. Take care when asking for a “tea”. In Jamaica “tea” refers to any hot or fermented drink. That means you can have a rum, herbs or even hallucinogenic mushrooms. The Sky Juice is something you should drink when in Jamaica. It is made of syrup flavored shaved ice and coconut water. The Blue Mountais Coffee is also something worthwhile drinking. It is one of the world’s tastiest coffees.
SHOPPING
you can find in many markets. The most famous market in Jamaica is the “Coronation” in Kingston. But there are also many others
When shopping in Jamaica, you will be most of
that are worthwhile visiting like the “Linstead”
the time outside and not indoor. The jamaican
in St. Catherine, the “Browntown” in St. Anne,
people are used to spend most of their time in
the “Savanna-La-Mar” in Westmoreland and
the open air, enjoying the nature and listening
the “Albert George” in Falmouth. In those
to reggae music. The island is famous for
markets you will find not only the jamaican
its fabrics, embroidery, silk screening, wood
rum but also spices, jams, sauces and other
sculptures, oil paintings and sandals. You will
national drinks, like the Blue Mountain Coffee.
find typical handmade products everywhere. At the In-Craft Centre it is possible to order carpets, porcelains and reproductions of the ruins of the ancient sunken city of Port Royal in pewter. There is also a popular garage specialized in furniture, carpets and other accessories that is located in Highgate Village. Another jamaican specialty is the rum, for example the Ian Sagsters Rum Cream, which
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CURRENCY The local currency is the Jamaican Dollar but the US Dollar is widely accepted. To not to get confused, set before you travel which currency you will be using, otherwise you can get really confused and spend more than expected. There are many authorized banks and agencies that can exchange your money and you can also pay with credit cards like Diners Club, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
1876 119
LONG DISTANCE CODE POLICE