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Jamaica Tourist Information

Jamaica Tourist Board

The official site for the Jamaica Tourist Board is VisitJamaica.com .

The Jamaica Tourist Board has two primary offices on the island:

Montego Bay: Jamaica Tourist Board Cornwall Beach 876-952-4425 This office is 8:30 - 4:30 on weekdays and Saturdays from 9-1. In Montego Bay, you'll also find an office at Sangster International Airport (in the immigration hall); it has a limited number of brochures and maps and can also assist you if you arrive in Jamaica without accommodations. The airport booth is open from 6am-10pm every day. Kingston: The Jamaica Tourist Board has a major office in New Kingston: Jamaica Tourist Board 64 Knutsford Blvd 876-929-9200 You'll also find a desk at the Norman Manley International Airport; the Airport Hospitality Centre can assist with accommodations and questions. Port Antonio: The Jamaica Tourist Board also has an office in Port Antonio; it is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m. City Centre Plaza 876-993-3051 Ocho Rios: in Ocho Rios, you'll find a Tourism Product Development Company office with a JTB representative on duty to assist with your questions. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 - 5:00 and Friday from 8:30 - 4:00. The office is within walking distance of the cruise pier and downtown hotels such as Sunset Jamaica Grande; it is located at Ocean Villa Plaza on Main Street.

Tourist Board Resources Outside of Jamaica

USA: 1-800-233-4JTB Canada: 800-465-2624 London: 44-207-225-9090 Rome: 39-06 4890 1255 Spain: (34) 93-4140210 Germany: 49 (0) 2104 832974 Netherlands: (31) 34-843-0829 Tokyo: (81) 3-3400-2974 India: 91-11-23352550

Other Resources

PortAntonioTravel.com This official site includes information on attractions, accommodations, and activities specifically in the Port Antonio region.  

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Jamaica Tourist Board

Kingston st andrew jamaica.

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The Jamaica Tourist Board is charged with a mission of marketing the tourism product so that Jamaica remains the premier Caribbean tourism destination. To this end, we are positioning Jamaica as the most complete, unique and diverse warm weather destination in the world, which offers the best vacation value available.

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Jamaica Travel Guide

Travelers' pro tips or experiencing jamaica.

Get the real flavor of Jamaica through interactions with the friendly locals at shops, restaurants and bars.

Bring some cash. Some places take credit cards and some do not. In Jamaica some ATMs issue only Jamaican dollars, some issue only US dollars and some issue either currency (you need to specify which one you want).

Rules of the road and local motoring etiquette are different. Jamaicans are very expressive with their horns. Polite beeps (a couple of taps) can mean “Hello”, “Thank You”, “Pay Attention” or “Let me pass”. Angry beeps or beeps expressing annoyance are longer and can mean you’re taking too long to react to a green light, make a turn or you’re holding up traffic. The horn is a form of communication, so please do not get angry or take offense when you hear someone honking at you.

Put on your Jamaica to-do list!

elizabethcantoni

Jamaica is beautiful and so are the people.

As they say: “Once you go, you know!”

Christine C

I have been to almost every part of Jamaica and Seven Mile Beach is by far the best location in all of Jamaica, the sunsets are incredible, the ocean is calm, the sand is soft and white.

You can't go to Jamaica and not visit the Bob Marley Museum. Bob is a legend in Jamaica and part of their whole culture.

What is the best way to get there?

Jamaica is served by three international airports: Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, and Ian Fleming International Airport close to Ocho Rios.

Do I need a visa?

If you’re visiting Jamaica from overseas, use  this site  to see if you need a visa.

When is the best time to visit?

Sunseekers will rarely be disappointed in Jamaica with daytime temperatures hovering between 77-86°F (25-30°C) all year-round. November to June brings the sunniest and driest weather, ideal for lazing on the beach or partying at a festival — top events include Carnival (April), Bob Marley Birthday Week (Feb) and Reggae Sumfest (July).

Hurricane season runs from August to November, and it’s rainiest in September. However, if you don’t mind the daily showers, out-of-season travelers can pick up some good deals at the island’s resorts.

Renting a car or motorbike can be a cost-effective choice for those wanting to explore multiple destinations. A 4WD is recommended if you’re heading out of the main towns, where roads are often unpaved and full of potholes.

Knutsford Express operate regular buses between Kingston, Negril, Ocho Rios and other destinations around Jamaica.

minibuses and shared taxis

Minibuses and route taxis (shared taxis) are the most common way for locals to get around, linking towns, villages and beaches all around the country. Most have set routes, but no official timetables, so it’s best to enquire locally.

ridesharing

Uber and other ridesharing services are not currently available in Jamaica.

On the ground

What is the timezone.

Eastern Standard Time

What are the voltage/plug types?

The standard voltage in Jamaica is 110 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. There are two plug types — one with two flat pins and another with two flat pins and a grounding pin

What is the currency?

Jamaican dollar (JMD); US dollars are also widely accepted.

Are ATMs readily accessible?

Yes, in all large towns and cities.

Are credit cards widely accepted?

Yes, especially around the main tourist resorts, but you will need cash at some smaller shops, restaurants and markets.

How much do I tip?

Tipping is not obligatory in Jamaica, however, a 10-15% tip for exceptional service is always appreciated. Restaurants: Some will add a 10% service charge as standard. Hotels/resorts: A US$1-2 tip for the bellman and housekeeper is appreciated. Spas: 10-15% Tour guides: 10-20% Taxi drivers: Drivers do not expect tips in Jamaica, but it’s nice to round up the fare. If drivers are particularly nice or helpful, 5% will suffice.

Are there local customs I should know?

The federal legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 18 years old.

Marijuana use, sale and possession is illegal in Jamaica. Although steps have been made towards decriminalization, you will be fined for being in possession without a medical prescription.

Drive on the left:

If you hire a car, be aware that Jamaicans drive on the left side of the road. Similarly, when crossing the road, be sure to look to the right.

Keep your clothes on!:

Topless sunbathing is not generally acceptable in Jamaica and while you may find it’s tolerated at some resorts, it’s best to do as the locals do and keep covered.

Jamaica’s tap water is drinkable in all of the main cities and resorts, so bring a refillable water bottle.

Learn the local lingo:

Jamaica’s official language is English, but it’s often mixed with Jamaican Patois and is full of words and phrases unique to the island.

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Statute Details

Preamble : A law to establish a Tourist Board charged with the duty of developing the tourist industry of Jamaica and promoting its efficiency and for purposes incidental to or connected with the foregoing purposes

Long Title :

Short Title : The Tourist Board Act

Operational Date : April 1, 1955

Number : of 1955

Last Amendment : January 1, 2016

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Jamaicans warned of pop-up travel scams

JAMAICANS are being urged to exercise caution when conducting transactions with travel agents, as many pop-up agencies are operating without the required licences.

Dave Chin Chung, CEO of Go Jamaica Travel, has sounded the alarm, citing a significant number of unlicensed travel agents on social media platforms like Instagram .

“I’ve seen too many horror stories on social media. It’s bad, and I see them every single day. I know of companies that have lost $2-3 million due to this,” Chin Chung said in a recent interview with the J amaica Observer.

Organisations and corporate groups also fall victim to these scams, even when the agent has good relations with them.

“Only about 30-40 per cent of travel agencies are licensed through the Ministry of Tourism; all the rest are not licensed, and I have a problem in terms of that,” he told the Business Observer .

He notes an increase in scamming, with many individuals being ripped off by unlicensed agents. According to Chin Chung, licensing would significantly reduce instances of fraud. While acknowledging that some new travel agencies may be genuine, Chin Chung believes that many are skipping the legal requirements to operate. The proliferation of pop-up travel agencies has not directly impacted Go Jamaica Travel, but Chin Chung asserts that it has created problems for hotels locally.

One hotelier, who wished to remain anonymous, has expressed frustration with unregistered travel agents operating in Jamaica. While she has no issue with pop-up travel agents that follow the proper channels, she is concerned about those that are not registered in Jamaica. The hotelier referred to these unregistered agents as “intel travel agents,” which are agencies based outside of Jamaica that recruit employees within the country to sell on their behalf. She claims that these agencies are not licensed to operate in Jamaica and are causing problems for hotels like hers.

“A lot of people are collecting money under the pretence of being licensed to sell on our behalf, and when their guests come to our hotel, they’re not one of our registered customers,” she explained to the Business Observer.

“We have no reservations for them, and the disgruntled guest, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to understand that it’s not us, the hotel; it’s the travel agent that did not register with us that has short-changed them.”

When situations like these occur, she says it creates chaos at the front desk, disgruntling guests and affecting others checking in. The hotelier warns people to do their due diligence, cautioning that if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

“Usually, their rates are significantly lower. When you contact them for banking information, it tends to be a personal bank account instead of a business bank account; there are signs!” she warned.

Hoteliers advise that they cannot control who takes images from their website and posts them on other platforms under false pretences. The hotelier did, however, emphasise the benefits of working with travel agents, citing their payment plans as a convenient option for customers. However, she stressed that trust is crucial in these transactions.

“When you come to the hotel directly, you have to pay everything in full. So, travel agents have their space in the market, and people can liaise with them. But if they’re not being trusted, it causes a big problem,” she said. “The pop-up travel agents just need to be regularised. I understand everyone has to eat, but let’s do it the right way.”

Sheryll Lewis, license processing and registration manager at the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), reiterated the importance of regulation. TPDCo processes licences on behalf of the tourist board, and Lewis defined a travel agent as anyone arranging transportation by air or sea under the Travel Agency Act. While TPDCo is aware of cases of unlicensed operators, Lewis noted that these issues become a police matter. However, TPDCo is urging the public to take action.

“They can ask to see a copy of one of the licences that these persons have and can verify with TPDCo,” Lewis said.

She didn’t explicitly state that the tourism board, or TPDCo, would take responsibility for ensuring travel agents were found and prosecuted. Instead, she emphasised that the onus is on the entity to obtain the necessary licence and stressed that customers must do their due diligence to protect themselves.

“Anyone doing business in Jamaica must ensure they meet the requisite licence and permit to do so, and if they’re not doing it, then they’re breaking the law,” she said.

The Jamaica Observer later reached out to TPDCo and the tourist board to ascertain the number of licensed travel agents in Jamaica and to also check the ease of verifying whether an agent is licensed. However, the attempt was unsuccessful as the customer care team was unable to provide immediate assistance, and the call was placed on hold for a lengthy time.

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