Jamaica Country Guide

Mining and tourism are the largest revenue earners in the form of foreign exchange. The other big industries are agriculture and manufacturing. Jamaica has both private sector and state-owned companies, making it a mixed, free-market economy. This island is now recognized as a developing country.

Tourism

Every year, Jamaica attracts more than a million tourists waiting to revel in colourful locations like South Coast, Kingston, Negril, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio and the Montego Bay. Jamaican tourists have a wide range of accommodation options to choose from - rental villas, inns with an old world charm, budget and upmarket hotels. The locals have been working continuously on providing more facilities to the visitors. The biggest attractions of this island are the scenic locations and accessibility throughout the year.

A spectrum of activities awaits the Jamaican tourist:

- Golf
- Tennis
- Water Sports
- Equestrian Sports

On your shopping list:

- Handmade items by the talented local artisans
- Duty free goods
- Clothes - both formal and typical Jamaican leisure wear

Tourism being the largest industry promotes other ancillary industries like farming, handicrafts etc. by providing plenty of job opportunities for everyone involved in these industries.

Mining 

Mining is Jamaica's second largest industry and earns the maximum foreign exchange after tourism. This country is one of the leading bauxite producers of the world. Bauxite is a valuable ore used to make aluminium.  Jamaica supplies bauxite to countries like USA, Canada and Norway. Additionally, Jamaica also has rich mines producing, marble, limestone, agate, gypsum and alabaster.

Agriculture 

Jamaica exports farm produce like banana, citrus, sugar, coconut, coffee, cocoa, pimento (allspice) and various root crops (like yams).

Here, sugarcane has been the main produce for more than 500 years.  This is utilised in the manufacture of sugar and also rum, which especially earns well through export.

Living up to reputation set by the folksong that invites tourists to "Jamaica where the rum comes from", this country is famed for its range of dark and white rums, mixers and liqueurs. Combining conventional as well as the latest blending techniques, the distillers produce some outstanding varieties of rum.

Jamaica has been concentrating on expanding its agricultural potential from the time when slavery was abolished. One such industry is that of coffee. As heavy manpower is needed for this industry, it offers valuable job opportunities to the locals of the Jamaican mountains. Jamaica exports its premium coffee brand, Blue Mountain Coffee, to Japan. Apart from this, it also produces lowland and mid-mountain coffee.

Another rare crop that gets exported is Pimento. Jamaica supplies this exotic spice to almost all countries.  Pimento is known as allspice as it adds flavour to both spicy and sweet food preparations. Before bottling it in the form of allspice, the ripe, red berries are harvested in summer, dried and then crushed.

To broaden its range of revenue earning options, Jamaica has been researching on other kinds of farm produce and commodities. One of the areas of exploration is aquaculture, which principally includes freshwater fishing, shrimp and oyster farming. Researchers are also looking at the cultivation of speciality foods like mushrooms and strawberries which are otherwise not found in tropical climates.  Another fast growing enterprise is the production of sauces and condiments utilizing the native scotch bonnet pepper. The home-grown spices today compete with globally renowned brands.

Around the 1990s, the Jamaican Government laid out a well planned economic strategy to encourage the development of the industries, especially the prime contributors. The key plan is to ensure free and fair trade.  The new programmes focus on stabilizing the local currency, implementing a floating exchange rate and reducing restrictions on foreign investment.  The principal motive is to control inflation and ensure equal employment opportunities. The Jamaican Government is trying to bring its own economy to the level of North America and Europe, which are its important allies in trade.

Jamaica comprises of three counties, Surrey, Middlesex and Cornwall. These are again split into fourteen parishes. Kingston, the smallest of all the parishes, is the capital of Jamaica.

Jamaica consists of mountains, valleys and plains. But the land is mostly mountainous, with an average altitude of 1000 feet (305 km). The Blue Mountain Peak is the highest point, at an altitude of 7402 feet (2256m).  One of the biggest industries - agriculture, thrives on the plains.  Pedro, Vere, George's, St. Jago and Liguanea are the most important plains of this region.

Weather conditions

- Average rainfall 78 inches (198cm)
- Rainfall in the mountainous areas - about 300 inches (762cm)
- Western Jamaica - 30 inches (76.2cm)
- Average temperature (annual) - 27 degrees Celsius
- Summer - May to September
- Winter - December to March

Though the winters are not very cold, the mountainous regions are cooler in winter, with places like the Blue Mountain peak dipping to 13 degrees Celsius or even lower.

Jamaica is known for its natural mineral springs with healing properties. A few springs like Bath Fountain, the Spa at Grand Lido San Souci, Milk River Bath etc., are being promoted, with bathing facilities, and sometimes with accommodation too. Apart from these, there are around 120 rivers flowing all through the country. The general trend is for the rivers in the north to be fast flowing and of a shorter distance than those in the south. Rivers like Black River, Rio Cobre, Milk River, Rio Grande and Martha Brae are very swift and therefore helpful in transportation, electricity generation and irrigation.

Jamaica's currency is the Jamaican dollar, not to be confused with the U.S. dollar. Jamaican Dollar (JMD; symbol J$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of J$1,000, 500, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of J$20, 10, 5 and 1, and 25, 10 and 1 cents.

The current Jamaican Dollar exchange rate can be found by going to OANDA.com - The Currency Site.

Jamaica law requires that local currency is used in exchange for all goods and services, though this law is only loosely followed and the US dollar is accepatable almost everywhere. To avoid confusion it is best to confirm with the vendor which dollar unit is being quoted.

Currency Exchange

Exchange bureaus are available in airports, cruise ports, hotels and banks. 

Credit/Debit Cards and ATM's

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted throughout Jamaica as are other cards bearing the Cirrus or Plus logo. International bank cards can be used in most Jamaican ATMs, and many banks give credit card cash advances.

Banking Hours

Usual banking hours are Mon-Thurs 0900-140 and Fri 0900-1200 and 1430-1700.
24-hour ATMs are available in major cities and resort areas.

National Fruit and Dish

Ackee is the national fruit and the national dish is Ackee and salt fish, served for breakfast or brunch.

Through the ages, Jamaicans have adopted the Ackee, though its origins can be traced to Africa. It is believed that Ackee was initially brought here on a slave ship and later cultivated all over Jamaica. Ackee, which is the most loved fruit of the locals, is delicious and finds its place in the daily meal. The interesting fact about the Ackee is that when unopened, it is poisonous! To make it edible, the toxic juices need to be sun-dried, resulting in a detoxified yellow, ripe fruit that resembles scrambled eggs in flavour and consistency.

The National Flower

The "Tree of Life" or the lignum vitae tree gives Jamaica its national flower. This lavender-blue flower blooms in spring and the early summer months. The "Tree of Life" is usually found only on the northern and southern coasts in Jamaica, among the dry woodlands.  The wood of this tree is utilized in making the popular Jamaican handicrafts and furniture. Besides, therapeutic value is attributed to the wood of this tree.

The National Tree

The National Tree of Jamaica is the Blue Mahoe. Usually found in central Jamaica, this majestic tree grows to a height of up to 20 metres (60 feet). The tree bears colourful flowers that transform magically from bright yellow to orange-red and to crimson finally, according to the various stages of their maturity. The tree gets its name from its wood, which has a blue shade.  This wood is used by the local artisans to make beautiful furniture.

The National Costume

It is a long layered skirt, with a white peasant blouse and a headdress. The skirt and the headdress are made of Madras Bandana (red plaid cotton). The headdress is sometimes replaced by a straw hat decorated with tropical flowers. The lively and colourful spirit of Jamaica is reflected in its national dress.

Christianity is the most widely practised religion in Jamaica. The population consists of Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Baptists. Apart from Christianity, Judaism and Islam also find a place, thereby flaunting the rich and diverse heritage of this country. On the whole, the presence of religion is felt everywhere, be it political life, business, academic debates or ceremonies.

Jamaica achieved Independence from the British in the summer of 1962 on the 6th of August. The black, green and gold national flag was hoisted with great pride and gaiety. As the British flag was lowered, the Jamaicans celebrated their freedom with religious ceremonies, dances and colourful parades.

Reggae music comes alive to support the robust dance of the natives, with its pulsating rhythm. Such is the magic of Reggae that it has now come to be classified as an international genre of music.  The entire nation of Jamaica resounds with this addictive music - be it at nightclubs, car stereos or even street corners. Reggae, Jamaica's national music today, has its origins in Africa where it was used, accompanied by dance, to mark every occasion, joyous or mournful.

The great musical tradition of Jamaica speaks volumes about the undying spirit of the natives - to put up a brave front in times of struggle at the national or personal level. The Jamaicans over the years have come to use their music beautifully to be in touch not only with each other but also with the Divine. The locals have cleverly used this medium to express their social and political concerns. This wonderful combination of European and African music has given birth to many contemporary forms of music all over the world.

The basic accompaniments used are drums, along with simple string and wind instruments. With this as the base, the music takes on different shades depending on the occasion. There is music for entertainment, work, religion and dance.

Christopher Columbus was the first to touch the northern shores of Jamaica, and though he was delighted at his discovery, he soon realized this was not India and that there were no silks and perfumes that he came in search of at the behest of the Queen of Spain, Isabella.

However, this soon became Spanish territory. As the beaches were uncultivable, the Spaniards abandoned them and worked on sugarcane farming and cattle rearing. They thus dropped their dreams of finding gold too.

Over the years, Britain and Spain competed with each other for supremacy. Two Admirals from Britain, Penn and Venables, were commissioned in the year 1665 to take over Spanish island of Hispaniola (they are now known by the names of Haiti and the Dominican Republic). As they were not successful in their mission, the Admirals changed course, attacked Jamaica and brought it under their rule.

In the next few years, Port Royal, a tiny settlement, came to be known as the most wicked city in the world, thanks to the pirates and brigands who pillaged the trading ships. The city was full of houses of ill-repute, bars and shops brimming with plunder.

This image was soon forgotten. People started recognizing Jamaica for its natural splendours and scenic beauty through its beaches and mountains by the end of the nineteenth century. Word started spreading about the phenomenal therapies for all types of diseases, be it gout or problems with the digestive system. Though the travel was arduous, people still braved the long sea voyage, and then the horse-and-buggy trips to the hills, just to find cures for their troublesome ailments. The locals in the hills in turn started arranging comfortable accommodation in guest houses for the wealthy visitors from Britain and America.  The medication for digestive problems was administered in the form of papaya and West Indian cherries for their rich vitamin C content.

Development slowly started making its way into this island. In 1891, a huge international exhibition was held at Kingston (now Jamaica's capital), hosting about 300,000 people. This initiative was taken by the Prince of Wales. A sea captain from Boston in the meantime organized for bananas to be regularly transported to Boston. The ships used for carrying fruits to Canada, America and England now started carrying a regular stream of tourists too, thus making Jamaica a sought after tourist destination.

The turning point came in the 1930s, when an American aviator, Charles Lindbergh, successfully experimented with a flight from Florida to Jamaica with only one stop-over for refuelling. This set the tone for the booming tourism industry. Taking a cue, the enterprising locals started guest houses and hotels. The affluent from all walks of life, celebrities, and royalty, theatre and screen personalities made a beeline to places like Port Antonio, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Mandeville, the mountain town.  Suddenly, in 1952, the fishing town of Negril found a casual mention in a travel guide. This caught the attention of the ‘flower children' or the hippies of the sixties and seventies who brought with them their communions, tents and backpacks along with their way of life. Apart from the sandy beaches, their favourite haunts were Aunty Mae's verandah and Mas Joes Cold Supper Shop.

The English language spoken here is very interesting and fun to learn. Jamaicans are known for coining new words and phrases according to their need! This interesting twist to the language has its origins in the Rastafarian Movement. As each individual is revered, "I an I" means "we".  The usage of plurals is unique too. One child is "pickney" - two or more children are "de pickney dem" In the same way, they say "de mango dem" or "de gal dem".

Interestingly, the vendor who sells her wares from the pavement of busy street is proprietor of Ben Down Plaza - that's because customer has to "bend down" to do the shopping!

To say "Goodbye", a senior in Jamaica, would say "walk good". Teenagers say "Lickle more". You had better stop what you are doing or saying when a youngster says "Resdat!" and if you don't, he'll say "Scubay", which roughly means "Get Lost"!

A Passport valid for at least six (6) months is required for all British, Australian, Canadian, US and other EU nationals.

For stays up to 90 days, British, Australian, Canadian, US and other EU nationals do not need a visa with the exception of nationals of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia who can obtain their visas on arrival.

It is advisable to check this information with your relevant embassy prior to travel.

Evidence of sufficient funds and a return or on-ward bound ticket is required for all.

Visa issued at port of entry: US$20 or equivalent. Visa in advance: £25.

The largest and the most important industry is tourism, followed by bauxite mining and agriculture, which includes sugar, banana, coffee, pimento, cocoa and tobacco plantations. Jamaica is the only country in the world to grow pimento (allspice).

To obtain a special marriage licence, a visitor will need to his/her passport and two witnesses. They also need to complete a mandatory stay of 24 hours on the island. Relevant documents confirming their present marital status need to be submitted if the applicants have been widowed or divorced. Minors under the age of 21 years must have a parent's written consent endorsed by a notary public.

The climate in Jamaica is tropical towards the sea and temperate around the interior highlands. The seasons are determined based on the fruits grown! For instance, the "mango season" is from May to July, the Guinep season is from July to late September and the Cane Crop season is from late October to January.

Also worth mentioning is the season of hurricanes, which might bring huge storms over the island. This rare occurrence happens between June and September. However, there's no cause for concern because Jamaica got directly hit by a hurricane in 1952 and thereafter only in 1988!

The temperature is more or less the same almost all 365 days. Still, the months between December and April would be ideal for a vacation as the weather is suitable for just about anything you would like to do. Throughout the year, the average temperature oscillates between 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit) and 32 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit). You do get a respite from the afternoon heat thanks to the brief spells of tropical showers.

Click on this Weather link to view the current weather conditions in Jamaica, then select the city/region you wish to view.

The Jamaican communication network is as modern and developed as any developing nation. International telephone services are available throughout the day, all over the country. Credit card, Collect and Third Party calls are also available thanks to the cheerful operators. A majority of the post offices and hotels have facilities for sending cables, telegrams and International faxes. Local Internet cafes, hotels and parish libraries provide email and Internet access.

All hotels, newspaper marts and vendors supply three daily and five weekend newspaper publications. Some hotels also provide tourists with the international editions of important magazines and newspapers like TIME, The Economist, The New York Times and The London Times.

Radio is a much-liked medium here and Jamaica has nearly 20 FM stations. So you can always stay updated with the latest local and international news, weather, and sports and, of course, enjoy an uninterrupted supply of a variety of music. The five local television stations provide a good share of national and international shows. All these stations can be transmitted throughout Jamaica.  

Tourists to Jamaica can use their valid international licences here. Tourists from the United Kingdom can use their national licence for 12 months, those from North America are allowed to use theirs for 3 months and the Japanese tourists can use theirs for only 1 month. The essential point to remember is that in Jamaica one drives on the left hand side of the road. In some cases, this rule is relaxed to make way for both pedestrians and certain domestic animals!

It is compulsory for the driver and the passenger in the front seat to wear safety belts. Infant car seats must be used for children below the age of three. Tourists must be over 25 years of age to avail of car rental services that are available in almost every town or city.  
 
 

Cocaine, ganja (marijuana), crack, heroin, ecstasy and any other controlled substance come under the gambit of Illegal drugs in Jamaica. Any attempt at purchasing, selling, consumption, transportation or even possession of drugs is a serious offence. The punishments include imprisonment and heavy fines. Tourists are advised to firmly stay away from anyone trying to tempt them into purchasing drugs. After all, no one would really want to spoil a holiday by getting into trouble with the law.

The standard electricity in Jamaica is 110 volts/50 cycles. Similar to the ones in the USA and Canada, the plugs for electrical appliances are flat and two pronged. If you plan on using your own appliances with round prongs or those with a higher voltage, carry suitable adaptors and converters. Though one can find them here, you would not want to spend your precious vacation time looking for them.  Laptop computers work with an adaptor and they come with built-in converters. Most of the essential appliances one would need, such as hair dryers, clothes irons, alarm clocks and radios, will be provided by the hotels.

The 10 Official holidays in Jamaica

- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Labour Day (May 23)
- Emancipation Day (August 1)
- Independence Day (August 6)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- Boxing Day (December 26)

On these days, most private firms, educational institutions and all government organizations remain closed. Most of Jamaica takes a break too. The other popular holidays are Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ash Wednesday and Heroes Day (the third Monday of October). Jamaicans believe in enjoying every holiday to the maximum. During such times, tourists get a wider choice of nightlife as the revelry starts the previous night itself with musical shows, and vivacious parties.

Celebrations start early in the day and go on till the night. People spend time with their families and friends by picnicking in parks or beaches and generally enjoying the outdoors!

Though not officially marked as public holidays, Jamaicans observe occasions like Bob Marley Day (February 6) and Carnival Sunday (the first Sunday after Easter) with great respect.

If your vacation coincides with any of the holidays, you are guaranteed to have a vacation to remember!

Follow the link for a current list of Jamaican Public Holidays.

If you want to bring your pet along with you on your vacation, ensure that you procure the import permit issued by the Ministry of Agriculture - Veterinary Services Division, before you enter Jamaica. No pet should ever have been vaccinated for rabies and they should be free from it. The Jamaican rules allow dogs and cats (holding a valid permit) only from the following countries - Northern Ireland, Eire and Great Britain.

This measure is adapted in order to make sure that your pet is certified healthy and safe to be brought here. Jamaica is free from rabies and the Government aims to sustain this achievement.

Veterinary Services Division

For further questions do get in touch with the Veterinary Services Division: Phone: (876) 977 2489 or   (876) 977 2492. For a permit, you can fax a request letter to (876) 977 0885.

Population: 2,780,132 people
Total Area: 10,991 square kilometres
Capital: Kingston
Time Zone: UTC/GMT - 5

To view the current time in Kingston, click on this link to TimeAndDate.com.