jamaica destination guide (english)

7/30/2019 Jamaica Destination Guide (english)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/jamaica-destination-guide-english 1/36Seven Mile Beach, Negril


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/jamaica-destination-guide-english 2/36Blue Mountain


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/jamaica-destination-guide-english 3/36

J amaica... From each morning’s glorious sunrise until the sea

swallows the sun at night, Jamaica presents a magnif icent palette of colour, a kaleidoscope of beauty that makes

our island the most precious jewel in the Caribbean.

We are a land of unique experiences, engaging activities,

breathtaking landscapes and a warm, welcoming people.We are the social and the cultural hub of the Caribbean.

Experienced travellers and seasoned jetsetters who know the playgrounds of the Caribbean

come back to Jamaica again and again. No place on earth provides the range of attractions and the cultural diversity that can be found here.

No place on earth feels like it.

No place on earth shines like it.Once you go, you know.O u r history a n d peopl e 4

O u r cul ture 6

R e s or t areas 8

F l ora a n d F auna 1 4

I s l a n d geography 1 6

M a p 1 8

Shopping 2 0

Me e t t h e Peopl e P r o g r a m m e 2 1

Attractions a n d P l a c e s o f I n t e r e s t 2 2

Things to Know B e f or e Y ou G o 30

Do’ s a n d D on ’ t s 34



Early History Christopher Columbus landed in Jamaica on

May 4, 1494. In his log, he described Jamaica

as “the airest island that eyes have beheld;

mountains and the land seem to touch the

sky…all ull o valleys and elds and plains.”

In Jamaica, the Spanish mariners ound a

gentle American Indian people, the Tainos, who

named the island “Xaymaca,” meaning “land

o wood and water.” The words “hurricane,”

“tobacco” and “barbecue” were also derived

rom their language.

Under the Spanish settlement, the entire

Indian population, perhaps a hundred

thousand, died rom a combination o orced

labour and European inections like the

common cold, to which they had no immunity.

In 1509, the Spaniards established a capital,

New Seville, near the town o Ocho Rios.

The Spaniards actually called the area Las

Chorreras, meaning “wateralls.” The English

misunderstood, interpreting Las Chorreras

to mean “eight rivers,” hence the nameOcho Rios. Today, the oundations o

New Seville are under excavation, and the

search continues or the two ships that

Columbus beached nearby. There is also an

attempt to identiy the rst village/settlement

o the early Spanish settlers in the area.

In their century and a hal o rule, the

Spaniards brought sugar cane, and later,

slaves rom Arica to cultivate the cane.

The English captured Jamaica in 1655

and turned the island into one vast sugar

plantation, making the planters rich. In

England, they used to say, “as rich as a West

Indian planter” to mean the richest person

around. To grow the sugar cane, the English

brought many more Aricans to work as slaves,

most rom the west coast o the continent

and rom present-day Nigeria. Buccaneers

soon operated out o Jamaica, attacking the

treasure ships o Spain and France. One was a

young indentured labourer rom Wales named

Henry Morgan. He would prosper and rise to



Lieutenant Governor. His home base, Port Royal, was known as “the richestand wickedest city in Christendom.” But, in 1692, an earthquake destroyed

Port Royal, pushing it below the sea.

When the English arrived, the Spaniards fed to the neighbouring islands. Their

slaves escaped into the mountains and ormed their own independent groups,

called Maroons. The Maroons were in time joined by other slaves who escaped

rom the English. For a long time they ought against the English who sought to

re-enslave them. So successul were the Maroons, ghting rom their ortresses,

that the English were orced to sign peace treaties granting the Maroons

sel-government and ceding to them the mountain lands that they inhabited.

The runaways periodically staged rebellions until the treaty in 1739 that gave

them a measure o local autonomy that they still retain today. Slavery was

abolished in 1834. In the economic chaos that ollowed emancipation, one event

stood out: the Morant Bay Rebellion o 1865. The uprising was led by a black

Baptist deacon named Paul Bogle and was supported by a wealthy Kingston

businessman, George William Gordon. Both were executed and are now among

Jamaica’s national heroes. In the years that ollowed, much o modern Jamaica

was orged. Migrants rom India and China came as indentured workers or sugar

estates and rapidly moved to other occupations. Soon, Jewish settlers came to

Jamaica, ollowed by migrant Arab traders rom Palestine.

Our People Mixed marriages created today’s unique racially mixed Jamaican people, and are

the basis o Jamaica’s national motto, “Out o Many, One People.” Ambition andaspirations sent many abroad. A Jamaican workorce helped to build the Panama

Canal. Others grew cane in Cuba and mahogany in Belize while some early

enterprising migrants started communities in the United States, Great Britain

and elsewhere.

Jamaicans continue to prosper and to give the world men and women o

distinction: American civil rights activist Marcus Garvey, legendary entertainer

Harry Belaonte, basketball player Patrick Ewing, baseball player Charles

(Chili) Davis, the astest man in the world and Olympic medalist Usain Bolt,

reggae superstar Bob Marley, middleweight boxing champion Michael McCallum

(Hall o Fame inductee), heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis, and

Scripps Howard spelling bee champion Jodi Ann Maxwell, among others.

In the 1930s, political lie was reborn. Two very dissimilar men, Norman Manley

and Alexander Bustamante (who, in a uniquely Jamaican coincidence, happened

to be cousins), ounded the two political parties, the Peoples National Party

and the Jamaica Labour Party, respectively. On August 6, 1962, at a midnight

ceremony witnessed by Britain’s Princess Margaret and U.S. Vice President

Lyndon Johnson, the British Union Jack was lowered; the new black, gold and

green Jamaican fag was raised, and Jamaica became an independent nation.

For 30 years, the island’s rich bauxite (alumina) deposits were the bedrock o the

economy, supplying nearly two thirds o the U.S. requirement or aluminum in the

1970s. Today, tourism is the economy’s cornerstone.



Reggae legend Bob Marley, along with such artists as Jimmy Cli

Peter Tosh, Toots & The Maytals and Third World have received

global acclaim or decades. A more recent derivative o Reggae,

Dancehall, has become the driving orce or a younger generation

heavily infuencing local and international trends in ashion and dance

— even street language. Sean Paul, Beenie Man and Shaggy are

lighting up the charts across the Caribbean and around the world.

It’s not only our music gaining world recognition. A variety o

Jamaican paintings and carvings are on display at Kingston’s

National Gallery. Priceless intuitive pieces o Dunkley and Kapo,

as well as contemporary pieces, ensure the art scene in Jamaica

remains as vibrant as any. Regular exhibitions grace art galleries

all around the island.

The National Dance Theatre Company showcases Jamaica’s

colourul history and contemporary ideas, while groups like the

Jamaica Folk Singers and University Singers perorm traditional

song and dance that honour the country’s past. Kingston’s lively

theatre scene oers a rich variety o locally themed and topical

plays. A hallmark o Jamaican theatre is the Ward Theatre’s LTM

Pantomime — an annual Jamaican olk musical with original song

and dance and dramatic costumes. The season opens each year

on December 26th and runs or several months.

Music And Dance



Still, the richest Jamaican cultural history lesson is in the ood

Jamaicans eat. To conceal their whereabouts, the Maroons devised

“jerking,” a method o spicing and cooking pork underground so that

smoke would not be seen. Today, jerk pork, jerk chicken and jerk sh

are everywhere. To eed slaves cheaply in the 1600s, the ackee ruit

was brought rom Arica, as were a variety o yams, roots, vegetables

and the breadruit. To preserve meat and sh, spices and pepper were

added, and unique seasonings, like our amous Pickapeppa sauce,

were devised. Cassava, a root tuber, was cultivated by the Tainos and is

used today to make bammie, a fat, toasted waer eaten with ried sh.

Another traditional bread, “estival,” is requently served with jerk. The

national dish is gently spiced ackee and saltsh.

Indian and Chinese infuences have made curries and chow meins

part o the national menu. Mangoes, pineapples, papayas and bananas

abound and otaheite apples and soursop combine in desserts like

“matrimony,” a ruit salad bound with condensed milk.

Jamaica is also home to some o the nest rums and exotic blends,

including the award-winning Tia Maria coee liqueur. Blue Mountain

coee, Jamaica’s own, is considered one o the nest in the world.

Cuisine



MONTEGO BAY The Complete Resort

Travellers have always been lured to Montego Bay: the

quintessential Caribbean destination, surrounded by white sand

beaches, grand hotels, all-inclusive resorts, charming small hotels

as well as villas and apartment accommodations. Renowned or

its beauty and range o activities, Montego Bay is a place where

history and legend come together to oer the most

intriguing attractions.

Visit Rose Hall Great House and hear the shivering tale o the

white witch, Annie Palmer. Tour historical plantation houses like

Greenwood and Beleld. Take a river rating trip down the Great

River or the Martha Brae or an experience o serenity.

The Montego Bay Marine Park covers ten square miles o

protected waters alive with coral rees and exotic sh. Swim at

legendary Doctor’s Cave Beach, known or its therapeutic waters.

Gloucester Avenue’s “Hip Strip” is the pulse o the town and

boasts restaurants, art galleries, nightclubs, bars and duty-ree

shopping to rival any port. Shopping is sensational all over town.

And don’t miss the local crats markets. Montego Bay plays host

to a roster o music estivals, including the largest Reggae showon earth, Reggae Sumest. Jazz and Blues lovers can catch

the annual Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival.

A ew miles east o Montego Bay is the town o Falmouth,

where the Parish Church built in 1795 and the courthouse built

around 1815 complement the well-preserved Georgian

architecture. As night alls, the phosphorescence at nearby

Oyster Bay lagoon is so thick, it glows like re in the dark.

Montego Bay — the complete resort that has it all.

White Witch Golf Course, Montego Bay

Doctor’s Cave Beach, Montego Bay

8



Imagine a stunningly beautiul ribbon o white sand beach. Seven

miles o it! Imagine honeycombed clis and crystal clear waters.

Imagine careree days and un-lled nights. Imagine Negril.

This unique resort welcomes its guests with a “do-as-you-please”

wink o approval. Tucked away in Jamaica’s most western point,

Negril is truly spectacular. Negril is Jamaica’s watersports centre

where you can dive, snorkel, sail, parasail, water-ski, windsur, kayak

or glide along the coastline by catamaran. Or, do nothing but quietly

work on your tan in a secluded cove.

In Negril, each day is a new, un-lled and exciting adventure.

Ride a horse along the shore or a bike on the blu. Stroll the sandy

shore or dive rom the clis. Gol and tennis are available.

Bargaining or colourul crats is a delight and, when the choices

become too complex, you can steal away or a culinary treat at one

o the local restaurants. The sunsets in Negril are

mesmerising and magical. Nightspots abound and you can lose

yoursel in the knowledge that you are in a place like no other on

earth. Stay up all night dancing to the hypnotic beat o a live

Reggae band. Dance bareoot in the sand. And then sleep or as

long as you like to the lullaby o gentle waves lapping at

your doorstep.

Negril is the ultimate reedom vacation. It’s a kick-o-your-shoes,

shrug-o-your-blues way o lie that makes the tomorrows prettier than

the yesterdays. Eat and drink, love and laugh, play, party

and be happy.

Negril — come and experience the pleasure.

The Capital Of Casual Rick’s Cafe, Negril

The Rock House, Negril



The largest English-speaking city in the Caribbean, this

colourul, cosmopolitan capital vibrates as a cultural mecca. Home

to the University o the West Indies and the Jamaica Conerence

Centre, Kingston is the nancial and commercial core o Jamaica.

The majestic Blue Mountains orm a backdrop or gleaming

high-rises and hillside homes. Tours will take you to explore

mansions like historic Devon House, the exciting perorming arts

at the Little Theatre and to the National Gallery, which houses a

comprehensive collection o Jamaican art. Kingston is the place to

witness the pomp and ceremony o Parliament. A city o museums,

theatres and art galleries, Kingston is also the birthplace o our

inectious Reggae music. The metropolitan area abounds with

nightclubs, dancehalls, restaurants and bars that keep the city’s

nightlie sizzling!

Kingston is colourul and diverse. You can play gol, watch horseraces, catch a live Reggae concert, watch the National Dance

Theatre Company or the University Singers perorm. Enjoy live Jazz

at Devon House or the Red Bones Caé. Picnic on the beach or at

the nearby oshore island o Lime Cay. Tour the Hope Botanic

Gardens. Kingston also boasts a spectacular market or arts and

crats, and duty-ree shopping is everywhere. A short drive rom the

city into the majestic Blue Mountains takes you to old-ashioned

hillside inns and lush tropical gardens. Visit the plantation o our

world-renowned Blue Mountain coee. Take some home.

Nearby Spanish Town dates back to the days o Columbus and

was the island’s capital until 1872. Visit the historic 17th-century

pirate lair o Port Royal with the Maritime Museum, the Museum

o Historical Archeology, Giddy House (which tilts on a 45-degree

angle) and Fort Charles, a ormer Colonial stronghold.

Kingston — come or the moonlight, stay or the magic.

The Heartbeat Of Jamaica

Devon House, Kingston

10

Kingston City Lights



Explore a jungle river in the wild wetlands. Pick mangoes

high on a hilltop. Catch and cook your own red snapper or

dinner. Or gol at the Manchester Gol Club, said to be the

oldest surviving Club in the Western Hemisphere. Ramble

through hills without ever retracing your steps. Discover

hidden beaches where you’ll never see a ootprint other than

your own. Marvel at majestic cli s that rise rom the sea.

A journey through the South Coast begins with

19th-century sugar plantations around the seaport town o

Savanna-La-Mar. Enjoy the Georgian architecture along

High Street in Black River. This old seaport town also oers

a chance to experience a great deal o Jamaica’s

ascinating wildlie. A knowledgeable boatman will take you

on the island’s longest navigable river and into our largest

protected wetlands. Crocodiles are complimentary!

South Coast Off The Beaten Track

Visit Lovers’ Leap. Delight in the stunning view rom the

1,600-oot cli and ask your guide how it got its name. Hike to the

top o YS Falls and take time to swing into the cascading waters,

Tarzan-and-Jane style. Or just nd yoursel a secret bathing place

around Treasure Beach. Eating escoveitched sh at Border,

savouring the spicy peppered shrimp at Middle Quarters or blending

your own rum at Appleton Estate are some o the temptations the

traveller must ace. Contemplate majestic Bamboo Avenue on the

way to Mandeville. This mountain resort with its cool temperatures

and crisp air prides itsel on its trappings o tradition as well as its

richly appointed residences. Move on to nearby Christiana, which

sits 2,750 eet above sea level and where the gardens are always in

ull bloom. Nature tours are available to better take advantage o the

spectacular views. From the lush mountains to the rugged coastline,

you will nd the South Coast isn’t just another shore. It’s where you

will uncover another ascinating world.

Black River, South Coast Treasure Beach, South

Lovers’ Leap, South Coast



Somerset Falls, Port Antonio

Jamaica’s Heart and Soul Retreat, Port Antonio

Picture perect, Port Antonio is a panorama o nature’s

nest work. It is a place o palms and pimento and an

abundance o orchids ound nowhere else on earth. Ferns

and bananas grow by the roadside with bamboo trees.

Port Antonio is the home o butterfies and hummingbirds.

It’s where the graciousness o another era is set against

the lush, verdant beauty o nature.

Port Antonio was a thriving banana shipping port about

a century ago. Today, the main street, with royal palms

standing like sentinels, is the centre o activity or this quaint

seaside town. Stop at the Musgrave Market and barter or

crats items. Shops and stores are all over town, including the

European-styled Shopping Village o St. George. Even the

accommodations in Port Antonio are special. They are all

low-rise, mostly villa-type acilities tucked amidst the deep

green o Jamaica’s most lush oliage.

Port Antonio harkens back to a quiet, more romantic time

in a special place lled with unorgettable beauty and charm.

Port Antonio was said to be Errol Flynn’s great love. The

swashbuckling Hollywood superstar o the 1930s, ’40s and

’50s established a home here, entertaining amily and close

riends. Here you can explore the majestic Blue Mountains

and swim or dive the calm Blue Lagoon. Rat down the

swirling Rio Grande or visit the magnicently orested

Somerset Falls. Drive by Folly, the haunting turn-o-the-century

mansion overlooking the sea. Discover the special allure o

Nonsuch Caves and Athenry Gardens. And be sure to sample

our world-amous jerk chicken or jerk pork in its original home.

Flynn said Port Antonio was more beautiul than any

woman he had ever seen. Others say it is simply enchanting.

Port Antonio remains with you orever.

Naturally Antonio Port

12

Navy Island, Port An



The Centrepiece Of Jamaica

Ocho Rios does not, as its name suggests, have eight rivers.

It is the garden o Jamaica and the place where, Jamaicans

say, heaven spills into the sea. Grassy hills roll gently to white

sandy coves and turquoise-blue waters o the craggy

coastline. Ocho Rios is abuzz with activity and seems in

constant motion. Bargaining or handmade items at the

Crats Market is a treat in itsel. Duty-ree shops carry a

bounty o brand-name goods. Nightclubs live happily beside

taverns and lounges. Gourmands will delight in Ocho Rios’

elegant restaurants and caés.

Ocho Rios is a place o wateralls and exotic gardens.

The world-amous Dunns River Falls oers an exhilarating

climb through warm, cascading waters. The tropical splendour

o Coyaba and Shaw Park Gardens is magnicent. Take a

drive through a orest o erns aptly called Fern Gully. Ride a

horse on the trails at Prospect Plantation. Play polo at nearby

Chukka Cove or relax and sun at James Bond Beach. Agent

007, the ctional creation o British writer Ian Fleming, was

born in Jamaica. His rst lm, Dr. No , was lmed here. I you

are a Bond acionado, stay at his luxurious home,

Goldeneye, and dream o similar adventures. A new attraction

is the not-to-be-missed Rainorest Bobsled Jamaica at Mystic

Mountain. The Sky Explorer is a state-o-the-art chairlit that

sends passengers soaring above the treetops to the peak o

Mystic Mountain. At the peak, there is a Bobsled and Zip Line

Canopy Tour, restaurant and git shop. Swimming with the

dolphins and white river tubing are other treats that should

not be missed.

Drive west o Ocho Rios to Discovery Bay where

Columbus rst landed, or to Runaway Bay, so called because

slaves used this area as an escape route. Visit Seville Great

House to see Indian and Spanish artiacts. Visit Green GrottoCaves or climb the hills to Nine Miles, the birthplace o the

legendary Bob Marley. Just east o Ocho Rios is the village

o Oracabessa, the celebrated Firefy property and Jamaican

retreat o playwright Noel Coward.

Ocho Rios presents a mix o excitement and serenity, truly

one o the world’s most exotic resorts.

Dunns River Falls, Ocho Rios



Our Gardens Today’s botanic gardens are showpieces o beautiul and exotic plants, harkening back to our

rich horticultural heritage. They include Bath Botanic Gardens in St. Thomas, the Royal Botanical

Gardens (Hope Gardens) and Cinchona, both in St. Andrew, and Castleton Gardens in St. Mary.

We also have a number o smaller, more recently developed gardens that have become

outstanding or their sheer abundance o natural splendour, among them Coyaba River Garden,

Cranbrook Flower Forest and the Shaw Park Gardens in Ocho Rios. Most large towns eature

annual horticultural and/or agricultural shows.

Call the Jamaica Tourist Board or more inormation.

14

A m o n g J a m a i c a ’ s m o s t p r i z e d n a t u

r a l t r e a s u r e s a r e t h e v a s t d i v e r s i t y o f f l o w e r i n g p l a n t s

a n d a s u r p r i s i n g a r r a y

o f w i l d l i f e f o u n d n o w h e r e e l s e i n t h e w o r l d .

O u r t r o p i c a l c l i m a t e , w i t h a n a v e r a

g e y e a r - r o u n d t e m p e r a t u r

e o f 8 5 d e g r e e s , i s e s s e n t i a

l .

R a i n f a l l v a r i e s a r o u n d t h e i s

l a n d , w h i l e o u r a l t i t u d e r a

n g e s f r o m s e a l e v e l t o

t h e 7 , 4 0

2 - f o o t p e a k s o f t h e B l u e M o u n t a i n s , a l l c o m b i n i n g t o c r e a t e o u r u n i q u e e c o s y s t e m

.



Creatures Beyond the dazzling assortment o birds,

there is a lot more to Jamaica’s wildlie. Snake

lizards, rogs, the coney, iguanas and the

American crocodile were on the island long

beore the Spaniards arrived.

Lizards are easy to nd, as many live aroun

houses and gardens, eeding on insects. The

coney (closely related to the rat and resemblin

a large, brown guinea pig) and the iguana hav

not survived quite as well as the lizards, havin

allen prey to the erocious mongoose, a relati

newcomer brought into Jamaica rom India to

control eld rats. The American crocodile

(said to be harmless) and the manatee surviv

in small numbers along our South Coast.

Additionally, there are over a dozen dieren

kinds o small rogs, a hundred dierent butte

and 25 species o harmless bats.

Our Birds Jamaica is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with about

200 resident bird species and more endemic

species than any other Caribbean island.

O these, 25 species and 21 subspecies are

ound nowhere else.

Our national bird, the Red-Billed Streamertail

Hummingbird, aectionately called the Doctor Bird

or Swallow-Tail Hummingbird (Trochilus Polytmus),

lives only in Jamaica. Its image has become a

widely utilised national symbol, appearing on

bank notes and orming part o the logo o the

national airline, Air Jamaica.

Visitors to the Hope Zoo in Kingston can view our

two endemic parrots, the Yellow-Billed Parrot and

the Black-Billed Parrot. Guided bird-watching tours

are available everywhere in Jamaica. At Rocklands

Feeding Station just outside Montego Bay, birds will

sometimes perch on your nger to sip a sweet drink.



Jamaica is in the western Caribbean,

at latitude 18.5 degrees N, longitude 77.3 degrees W,and is completely surrounded by the Caribbean Sea.

At 4,411 square miles, Jamaica is approximately the size

o Connecticut, U.S.A. and one o the largest islands in the

Caribbean. Prehistoric Jamaica was volcanic,

and the mountains that soar to 7,402 eet are higher than

any in the eastern hal o North America. These mountainsrun all through the island’s centre, with a narrow coastal

plain on either side. Some 150 rivers, numerous wateralls

and an abundance o trees and owering plants are ound

across the island, earning Jamaica the title

“land o wood and water.”

Jamaica has a variety o underground caves and

oshore rees, and sae, naturally fltered drinking water.

The high mountains o the east eature misty pine trees

and in the north, owers abound. There are also rain

orests and rolling plains that, except or the occasional

palm tree, are reminiscent o the south o England.

The south resembles the Arican savannah

or Indian plains, and has alternating black and white sandbeaches as well as mineral springs.

16


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/jamaica-destination-guide-english 17/36View from Fire f ly



Hotels, Inns,

Guest Houses & Facilities IN JAMAICA



Jamaica is truly a shopper’s paradise. The national motto —

“Out o Many, One People” — is mirrored in the exceptional

quality and variety o arts and crats available at crats markets

in every resort area. Bargaining is a sport, and sales come with

smiles! Handcrated mahogany sculptures, infuenced by Arican

tribal traditions, are ound everywhere. Sel-taught or “intuitive”

artists produce paintings, pottery and abulous tropical ashions.

Sundresses and sarongs o beautiul batiks are characteristic o

the Indian infuence.

And the truly exotic plethora o bangles and baubles,

hand-sewn embroidery and straw accessories are simplysmashing. Jamaica is the birthplace o the spicy Pickapeppa sauce.

Endless varieties o local exotic spices are also available

or sale, island-wide. So, too, is Tia Maria liqueur, Red Stripe Beer

and ne blends o premium Jamaican rums. And there is always

an abundance o our world-amous Blue Mountain coee,

either pre-ground or your convenience or as packaged,

handpicked beans.

Discerning travellers have always known o the values to be ound

in our duty-ree shops. Jamaica’s duty-ree shops carry an extensive

array o goods and the selections are just as satisying as the prices.

It’s all here. So shop shamelessly.

Git and duty-ree shops, as well as crats markets, are located

in most resort areas. And, in case you orget to purchase a git

or that special person, you may easily pick one up at the airport

or cruise port just beore departure.

A Unique Shopping Experience

20



For over our decades, the Jamaica Tourist Board has played

matchmaker between visitors and Jamaicans in a very specialprogramme called Meet The People. We will happily introduce

you to Jamaicans who share the same interests as you. These

are Jamaicans with religious, occupational or leisure interests

similar to yours who are eager to show you their side o Jamaica.

All at no cost to you!

Your hosts might invite you along to their church services or

to a rollicking Reggae concert. You may join a estive amily picnic

or take tea in the tranquillity o the garden. Some will nd

a challenge in an aternoon o tennis or basketball and beer.

You may be invited to tour the neighbourhood or visit a school.

It is all up to you and your host. We guarantee you’ll come away

with a new view o our island and our people. And i you’re like so

many who have enjoyed the programme, you’ll come away with

some riendships that last a li etime.

Children can meet children, too! We can make Jamaica more

un or your children by introducing them to Jamaican playmates.

Just like with adults, we’ll match your children’s ages and

interests with our children’s ages and interests. And who knows?

It could be the start o a terric pen-pal relationship.

The Jamaica Tourist Board will make all the arrangements or

you to participate in the Meet The People Programme. Ask your

travel agent to contact their Jamaica Tourist Board representative

or simply call the Jamaica Tourist Board oce nearest you. All we

need is your name, the names o the people in your party, your

ages, occupations and interests, your travel dates and where you

plan to stay in Jamaica. We’ll do the rest.

The True Jamaica Experience



Aquasol Theme Park Beach acility with restaurant, bar and

numerous watersports activities, includingbanana boating, glass-bottom boat, snorkeling

kayaking and tubing.

Tel: (876) 979-9447

Animal Farm Jamaica’s newest animal sanctuary and

nature retreat where you can explore thehabitat o exotic birds, learn about solar

electricity and relax by the r iver.

Tel: (876) 899-0040

Bob Marley Experience & Theatre Discover the legend and spirit o Bob Marley.

Watch a lm on his lie and work. Enormous

collection o t-shirts, music, gits and souvenirs

Tel: (876) 953-3449 Braco Stables Fully guided tour with well-trained horses

through the countryside.Open daily. Tel: (876) 954-0185

Calico Sailing and Undersea Cruise Daily cruise, 10:00am to 1:00pmTel: (876) 952-5860

E-mail: [email protected].

Website: www.calicosailingcruises.com

Chukka Caribbean Adventure Tours Horseback Ride ’n’ Swim, Jungle River Tubing,

4 x 4 Jeep Saari, Sea Trek, Jamaica ATV Tours

Mountain to River Bike Adventure, Canopy Tou

Tel: (876) 953-5619E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.chukkablue.com

Cockpit Country Tour Tour includes transers and lunch.

Open daily, 9:30am to 5:30pm

Fax: (876) 979-0308

Croydon In The Mountains A 132-acre working plantation in Catadupa

(45 minutes rom Montego Bay). Its main crops

are coee, pineapples, plantains and citrus.

Guided hal-day tour.Tues, Wed, Fri, 10:30am to 3:00pm

Tel: (876) 979-8267

B a y AREA

22

Mon t e g o

Canopy Tour, Montego Bay

J a m a i c a ’ s r i c h c u l t u r a l h e r i t a g e a n d

n a t u r a l s c e n i c be a u t y a r e r e f l e c t e d i n t h e v a s t a r r a y

o f a t t r a c t i o n s t h a t o u r i s l a n d p r o v i d e s .

T h e f o l l o w i n g a t t r a c t i o n s a r e l i s t e d b y r e s o r t a r e a ,

b u t be a r i n m i n d t h a t be c a u s e d i s t a n c e s a r e

r e a s o n a bl y s h o r t f r o m a r e a t o a r e a , i t i s p o s s i bl e t o

s t a y i n o n e r e s o r t a r e a a n d e n j o y t h e a t t r a c t i o n s i n

a n o t h e r . A n d i t n e v e r h u r t s t o c a l l a h e a d a n d c h e c k o n

t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y o f a n a t t r a c t i o n be f o r e s e t t i n g o f f .

T h e J a m a i c a T o u r i s t B o a r d i n f o r m a t i o n o f f i c e i n

y o u r r e s o r t a r e a i s a l w a y s m o r e t h a n h a p p y t o

p r o v i d e y o u w i t h g u i d a n c e a n d s u g g e s t i o n s .



Doctor’s Cave BeacH World-amous white-sand and clear-water

beach believed ed by mineral springs.



Website: www.doctorscavebathingclub.com

Fort Montego & Crafts Market Remains o old ort standing on a hilloverlooking the harbour. The Fort Montego

Crats Market is located there.

Glistening Waters Take a night cruise on the luminous lagoon

and witness the most spectacular wonders.

Phosphorescent waters reveal the outline

o sh and streaks o light as they

swim around.Seaood restaurant also on property.

Open daily rom 6.30pm

Tel: (876) 954-3229

Good Hope Great House Stables, Great House and museum tour,

horseback riding daily except Wed,

7:30am to 4:30pm

Tel: (876) 954-3289 or (876) 995-2825

Greenwood Great House Over 200 years old. Formerly owned by

the amily o Elizabeth Barrett Browning,the amous English poet. Great House/

museum tour, bar.


Tel: (876) 953-1077

E-mail: [email protected]:

www.greenwoodhouse-jamaica.ntsemp.com

Half Moon Equestrian Centre Riding and jumping lessons. Polo lessons.

Swimming with the horses and pony rides.

Tel: (876) 953-2286 or (876) 953-2211E-mail: [email protected]

Harbour Street Crafts Market Arts, crats and souvenirs.

Hilton High Day Tours Guided ull-day tour o a private plantation.

Excellent luncheon served to the strings

o a Mento band.

Open Tues, Wed, Fri & SunTel: (876) 605-5197

Jamaica White Water Expedition White river rating, kayakingon the Cabarita River.


Tel: (876) 387-9342

John’s Hall Adventure Tours Guided walking tour o arm,

sightseeing tour o Montego Bay.

Open Mon, Wed,Thurs, Fri and Sat,

9:00am to 2:00pmTel: (876) 971-7776, (876) 979-0656 or

(876) 952-7218

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.johnshalladventuretours.com

Margaritaville Caribbean Bar & Grill

Located on Montego Bay’s Hip Strip. Activitiesinclude bouncing on a giant water trampoline,

relaxing in a rootop hot tub, lounging in waterslide

sky chairs or r iding the monster slide that plunges

110 eet into the sea. Delicious menu includes

burgers, ajitas, grilled specialties and authenticlocal are. 52 tropical favours o margaritas.

Tel: (876) 952-4777


Website: www.margaritavillecaribbean.com Mobay Undersea Tours Explore Montego Bay’s marine sanctuary or

two hours aboard a modern semi-submarine.

Panoramic marine environment and coral rees.Air-conditioned cabin holds 50 passengers.

Narrated by experts.


Tel: (876) 979-2281

Montego Bay Marine Park Marine park comprising an area o 15.3 square

kilometres, which includes the sea, the sea foor

and all the marine li e within its boundaries toa depth o 150 metres.


Tel: (876) 952-5619

Fax: (876) 940-0659

Mountain Valley Rafting & Plantation Tour at Lethe One-hour rating trip on the Great River,

disembarking at a scenic recreation area.Optional hayride and plantation tour available.


Tel: (876) 956-4920

Outameni Experience A journey through the many eras o Jamaica’s

rich culture — rom the rst inhabitants, the Taino

Indians, through the many eras o colonisation to

independence. Located in Coopers Pen, Trelawny.

Tel: (876) 954-4035Website: www.outameni.com

Rafting on the Martha Brae 90-minute river trip on Jamaica’s premier

river-rating attraction.

Open daily, 8:30am to 4:30pm,

except on public holidays.

Tel: (876) 954-5168 or (876) 952-0889E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.jamaicarating.com

Rockland BIRD Feeding Station Bird sanctuary at Anchovy.

Bird eeding daily, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

You can watch or you can hand-eed one yoursel.

Bird eeding daily 7:00am to 5:00pmTel: (876) 952-2009

Rose Hall Great House Magnicently restored 1760 plantation house,

where legend has it that Annie Palmer, the “white wruled with cruelty and met a violent death.


Tel: (876) 953-9982

The Riverwalk Glenbrook District, Hanover:

Tour o gardens and wateralls; bar and grill.

Open daily. Tel: (876) 957-3444

Tryall Water Wheel

Gigantic water wheel nearly 200 years old

and still turning.

Rose Hall Golf Course, Montego Bay

Hall Great House, Montego Bay

Rafting on the Martha Brae



Chukka Caribbean Adventure Tours Negril/Montego Bay:

Horseback Ride ’n’ Swim, Jungle River

Tubing, 4 x 4 Jeep Saari, Sea Trek,Jamaica ATV Tours, Mountain to River Bike

Adventure, Canopy Tours.

Tel: (876) 953-5619


Website: www.chukkablue.com

Country Western Riding Stables Open daily, 8:00am to 4:00pm

Tel: (876) 957-3250

Mayf ield Falls A breathtaking waterall on a 5-acre property.

Activities include cli jumping, cave diving,

luxuriating in a natural Jacuzzi or enjoying

a massage.

Tel: (876) 971-6580 or (876) 782-9630


Website: www.mayeldalls.com

Negril Crafts Market Arts, crats and souvenirs.

Negril Lighthouse The highest structure in Negril, it towers

100 eet above sea level.


Tel: (876) 957-4875

Rhodes Hall Plantation

Horseback riding.Sun to Fri, 8:00am to 5:00pm

Tel: (876) 957-6333/4


Website: www.rhodesresort.com

Royal Palm Reserve An amazingly beautiul and tranquil

orest within the Negril Great Morass,

natural swamp orest. Ideal or day tour,

nature walk, bird-watching, weddings,

meditation and scientic research.


Tel: (876) 364-7407

E-mail: [email protected]: www.royalpalmreserve.com24

N e g r i l AREA

Tensing Pen, Negril



Accompong Tour an old Maroon town.

Tours operate on Tues, Thurs and Sat

at various times.

Tel: (876) 952-4546

Appleton Estate Tour Estate rum distillery tour.

Open Mon to Sat

Tel: (876) 963-9215/7

E-mail:[email protected]

Website: www.appletonrum.com

Apple Valley Park Park with camping acilities.

Fishing, pedal boat rides, swimming pool

and mountain Jacuzzi.

Open daily by appointment,

10:00am to 5:00pm

Tel: (876) 963-9503


Bamboo Avenue Road between Middle Quarters and Lacovia

lined with bamboo, orming a canopy.

Black River Safari Boat Tour Boat tour o Jamaica’s longest river

and YS Falls.

Open daily, 8:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am,

12:30pm, 2:00pm and 4:00pm

Tel: (876) 965-2513/3351

or (876) 962-0220


S ou t h C o a s t

Bloomf ield great house Restaurant/art gallery. Tel: (876) 962-7130 Fax: (876) 961-0549


Cashoo Ostrich Park Slice o arm lie on a working 100-acre ostrich arm.

Open Tues to Sun, 10:00am to 5:00pm

Tel: (876) 966-2222

Fax: (876) 634-0954

Gourie Caves Christiana, two chambers, two wateralls and an

underground lake.

High Mountain Coffee Factory By appointment only.

Tel: (876) 963-4211; Fax: (876) 963-4309

E-mail: [email protected]: www.baronhall.com or

www.caribplace.com.oods.jspol.htm

Irie Safari Saari boat tour on the Black River.

Package includes trip to YS Falls and lunch.


Tel: (876) 772-2401


Jacana Aqua Boat Tour Boat tour operating daily, 9:00am to 4:30pm

Tel: (876) 965-2513

Lovers’ Leap

Scenic view o the South Coast rom a cli that

plunges 1,700 eet to the sea. Restaurant and bar.


Website: www.treasurebeachjamaica.com

Marshall’s Pen 18th-century Great House on a

300-acre wildlie sanctuary.

By appointment only. Tel: (876) 962-2260


Morgan’s Pond Cave Located at Cobble Walderston. At 200

metres, the deepest cave on the island.

Pickapeppa Factory Tour Tour o a spice actory. By appointment only.

Tel: (876) 603-3441


Quashi Caves 12 miles o underground caves in Christiana

with a river running through them.

Salt Pond A natural pond and habitat or local birds.

St. Elizabeth Safaris 90-minute guided tour up the Black River

in motor launches.


Tel: (876) 965-2374

YS Falls Waterall situated on 2,000 acres o

pasture that cascades about 120 eet into

the YS River.

Open daily except Monday and public

holidays.

Tel: (876) 634-2454


AREA

Fishing Boat, South Coast

Font Hill, South C



Blue Mountain Tours Downhill ride on mountain bicycles.

Meet local coee armers. Breakast, lunch

and waterall swim plus guides.

Tues to Sat, 7:00am to 5:00pm


Brimmer Hall Plantation Plantation and Great House tour.


Tel: (876) 994-2309

Chukka Caribbean Adventure TourFalmouth/Ocho Rios/Boscobel:

Horseback Ride ’n’ Swim, River Tubing Sa

Jeep Saari, Mountain to Sea Bike Advent

Zion Bus Line, Canopy Tours.

Tel: (876) 927-2506


Website: www.chukkacove.com

Columbus Park Historical site commemorating the spot

where Columbus rst landed in Jamaica.


Coyaba River Garden Museum & Mahoe Falls Stroll through Coyaba’s creek-side garden

and learn about Jamaica’s past in the sma

museum. Restaurant with ountains and

springs on site.


Tel: (876) 610-6509


Website: coyabagarden.com

Cranbrook Flower Forest Tropical garden with river path, nature wal

pond shing, swimming, horseback riding,

bicycle riding, merry-go-round or children

and other activities.


Tel: (876) 610-6509

Dolphin Cove Swim with the dolphins and see animals a

birds in a natural cove surrounded by lush

tropical rain orest, rivers and wateralls.

Open daily.

Tel: (876) 974-5335, (876) 975-2272 or

(876) 795-0484


Website: www.dolphincovejamaica.com

Dunns River Falls & Park 600 eet o gently terraced wateralls.


Tel: (876) 974-2857, (876) 974-5944

or (876) 974-4767


Website: www.dunnsriverja.com

Runaway B a y

O c h o R i o s AREA 26

Dunns River Falls, Ocho Rios



Prospect Plantation, Ocho Rios

Mystic Mountain, Ocho Rios

Enchanted Gardens Website: www.enchanted.com.jm

Fern Gully 3-mile road built in an old riverbed

that winds through a lush valley o

erns and trees.

FirefLy Named ater the luminous refies seen

ater dark, this property was the Jamaican

retreat o the late playwright Noel Coward.

Mon to Sat, 8:30am to 5:00pm

Tel: (876) 725-0920

Website: www.islandjamaica.com

Green Grotto Caves Runaway Bay: Intriguing network o

chambers and passageways, stalactites

and stalagmites and small lakes.

Green Grotto is said to have been a haven

or runaway slaves in the 18th century.

Open daily. Tel: (876) 973-2841


Website: www.greengrottocaves.com

Harmony Hall

Art gallery showcasing outstanding

Jamaican art as well as pieces rom

around the Caribbean.


Tel: (876) 975-4222 or (876) 974-2870


Website: www.harmonyhall.com

Hooves Limited Fully guided tour on well-trained horses

through the countryside.


Tel: (876) 972-0905


Website: www.jamaica-irie.com

Island Village A multiaceted entertainment centre

with shopping, dining, lm, cybercaé,

gaming, art and a beach, plus an

interactive celebration o Reggae music,

rom Ska to Dancehall.

Open daily.

Tel: (876) 675-8995

James Bond Beach Club Beach acility. Tues to Sun.

Tel: (876) 975-3663/5

Website: islandjamaica.com

mystic mountain Accessible by a ride on the Rainorest Sky Lit

Explorer, the park at Mystic Mountain oers

multiple activities. Soar above the tree tops up to

700 eet to the top o Mystic Mountain and enjoy

a ride through the rainorest on Bobsled Jamaica,the park’s signature attraction, and a thrilling ride

through tropical landscapes on sleds, or take the

zip line through the lush green orest.

Sun to Thurs, 9:00am to 5:00pm

Fri to Sat, 9:00am to 10:00pm

Tel: (876) 974-3990

Website: www.rainorestbobsledjamaica.com

Prospect Plantation Tour Daily tours o a working plantation in an

open jitney. Horseback riding available.

Call or reservations. Tel: (876) 994-1058

Seville Great House

Great House and Heritage Park.Open daily, 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Tel: (876) 972-2191


Shaw Park Gardens Tropical gardens with waterall overlooking

the town o Ocho Rios.


Tel: (876) 974-2723

Strawberry Fields Together Beach acility, campsite, cabins and picnic area.

Tues to Sun, 10:00am to 5:00pm

Tel: (876) 337-6127 (St. Mary)

www.strawberryeldstogether.comE-mail: [email protected]

Sun Valley Plantation Tour The 90-minute tour o this working plantation

tells the history o the property rom the

slave era to the present day.

Boxing o bananas takes place at the arm.


Tel: (876) 995-3075

White River Valley Tours Hidden paradise oering an escape to

a unique tropical adventure.

Shopping, restaurant, rubber rating,

horseback riding, hiking and bike trails.

Tel: (876) 917-3372


Wilderness Tours Limited Guided ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) tours

in Ocho Rios.

Open daily. Tel: (876) 969-6653

Website: www.wildernessatvtours.com



Kingston Blue Mountain Downhill Bicycle Tours

Open Mon to SatTel: (876) 974-7075


Bob Marley Museum Bob Marley’s ormer residence

and recording studio.

Mon to Sat. Tel: (876) 927-9152

E-mail:

[email protected]

Boon Hall Oasis Picnic area and tropical gardens

with restaurant and river in

the hills o St. Andrew.

Sunday brunch at 11:00amTel: (876) 942-3064

Caymanas Park & Polo Club Horse racing every Wed and Sat

and on public holidays.

12:30pm to 6:00pm

Tel: (876) 988-2523/6


Coins & Notes Museum Located in the

Bank o Jamaica Building.

Tel: (876) 922-0750

Craighton House & Coffee Estate Tour Restored Great House,

by appointment only.

Tel: (876) 929-8490/1 or

(876) 944-8224

Devon House Restored Great House. On the

grounds are the Port Royal–style

Grog Shoppe, restaurants,

crats shops and an Arican museum.

Tues to Sat, 9:00am to 5:00pm

Tel: (876) 929-6602 or

(876) 926-0815


Fort Charles and the Maritime Museum

at Port RoyalOpen daily, guided tours.

9:30am to 4:30pm

Tel: (876) 967-8438

Hollywell Recreational Park Hiking trails two miles rom

Newcastle.

Open daily, 9:30am to 6:30pm.

Tel: (876) 920-8278

(Jamaica Conservation

Development Trust).


Hope Botanical Gardens & Zoo Largest botanical gardens in

the West Indies. Zoo also on site.

Open daily. 10:00am to 5:00pm

or zoo and 8:30am to 6:30pm or

gardens.

Tel: (876) 927-1085 or zoo and

(876) 927-1257 or gardens.

Institute of Jamaica Library with historical books

and artiacts.

Open Mon to Thurs,

8:30am to 5:00pmTel: (876) 922-0620/6


Jamaica Conference Centre Ultra-modern convention centre

with on-site restaurants, gardens,

oces and duty-ree shops.

Tel: (876) 922-9160/9

Jamaica Defence Force Museum Wed to Fri, 10:00am to 5:00pm

Call or appointment.

Tel: (876) 926-8121 or

(876) 926-8129, ext. 2017

Kingston Crafts Market Arts, crats and souvenirs.

Open Mon to Sat

Lime Cay A glorious sunspot o

Kingston’s shore.

Open daily; travel by boat rom

Port Royal. Contact the

Morgan’s Harbour Hotel.

Tel: (876) 967-8075

Mavis Bank Coffee Estate Tour Tel: (876) 977-8013.

Tours arranged by appointment.

Nature’s Habitat Old Harbour Road, St. Catherine.

Fishing, recreational games.

National Art Gallery of Jamaica A showcase o Jamaica’s

national art collection rom the

intuitive to the modern.

Open Tues to Thurs,

10:00am to 4:30pm

Fri 10:00am to 4:00pm

Sat 10:00am to 3:00pm

Tel: (876) 922-1561/1563/1564

or 922-8540

Fax: (876) 922-8544; E-mail:[email protected]

Port Royal Marine Laboratory University o the West Indies marine

laboratory. Research centre or

marine sciences.

Tel: (876) 967-8344

Putt N’ Play Mini Golf Park Knutsord Boulevard, Kingston.

Provides miniature gol, pool tables,

amusement rides, snacks.

Open Sat and Sun

Tel: (876) 906-4814


Rockfort Mineral Bath Mineral spring.


Serenity Park Educational wildlie tour. A shin

and wildlie sanctuary located

in Bushy Park. Petting Zoo,

Pond Fishing, Paddle Boating,

Zoo Tours, Outdoor Games.

Restaurant.

Open Thurs to Sun.

Tel: (876) 978-5760 or

876-708-5517

Tour of King’s House Ocial residence o

Governor General.Tel: (876) 927-6424

By appointment only.

E-mail: kingshouse@

cwjamaica.com

University of the West Indies Stroll around the campus and

you will nd aqueducts alongsid

modern murals.

Mon to Sat, 8:30am to 4:30pm

Tel: (876) 977-5941

Wildflower Lodge

Campsite Six miles rom

Blue Mountain Peak.

By reservation.

Tel: (876) 974-7075

World’s End Limited Tour this charming and

quaint actory and taste the

internationally renowned gold

medal rum and liqueurs.

Open Mon to Fri,

10:00am to 4:00pm

Sat and Sun, noon to 4:00pm

28

AREA

Strawberry Hill, Kingston Bob Marley Museum, Kingston



Boston Beach Popular bathing beach. Waves are

high enough or surng. Famous Jamaicandishes, jerk pork and jerk chicken, also sold here.

Blue Lagoon Locals say Blue Lagoon is bottomless.

Swim in these mystical azure waters, which

change colour dramatically as light, shadows

and refections vary throughout the day.

Watersports operation also on location.

Tel: (876) 993-7791

Fax: (876) 993-7792


Castleton Botanical Gardens Exotic fora abound only an hour’s drive

rom Port Antonio.Open daily. Tel: (876) 942-0717

Frenchman’s Cove A narrow but gorgeous strip o white sand

beside a wide crescent bay with a r ich ree

a ew yards rom the shore. It provides good

snorkeling. Just across rom the beach is

the tiny Peter’s Island, also known as

Princess Island.

Tel: (876) 993-7558

Nonsuch Caves & Athenry Garden Caves rich in stalactites and stalagmites.

Git shop and gardens.

Open daily. 9:00am to 5:00pm. Tel: (876) 993-3740

Port Antonio Marina & Boat Yard A 32-slip mega yacht acility oering sae,

sheltered berthing in an attractive surrounding.Facilities include promenade, git shop,

restaurant and bar, Internet access, laundry

and showers. Tel: (876) 715-6044

Rio Grande Rafting A two-hour river cruise on a bamboo rat or

two, poled by an expert ratsman through

spectacular scenery. Open daily. 8:30am to

4:30pm. Tel: (876) 993-5778

San San Golf & Country Club A layout with 9 holes situated in

the upscale San San area.

Open daily.

Somerset Falls The Daniels River plunges through a

gorge o natural rock in a series o

cascades and pools. On-site restaurant.

Daily, except Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Tel: (876) 873-1198 or (876) 330-6741

Valley Hikes For history enthusiasts, there are tours into

the Land o Look Behind, Maroon Country

and a meeting with the Maroon chie.

Venture down trails to tiny villages.

Open daily. Mon to Fri, 9:00am to 4:30pm

Sat and Sun, 9:00am to 12noon


Por t Antonio AREA

Blue Lagoon, Port Antonio

Somerset Falls, Port Antonio

Monkey Island, Port Ant



Getting Here And Getting Around Daily fights arrive rom major cities worldwide at our two international airports:

the Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and the Norman Manley

International Airport in Kingston. I you are in a hurry to get to your avourite beach or

resort, a network o domestic air shuttles awaits. Taxis, buses and rental vehicles are

also available. Remember, in Jamaica we drive on the let.

Places To Stay Accommodations in Jamaica are available to suit any budget or taste rom luxurious

to standard, active to quiet, athletic to restul. Seaside to mountaintop, in the proud

tradition o Jamaican hospitality, we have accommodations to cater to your every

whim and ancy.

The island boasts a colourul assortment o delightul inns and charming small

hotels, many located o the beaten track. Enjoy reshly cut fowers on your bedside

table and coee served on the verandah. In a world o renement, your host remember

your name and your avourite dessert and will remind you to kick back in the shade with

a cool planter’s punch, or send you rating down river, picnic basket in hand.

You may choose rom an extraordinary collection o condominiums and apartments.

They range rom cozy and comortable to stylish and sophisticated and are particularly

alluring or the amily vacationer. Then, or activities in abundance, we have careree

all-inclusive resorts. Some are couples-only, designed or lovers, where the sea and

the sand are perect or romance.

Others are or amilies with children, and there are those that cater especially to

singles. For an enticing experience, we have elegant resorts. Here, accommodations

are extravagant and dinner is amidst candlelight, white linen and old silver. We also

have very private places — a spectacular array o hillside and beachront villas wherethe sta is ecient and discreet, and the décor is sumptuous.

Convention hotels with the most modern acilities and amenities are complete with

business and computer centres, helpul sta and a range o activities to keep

the amily happy.

Whatever your ancy — a delightul small hotel or an exquisite elegant resort, a

charming country inn or a magnicent convention property, a captivating condominium

colony or a sparkling apartment, an award-winning all-inclusive or a luxurious villa

estate — Jamaica has it all.

30



Currency The ocial rate o exchange fuctuates daily depending on

oreign exchange markets. Foreign currency may be exchangedor Jamaican dollars at banks or licensed exchange bureaus in

airports and hotels. Purchases may be made in any currency

recognised by the Jamaican government. Jamaican dollars may be

reconverted to oreign currency at the airport upon departure by

presenting a oreign exchange receipt. Foreign currency or

Jamaican dollars may be taken into or out o Jamaica. However,

amounts exceeding US$10,000 (or its equivalent in any other oreign

currency) or J$150,000 must be declared to Jamaican customs.

Banking Banking hours island-wide are 9:00am to 2:00pm, Mondays to

Thursdays, and 9:00am to 4:00pm, Fridays. Very ew business

oces are open on Saturdays.

Credit Cards All major credit cards are accepted at established businesses,

resorts, airlines and car rental agencies.

Language The ocial language o Jamaica is English, but Jamaican patois,

a combination o several languages, is spoken throughout the island.

Children Most hotels welcome children and there are some that have

kiddies’ centres with all-day play and classroom activities. There

are playgrounds island-wide, a zoo in Kingston and petting zoos

elsewhere on the island. Most hotels and villas also provide

baby-sitting services. Ask your travel agent or details.

Clothing Lightweight, tropical clothing is best throughout the year. A light

sweater is suggested or evening, especially in winter months.

Some hotels require casual eveningwear or women, and a jacket

or men when dining. Laundering and dry cleaning acilities, hair

salons and barbers are available throughout the island. 3



Getting Married In Jamaica I love and romance are a part o your Jamaican adventure, getting married

on the island is as easy as ever. Your Jamaican wedding can be as

extravagant or as simple as you want it to be. You can get married by the spray

o a waterall or at the altar o a church. You need to be on island or at least24 hours to exchange vows, and many hotels will make all the arrangements or

your nuptials i you alert them in advance. A ew hotels oer the wedding ree i

you book or a week. Jamaica has dozens o marriage ocers island-wide who

will preside over your wedding or a small ee. Even the paperwork is easy.

I you are an adult and have not been previously married, all you need is proo

o citizenship — a certied copy o your birth certicate, which includes your

ather’s name. I you are under 18, a written consent rom parents is required.

I you are divorced, you will also need to provide an original certicate o

divorce. A widow or a widower will require a certied death certicate o

deceased spouse.

Italian nationals getting married in Jamaica must notiy their embassy and

a certied copy o the marriage certicate must be orwarded to the embassy

to be translated and legalised. French Canadians celebrating their marriage in

Jamaica need a notarised, translated English copy o all documents and a

photocopy o original documents in French. No blood tests are required. For

more inormation, please contact the Jamaica Tourist Board oce nearest you.

Communications International cables and e-mail can be sent rom most hotels. Post oces are

located throughout the island. Direct international telephone service operates

24 hours a day.

Electrical Systems 110 volts/50 cycles is standard, 220 volts is used in some hotels. Adaptors are

available where applicable or clothes irons and blow dryers.

Cruise Shipping About 10 cruise lines call on the Jamaican ports o Ocho Rios, Montego Bay

and, to a lesser extent, Port Antonio. Most cruise lines sail rom Miami and

passengers may choose rom a number o tours and attractions while in port.

Gaming While there are no casinos, a number o resorts have game rooms with slot

machines. Horse racing is available at the Caymanas Race Track just outside

Kingston, and the national lotto can be played island-wide.

Medical Facilities There are regional hospitals and clinics in all the major resorts. Doctors are on

call at all hotels and some hotels have resident nurses.

Pets No pets can be brought into Jamaica.

Departure Tax The departure tax rom Jamaica is J$1,800.00 or its equivalent in accepted

oreign currency. It is usual or this tax to be collected at point o purchase o

airline ticket and is so noted on your travel record.32



Customs An adult 18 years or older is allowed to bring in the ollowing duty-ree

items: up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes or one and a hal pounds o tobacco,

one quart or one li tre o spirits, cordials or wine, 6 fuid ounces o perumed

spirits and 12 fuid ounces o toilet water. For more inormation, contactCustoms House at (876) 922-5140/9.

Incoming restricted items include resh fowers, plants, honey, ruits,

meats and vegetables (except canned). Coee (in any orm), rearms and

explosives are restricted as well as dangerous drugs, including marijuana

and cocaine. Kosher oods require special documentation. Outgoing U.S.

visitors returning rom Jamaica may take back US$600 in purchases ater

each 48-hour visit. U.K. visitors may carry 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, one

litre o spirits, plus goods valued at under £45. Canadian and Japanese

visitors should call the Jamaica Tourist Board oce, Embassy or

Consulate or details.

Proof Of Citizenship All persons, including U.S. citizens, will be required to present a passport

as mandated by the United States Department o Homeland Security or

entry and re-entry to the United States. Foreign nationals entering or

transiting to Jamaica through the United States must present a passport.

For more inormation on the Initiative and how it will aect your travel, please

visit the U.S. State Department’s consular website at www.travel.state.gov.

Canadian-born citizens (not in possession o a passport) may travel

on their original bir th certicate and two government-issued photo

identication documents.

Nationalised citizens may travel on their citizenship card plus one

government-issued photo identication document.Citizens o the United States and Canada do not require a visa to visit

Jamaica as tourists, and are permitted to visi t the island or a period not

exceeding six months. Commonwealth citizens need a valid passport

but require no visas. In addition, all visitors are required to travel with a

round-trip or onward airline ticket or entry to Jamaica.

Tax-free Status A 1981 treaty between the U.S. and Jamaica makes expenses or a

meeting or convention held in Jamaica tax-deductible.

Time Zone Eastern Standard Time. Jamaica does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

Tipping Most hotels have a service charge rom 10 to 15%. The same amount is

generally accepted at restaurants.

3



Tourism is our number one

industry in Jamaica today.We are proud of our marvellous tradition of guest hospitality.

We regard every single visitor to Jamaica as our special guest: here with us to share the many

pleasures of our homeland.We want your visit to be special.We want you to leave us with fond memories, eager to come back again soon.

Remember, when you are

away from home, no matter where you go, it makes good sense to take extra care to ensure that your journey is safe and pleasant. Because Jamaica cares about you, we’ve prepared suggestions to help make your

time with us as enjoyable as possible.

• Pack valuables

(cash, jewellery, etc.)

in your luggage• Leave baggage unattended

• Leave your car engine

running unattended

• Leave valuables in your

car. Store valuables,

luggage and packages

in your trunk.

• Stop on dark roads or in

secluded areas

• Pick up hitchhikers

• Carry your wallet, cash

or other valuables in a

rear pocket

• Display large amounts

o cash when makingsimple purchases

• Open your door without

veriying your caller

• Draw attention to yourself by

displaying cash, jewellery or

other valuables

• Invite strangers into your roo

• Leave purses, wallets or key

unattended or out o sight wh

at the pool or on the beach

a t t h e

• Use authorised pick-up points for

rented cars, taxis and buses

• Use authorised transportationservices and representatives

i f y o u r e n t a c a r

• Use car rental companies licensed

by the Jamaica Tourist Board

• Ask for a map with directions to your

destination beore leaving the airport

• Lock your car doors

• Go to a service station

or other well-lit public place i,

while driving at night, you become

lost or require assistance

• Check your vehicle before

heading out on the road each day.

I problems develop, stop at the

nearest service station and call to

advise your car rental company.

They will be happy to assist you.

o n t h e r

o a d

• Remember to drive on the left

• Observe posted speed limits

and trac signs

• Use your seat belts• Always beep your horn when

approaching a blind corner on our

narrow and winding country roads

• Try to travel with a group at night

w h i l e

i n y o u r h o t e l • Store valuables in a safety

deposit box

• Report suspicious-looking

persons or activity to hotel

security or the ront desk

• Lock doors securely whenever

you are in your room

• Carry your wallet discreetly

• Use credit cards or

traveller’s cheques or major

purchases, i possible

34

a i r p o r t

s h o p p i n g


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/jamaica-destination-guide-english 35/36 3

Police Please bear in mind that local police and resort patrol

ocers are easily identied by their uniorms. Members o

the Jamaica Constabulary Force wear blue-striped shirts

and black pants with red stripes down the side.

The Island Special Constabulary Force ocers wear

the same uniorm with blue stripes on their pants or a pla

blue uniorm. They wear badges and carry identication.

Drugs The use, sale or possession o drugs such as marijuana,

cocaine, crack or any other controlled substance is illega

in Jamaica, and violators are subject to arrest, nes and

imprisonment. I approached by someone trying to sell yo

drugs, rmly but politely say no.

Emergency Assistance Call toll-ree ...........................................0991-9999

Police .....................................................119

Ambulance .............................................119, 110

Fire ........................................................110

There are eight visitor inormation booths on the island,

conveniently located in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and

Negril. Each one has radio contact with the police and

with the Jamaica Tourist Board oces. Security personne

and ront desk managers at hotels are also able to oer

assistance in an emergency.

Jamaica Tourist Board oces have personnel on hand

to oer assistance when needed. Our oces are located

Montego Bay and Kingston.

Rose Hall Great House, Montego Bay

Treasure Beach, South Coast



Visit the Jamaica Tourist Board

for additional information AT

visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board office

nearest your location.

Jamaica Kingston (876) [email protected]

Montego Bay (876) [email protected]

Americas

USA/Latin America 1 (800) JAMAICA(305) [email protected]

Groups & Conventions 1 (800) 294-7687(305) [email protected]

Canada (416) 482-78501 (800) 465-2624

[email protected]

Europe

London (44) [email protected]

Barcelona (34) 93-4140210

[email protected]

Rome (39) [email protected]

The Netherlands (31) [email protected]

BERLIN (49) [email protected]

Dusseldorf (49) 2104 83 2974

[email protected]

Asia

Tokyo (81) 3-5367-8430j i @ k ti d

jamaica destination guide (english)

Documents