Jamaica: how to get there and transport
How do you get to Jamaica?
Almost all visitors to the island state come by plane:
Lufthansa flights go from Frankfurt via Miami to Kingston. British Airways flights to Kingston via London are offered from German airports as well as from Zurich and Vienna. In addition, there are cheap flights from Condor from various German airports to Montego Bay.
Ships
Various cruise ships regularly call at Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, including Costa Cruise Lines,
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival and Holland America.
Travel in the country
Air connections The national airline Air Jamaica offers flights between Kingston and Montego Bay. There are also Timair flights from Montego Bay to Kingston, Negril, Ochos Rios, Mandeville and Port Antonio, and International Air Link between Negril, Montego Bay, Runaway Bay, Ochos Rios, Port Antonio and Kingston.
Bus
There is a regular bus service between Kingston and Montego Bay. In addition, there are regular long-distance bus connections between all cities on the island.
Railroad
Jamaica has a colonial railroad network with a total length of 272 km. However, this has largely been shut down, passenger trains do not run.
Roads
There are around 13,000 km of paved roads in the country. However, these are in very poor condition and traffic accidents are frequent. By 2010, however, a motorway from Kingston via Spanish Town and Ochos Rios to Montego Bay is to be built.
Car rental
There are local and international car rental companies in the larger cities. The required minimum age is 25 years. A national driver’s license for Jamaica is issued on the basis of an international or national driver’s license and is valid for up to one year.
Taxis
Fixed prices apply to taxis (recognizable by the red number plates with the label PPV). Shared taxis (route taxis) and private minibuses also operate.
Ferry connections
Boats and yachts are rented out in Jamaica.
Traffic rules
To avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, drivers should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable for Germans, Austrians or Swiss to obtain more detailed information from ADAC, the AvD or the relevant Austrian or Swiss traffic clubs.
Top speeds
- Urban: In built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km/h.
- Country roads: There is a speed limit of 80 km/h on country roads.
In addition, it is of course necessary to pay attention to the current local speed limits, which are indicated by traffic signs.
Special regulations
There is left-hand traffic in Jamaica.
Blood
alcohol limit The official blood alcohol limit for drivers of motor vehicles in Jamaica is 0.8.
International license plate
According to Abbreviationfinder, Jamaica’s international license plate is:
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Jamaica: Embassies, Consulates and Tourist Office
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Jamaica embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of Jamaica in Germany
The building in which the Embassy of Jamaica is located is a “garden house” in the courtyard of Schmargendorfer Straße 22. It should be noted that Schmargendorfer Straße cannot be reached by car from Friedrich-Wilhelm-Platz.
Drivers have to choose the approach from Rheinstraße. There is a bus stop for the M48 and M85 buses on Rheinstraße. Schmargendorfer Straße belongs to the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district.
Embassy of Jamaica in Berlin
Schmargendorfer Straße 32
12159 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 85 99 45 11
Email: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate of Jamaica in Hamburg
(with issuing of a visa)
Ballindamm 1
20030 Hamburg
Tel: 0049 – (0) 40 – 3 09 92 88
Email: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate of Jamaica in Munich
(with issuing of visa)
Freischützstrasse 96
81927 Munich
Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 4 80 58 06 10
Email: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate of Jamaica in Dallgow-Döberitz
Am Reitplatz 22
14624 Dallgow-Döberitz
Tel: 0049 – (0) 3322 – 28 59 63
German representations in Jamaica
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kingston
10 Waterloo Road
Kingston 10
PO Box 444
Tel: 001 – 876 – 926 67 28
001 – 876 – 926 67 29
001 – 876 – 631 79 35
001 – 876 – 631 79 36
Fax: 001 – 876 – 620 54 57
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.kingston.diplo.de
Austrian representations in Jamaica
Embassy
The embassy in charge is the Canadian Embassy in Ottawa.
Honorary Consulate General in Kingston (without passport authorization)
Round Hill Hotel
Montego Bay, Jamaica, WI:
2 Ardenne Road
Kingston 10, Jamaica. WITel: 001 – 876 – 940 24 04
Fax: 001 – 876 – 956 75 05
Email: [email protected]
Representations of Jamaica in Austria
Embassy
The embassy in charge is the Swiss embassy in Geneva.
Swiss representations in Jamaica
Embassy
The embassy in Cuba in Havana is responsible.
Swiss Consulate General in Kingston
Consulate General of Switzerland
c/o Swiss Stores Ltd., 107, Harbor Street
PO Box 171
Kingston
Tel: 001 – 876 – 948 96 56
Fax: 001 – 876 – 922 84 03
Email: [email protected]
Representations of Jamaica in Switzerland
Embassy of Jamaica in Geneva
42, rue de Lausanne
1201 Geneva
Tel: 0041 – 22 – 908 07 60
Fax: 0041 – 22 – 738 44 20
Email: [email protected] Consulat de la Jamaïque 36, rue de Lausanne 1201 Geneva Tel: 0041 – 22 – 731 57 80 0041 – 22 – 908 07 60 Fax: 0041 – 22 – 738 44 20 Email: [email protected]
Tourist offices
Jamaica Tourist Board at Kingston
64 Knutsford Boulevard
Kingston 5
Jamaica, West Indies
Tel: 001 – 876 – 929 92 00 – 19
Fax: 001 – 876 – 929 93 75
Email: [email protected]
Jamaica Tourist Board at Montego Bay
18 Queens Drive
Montego Bay
St. James
Jamaica, West Indies
Tel: 001 – 876 – 952 44 25
Jamaica Tourist Board in Germany
Tempelhofer Damm 94a,
12101 Berlin
Tel.: 0049 – (0) 30 – 8058 592 – 80
www.visitjamaica.de
E-Mail: [email protected]
Jamaica: entry and exit conditions
Formalities, visas
For tourists from Germany, Switzerland and Austria, a passport is sufficient to enter Jamaica for a stay of up to 90 days, which must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended stay. A visa is not required in this case. Proof of sufficient financial resources and a return or onward travel ticket are also required.
Issuing of visas in Germany
Visa department of the Embassy of Jamaica
Schmargendorfer Straße 32
12159 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30) – 85 99 450
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30) – 85 99 45 40
Email: [email protected]
www.jamaican-embassy-berlin.de
Issuing of visas in Austria and Switzerland
See under Representations of Jamaica in Austria and Representations of Jamaica in Switzerland.
Import and export of foreign currency
- Local currencyThe import and export of the local currency is prohibited.
- Foreign currenciesThe import of foreign currencies is permitted without restriction, but there is a declaration requirement. The export is then limited to the declared amount.
Import and export of goods
In addition to personal luggage, 170 ml of perfume and 340 ml of eau de toilette as well as 1 liter of alcoholic beverages and 200 cigarettes are free for all travelers over the age of 18, but the items must be stated.
The import of weapons, explosives, ammunition or even fireworks is strictly prohibited. Likewise, the import and export of drugs of any kind.
There is also an import ban for products made from goatskin if they have not been cleaned and not fully cured and the goatskin has not been completely sheared off.
The import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is also prohibited and can result in considerable penalties.
Entry with pets
For the owners of dogs and other animals, the question arises when traveling abroad whether they can even take their animals with them to the chosen travel destination. If that is possible, then of course the question of the applicable conditions arises.
Pets from Germany, Switzerland and Austria are not allowed to enter Jamaica.
Jamaica: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations, and Warnings
Infectious Diseases
In Jamaica, the following diseases that are not or rather rare in Germany or Western and Northern Europe are to be expected:
- Malaria, there is no risk of malaria in Jamaica
- HIV, there is a high risk of contracting HIV through unprotected sex. Even with blood transfusions (accidents, sudden illness) or the use of syringes, even in hospitals, this risk is not inconsiderable
- Dengue fever, dengue fever is to be expected nationwide
- Intestinal infections, various intestinal infections are to be expected, such as: worm infestation, shigella, salmonella, amoeba or lamblia.
- Hepatitis A and B
- tetanus
- rabies
- typhus
Vaccination recommendations As a precautionary measure, the following vaccinations, which are also common in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, should be available:
- diphtheria
- Hepatitis A and B
- polio
- tetanus
- typhus
Compulsory vaccination
For people who are older than 1 year and come from a yellow fever infection area designated by the WHO, there is a compulsory vaccination against yellow fever.
Who pays for vaccinations in Germany?
Most people in Germany are vaccinated against a number of infectious diseases at an early age. However, the vaccination protection only lasts up to 10 years, in some cases even shorter. Therefore, before traveling abroad, you should carefully consider against which infectious diseases a vaccination is necessary or useful in the country concerned and whether the vaccination protection, if applicable, was not too long ago.
Most statutory health insurances have been reimbursing the costs for the following vaccinations since June 2007.
There is even no 10 € practice fee – but the insured usually have to pay the statutory additional payment, which is 10% of the vaccine price – that is at least 5 € and a maximum of 10 €. Under these conditions, the following vaccinations are free of charge:
- cholera
- diphtheria
- Early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE)
- Yellow fever
- Hepatitis A and B
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Pneumococci
- Polyo (polio)
- Tetanus (tetanus)
- rabies
- typhus
Some health insurance companies also reimburse the cost of malaria prophylaxis.
As a rule, private health insurance companies (inquire beforehand) also cover the costs mentioned.
Warning notices
Foreign Office (AA) of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizens’ Service
D-11013 Berlin
Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Jamaica: Currency, Shopping, and Exchange Rate
The local currency of Jamaica is the
Jamaican dollar = 100 cents.
Bank opening times
Banks in Jamaica are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Shop
Shop Hours
Shops in Jamaica are usually open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, some close on Wednesdays or Thursday afternoons.
Inexpensive or country-specific goods, souvenirs
In Jamaica, a wide variety of handicrafts are produced that are suitable as souvenirs for tourists. These include hand-woven fabrics, embroidery, batik, leather sandals, basketry, straw mats, wood carvings and oil paintings. Local spirits, Jamaica rum, Rumona liqueur and Ian Sangster’s rum cream as well as coffee, spices and pepper jellies are popular souvenirs.
