Jamaica Travel Guide: Our Tips, Highlights and Itinerary Idea
WELCOME TO JAMAICA
Our Jamaica travel guide will share our experience from one week on the island. We’ll give you an overview of the most frequently asked questions, our suggested itinerary, essential information about Jamaica, the best places to visit, the ideal seasons to go, practical driving tips, our personal highlights, and our honest advice to help make your trip smooth, safe, and unforgettable.
JAMAICA - IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Most travelers from Europe, the US, and Canada do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. A passport valid for at least 6 months is required. No mandatory vaccinations are needed, but routine vaccines and Hepatitis A are recommended.
A yellow fever vaccination is required if you’re arriving from a yellow fever endemic country or have had a transit longer than 12 hours in one.
The official language is English, spoken with a Jamaican Patois accent. We had no trouble understanding anyone. The local currency is the Jamaican Dollar (JMD) and while USD is widely accepted in tourist areas, we noticed that paying in JMD often gave us better prices. Sometimes we saved 3 to 5 USD on meals or tours. Local shops and street food stalls usually prefer JMD.
The best time to travel is December to mid April during the dry season, with sunny weather and warm temperatures. May to November is the rainy season, and hurricane risks are highest between August and October, but this time also brings lower prices and fewer tourists. We went in April and the weather was really good — just occasional rain showers that passed quickly.
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Jamaica uses Type A/B plugs (like the US) with 110V. Bring an adapter if you’re coming from Europe.
Tap water is considered safe in most cities and resorts, especially in places like Montego Bay, Negril, and Kingston. We didn’t drink it ourselves, but we heard from locals and other travelers that it’s generally fine. If you’re unsure, it’s alwys a good idea to stick to bottled water or refill stations.
Tourist areas like Negril, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, and Montego Bay are generally safe. We didn’t have any problems during our trip. However, it is best to avoid walking alone at night, especially in Kingston. As always, stay alert, keep your valuables out of sight, and ask locals or your hotel staff for advice.
JAMAICA TRAVEL GUIDE
We spent seven incredible days driving about 500 kilometers (310 miles) across Jamaica and want to share everything we learned. In this blog post, you’ll find our full road trip itinerary, practical advice on where to stay and what we paid, plus our favorite food spots along the way. From waterfalls and mountains to beaches and local restaurants and beach bars, we cover all the must-see places and helpful tips to make your trip smooth and enjoyable.
TRAVEL GUIDE JAMAICA - CARIBBEAN MEETS REGGAE
Jamaica is a beautiful island country in the Caribbean with an exciting culture and interesting history. It has about 3 million people and covers around 11,000 square kilometers, making it larger than many Caribbean islands but still easy to explore in a week.
When we think of Jamaica, probably like you, we imagine reggae music, weed, sandy beaches, jerk BBQ, mountains, and friendly, smiling people everywhere. After our busy travels in South America, this was exactly the relaxing and exciting escape we needed.
Though we only spent one week on the island, it wasn’t possible to see everything. So we focused on some of the best spots like Negril, Ocho Rios, and Kingston, and every place left us wanting more.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN JAMAICA
Especially on a short trip, you do not want to waste time on long travel days. That is why we focused on Negril, Kingston, and Ocho Rios. Renting a car in Jamaica made it much easier for us to move around.
From Montego Bay Airport, we reached Negril in under two hours. It’s perfect to start there for visiting the Seven Mile Beach and Rick’s Cafe. Then we visited the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston and continued to Ocho Rios. From there we went back to Montego Bay and stayed two nights in an all-inclusive resort.
You can find our full route and tips in our Jamaica road trip guide.
By the way, if you love Caribbean islands, check out our Caye Caulker guide too!
Of course, one week in Jamaica is not a lot of time, so we had to make some compromises when it came to what we could see. It was important for us to have an authentic experience and not spend too much time in the rental car. Still, during our research, we came across many beautiful places in Jamaica that we had to skip. Here are some other amazing spots in Jamaica that are worth adding to your list if you have more time:
A must for nature lovers. Hike through forests, visit a local coffee farm, and enjoy breathtaking views over the island.
A turquoise lagoon perfect for swimming and relaxing in nature.
A glowing bay where the water lights up at night due to natural bioluminescence.
One of the filming locations for Pirates of the Caribbean. Perfect for fans who want to explore real Caribbean movie scenery.
WHEN TO VISIT JAMAICA: WEATHER AND TRAVEL SEASONS
We visited Jamaica in April and only experienced a few short rain showers. Most of the time the weather was hot and sunny which was perfect for exploring beaches and getting around. The water temperature was just right never cold and even in the evenings it did not cool down much. We also enjoyed fewer tourists during this time which made things a bit more affordable.
WHAT IT IS LIKE TO DRIVE IN JAMAICA
1. Where to rent a car in Montego Bay
When choosing a rental car in Montego Bay, you will find many different providers. Normally, we book through international companies, but we noticed that prices in Jamaica were much higher with them. Vicky found a local company called Keebz online, and right from the start, they made a great impression. Their 4.7 Google rating speaks for itself.
We rented the car for five days and paid 255.00 USD, including basic insurance. Fuel for around 500 kilometers cost us 47.00 USD. The car was given to us with a full tank, and we returned it the same way.
2. Driving in Jamaica tips
Renting a car in Jamaica was for us a great way to explore the island freely, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Driving in Jamaica can be fun but also challenging if you are not used to local conditions.
Driving in Jamaica tips:
• People drive on the left side of the road, so be prepared if you normally drive on the right.
• Roads range from well-paved highways to narrow, winding mountain roads. Drive carefully, especially in rural or mountainous areas like the Blue Mountains.
• Traffic in cities like Kingston and Montego Bay can be busy, so stay alert and patient.
• Road signs may be limited or unclear, so having a GPS or offline map app is helpful.
• Local drivers sometimes drive fast and unpredictably; defensive driving is important.
• Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar or rural areas for safety.
3. Renting a car in Montego Bay experience
Montego Bay is the main arrival point for most travelers just like us, and rental car services are plentiful here.
• The cheapest operator we found was Keebz, and we can highly recommend them. We could ask them questions beforehand via WhatsApp, and the service was perfect. They picked us up from the airport and even drove us to our all-inclusive hotel after returning the car.
• Booking in advance often saves money, and make sure to check if the rental includes insurance and unlimited mileage.
4. Additional tips
• Choose a compact car for easier driving on narrow roads.
• Always keep your rental documents and driver’s license handy.
• Fuel stations are common in cities but can be sparse in remote areas—fill up when you can.
• Parking is generally available near tourist spots but watch for local rules.
Overall, renting a car in Jamaica gave us the freedom and saved us time to do the things we wanted. Just prepare well, drive safely, and enjoy the adventure!
OUR HONEST ADVICE - IS JAMAICA WORTH VISITING?
We recommend visiting Jamaica. The beaches, culture, and people made our trip special. We enjoyed the waterfalls, local food, and relaxed atmosphere. Driving and some local things can be a bit tricky, but that’s part of the experience. If you want a mix of nature, adventure, and rest, Jamaica is worth it. We’re glad we went and think you will be too.
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