Destinations

Jamaica: Travel Weekly destination guide

Travel facts on the Caribbean favourite, plus feeds of the latest news and features, weather, photos and more

(29 June 2009)

Sponsored by

Introduction

Jamaica has long attracted tourists with its excellent beaches, great reef diving and laid-back lifestyle.

While independent travellers after a harder cultural experience will find plenty here - there are the histories of reggae music, coffee and rum production and the slave trade to explore, for a start - Jamaica's tourism industry focuses on sun-and-fun, relaxation and romantic escapism, all of which it does incomparably well.

Purpose-built resorts are scattered throughout the island, offering everything from adults-only luxury to a middle-market family experience. Weddings and honeymoons are big business too. Providing you know your stuff, you should find something to sell to almost any client.

If you're selling Jamaica, take a look at what our sponsor Sandals has to offer below. You can also find out more about the Sandals brand, including current offers and the weekly travel agent Star Booking, on TWacademy.

Jamaica photos from flickr.com

www.flickr.com

More photos or
video tagged with
jamaica on Flickr

Jamaica on Travel Weekly

Search for more articles on Jamaica

Jamacia articles from the web

Selected by Travel Weekly editors

Travel fact file

Information from Gazetteers.com's Jamaica guide (subscription required).

Capital City: Kingston
Dialling Code: 1 876
Local Time: GMT -5
Electricity: 110V AC 50Hz
Emergency: Police 119, Fire and ambulance 110
Driving: Drive on the left. National licence or International Driving Permit required.
Airports: Kingston Norman Manley International (KIN); Montego Bay Sangster International (MBJ)
Climate: Tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. It is cooler in the evenings and in the more hilly regions. Rainy months are May and October, but showers may occur at any time. Hurricanes sometimes occur between June and November.
Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD 1 = 100 Cents)
Credit cards and travellers cheques: Widely accepted, preferably in US Dollar denominations. Foreign currency may only be exchanged at airport bureaux, banks or cambios. Receipts for foreign currency must be retained.
Bank opening times: Monday-Thursday 8.30am - 3.00pm, Friday 8.30am - 4.00pm
Tipping: 10-15% service charge is normally added to the bill but additional tips around 10% are expected. Tips for taxis around 10%

Win a week at Sandals Emerald Bay

...plus 54 other amazing prizes! Just a few weeks left to win one of these prizes, with the final prize being given away on the 28th Feb, so make sure you don’t miss out on a chance win a holiday to the brand new Sandals Emerald Bay.

Plus: Save 35% when you book by February 28 for 2010 and 2011 holidays

Get details of all the prizes on our TWacademy Info Zone, or contact Agency Sales on 020 7590 0210 / agencysales@sandals.co.uk.

Sandals and Beaches

Jamaica is the home and heartland of Sandals & Beaches Resorts, offering 10 spectacular resorts scattered over the island, each with its own personality. Sandals resorts boast some of the most sumptuous suites in the world, many with personal Butler Service, from the new Swim-Up River Suites at Sandals Negril and Sandals Royal Caribbean, to colonial-style Plantation Suites at Sandals Negril.

Accommodation to suite everyone

Beaches is the ultimate family holiday resort, with endless actives for kids of all ages, including kids camps with their favourite Sesame Street characters, Waterparks, Teen lounges and the Scratch DJ academy.

Or stay at the Caribbean’s most exclusive boutique resort: Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios. Royal Plantation was created exclusively for discerning adults and is a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World. It is located on a bluff soaring 25 feet above the crystal-like Caribbean Sea, granting each and every one of its 74 sumptuous suites heart-stopping views.

Come and bask on our spectacular twin golden-sand beaches, where you can spend countless hours soaking in the sunshine and sipping on "mangosas," delivered ice-cold and sparkling to your hands by unobtrusive beach butlers.