BANKS CURRENCY

You don't need to get Jamaican money before you get to the island. In all resort areas, licensed cambios and bureaux de change are easily and readily accessible, and just about all currencies can be exchanged in banks. The official rate of exchange varies daily, so it's not a bad idea to shop around for a rate that suits you before changing large amounts of cash. Many Jamaican ATMs accept international bank cards with Visa, Mastercard, Cirus and Plus logos, and banks give credit card advances, change traveller's cheques and offer other financial services. At the end of your trip, you may take Jamaican currency with you (for your next time in Jamaica!) or you may exchange it at the airport.

Jamaica has a tropical climate at sea level and a temperate climate towards the highlands of the interior. As a popular Jamaican poem says, "we have neither summer nor winter/neither autumn nor spring…" and it's true. Instead, each year the island sees two rainy seasons from May to June and September to November. Many Jamaicans characterize the seasons according to the fruits available at that time! Some of the most important 'seasons' are mango season (May to July), guinep season (July to late September) and cane crop season (late October to about January). Of note also is the hurricane season from June to September, during which time large storms may, but rarely do, pass over the island. (Don't worry about hurricanes, the last hurricane to directly hit Jamaica happened in 1988 and before that in 1952!) Although there is little real variation in temperature year round, between December and April the weather is practically perfect for any activity every day. The average temperature ranges from 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit) to 32 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) all year. Will it rain during your holiday? If it does, don't worry. Most times, the short tropical showers provide a welcome break from the afternoon heat - just look at it as liquid sunshine, not rain!

Jamaica is well connected to the rest of the world. Direct international telephone service operates in all areas 24 hours a day, and telephone operators will gladly facilitate collect, third party or credit card calls. International faxes, cables and telegrams can be sent from most hotels and post offices. Email and Internet access is available too, usually at hotels and parish libraries, but also at local Internet Cafes. There are three daily national newspapers and five weekend newspapers, all available at hotel front desks, newsstands and vendors island wide. Some hotels and gift shops receive the international editions of major newspapers and magazines such as the New York Times, TIME, The Economist and the London Times. There are about five local television stations, all of which broadcast island wide, showing a combination of local and international productions. Radio is immensely popular in Jamaica, and with close to 20 FM stations, one can get up-to-the-minute local and international news, sports and weather, as well as continuous music of all genres.

The most important thing to remember when driving in Jamaica is that here, we drive on the LEFT, although some flexibility is required to avoid collisions with pedestrians, cows, goats, chickens and other domestic animals. We have over 17 000 kilometers of road networks connecting all major towns and cities, the speed limit is 50 km (30 mph) in built-up areas, and 80 km (50 mph) on highways. All drivers are required to carry a valid license. Jamaica recognizes valid International Driver's Licenses, but visitors from North America may use their country's license for up to three months per visit. Visitors from the United Kingdom may use theirs for up to twelve months, while visitors from Japan may use theirs licenses for up to one month. The driver and front passenger are required to wear safety belts, and children under 3 years old must be restrained in infant carriers. Car rental is available in most major towns and cities, and usually, clients must be no less than 25 years old to rent.

In Jamaica, the use, sale, and possession of drugs such as ganja (marijuana), cocaine, crack, ecstasy, heroin and any other controlled substance is ILLEGAL. Violators are subject to severe punishments - specifically arrest, fine and imprisonment. DO NOT attempt to purchase, use, consume or transport ANY drug. If there is someone trying to sell you drugs, be firm and say NO! Incarceration is not a pleasant way to extend your holiday - you really don't get much sightseeing done from behind the bars of a prison!

The electrical supply in Jamaica is 110 volts/50 cycles standard, and electrical appliances use plugs that are two-pronged and flat (such as those used in the United States and Canada). If your appliances do not use 110 volts or flat two-pronged plugs, bring the requisite adaptors and converters with you. Although adaptors and converters are available in Jamaica, they may not be easy to come by. Most laptop computers have built-in converters and can be used with an adaptor. If the idea of lugging all this equipment around seems daunting, leave it behind. Most hotels have hair dryers, alarm clocks, radios and clothes irons available, and in any case you probably won't need many appliances. You are, after all, on holiday…

In just 4,244 square miles, Mother Nature has packed you one of the most interesting combinations of flora, fauna and physical geographical features: Jamaica, the Heartbeat of the Caribbean. 235 kilometres long and 93 kilometres at the widest point, the island of Jamaica is the third largest in the Caribbean Sea, located approximately 18? N, 77? W, in the heart of the Caribbean Basin. Just fewer than 3 million people live on the island, mostly in the cities of Kingston and Montego Bay, but large towns such as Portmore, Spanish Town and Mandeville have significant populations. Jamaica is a land of mountains, plateaux and plains, dominated by a series of mountain ranges that run across the centre of the island. Almost half the island is above 300 metres, and the highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, rises 2,256 metres above sea level. Many of Jamaica's 120 rivers originate in these highlands, watering the land on their way to the Caribbean Sea. The climate varies from tropical on the coastal plains, to temperate in the highlands of the interior, and the flora is a highly diverse combination of tropical and sub-tropical vegetation. There are 1,022 kilometers of coastline; reef-protected white sand beaches characterize the north, while the coastline of the south has predominantly black sand beaches.

Officially, Jamaicans celebrate ten public holidays per year. New Year's Day (January 1), Labour Day (May 23), Emancipation Day (August 1), Independence Day (August 6), Christmas Day Dec 25) and Boxing Day (Dec 26), in addition to Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Heroes Day (third Monday in October). On public holidays all government agencies, schools and most private businesses are closed, and much of the country 'locks down' for the day. We take our holidays seriously, and from the night before, lively parties and stage shows (live music concerts) add to the range of nightlife options available. On holidays, Jamaicans throng to beaches and parks for picnics, fun-days and outings, the celebrations continuing way into the night. There are some days held in high esteem by many Jamaicans that are not official public holidays, such as Bob Marley Day (February 6), Carnival Sunday (the first Sunday after Easter). Check the calendar of events for exact holiday dates this year, and if you're here for one of these or for a public holiday, be sure to bring your dancing shoes!

The official language of Jamaica is English, although most Jamaicans speak a local patois influenced by a combination of several different languages. It may take some time for you to become accustomed to it. When that happens, though, you'll have fun trying the local expressions.

Rabies is not a danger in Jamaica and we'd like to keep it that way. So although we would love to host your pets, we must ensure that they're completely healthy before they can be brought on the island. In keeping with international standards, the importation of all live animals into Jamaica requires an import permit from the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture PRIOR to arrival in Jamaica. All animals must be rabies-free, and must never have been rabies vaccinated. Dogs and Cats (with permits) are allowed into Jamaica ONLY from Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Eire. For more information, contact the Veterinary Services Division: tel. (876) 977 2489 or (876) 977 2492. To secure a permit, fax a letter of request to (876) 977 0885.

Jamaica falls within the Eastern Time Zone (UTC/GMT -5 Hours) and does NOT observe Daylight Savings Time. At times in Jamaica, however, it seems as if we don't observe any time at all, so for the least amount of stress on your vacation, you may want to think about leaving your watch behind! At approximately 18 degrees north of the equator, the island falls within the tropics, and as such does not experience drastic seasonal changes in sunrise and sunset times. Year round the island averages between 11.5 and 12.5 hours of sunlight per day - always enough time to do everything, or never enough for anything!

'Xamayca' is the name that the first Jamaicans, the Tainos, gave to this country. It means 'Land of Wood and Water', and for good reason, Jamaica has hundreds of spring and rivers, both above and under ground. Over the years, we have developed extensive water treatment and supply systems island wide, so all drinking water in Jamaica is purified and filtered by modern methods. Our water is safe for you to drink, clean your teeth, bathe and wash clothing in. We understand though, that some people are still wary about drinking the water in a strange country. If you choose not to drink the water, rest assured, there are many brands of Jamaican Spring water that meet or exceed the highest international standards, available at most shops and restaurants.