How to get to Jamaica

By | May 4, 2022

Overview

The Caribbean’s third-largest island, Jamaica is also its most colorful, with idyllic white-sand beaches and vibrant tropical blooms framed by blue mountain peaks. Jamaica, the land of dreadlocks, is a dream of red, gold and green. Jamaica is a proud country and in 2022 it will be celebrating 60 years of independence from Britain. The birthplace of Bob Marley still has reggae at its musical heart, but you can also hear reggaeton, roots and rock. Also typically Jamaican are rice and peas, rum, coffee and cricket. Excellent tourist attractions include shady green parks, pretty colonial cities and a lively nightlife. Negril and Montego Bay are the premier resort towns on the coast, offering superb sandy beaches, lively clubs, great restaurants and world-class golf courses. Outside the beach towns, you’ll find the ‘real’ Jamaica – street markets selling ackee, yams, breadfruit and vendors selling Kulu Kulu rum. Fishing villages worth visiting are Treasure Beach, Port Antonio and Oracabessa, sleepy little towns that offer a taste of the quieter side of Jamaica. See other countries in North America on ethnicityology.

Getting there

Arriving by plane

Some of the following fly to Montego Bay: – Condor (DE) non-stop from Frankfurt/M. as well as with stopovers from Berlin, Stuttgart, Bremen, Hamburg, Munich and Düsseldorf; – Lufthansa (LH) in cooperation with Delta (DL) via Atlanta; – Eurowings (EW) from Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt/aM, Hamburg, Cologne-Bonn, Leipzig/Halle, Klagenfurt, Vienna and Zurich.

Flight times

Frankfurt/M. – Montego Bay: 11 hours (non-stop); Zurich – Montego Bay: 12 hrs 5 mins; Vienna – Montego Bay: 12 hours 25 minutes (pure flight time, without stops).

Departure fee

Airport taxes are included in the flight ticket price.

Arrival by car

Tolls: Motorways and primary roads have tolls on the Portmore – Mandela – May Pen and Caymanas – Mandela – Ocho Rios routes. For more information, contact the Toll Authority of Jamaica. The toll can be paid in cash or you can purchase an e-pass, which records the toll electronically. Documents: The national driving license is sufficient. In addition, however, the international driver’s license is recommended.

Arrival by ship

The ports of Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Falmouth are popular cruise destinations.

Cruise ships

Among others, shipping companies such as TUI Cruises, MSC, Norwegian Cruise Line, AIDA, Princess Cruises, Carnival, Holland America Line and Royal Caribbean have Jamaica in their cruise offers.

Transportation

Traveling by plane

TimAir offers regular shuttle service from Montego Bay to Negril, Treasure Beach, Kingston, Port Antonio, Ocho Rios and Kingston to Ocho Rios. Air Link Express operates the Montego Bay – Negril route daily and also flies to Treasure Beach, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio and Kingston. interCaribbean Airways connects Montego Bay and Kingston non-stop.

Traveling by car/bus

The road network is well developed; about a third of the streets are paved. However, driving at night should be avoided, as goats or donkeys often walk on the road, especially in rural areas. Tolls: Motorways and primary roads have tolls on the Portmore – Mandela – May Pen and Caymanas – Mandela – Ocho Rios routes. For more information, contact the Toll Authority of Jamaica. The toll can be paid in cash or you can purchase an e-pass, which records the toll electronically. Petrol stations are everywhere and open daily until around 7 p.m. (closed on Sundays in the countryside). It is often only possible to pay in cash.

Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic

Left

Condition of the roads

The road quality is very different. Motorways and primary roads are in very good condition and well signposted, but mountain roads are often in very poor condition.

Road classification

In Jamaica there are highways, primary and secondary roads, each of which is marked with a letter and a number: – highways with T1 – T3; – primary roads with A1 – A4; – Secondary roads with B1 – B13.

Car rental

There are numerous car rental companies in larger cities and at airports. The minimum age for drivers is 25 years.

Taxi

Taxis are identified by red number plates with the inscription PP. Fixed prices apply, which should be inquired about before starting the journey. 10% tip is customary. There are also route taxis (shared taxis).

Coach

The Knutsford Express bus company connects Montego Bay with numerous locations on the island. Bus and minibus trips can also be booked in most hotels.

Regulations

Traffic regulations: – left-hand traffic; – seatbelt obligation; – Alcohol limit: 0.5 ‰. Speed ​​limits: – in built-up areas: 50 km/h; – country roads: 80 km/h; – Motorways: 120 km/h.

Roadside Assistance

The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; for vehicle damage: Tel. +49 (89) 22 22 22, for illnesses: +49 (89) 76 76 76. The ADAC partner club in Jamaica is the Jamaica Automobile Association (JAA) in Kingston, Tel. +1 (876) 929 12 00.

Documentation

The national driving license is sufficient. In addition, however, the international driver’s license is recommended.

Traveling in the city

Private minibuses operate on most routes.

Traveling by ship

Boats and yachts can be rented on a daily or weekly basis. Local operators offer yacht tours around the island. For more information, contact the tourist offices.

How to get to Jamaica