Travel Requirements

• Jamaica permits Unites States citizens and residents traveling as tourists to enter the island without a visa and stay for up to six months. U.S. citizens must present a valid passport or return or round trip ticket showing they are authorized for reentry into the United States. Permanent residents of the United States must travel with their Alien Registration Card or valid reentry documentation.
  
  

Accommodations

• Jamaica has numerous sleeping accommodations for travelers depending on their preferences. Budget-minded tourists may chose a guesthouse or apartment. Guesthouses are private homes opened to take on overnight visitors. Furnished apartments and condominiums provide cost-effective options for extended stays and offer varying levels of comfort typically commiserate with pricing. Eco-lodges are becoming popular with tourists seeking eco-friendly vacation options. Jamaica also offers luxury hotels, spas, resorts and villas for the more pampered traveler.
  
  

Currency

• The Jamaican dollar (JD) is the official currency in Jamaica and comes in denominations of 50, 100, 500 and 1,000. Official currency exchange rates change daily but hover around 85 to 90 Jamaican dollars to one U.S. dollar (USD). Banks, licensed cambio centers and hotels typically exchange money at the exact current daily rate. Merchants accept and exchange USD in most areas but do not always have access to the most current exchange rate. Jamaican ATMs typically accept international bankcards with Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus or Plus logos.
  
  

Weather

• Jamaica is a tropical island with year-round temperatures ranging between 66 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit. The island's mountain areas become substantially cooler due to their high altitudes, and those visiting Jamaica's higher altitudes will need to plan according by packing several items of warmer clothing. Jamaica's two rainy seasons occur from May through June and from September through November. Jamaican rain showers come in short heavy bursts, and the sun returns to dry the excess water as soon as the rain stops.
  
  

Safety Considerations

• Safety is always a concern when traveling. Visitors to Jamaica should take several safeguards to ensure the best trip possible. To avoid theft, never leave valuables unattended. Carry your wallet in a purse close to your body or in your front pocket. Carrying large amounts of cash and wearing expensive jewelry during everyday site-seeing excursions create an unnecessary risk. Visitors to Jamaica should register with their embassy upon arrival so their whereabouts is noted in case of an emergency.