Car hire in Jamaica

Renting a car is a popular choice as a means of truly exploring this pretty island since public transport isn't convenient for tourists and the many self-appointed drivers you encounter come with few guarantees. Jamaica is one of those island states where traffic rules are routinely ignored and unenforced, so drivers need to be confident, but the pace is mild and you won't regret having a car to get around. Renting an SUV or robust vehicle is recommended since some of the country roads are in a state of disrepair. 

Car hire driving tips in Jamaica

Self-driving is popular in Jamaica and prices vary greatly depending on the car rental company and time of year. The peak season coincides with Spring Break in the US, when college students travel in packs to the Caribbean, and from December to January, when Europeans escape the cold winters back home. Since road conditions can be poor, it is important to get a good vehicle and have access to roadside assistance. Because of this, it may be most prudent to use a reputable international car rental agency in Jamaica as opposed to a local one. Be sure to compare car hire prices as they vary greatly among companies.

Need to know essentials

Driving licences: US and UK visitors can drive in Jamaica for up to a year with a valid driving license from their home country, but they need to be older than 21. Nationals of other countries are required to hold an International Driving License.

Which side does Jamaica drive on: the left.

Speed limits:

Highways and dual carriageways (outside urban areas): 110kph

Local roads: 80kph

Urban roads: 50kph

Alcohol limits: 0.08 per cent or 80mg/100ml - this is the same level as in the UK. Since drink driving is not strongly enforced, visitors should be wary of drunk drivers. Driving at night can thus be dangerous and many embassies advise visitors against it.

Compulsory items: drivers are required by law to carry their driving license with them when driving.

Driving age: 21 years.

Seatbelts: children under three years of age must be seated in a child seat and older children must wear seatbelts. Front and rear seatbelts are mandatory in Jamaica.

Mobile phones and GPS: a bill banning the use of hand phones while driving is imminently due to be approved by Jamaica's Parliament. However, for your own safety, avoid using a cell phone or GPS device while driving. GPS is recommended as roads are, in most cases, not signposted properly. However, GPS availability is limited in Jamaica.

Cost of fuel in Jamaica: petrol is imported in Jamaica and costs tend to be higher than those in the UK. However, petrol prices vary greatly on the island, so it pays to shop around.

Car hire and fuel payment: visitors should have a valid credit card and passport to book a vehicle. Petrol stations in general do not accept credit cards, so visitors need to make sure they have cash to hand.

Insurance: vehicle accidents are common in Jamaica and visitors should seek out full insurance coverage for their hire vehicle. Visitors should carefully check their hire vehicle for damage prior to driving it.

Traffic and parking: Jamaican cities can suffer traffic snarl-ups during rush hour. Parking can be chaotic, with street-side parkers at risk of being blocked in by people double-parking or even triple-parking. To avoid this, use one of the available car parks which charge by the hour.

Our travel editor’s recommended drives

Montego Bay – the A1 road to Montego Bay, along the northern coast, is probably the most popular drive in Jamaica. This coastal road offers some of the best views of the coast and deep blue waters, passing some of the most popular beaches on the island. The A1 runs from Falmouth via Montego Bay to Coral Beach.

Inland Jamaica – the B9 road is the main inland road of Jamaica and connects Lucea in the north with Savanna la Mar in the south. The road passes through the naturally beautiful Georges Plain.

Southern-to-Eastern coast – another beautiful coastal drive is the A4 route which runs along the southern and eastern coast of Jamaica. Starting in Kingston, it goes east around the eastern side of the island to Fairy Hill. It passes through some of the most popular resorts on the eastern coast.

Blue Mountains – from Buff Bay on the northern coast to Kingston in the south, visitors can follow the B1 road through the Blue Mountains, the longest mountain range on the island. Although there is little to see on the drive, the unspoilt nature is the main attraction here. The famous Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is grown in this region.

Jamaica travel tips

Jamaica is a popular travel destination for both young and old. Those wanting to enjoy a quiet holiday should stay away from the resorts catering to college students, which tend to be rowdy. Generally, Jamaicans are easy going and most visitors have a great holiday in Jamaica. However, it pays to use common sense and to avoid dangerous situations. Night-time is when most incidents happen and most embassies advise visitors against walking alone at night, particularly in deserted areas.

Jamaica weather and tourist seasons

Jamaica’s tropical climate sees temperatures ranging from 22°C to 31°C throughout the year. The rainy season runs from May to October and the hurricane season tends to range from June to November. Peak visitor season is from December to April, when the weather is cool in the mornings and evenings.

Jamaica contact numbers (+1 876)

Emergency services – 110

Hurricane update – 116

Police - 119

British High Commission – 1 876 510 0700

US Embassy – 1 876 702 6000

Irish Embassy (Ottawa Embassy deals with Jamaica) – 1 613 233 6281

Canadian High Commission – 1 876 926 1500

Australian High Commission – 1 868 822 5450

Holidays and festivals

National holidays in Jamaica include the traditional days of: New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday. Jamaica-specific national holidays include: Ash Wednesday (9 March), Labour Day (23 May) as well as Epiphany Day (6 January), Labour Day (1 May), Emancipation Day (1 August), Independence Day (6 August) and National Heroes’ Day (17 October).

Money matters

In Jamaica, the national currency is the Jamaican dollar. This is not be confused with the US dollar, which is also widely accepted in Jamaica. Jamaican law requires visitors to pay for goods and services in local currency; however, most places accept US dollars and then give change in local currency. ATMs are not as common here as elsewhere in the world, so ask your hotel to tell you where the nearest one is. ATM crime is common so make sure that you are unobserved when taking out money and never use an ATM at night. Most visitors will find that they get the best exchange rates at exchange outlets rather than at local banks.

Health and safety

Although no specific vaccinations are required, it is recommended that visitors get a hepatitis A vaccination two weeks prior to travel. A common health problem among those travelling in Jamaica is diarrhoea. This can be avoided if visitors are careful about the food and water they imbibe during their visit. Bottled water is the safest option. Jamaica is generally safe but petty crime is a problem in the cities, especially at night. Use common sense to avoid becoming a victim and consider staying in at night.

Fitting in…

Jamaicans are known for their informal, easy-going and relaxed nature. Visitors should be aware that Jamaicans tend to be loose with time, and patience is required. Generally, Jamaica remains male-oriented and female visitors should get used to cat-calls and unsolicited commentary. It is not recommended that women go to bars and clubs alone. Homosexuality is not widely accepted and gay couples should avoid public shows of affection.

Visas for Jamaica

Visitors will require a passport that is valid for at least six months and a valid return ticket to enter Jamaica. Travellers from the UK, the EU, Australia, Canada and the US do not require visas for stays of less than 90 days. 

Electricity

The voltage in Jamaica is 110-120 Volts, 50 Hertz - the same as in the US and Canada. European and Australian travellers will require a converter to use their appliances if they are not configured for 110-240 Volts. Plugs usually have two flat prongs.

Business hours
Standard business hours run from 09:00 to 17:00, but hours vary, especially in tourist areas. Banks in Jamaica are primarily open Monday through Thursday from 09:00 to 14:00 and Fridays from 09:00 to 16:00. Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Helpful phrases

English is the official language in Jamaica, making travel easy for those coming from Britain. The local language is Jamaican Patois or Jamaican Creole. It is a language mixed with English and West African languages, and is primarily spoken in rural areas.

Resources online

www.jtbonline.org

www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1147.html

www.jhcuk.org