Fast Facts

Area Code -- The area code for Jamiaca is 876.

Business Hours -- Banks are open Mon-Thurs 8:30 or 9am to 2 or 3pm and Fri 8:30 or 9am-4 or 4:30pm. Store hours vary, but as a rule most business establishments open at 8:30am and close at 4:30 or 5pm Monday to Friday. Some shops open Saturday until noon.

Drinking Laws -- These are not rigidly enforced but patrons of bars should be 18 years old.

Currency Exchange -- There are Bank of Jamaica exchange bureaus at both international airports (near Montego Bay and Kingston), at cruise ship piers, and in most hotels.

Doctors -- Many major resorts have doctors on call. If you need any particular medicine or treatment, bring evidence such as a letter from your home doctor.

Electricity -- Most places use the standard electrical voltage of 110, as in the U.S. However, some establishments still operate on 220 volts, 50 cycles. If your hotel is on a different current than your U.S.-made appliance, ask for a transformer and adapter.

Embassies, Consulates & High Commissions -- Calling embassies or consulates in Jamaica is a challenge. Phones will ring and ring before being picked up, if they are answered at all. Extreme patience is needed to reach a live voice on the other end. The embassy of the United States is located at the Jamaica Mutual Life Building, 2 Oxford Rd., Kingston 5 (tel. 876/929-4850). The High Commission of Canada is situated at 3 W. Kings House Rd., Kingston 10 (tel. 876/926-1500). The High Commission of the United Kingdom is found at 28 Trafalgar Rd., Kingston 10 (tel. 876/510-0700).

Emergencies -- For police and air rescue, dial tel. 119; to report a fire or call an ambulance, dial tel. 110.

Gasoline (Petrol) -- Stations are found at regular intervals along the coastal road, but be prepared to pay more per gallon than you would in the United States. Gasoline prices are soaring, and who knows what petrol will cost at the time of your visit. If you drive inland, plan ahead as stations are few and far between.

Holidays -- Jamaica observes the following public holidays: New Year's Day, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday, National Labour Day (late May), Independence Day (a Monday in early Aug), National Heroes Day (3rd Monday in Oct), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day (Dec 26).

Internet Access -- Access to the Web is usually arranged through your hotel.

Language -- English is the language of the land but it's spoken with a definite accent. Jamaicans have invented their own patois as well, with a series of constantly evolving idioms. You'd really have to live in Jamaica and become Jamaican -- for example, women are commonly referred to as "him." If your beauty is being complimented, a Jamaican might tell you -- "tree nag grow in yuh face."

Lost & Found -- Forget it, especially the lost. In this poor country, Jamaicans seem to feel that "finders are keepers."

Mail -- Instead of going to a post office, you can, in most cases, give mail to the hotel reception. Most hotels also sell stamps. Allow about a week for an airmail postcard or letter to reach North America. Increases in postal charges may be implemented at any time, so ask about the current rate before depositing mail. For mail to any business listed in this book, remember to include "Jamaica, W.I." in the address. Call tel. 876/922-9431 in Kingston with questions. For important items, consider a courier service such as DHL (tel. 876/922-7333) or Federal Express (tel. 876/952-0411).

Newspapers & Magazines -- Jamaica supports three daily newspapers (Daily Gleaner, The Jamaica Record, and Daily Star), several weekly periodicals, and a handful of other publications. U.S. newsmagazines, such as Time and Newsweek, as well as occasional copies of the Miami Herald, are available at most newsstands.

Nudity -- Nude sunbathing and swimming are allowed at a number of hotels, clubs, and beaches (especially in Negril), but only where signs state that swimsuits are optional. Elsewhere, law enforcement officials won't even allow topless sunbathing.

Passports -- For Residents of the United States: Whether you're applying in person or by mail, you can download passport applications from the U.S. Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov. To find your regional passport office, either check the U.S. Department of State website or call the toll-free number of the National Passport Information Center (tel. 877/487-2778) for automated information.

For Residents of Canada: Passport applications are available at travel agencies throughout Canada or from the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca). Note: Canadian children who travel must have their own passport.

For Residents of Ireland: You can apply for a 10-year passport at the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh). Those under age 18 and over 65 must apply for a 3-year passport. You can also apply at 1A South Mall, Cork (tel. 021/494-4700), or at most main post offices.

For Residents of Australia: You can pick up an application from your local post office or any branch of passports Australia, but you must schedule an interview at the passport office to present your application materials. Call the Australian Passport Information Service at tel. 131-232 or visit the government website at www.smarttraveler.gov.au.

For Residents of New Zealand: You can pick up a passport application at any New Zealand Passports Office or download it from their website. Contact the Passports Office at tel. 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100, or log on to www.passports.govt.nz.

Pharmacies -- Prescriptions are only accepted by local pharmacies if they were issued by a Jamaican doctor. Luckily, hotels have doctors on call. If you need any particular medicine or treatment, bring evidence, such as a letter from your own physician. For the most convenient local pharmacies, refer to "Fast Facts" in each regional chapter.

Police -- Dial tel. 119.

Radio & TV -- Jamaica is served by two major radio broadcasters. Radio Jamaica (RJR) is the more popular of the two, partly because of its musical mix of reggae, rock 'n' roll, and talk-show material. RJR's two island-wide services are known as Supreme Sound and FAME FM. The second broadcaster is Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC), which also operates the island's only television station (JBC-TV, established in 1963). Many of the better hotels offer CNN and other satellite channels.

Taxes -- The government imposes a 10% to 15% room tax, depending on your category of hotel. You'll be charged a US$37 (£19) departure tax at the airport, payable in either Jamaican or U.S. dollars. There's also a 20% government tax on rental cars and a 20% tax on all overseas phone calls.

Telephones -- The island's phone system is expensive for overseas calls but local calls are inexpensive unless your hotel decides to impose an unreasonable surcharge. Ask when you check in. Some hotels impose a 1,000% markup on overseas calls. With some exceptions, all Jamaican phone numbers have seven digits. To place a local call, simply dial the number. But if you're calling, say, Kingston from Montego Bay, precede the number with a 1. To call the United States from Jamaica, dial 1 and then your desired number.

Telegraph, Telex, Fax -- Even the island's smallest hotels maintain their own fax machines. For telexes, contact the local branch of Cable & Wireless Jamaica, the country's telecommunications operators. In Kingston, its address is 47 Half Way Tree Rd. (tel. 876/926-9700).

Time -- During the winter, Jamaica is on Eastern Standard Time, the same as New York and Toronto. When the United States is on daylight saving time, however, it's 6am in Miami and 5am in Kingston; Jamaica does not switch to DST.

Tipping -- Tipping is customary in Jamaica. Typically 10% or 15% is expected in hotels and restaurants on occasions when you would normally tip. Most places add a service charge to the bill, but a little extra (3%-5%) is often expected for good service. Tipping is not "officially" allowed at all-inclusive resorts.

Toilets -- Don't expect to find convenient toilets if you're traveling around Jamaica. If you're in need, you may have to do as the locals do and take "to the bush." Even in built-up resort areas, public toilets are not always available, and cleanliness can be an issue. In resorts, toilets are found in hotel lobbies, bars, restaurants, museums, department stores, bus stations, service stations, and at the airport. Fast food restaurants generally have clean facilities. Restaurants and bars in some resorts may be reserved for patrons.

Useful Telephone Numbers -- Ambulance, tel. 110; fire, tel. 110; police, tel. 119; time, tel. 117; toll operator and telephone assistance on local and intraisland calls, tel. 112; overseas calls operator, tel. 113; Post and Telephone Department, tel. 876/922-9430.

Water -- It's usually safe to drink tap water island-wide; however, it's prudent to drink bottled water, if available. We do.