Planning a Trip

Arriving by Plane -- International arrivals are at Norman Manley International Airport (tel. 876/924-8452), while domestic flights -- say, from Montego Bay -- fly into the smaller Tinson Pen Airport.

Norman Manley Airport lies 27km (17 miles) southeast of the center of Kingston. Guard your luggage carefully, as there have been many reports of theft -- sometimes involving baggage handlers.

Getting from the Airports into the City -- If you're driving in a rented car, do not stop even if someone is flagging you down. That person appearing to be in distress might actually be an armed robber.

The best way to get into town is aboard an officially sanctioned JUTA taxi (tel. 876/927-4536). The cost of a ride is about US$25 (£13) from Norman Manley airport, US$19 (£9.50) from Tinson Pen airport.

Visitor Information -- The main office of the Jamaica Tourist Board is at 64 Knutsford Blvd. (tel. 876/929-9200), open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.

City Layout

Downtown Kingston is the historic core, rising just north of the waterfront and harbor. The "main street" is King Street, heading north from the water to the Parade. King Street begins at Ocean Boulevard and runs north to Sir William Grant Park.

Parallel to Ocean Boulevard run two more arteries -- Port Royal Street and Harbour Street, bordered by North and South Parade.

Getting Around -- Driving around Kingston is a journey into hysteria. The public bus transportation is horrendous, and foreigners are often pickpocketed. Thus, the taxi is the most reliable form of transportation. Official taxis with red license plates fall under the JUTA umbrella, the government-sanctioned taxi agency (tel. 876/927-4536). Your hotel will call one (unless one is parked out front). Taxis meet arriving planes, and are also plentiful in the shopping district.

Fares are charged per car, not per passenger. Because most taxis aren't metered, tell the driver where you are going and agree on the rate before getting in. Make sure you and the cabbie agree on which dollars you are talking about -- American or Jamaican.