Planning a Trip

Visitor Information

There is no Jamaica Tourist Board office here. Get information from the Central & South Tourism Committee at the Astra Country Inn, on the western outskirts (tel. 876/962-9758, 876/376-6176, or 876/450-3443), open daily 9am to 5pm.

Fast Facts

Banks -- A branch of National Commercial Bank (tel. 876/962-2083) can be found at 9 Manchester Rd.; open Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 3pm, Friday 8:30am to 4pm.

Hospital -- The town's major hospital, Mandeville Hospital, Hargreaves Avenue (tel. 876/962-2067), is the best medical center in the Central Highlands of Jamaica.

Internet Access -- The Internet Café at Manchester Shopping Centre (tel. 876/961-1829) is the largest in Jamaica, boasting 20 computers and charging J$200 (US$3.20) per half-hour. It is open Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 5pm, Friday 8:30am to 4pm.

Mail -- The Mandeville Post Office, South Racecourse (tel. 876/962-3229), is open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. To mail packages, it's more efficient to use Airpak Express, 11 Caledonia Rd. (tel. 876/962-5101). Include "Jamaica, W.I." in all island addresses. At press time for this edition, the island had no zip codes, despite efforts that had been made throughout 2005 to inaugurate them within the Jamaican postal system.

Pharmacy -- The most convenient drugstore is the Caledonia Mall Pharmacy, Shop G5, Caledonia Road (tel. 876/962-0038), open Monday to Friday 8am to 5:30pm, Saturday 8am to 5pm.

Safety -- The police station, 8 Parkerson Rd. (tel. 876/962-2250), is on the north side of the central village green. Of all Jamaica's cities, Mandeville is the safest; still, take all the usual precautions.

Travel Agencies -- The best one is Sterling Travel, Caledonia Plaza (tel. 876/962-2203), open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.