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About Jamaica
Adapted from Wikipedia
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles,
240 kilometers (150 mi) in length and as much as 85
kilometers (50 mi) in width situated in the Caribbean
Sea. It is 635 kilometers (391 mi) east of the Central
American mainland, 150 kilometers (93 mi) south of Cuba,
and 180 kilometers (112 mi) west of the island of Hispaniola,
on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated.
Its indigenous Arawakan-speaking Taíno inhabitants
named the island Xaymaca, meaning either the "Land
of Springs," or the "Land of Wood and Water."
Formerly a Spanish possession known as Santiago, it
later became the British West Indies Crown colony of
Jamaica. It is the third most populous anglophone country
in the Americas, after the United States and Canada.
Getting to Jamaica
Adapted from Wikitravel
By plane
Both Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston
and Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego
Bay receive hundreds of international flights daily.
There are smaller airports in Negril and Ocho Rios as
well as another smaller one in Kingston, which can be
accessed by smaller, private aircraft.
By train
Jamaica has about 250 route miles of railroad, of which
77 is currently active to handle privately operated
bauxite (aluminum ore) trains. Passenger and public
freight service ceased in 1992, but increasing road
congestion and poor highway conditions have caused the
government to re-examine the commercial feasibility
of rail operations.
By car
Jamaican roads are not renowned for their upkeep. Roads
in and around major cities are generally overcongested,
and rural roads can be dangerous, especially in inclement
weather. Alert and courteous driving is advised at all
times. There are very few north-south routes as well,
so travel from the north to the south can involve treks
on mountain roads. These trips can induce nausea in
the more weak of stomach, so it is advisable that if
you suffer from motion sickness to bring dramamine or
similar medication. Roads can be very narrow, and be
especially alert when going around bends.
Jamaica, as a former British colony, drives on the
left. Make note of this when driving, especially when
turning, crossing the street, and yielding right of
way.
There are relatively few stoplights. These only are
generally found in major city centers, such as Montego
Bay, Kingston, and Ocho Rios.
Renting a car is easily done, and it is advised to
go through a major international car rental company
such as Hertz or Avis, but good Jamaican rental companies
exist, such as Island Car Rental http://www.islandcarrentals.com/
Do your research before renting and driving.
By boat
It is not advised to travel by boat unless the service
is operated by a hotel or tourism company. It is not
a quick way to get around unless you want to tour the
coastline. Many fishermen may offer this service to
willing tourists but they may overcharge or even rob
you of your possessions.
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