Setting Your Watch
Jamaica observes Eastern Standard Time (EST), but does not participate in Daylight Savings Time.
What to Plug In
Outlets here are the same kind that you'd encounter in America or Canada (110 V, 50 Hz AC).
Dressing for the Weather
The only thing better than Jamaica's ideal year-round climate is its position in the Caribbean Sea. Hurricanes only hit the islands about once every thirty years, and the weather is otherwise dry compared to most other Caribbean countries.
Best Times to Visit
Jamaica is a huge tourist destination in the fall and winter months, and in the summertime, it's an especially popular destination for honeymooners, fisherman, and scuba divers. The best time to visit is in spring when crowds are at their thinnest.
How to say "Hello"
Hello! English is the official spoken language of Jamaica, but many residents speak it with a dialect or heavy African/Creole patois.
Local Customs
If someone in parting tells you to "walk good," they're not requesting that you improve your stride - in fact, they're just wishing you good luck and farewell.
Must-have Meals
Jamaica offers one of the most healthy varieties of food in the Caribbean because of its use of unprocessed foods and small quantities of meat. The scotch bonnet pepper is Jamaica's indigenous version of the habanera pepper, and it is a major ingredient in many Jamaican dishes. Jerk sauce made from the pimento berry (otherwise known as allspice) is also very popular, and usually accompanies rice and chicken dishes.
Paying Up
The official currency of Jamaica is the Jamaician dollar (JMD) - which has an exchange rate of about 69 JMD per US dollar.
Recreation and Relaxation
Jamaica is one of the most all-inclusive island groups in the Caribbean. Visitors can partake in any activity they could possibly desire-including windsurfing, boating, diving, hiking in the Blue Mountains, golfing, and participating in local cultural festivities. At the end of the day, several spas offer beachfront massages, energy treatments, and other relaxation amenities to help you unwind and relax.
Official Website:
http://www.visitjamaica.com/default.aspx |
