Going to en Jamaïque: Formalities and administrative steps

Organize your stay en Jamaïque

Money Money en Jamaïque

The currency is the Jamaican dollar (JMD). The US dollar (US$) is also widely used, especially in tourist areas, and is accepted everywhere. Many ATMs offer a choice of both currencies. However, it's always better to pay in JMD. Always bring cash to avoid any inconvenience, and negotiate as best you can. It's not worth changing money, so it's better to withdraw Jamaican dollars directly, if possible with a card offering free withdrawals abroad.

The exchange rate in February 2025 is: 100 JMD = 0.61 € = 0.63 US$; 1US$ = 158 JMD. Please note that the Jamaican dollar fluctuates widely. The reference is therefore often the US dollar, especially in major hotels and at the entrance to tourist attractions.

Budget & Tips Budget & Tips en Jamaïque

Prices in supermarkets, souvenir stores and international-standard restaurants are much higher than in France, as inflation in Jamaica is correlated with that in the USA. The following average budgets correspond to daily expenses on site, including hotel, food, visits and miscellaneous expenses. Small budget: US$50 to US$100 per day; medium budget: US$100 to US$200 per day; large budget: over US$200 per day.

Passport and visas Passport and visas en Jamaïque

For French, Swiss, Belgians and Canadians, no visa is required for stays of 30 days or less. All you need is a passport valid for 6 months after your return from Jamaica. A visa is required for a stay of more than 30 days, or for a business trip. To extend your stay without a visa, contact the Immigration Office in Kingston (JMD 10,000 to extend your visa to 60 days).

Please note: if your plane makes a stopover in the U.S., as is often the case on the way to Jamaica, you must obtain an ESTA form. Travelers must apply for this form no later than 72 hours before departure. The document costs US$21 and is payable online (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/).

Driver's license Driver's license en Jamaïque

Your French driver's license is sufficient to rent a car in Jamaica.

Health Health en Jamaïque

There are no major health risks in Jamaica. Worry at worst about sunstroke or mosquito bites! A few cases of dengue fever have been observed, and the chikungunya epidemic that struck the island in 2016 has now been resolved. However, optimal protection against mosquitoes is essential. Avian flu has also hit the country, but nothing to worry about. No vaccinations are required to enter the country; simply check that your vaccinations are up to date. No special food or water precautions are required either. All standard medicines and parapharmaceuticals are available locally, albeit at rather high prices.

Water. Tap water is of excellent quality, drawn from the island's pure springs. However, avoid drinking it unfiltered. Bottled water is preferable to avoid digestive problems, but it can help out on occasion! There are no special precautions to take, and you shouldn't be suspicious of ice cubes, but if in doubt, ask which water they're made from... Mineral water, whether local or imported, is quite expensive.

Dengue epidemic: take care. Beware of mosquito bites. In 2023, there was a dengue epidemic in Jamaica, while the last one was in 2019. Nevertheless, the numbers have fallen in 2024. The epidemic mainly affects the local population living in communes with no running water and a high urban concentration, and increases during the rainy season when mosquitoes are more numerous, especially in the parishes of St Thomas, Trelawny, Hanover and St James. To protect yourself, use mosquito repellent during the day, as it is the tiger mosquito, which bites during the day, that carries it.

Mandatory vaccination Mandatory vaccination en Jamaïque

No vaccinations are required to enter Jamaica.

Security Security en Jamaïque

Jamaica's high crime rate is largely due to the violent ghettos of Kingston, Spanish Town and Montego Bay. Guns are commonplace, and if you add to that drug trafficking and political feuds between gangs, you arrive at record homicide rates. With 1,498 murders recorded in 2023, i.e. more than 4 deaths a day, the crime rate reached a record high... Before dropping slightly to 1,141 murders in 2024.
However, it is confined to the poorer districts of the capital (Downtown, August Town and River Town), Spanish Town and certain areas of Montego Bay (Klanbers, Norwood, Quarie and Salt Spring). For the most part, these were settlements of scores between gangs and/or drug dealers. Faced with this spike in violence since 2017 and the surge in violent crime, Jamaica has declared a state of emergency in the city of Montego Bay and increased the military and police presence there.

For the latest information on local security, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie. gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers, which may give - wrongly - a somewhat alarmist picture of the situation in the country.

Time difference Time difference en Jamaïque

Time zone: UTC-5 (Universal Time minus 5 hours). No daylight saving time. There is a 6-hour time difference with France in winter, 7 hours in summer. When it's noon in Paris in January, it's only 6 a.m. in Kingston.

Spoken languages Spoken languages en Jamaïque

English is the official language, but Patwa, also known as Jamaican Creole, remains the national language. Most islanders use this language for everyday conversation, but are happy to address foreigners in English. In some areas, especially rural ones, however, Patwa is the only language spoken, and can be difficult to understand. It can be very useful to incorporate a few words of Patwa into your daily vocabulary: the local population appreciates the linguistic effort made by foreigners, and this has a number of advantages, not least of which is that you will be charged less.

Communication Communication en Jamaïque

Hotels all have wifi, with varying degrees of speed and power, as do the more upscale restaurants. Make sure you have a local SIM card and Internet data to really use it everywhere.

Electricity and measurements Electricity and measurements en Jamaïque

Electricity: Voltage in Jamaica varies between 110 V and 220 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. You'll need a type A or B adapter to plug in your European appliances.

Weight: weights are given inpounds. 1 kg = 2.20 lbs and 1lbs = 0.45 kg.

Measurements: given infeet andinches. 1 foot = 30.48 cm and 1 cm = 0.032 foot.

Luggage Luggage en Jamaïque

Whatever the season, it's hot in Jamaica. Bring shorts, T-shirts and short-sleeved shirts, as well as light, breathable shoes. Don't forget a raincoat or small umbrella if you plan to explore the Portland area and the Blue Mountains. For the mid-altitude central regions, pack a sweatshirt, light sweater or summer jacket for the evenings, which are often cool, but never cold. For hikes in the Blue Mountains, bring at least one pair of walking shoes and one or two light sweaters.

Daily life en Jamaïque

Hello? Hello? en Jamaïque

To call from Jamaica to France, dial +33 followed by your correspondent's number without the 0.

To call from France to Jamaica, dial +1 876 followed by the 7-digit number.

For local calls: dial the 7-digit number.

Cell phone. We advise you to buy a local SIM card with Internet data and phone credit (make sure your phone is set up properly by the seller), as wifi is often unreliable in hotels, and GPS is very useful, both on foot and by car. You'll find stores in both airports and chip and credit vendors in the streets of the main towns.

Accessibility Accessibility en Jamaïque

There are hotels and shopping malls accessible to people with reduced mobility in tourist resorts, but in ordinary Jamaican places there are no facilities.

Health Health en Jamaïque

For contact details of doctors usually consulted by French nationals, call the French Consulate (13 Hillcrest Avenue Kingston - Tel. +1 876 619 7812 - www.jm.ambafrance.org). Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm.

Emergency numbers Emergency numbers en Jamaïque

119 is the number for general emergencies (fire, accident, breakdown service, etc.).

In case of illness, contact the French Consulate (Tel. +1 876 619 7812 - www.jm.ambafrance.org). They will be happy to help you and provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors. In the event of a serious problem, he or she will also inform the family and decide on repatriation. For a list of emergency services and facilities meeting international standards, visit www.diplomatie.gouv.fr and www.pasteur.fr

Securty Securty en Jamaïque

Crime in Jamaica is one of the highest in the world. A sad record, and one that worries tourists. In reality, however, crime is highly concentrated in areas controlled by gangs vying for the drug trade, mainly in Spanish Town, Kingston and Montego Bay, but also in the parish of Claredon, the country's trafficking base. And even then, only in certain areas, where tourists obviously have nothing to do. Port Antonio, for example, far from the hustle and bustle, is a very quiet parish. Contrary to popular belief, it's perfectly possible to travel to Jamaica alone, or even as a family. As elsewhere in the world, common-sense safety rules apply: after a certain hour, use cabs, don't show signs of affluence, and avoid being unpleasant or aggressive. Generally speaking, tourists are very well received in Jamaica, and hotels, restaurants and other tourist facilities are extremely benevolent, always ready to help and give good advice, with guarded parking and entrances, which makes things easier and the places very safe. On the other hand, mistrust being the mother of safety, you'll need to make sure you're always well looked after on the spot, or even use the services of specialized structures that enable you to easily get to many interesting places, especially in the evening, accompanied by locals. This will give you a much more authentic view of the island at its best. The real danger comes from the roads, as many Jamaicans drive at breakneck speed, while others are too slow and get stuck in traffic... And the sometimes enormous potholes on the road are very accident-prone in these conditions. So be careful!

LGBTQ LGBTQ en Jamaïque

Jamaica is unfortunately a country where homophobia is commonplace. This means that gay couples are advised not to indulge in public effusions, as homosexuality is still punishable by prison sentences in the country.

Embassies and consulates Embassies and consulates en Jamaïque

Embassy of France in Kingston (13 Hillcrest Avenue - Tel. +1 876 619 7812 - www.jm.ambafrance.org). Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm, by appointment only. The Embassy is closed on public holidays. This embassy represents France and its citizens in Jamaica and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Here you can carry out various administrative formalities: requests for official documents (passport, identity card), visa applications, family advice, voting rights and elections, certificates, attestations...

Mail Mail en Jamaïque

You'll find them just about everywhere. Post offices are generally open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. The price of an economy letter to France is around JMD 140. Delivery times vary, but please allow at least two weeks.

Local media Local media en Jamaïque

The island has many daily newspapers(The Daily Gleaner, The Observer and The Star), but also local newspapers like The Western Mirror in Montego Bay and The North Coast Times in Ocho Rios. Radio is very popular in Jamaica; the most famous is Radio Jamaica, but there is also 105. Television is also very popular: the best known national channels are Television Jamaica and CVM TV. The media enjoys complete freedom of expression.