Jamaica is often times referred to as a cultural superpower, because though a very small island nation, it’s name and various aspects of it’s culture especially music is world renowned. Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean and is one of the larger set of islands referred to as the Greater Antilles. Jamaica’s neighbors are Haiti to the north east, Cuba to the north and Cayman Islands to the north west. The island is made up of coastal lowlands, a limestone plateau, and the Blue Mountains, a group of volcanic hills, in the east.

Jamaica is the third largest English speaking country in the western hemisphere and a founding member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The majority of people living in Jamaica today are descendants of African slaves brought to Jamaica in the late 17th to early 19th centuries. There are also many people descended from Indians, Chinese whose forefathers migrated here to fill the large labour gap which resulted form the abolishing of slavery in 1834. Various other minority groups have migrated to Jamaica over the years which gives true meaning to the national motto “Out of many One People.”

Airport info:
Passport – Visitors to Jamaica require a valid passport and should be in possession of a return or onward ticket. British citizens must hold a full 10-year passport valid for at least 6 months from entry date into Jamaica. Canadians are permitted to enter Jamaica with a certificate of citizenship with photo, along with an original birth certificate. All American citizens travelling to or from the Caribbean will need a valid passport to re-enter the United States, and US residents must present their Green/Alien Resident Card together with a valid passport for their country of citizenship.

Departure tax – An airport departure tax of J$1000 is payable by all passengers over the age of 12 years when departing Jamaica. In most cases will be included in the cost of your airline ticket. If not, it is payable on check-in. Only cash, either US or Jamaica dollars, is accepted as payment.

Location – Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay on the north coast, Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston or Ian Fleming International Airport near Ocho Rios

Main airlines:
UK

• Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick to Montego Bay and Kingston.
• British Airways from London Gatwick to Kingston and Montego Bay.
• Thomas Cook Airlines from Gatwick and Manchester to Montego Bay.
• Thomson Airways from Manchester and Gatwick to Montego Bay.

Mainland Europe

• (all flights into Montego Bay) - Condor from Frankfurt and Munich. Air Berlin from Dusseldorf.Martinair and Holland Excel from Amsterdam.

USA

• Air Jamaica/Caribbean Airlines to Montego Bay from Fort Lauderdale, Miami to Kingston, New York (JFK) daily to both Montego Bay and Kingston, and Philadelphia to Montego Bay – BW code share.
• American Airlines into Montego Bay from New York (JFK), Dallas and Miami, and into Kingston from Miami.
• Continental Airlines into Montego Bay from Newark, Houston, Miami and into Kingston from Newark.
• United Airlines, into Montego Bay from Chicago and Washington DC.
• US Airways, into Montego Bay from Charlotte (NC), Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
• Spirit Airways from Fort Lauderdale to Montego Bay and Kingston, and Orlando to Montego Bay.
• Delta Airlines from Cincinnati to Montego Bay.
• JetBlue Airways from New York (JFK) to Montego Bay and Kingston and from Orlando to Montego Bay.
• Air Tran Airways from Atlanta, Baltimore-Washington and Orlando to Montego Bay.

Canada

• Air Canada and Air Jamaica/Caribbean Airlines from Toronto to Montego Bay and Kingston.
• Central America
• Copa Airlines, from Panama to Kingston.

Currency: Jamaican Dollar J$85 US$1 (approximately). Vendors often prefer the US dollar. Many establishments list prices in US dollars.

Language: English and Patois

General information:
Capital city – Kingston
Population – 2,847,232
Area (size) – 10, 992 sq km
Country code +1-876
Electricity 110V