Traveling in Jamaica

Things You Should Know About Moving Around on the Island

May 25, 2008 Jessica McCurdy Crooks

The article provides information to guide visitors to Jamaica on the various modes of transportation and what to expect on the roads.

Moving around in Jamaica is an adventure in and of itself, but it’s not something many tourists get a chance to do. Anyone brave enough to venture out on their own should be aware of the uniqueness of the Jamaican traveling experience.

Modes of Transportation

Tourists can travel around the island in a number of ways, the most common being tour buses, but there are also rental cars, bikes and mopeds.

Experiencing more of the real Jamaica will mean opting for "route taxis" or even buses. Route taxis, the main means of transportation, operate on designated routes. Don’t expect comfort, as drivers usually exceed the number of passengers allowed by law.

You may opt for charter taxis, which are similar to cabs anywhere in the world. Very few are metered, and they are much more expensive but drive the passenger around exclusively. Whichever you choose, take one with a red license plate, indicating that they are licensed to carry passengers.

Be sure to ask the fare before starting the journey. Having local currency in hundred or five hundred dollar bills makes payment easier.

Transportation costs vary greatly in the island with rates running from a few US Dollars to over a $100 depending on type of transportation and length of the journey. Route taxis and buses are much cheaper than chartered taxis and rentals.

Rental Services

The top rental companies in Jamaica are Budget Car Rental, Avis Car Rental and Island Car Rental. There are numerous other car rental companies across the island, especially in the tourist centers of Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril and Kingston.

To rent a car, you must have valid drivers’ license for at least a year, and you need a credit card since most agencies do not accept cash.

Drive on the Left

Many North American visitors initially have difficulty adjusting to driving on the left. However, this will be the least of their concerns, as Jamaican roads are notoriously narrow, winding and in many areas feature poor surfaces.

Give Way to Animals

Whether in rural areas or urban towns such as Kingston or Montego Bay, look out for stray animals. Donkey-drawn carts are often seen in many parts of the country sharing the roadway cars. Carts are generally used to transport goods to and from the market.

The Toll Road

Luckily, the country’s roadway is being modernized with a network of modern highways. Although not yet completed, visitors traveling around the North Coast area have much better and wider roads these days. Motorists using the toll roads in the vicinity of Old Harbour, Spanish Town and Portmore pay fees. These vary from $60 for a class one vehicle to a high of $500 for class three.

Honk, Honk

Jamaican drivers honk their horns for various reasons and sometimes for no reason at all. Blowing the horn could be a greeting, or it could mean a driver giving way… and like other motorists around the world, they honk when angry.

Whatever you chose as your way of moving around Jamaica, do have a camera or camcorder ready to capture the colorful and sometimes unbelievable sights you are almost guaranteed to see.

The copyright of the article Traveling in Jamaica in Latin Am/Caribbean Travel is owned by Jessica McCurdy Crooks. Permission to republish Traveling in Jamaica in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Father & Son

Streetside vending