Jamaica
General Information for Jamaica
Geo-political:
Capital City: Kingston.
Nationality: (noun) Jamaican, (adjective) Jamaican.
Population: 2,825,928.
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 1-876.
Number of Internal Airports: 12.
Major Languages Spoken: English, English patois.
Economy:
Currency: 1 Jamaican Dollar (JMD) of 100 Cents.
Main Industries: Tourism, bauxite/alumina, agro processing, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal,
paper, chemical products and telecommunications.
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Other Maritime Claims: Contiguous Zone: 24 n.m. Continental Shelf: 200 n.m. or to edge of the continental
margin. Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 1,022 km.
Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior.
Natural Resources: Bauxite, gypsum and limestone.
Natural Hazards: Hurricanes (especially July to November).
Terrain: Mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain.
Average Temperatures:
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 30° C | 19° C |
| June | 32° C | 22° C |
| September | 32° C | 22° C |
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
Single window system for the ports of Jamaica is available to registered users and
provides an electronic platform which integrates the multiple systems operated by
a variety of public and private organisations that make up a seaport, airport or inland
port community. Jamaica PCS (Port Community System) is available at
www.jamaicapcs.com
CARICOM APIS:
CARICOM Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) came into effect in 2007. Regional
and international vessels (and aircraft) are required to submit advance passenger
information prior to arrival in and upon departure from any of the 12 member states
forming the single domestic space. The 12 member states are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados,
Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the
Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago
Electronic notices of arrival and departures (eNOAD) files must be submitted within
the time period specified as follows:
- arriving from a port outside the domestic space no later than 24 hours prior to arrival
- arriving from a port within the domestic space no later than one hour prior to arrival at the next port within the domestic space
- departure to a port outside the domestic space no later than 15 minutes after departure from a port within the domestic space.
The Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) was nominated by the CARICOM participating
member states as their agent for collection, collation and dissemination of API.
Access to the system is for registered users only, with registration and log in at
www.caricomeapis.org
Contact:
JRCC Bridgetown, Barbados. T: +1 246 435 4659. F: +1 246 228 4040.
[email protected]
www.caricomeapis.org
POLLUTION:
The Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard (JDFCG) has the responsibility for the coordination
and direction of response efforts at the scene of an incident in marine waters.
The Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard (JDFCG). T: +1 876 967 8193 (24 hrs) or +1 876
967 8031. F: +1 876 967 8278.
[email protected]
MEDICAL:
The standard of medical facilities, both private and government operated, can vary
throughout Jamaica; getting access to medication can be challenging. Medical treatment
can be expensive with doctors and hospitals often expecting immediate cash payment
for health services. Make sure you have adequate health insurance and accessible funds
to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Mosquito-borne diseases, such as Zika, Dengue fever and Chikungunya have been confirmed
in Jamaica.
FUEL:
Three bunkering companies are approved to act as retail suppliers of bunker fuel to
ships calling at Jamaican ports and transiting Jamaican waters: Aegean Marine Petroleum
Network Inc.; Petrotec Marine Petroleum Ltd; West Indies Petroleum.
Aegean Bunkering (USA) LLC. T: +1 (212) 430 1100. F: +1 (212) 207 9298.
www.ampni.com
Petrotec Marine Petroleum Ltd. T: +1 876 618 2001. F: +1 876 978 3801.
[email protected]
www.petrotecltd.com
West Indies Petroleum. T: +1 876 929 0093. F: +1 (876) 620 6868.
[email protected]
www.westindiespetroleum.com
SURVEYORS:
Maritime Authority of Jamaica/Jamaica Ship Registry. T: +1 876 922 5766 (Registry).
T: +1 876 967 1060. F: +1 876 922 5765.
[email protected]
[email protected]
HOLIDAYS:
1 January (New Year's Day); Ash Wednesday (in accordance with calendar); Good Friday
(in accordance with calendar); Easter Monday (in accordance with calendar); 23 May
(Labour Day); Independence Day (first Monday in August); National Heroes Day (third
Monday in October); 25 December (Christmas Day); 26 December (Boxing Day). These holidays
are sometimes subject to change in accordance with Government Proclamations.
WEATHER/TIDES:
Natural Disasters:
The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. You should
monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov and follow the advice of the local authorities
odpem.org.jm including any evacuation orders. Jamaica is prone to earthquakes.
CONSULS:
Contact details of foreign representatives in Jamaica available from the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade.
mfaft.gov.jm
SHORE LEAVE:
Crime levels are high, particularly in and around certain areas of Kingston and Montego
Bay. Gang violence and shootings are common, although usually confined to inner city
neighbourhoods. Be especially cautious if you are travelling to West Kingston, Grant’s
Pen, August Town, Harbour View, Spanish Town and certain parts of Montego Bay, including
Flankers, Barrett Town, Norwood, Glendevon, Rose Heights and Mount Salem.
The motive for most attacks on foreign visitors is robbery. There are mobile police
patrols, but you should take steps to protect yourself and your belongings. Be vigilant
at all times. Do not resist in the event of an attempted robbery. If you need the
police in an emergency, telephone 119.
Do not walk alone in isolated areas or on deserted beaches, even during the day. Take
particular care when withdrawing money from ATMs. Don’t carry large amounts of cash
or wear eye-catching jewellery. Try to vary which restaurants you use; using the same
place too often might make you a target for thieves. Avoid using buses at night.
REPATRIATION:
Arrival and departure taxes are usually included in the cost of your ticket, but this
isn’t always the case for charter flights. Departure tax is USD35 for air passengers.
Check with your carrier if you are unsure whether the tax has been included in your
ticket. Landing fees for cruise ship passengers are usually included in the cost of
the cruise.
It is permitted to bring local currency (Jamaican dollars) into the country; however,
passengers entering Jamaica must declare on their Customs form all currencies and
monetary instruments they are carrying if it amounts to USD10,000 or more.
Personal imports of meat and dairy products are banned. Customs officials may search
baggage and will destroy banned foodstuffs.
