Capital: Kingston

Population: 2,506,000

Island Size: 146 miles long and between 22 and 51 miles wide; 4,411 square miles.

Electric Current: Mostly 110 volt. Adapters are supplied by most hotels, but are always a smart travel accessory.

Medical Emergencies: There are numerous hospitals and clinics on the island.

Time Zone: Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -5 hours

Daylight Saving Time: No known DST-adjustments for year 2000

Marriage Info: Process: Apply for a marriage license.
                   Wait Period: 24 hours
                   Documents to bring: Birth certificates

Climate: Temperatures range from high 70° to mid-80° F. Annual rainfall averages 78 inches. Rains and storms frequent Jamaica May through October but usually don't hang around long.

Official Language: English.

Currency: The Jamaican dollar - US dollars widely accepted.

Taxes: The government tax is 12.5% and hotels will add a service charge of 10% to your bill.

Dress Code: Casual - a lightweight jacket or sweater for the evenings; some hotels and restaurants require jackets for men when dining. Topless and nude sunbathing is acceptable on specified private beaches.

Telephone: Local area code is 876.

Getting To Jamaica: Served by Air Canada, Air Jamaica, ALM, American Airlines, Northwest Airlines, TWA and US Airways.

Entry Documents: Proof of citizenship for US and Canadian citizens, (passport or birth certificate with a photo ID). Passports required for citizens of other countries. All visitors must have an ongoing or return ticket.

Airport: Vacationer's typically fly into Sangster airport in Montego Bay. Kingston's Norman Manley airport is the second most highly used airport mostly for business or resident traffic.

Departure Tax: US$27

Driving: On the left - valid driver's license is required.

Local Transportation: Local transportation : Taxis are not regulated by the government. Drivers may increase rates at night because they can. Set the price for your trip before you leave. Buses in Kingston and Montego Bay are cheaper but can be dangerous. Car rentals are very expensive, but may be necessary to explore outside the major tourist areas. Make sure you have insurance coverage. Driving is difficult in Jamaica and can be risky, especially to those unused to driving on the left. Hiring a local driver may be your best bet. Also, take advantage of any hotel or restaurant offered transportation.

Churches: Below are some of the main churches in Negril. There are many churches in
Jamaica and we made the Guinness Book of Record for the country with the most churches per sq. mile.

• United Church (Presby)
• Seven Day Adventist
  
• United Penticostal
• Roman Catholic
• New Testament Church of God
• Assemblies of God
• Anglican Episcopal
• Jehovah Witness
  

For more information, contact:
Jamaica Tourist Board
64 Knutsford Boulevard
P.O. Box 360
Kingston 5, Jamaica
Ph. (876) 920-4924
Fax: (876) 929-9375
1-800-233-4JTB