Travel Information From Costa Rica to Jamaica

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Routine Vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (Influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Shingles

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Cholera

There is no longer active cholera transmission and vaccine is not recommended.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Jamaica.
Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.
Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.
Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages to Jamaica.

Measles

Infants 6 to 11 months old traveling internationally should get 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as part of the routine childhood vaccination series.

Jamaica is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Yellow Fever

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission.

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.

Local Phrases Language : English and Jamaican Patois

Local Phrases :

• Kingston: 0018769252016

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Contrary to popular belief, it’s illegal to smoke marijuana (‘ganja’) in Jamaica. There are penalties for all drug offences, including those involving ganja. Every year many British nationals are arrested for attempting to traffic ganja and other drugs. In April 2015, legislation came into force to decriminalise possession of small amounts of ganja. Possession of up to 2 ounces will continue to be illegal, but will be punishable by a fine of JMD500 which is payable within 30 days. Severe penalties will remain in place for other drug related offences, including attempting to export narcotics. All prison sentences are served in Jamaica. Prison conditions are harsh. Pack all luggage yourself and Don't carry anything through customs for anyone else. Local attitudes towards the LGBT community are mostly conservative throughout the Caribbean. In Jamaica, certain same-sex sexual activity is illegal. In practice these laws are rarely enforced. However, the attitude of many Jamaicans to the LGBT community is hostile. LGBT travellers should be mindful of local attitudes and be aware that public displays of affection may attract unwanted and negative attention. Public displays of affection (such as hand-holding or kissing) between opposite or same-sex couples are uncommon.

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Kingston

Kingston is the capital of the island of Jamaica, lying on its southeast coast. In the city center, the Bob Marley Museum is housed in the reggae singer’s former home. Nearby, Devon House is a colonial-era mansion with period furnishings. Hope Botanical Gardens & Zoo showcases native flora and fauna. Northeast of the city, the Blue Mountains are a renowned coffee-growing region with trails and waterfalls.

Customs Allowances : Click Here

Petty crime

Millions of travelers visit Jamaica each year, staying in resorts, Airbnbs, and villas. One of the key concerns travelers should have on the island is petty theft.

To avoid theft, keep your valuables and jewelry out of sight, Don't walk with your cell phone out, and before you book your accommodation ask if it provides a safe to keep your valuable items in, and if all doors and windows in your room have locks.

While out walking in Jamaica, look out for motorbike riders who can quickly snatch your handbag, phone or other valuables that are within reach.

Remember, most petty thefts are non-violent in nature, but if someone tries to rob you, Don't resist and just hand over the item to avoid getting injured or risking your life.

Gang crime

Jamaica has a high crime rate, but much of it is focused on gang violence in the inner-city, in communities that you're unlikely to visit as a traveler. Ask your accommodation which areas to avoid if you're unsure.

Drug crime

While it is unlikely you will be a victim of drug trafficking in Jamaica, it is important to be careful to keep an eye on your bags and belongings at all times.

As a visitor, you're more likely to be offered marijuana (locally known as ganja or weed), than you are to be used to smuggle drugs.

However, contrary to popular belief, the use of ganja is merely decriminalized in Jamaica. According to Jamaica’s Dangerous Drug Act, persons are allowed to possess a maximum of two ounces of marijuana, and anything exceeding this amount can result in a fine or jail time.

You cannot leave Jamaica with these two ounces. If any amount of marijuana is found in your possession at the airport, it will be confiscated, you will be fined or jailed, and you will most definitely miss your flight.

Other drugs are illegal in Jamaica and penalties are severe, including jail time.

Your best option is to simply not do drugs.

International Driving Permit 1949 is required

• The most common religion in Jamaica is Protestantism
• Don't forget to shake hands with direct eye contact and a friendly smile when greeting. Men sometimes pat each other’s shoulder or arm. Women may kiss on each cheek, starting with the right.
• Don't do eye contact with merchants unless you really want to buy something.
• Don't forget to use Jamaican dollar instead of US dollar.
• Don't expect Jamaicans to be indirect communicators - they are not afraid to say what they think, and they expect the same from others.
• Don't be surprised with smaller space between the persons when conversing - Jamaicans stand close to each other during conversations.
• Don't necessary - Try to get around without a driver or backpacking only on your own. You risk to be target of robbery or petty crime.
• Don't take the rides from strangers.
• Don't always expect the short distance when said "just around the corner" - it can be quite far.
• Don't expect sharp punctuality - Jamaica runs on "island time".
• Don't wear shiny expensive clothes or jewellery, - Don't show off with a lot of cash keep a low profile.
• Don't possess more than two ounces of marijuana - it’s still illegal, even its use is widespread.
• Don't sit under a ripe coconut tree - better to be safe than sorry, falling coconuts kill 150 people each year.
• Don't always expect much help from local police - they are not well funded, so their attention is mostly focused on more serious crime than stolen camera.
• Don't forget Jamaica has, in general, higher crime rates - always be cautious about the surroundings and don't necessarily - Try to bring fresh fruits, vegetables or uncooked meat into or out of Jamaica - customs officials can confiscate them.

Do I need travel insurance to travel to Jamaica?

Travel insurance is very important when traveling overseas. We strongly recommend that you take out cover to travel to Jamaica. You can usually take out single trip or annual multi-trip cover to give you peace of mind should anything happen.

It can be a better and cheaper option to take annual multi-trip cover as it usually covers any number of trips taken in one year with a maximum of up to around 60 days away per trip.

We work with the top names in the industry and have already pre-selected the easiest, cheapest and best quality travel insurance on the market to save you time and money trying to find the best cover.

Travel insurance typically covers the following; however, you can tailor a policy to suit your needs depending on where you are traveling to, your activities and how long you are away.

• Medical Expenses
  Medical treatment can be extremely costly and add up very quickly, and include Overnight stays in hospital, minor or major surgery, accident and emergency treatment, drugs, COVID-19 treatment, journey home if you cannot use the original ticket, dental treatment, and many more unexpected expenses.
• Baggage and personal belongings
  If your baggage is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed it is extremely frustrating. If you must buy new clothes, toiletry products or personal belongings it can be very expensive and time consuming.
• Cancellation
  Sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances you may need to cancel your trip. This could be due to several reasons such as illness, injury, a bereavement or many other scenarios. Usually airlines, tour operators and hotels have large cancellation fees, so buying travel insurance that covers this is recommended.

Health Care

Healthcare System in Jamaica

Healthcare of Jamaica is ranked 65th in the world. Jamaica has established a Health System Strengthening Project with an investment of 100 million USD over five years, which aims to increase the capacity of selected health centres and hospitals to provide comprehensive health promotion, disease prevention and treatment to meet the specific needs of individuals in the community through tailored infrastructure upgrades to facilities, linked information systems and developing standardised levels of care.

Health Risk

Leptospirosis

Caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.

Dengue

Occurs from insect bites, including mosquitoes.

Zika

Occurs from mosquito bite.

Hantavirus

Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Caused from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.