9 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Jamaica
What Not to Do in Jamaica on Your 1st Visit
The common mistakes people make when visiting Jamaica often revolve around petty crime and scams, which can happen in any part of the world. Jamaica and its main towns, including the capital of Kingston, get their share of negative headlines along these lines now and then. The best way to avoid it is to always have a certain level of vigilance as well as your common sense at the ready.
Through this handy guide, we show you what not to do in Jamaica on your first visit. We also include a few points to take into consideration when planning your visit to this fascinating island country in the Caribbean.
9 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Jamaica
- Failing to take hurricane season into account
- Forgetting to carry change in Jamaican Dollars
- Exploring Jamaica by taxi cab only
- Mimicking the local accent
- Backpacking alone
- Walking around at night outside major tourist spots
- Flaunting your valuables
- Falling for common scams
- Missing out on the local cuisine and street food
1. Failing to take hurricane season into account
Rough weather might affect your travel plans
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
The hurricane season in the Caribbean islands (Jamaica included) usually begins in June and lasts through November. Heavy winds and downpours have impacted or brushed Jamaica several times in the past. The recurring weather phenomenon often causes lingering effects, such as flooding in certain neighborhoods.
Some travelers consider Jamaica to be well below the hurricane belt and less affected compared to its northerly sister Caribbean islands. If you still plan to travel during this period, consider where you wish to stay and what types of activities you plan to do during your visit.
Failing to take hurricane season into account
2. Forgetting to change in Jamaican Dollars
US dollars are accepted but rarely at local shops
Categoría: Económico, Parejas, Familias
While US dollars might be accepted in major tourist areas, resorts, hotels, tour operators, and many attractions, Jamaican dollars are the official currency. Jamaican dollars are often more convenient for everyday purchases, especially at local restaurants, markets, taxis, small shops, street vendors, and in rural areas.
A rule of thumb is to carry both currencies in moderate amounts according to your day’s plan. Credit cards are widely accepted at most tourist-oriented businesses, but having a few Jamaican dollars ready also helps when the exchange rates aren’t in your favor. In any case, avoid carrying large amounts of cash; ATMs are available in major tourist areas if you need more local currency.
Forgetting to change in Jamaican Dollars
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3. Exploring Jamaica by taxi cab only
Long driving times can burn a hole in your budget
Categoría: De aventura, Económico
Taking a taxi cab for trips around most of Jamaica’s hotspots can easily eat into your travel expenses. First-time visitors to Jamaica may unknowingly underestimate the size of the island country. It’s 146 miles (235 km) long and 51 miles (82 km) wide, so it’s vast for a road trip or two.
Taxi cabs from the airport are usually convenient and reliable, but it’s always worth asking whether your all-inclusive resort or any Jamaican hotel includes airport transfers as part of their offerings. Rent a car if you plan to explore more of the island, as long as you’re okay with poor road and traffic conditions. Note that you’ll be driving on the left side of the road in Jamaica.
Exploring Jamaica by taxi cab only
4. Mimicking the local accent
It can be offensive
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
Mimicking a foreign accent might be amusing among a circle of close friends, but it’s far from humorous when you do it in said country. It can even come off as outright offensive.
The accent is part of cultural identity. Jamaican speech patterns, including Jamaican Patois (Patwa), reflect the country’s history, heritage, and culture. Treating it as a novelty can feel disrespectful. If you do attempt to speak Jamaican patois in front of a new local acquaintance, you’d better speak it right. Possible outcomes if you don’t may range from a mere laugh or smirk to very clear displeasure. Learn a few common local expressions if you’re interested.
Mimicking the local accent
5. Backpacking alone
Your personal safety should come first
Categoría: De aventura, Económico
Inexperienced visitors to Jamaica planning to travel solo should be aware of the crime rates in certain parts of the country. The capital, Kingston, ranks quite high. We advise against sharing taxi cab rides with strangers even if the intention is to save on fares. Foreigners visibly traveling solo are often targets of pickpockets and scam artists as they’re often deemed vulnerable.
Jamaica has beautiful countryside to explore beyond your all-inclusive resort grounds. If you do plan to go off the beaten track, always travel as a pack or book a tour from a reputable operator.
Backpacking alone
6. Walking around at night outside major tourist spots
Crime rates are higher in certain places
Categoría: Parejas, Vida nocturna en
Sticking to the major hotspots in Jamaica can help you avoid falling victim to unlawful acts. Petty crimes can happen anywhere, but it’s always best to avoid deserted beaches and empty streets, even in the daytime. There’s a heightened risk after the sun goes down.
Even in the busy and populated Jamaican capital of Kingston, one should remain vigilant, even more so at dusk and in the night. Avoid walking along beaches or dimly lit streets. The same goes for riding buses and other public transportation. If you must go out after dark, travel as a group and stick to well-lit and busier neighborhoods.
Walking around at night outside major tourist spots
7. Flaunting your valuables
It’ll draw unwanted attention
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
A good rule of thumb when traveling in Jamaica (or anywhere) is to try to show as little of your valuables as possible. Prying eyes from pickpockets to bag snatchers on bikes are impulsively drawn to flashy gadgets, purses, and jewelry.
Resist bringing valuables to the beach with you or leaving them on the sand, even for a quick swim. Keep your passport and other important travel documents back in your hotel room safe, at least. Protect your phone if you need to use it on the street or enter a shop or restaurant to take it out to check the map.
Flaunting your valuables
8. Falling for common scams
Extortion artists might put a dent into your travel budget
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
While relaxing on a popular Jamaican coastal stretch like Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, you may be approached by peddlers offering hair braiding services. You agreed upon prices upfront. But after the treatment, you’ll be charged double due to some applied extras that you can’t simply roll back.
Another similar act is an extremely friendly tout who swiftly ties a colorful and meticulously crafted friendship bracelet around your wrist. After a few moments of chatting, you’ll be asked to pay a high price for that unwanted souvenir. Politely and firmly decline early and walk away.
Falling for common scams
9. Missing out on the local cuisine and street food
There’s more than just jerk chicken
Categoría: Económico, Gastronomía en
When it comes to traditional Jamaican cuisine, it’s worth exploring the local offerings beyond the resort’s restaurant. Even if it means stopping by a down-to-earth roadside shack with a billowing broil that’s cooked in a crafted old metal oil drum, you might be in for a treat.
Such unassuming jerk shacks or jerk pits often serve tastier Jamaican dishes at affordable prices. You’ll also find pork, beef, seafood, and even fruits and vegetables slowly broiled in succulent jerk sauce over the embers. That’s before they’re served with sides, such as cornbread fritters, rice, peas, and sweet potatoes. Don’t get laser-focused on just the most well-known dish and miss out on a remarkable array of local foods.
Missing out on the local cuisine and street food
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