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Print Version
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TRAVEL REPORT
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Last Updated: December 8, 2006 9:51
EST
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 23:12
EST
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Jamaica |
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1. INTRODUCTION
Section 11 of this Travel Report has been updated.
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2. ATTENTION
For more information on new entry requirements to the United States as of January 23, 2007, please see our Current Issues page.
See our Current Issues page for information on the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians are encouraged to register with the responsible Canadian government office during the hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form.
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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
Violent crime and petty theft occur, particularly in the Kingston metropolitan area. Gang-related violence, including shootings, occurs and can result in death, injury, and destruction of property. The number of murders in Jamaica has soared in 2005. Some murders take place outside the downtown gang areas in Kingston, but most continue to be gang-related. Visitors should exercise caution in urban areas and avoid the downtown area of Kingston after dark. Areas to be avoided include inner-city and poor neighbourhoods such as West Kingston, Grant's Pen, August Town, Denham Town, Hannah Town, and Tivoli Gardens in Kingston, as well as Flankers and Mount Salem in Montego Bay (not the resort areas) and Spanish Town. Stay on main roads as much as possible. Do not walk alone or visit beaches after dark, ensure hotel room doors and windows are secure, and ensure personal belongings and travel documents are secure at all times.
Demonstrations, protests, marches, and strikes, some violent, may occur at any time in the capital, throughout the country and on main highways. Local transportation services can be disrupted. Roadblocks may occur on main roads at any time and often cause traffic disruptions. Canadians should not attempt to cross blockades, even if they appear unattended. Curfews may also be in effect.
Because of the unpredictable nature of these demonstrations and the potential for violence, Canadians in or travelling to Jamaica should exercise caution, avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, and monitor local news reports.
In the event of an emergency, call 119 for police and 110 for an ambulance.
Mobile police patrols operate to assist tourists. Security personnel and front-desk hotel staff can also offer assistance in most emergencies. Visitor information booths and Jamaica Tourist Board offices are located throughout the island. They offer various services to visitors, including direct radio links with local police and information on safe public beaches. These offices are located at:
MONTEGO BAY: Cornwall Beach, Gloucester Avenue/ tel.: 876-952-4425, -4426, -4427, or -4428
SANGSTER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/ tel.: 876-952-2462
OCHO RIOS: TPD co. office tel.: 876-974-7705/2582
PORT ANTONIO: City Centre Plaza/ tel.: 876-993-3051/2587
KINGSTON: Head Office, ICWI Building, 2 St. Lucia Ave./ tel.: 876-929-9200
AIRPORTS AUTHORITY, NORMAN MANLEY AIRPORT, KINGSTON (flight information only) / tel.: 876-924-8024
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4. LOCAL TRAVEL
Traffic drives on the left. Coastal roads are in fair condition, but driving in-country is dangerous due to narrow, winding, and poorly maintained roads. Motorists should keep vehicle windows closed and doors locked. Roadside assistance is available island wide.
Travellers flying to or from Norman Manley International Airport should drive to or from Kingston on the South Camp Road, also known as the Humming Bird Route, instead of Mountain View Avenue. Altercations frequently flare up between rival gangs on each side of Mountain View Avenue.
Avoid using public buses as they are often overcrowded and they are frequently a venue of crime. Travellers should use taxis ordered from hotels and authorized by the Jamaican Union of Travellers Association (JUTA). These are identified by red-and-white "PP" licence plates and a lime green JUTA sticker on the window. Taxis are not metered. Determine the fare in advance. Passenger rail service is not available.
It is mandatory to wear a helmet on mopeds, motor scooters, and motorcycles, and to wear a seatbelt in cars and taxis. Visitors are subject to fines of up to J$5,000 for not complying with the law.
A Canadian driver's licence is sufficient for visitors to drive in Jamaica. Residents are, however, required to obtain a Jamaican driver's licence.
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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
The hurricane season extends from June to the end of November. You are advised to visit the Web site of the National Hurricane Center for information on weather conditions.
Flooding and landslides can occur and cause extensive damage in the mountainous regions. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. Jamaica is located in an active seismic zone and is subject to earthquakes. In the event of a natural disaster, Canadians should follow the advice of the local authorities.
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
Possession of illegal drugs (including marijuana) may lead to lengthy jail terms. Departing visitors are thoroughly screened for drug possession. Many Canadians are serving prison sentences because they became involved in crime, in some cases unwittingly. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.
Inappropriate conduct (public nudity in non-designated areas and indecent language) can lead to arrest. Homosexual activity is illegal.
Strict regulations may be enforced on the import and export of items such as firearms, produce, and pets. Entering the country with a firearm or even a single round of ammunition is a serious crime. Canadians should contact the Canadian High Commission in Kingston (see below) for specific information regarding customs requirements.
It is illegal to wear (or to buy or sell) army or police camouflage clothing.
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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses:
Jamaica - KINGSTON, High Commission of Canada Address: 3 West Kings House Road, Kingston 10, Jamaica Postal Address: P.O. Box 1500, Kingston 10, Jamaica Tel.: (876) 926-1500 Fax: (876) 511-3493 E-mail: kngtn@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/jamaica
Jamaica - MONTEGO BAY, Consulate of Canada Address: 29 Gloucester Street, Montego Bay, Jamaica Postal Address: Montego Bay, Jamaica Tel.: (876) 952-6198 Fax: (876) 952-3953 E-mail: cancon@cwjamaica.com
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Canadian High Commission in Kingston and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 1 800 276-2989 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.
Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number is 876 from Jamaican hotels, and 1 800 222-0016 from other locations in Jamaica, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.
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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Conditions are subject to change. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
A valid canadian passport should be carried for all visits outside Canada. However, Canadians are only required to be in possession of valid official photo identification (such as a driver's licence) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) for travel to Jamaica. An onward or return ticket and proof of sufficient funds is also required.
Tourist Visa: Not required Business Visa: Required Student Visa: Required
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Overstaying is a criminal offence and can lead to jail time, heavy fines, and deportation. Please see the nearest immigration office for an extension.
An airport tax of J$1,000 is charged upon departure. This tax is now included in airline ticket prices, except for charter flights. The Jamaican Immigration entry card is also required upon departure.
Proof of yellow fever immunization is required for travellers arriving from an infected area.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the High Commission for Jamaica and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
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9. MONEY
The currency is the Jamaican dollar (J$). Credit cards are widely accepted. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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10. GENERAL INFORMATION
Jamaica (capital: Kingston) is an island located in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba. Tourist facilities are widely available, particularly on the west and north coasts. The official language is English, but patois is widely spoken.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of P. falciparum malaria in Jamaica. For more information, see PHAC’s Web page.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Good to excellent medical facilities exist in all tourist areas and in Kingston. Medical care and hospital facilities are limited in remote areas. Medical expenses can be very high. It is normal for clinics to require patients to pay up front or to take a credit card impression as guarantee of payment prior to providing medical care. Any incidents of sickness or injury requiring hospitalization should be reported to the Canadian Embassy immediately.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
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18. ANNEX
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