Penpal
When me did lickle a country, yuh see, me use to love write, yuh know. Everyting me ketch me write pon it, paper, wall, door, tree, dirt. Mama use to say: “What is wrong wid dis pickney doah, eeh? Yuh is a teacha?” Chile, ah write some love-poem, yuh see (but me couldn’t mek mama […]
Marriage
Getting married here is easy and inexpensive, with just a 24-hour waiting period after you arrive on the island. No blood tests are required. Most larger resorts have excellent wedding consultants on staff who can handle all the arrangements, from license to flowers. Contact your resort beforehand to get the paperwork rolling. You’ll need to […]
Travel information – Jamaica: visa and passport requirements
When To GoRegardless of when you visit, you’re almost always assured of short-sleeve weather, balmy trade winds and plenty of sun. Temperatures vary only about 10° between summer and winter. The hottest months are July and August, when temperatures top out at 85 to 90°; the coolest month is February, when highs can reach 86-90° […]
Food
Island CuisineJamaica residents have come from around the globe, bringing with them the cooking techniques, flavors, spices and recipes of their homelands and blending them with the bountiful harvest of this tropical island. The result is some of the most flavorful cuisine in the Caribbean. The first Europeans on the island were Spanish. Many Spanish […]
Jamaica Public Holidays
During public holidays, expect all government offices and most retail establishments to close. See our Calendar of Monthly Events January 1 New Year’s Day February-March Ash Wednesday March or April Good Friday and Easter Monday May 23 Labour Day August 1 Emancipation Day August 6 Independence Day October (3rd Mon.) National Heroes Day December 25 […]
Jamaica People & Culture
It is estimated that nearly 750,000 enslaved persons were brought to Jamaica between 1655 and 1807 (about 200,000 were then sent to the Spanish isles). The slaves came primarily from the west coast of Africa, mostly from the Gold Coast (now Ghana) and Biafra (now primarily Nigeria). In addition, many immigrants arrived from elsewhere around […]
National symbols
National Flag: With a diagonal gold cross, the background of the flag is black (the left and right triangles) and green (the top and bottom triangles). Each color is symbolic: the black stands for hardship, the green for both hope and the fertile land, and the gold for wealth and sunshine. The flag’s symbolism is […]
Government
The island is divided into three counties: Cornwall, Middlesex and Surrey. These counties (whose designations are used infrequently) are then divided into 14 parishes (whose designations you will often hear). The parishes of Jamaica are Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, Portland, St. Mary, St. Ann, Trelawny, St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon and […]
Bites & stings etc.
Things You Want to AvoidRemember when your mom told you, “Look but don’t touch?” Those words of wisdom come in handy here. Although most plants and animals are harmless, you’ll find a few creepy crawlies both in and out of the water as well as some plants that are best avoided: Cockspur (Caesalpinia bonduc): […]
Climate
Temperatures The average annual temperature is 82°, but expect temperatures to be hotter during afternoon hours (and feel much hotter because of high humidity levels). Fortunately, the island is blessed with northeasterly trade winds that keep you from sweltering no matter what time of year. CLIMATE CHART (Kingston) By Month JanuaryHigh/Low (F): 86/67Rain Days: 3 […]