Canadian Government's information for travelers to Jamaica
1. INTRODUCTION
This Travel Report replaces the previous one, dated November 9, 2004. Changes have been made in sections 2 and 3 of the report.
2. ATTENTION
N/A
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
4. LOCAL TRAVEL
Traffic drives on the left. Drive defensively at all times. 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.
5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
The hurricane season in the Caribbean extends from June to November. 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.
6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or a death sentence. The jail sentence will be served in local prisons. Local prison conditions are extremely harsh.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
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.
7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
Canadians in Jamaica can obtain consular assistance and further information from the Canadian High Commission in Kingston or the Consulate of Canada in Montego Bay at the following addresses:
KINGSTON: Canadian High Commission, 3 West Kings House Road, Kingston 10, Jamaica (country code: 876/ tel.: 926-1500/ fax: 511-3493/ postal address: P.O. Box 1500, Kingston 10, Jamaica/ e-mail: kngtn@international.gc.ca/ Web site: www.international.gc.ca/jamaica/).
MONTEGO BAY: Consulate of Canada, 29 Gloucester Street, Montego Bay, Jamaica (country code: 876/ tel.: 952-6198/ fax: 952-3953/ e-mail: cancon@cwjamaica.com)
Canadians should register with the Canadian High Commission in Kingston if they are going to be in Jamaica for longer than three months. Registration can be done on-line. To register on-line, please proceed to www.voyage.gc.ca/main/sos/rocapage-en.asp and complete all the required fields.
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 (www.infocanadadirect.com).
8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
Permission to enter another country is the sole prerogative of that country. 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. Contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited and obtain the specific requirements for entry. 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.
A valid 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$1,000 is charged upon departure. This tax is now included in airline ticket prices, except for charter flights. The Jamaican Immigration entry card is also required upon departure.
Proof of yellow fever immunization is required for travellers arriving from an infected area.
For further information, contact the High Commission for Jamaica, 275 Slater Street, Suite 800, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5H9 (tel.: 613-233-9311/ fax: 613-233-0611), or the Consulate in Edmonton (780-475-3399), Montreal (514-737-1124), Toronto (416-598-3008), Winnipeg (204-256-9137) or Vancouver (604-515-0443).
9. MONEY
The currency is the Jamaican dollar (J$). 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 VISA or Mastercard 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. Due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity, credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution. If you use an ATM, do so during business hours at a location inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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.
Radio Canada International (RCI) broadcasts on shortwave to Jamaica. For a schedule of times and frequency of broadcasts, check the RCI Web site ( www.rcinet.ca ). You may also e-mail RCI at info@rcinet.ca or call 514-597-7500.
11. HEALTH CANADA'S TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
Health Canada and the World Health Organization report that the following disease - among others - can occur in Jamaica: hepatitis A.
Canadians are advised to consult a physician or travel medicine specialist well in advance of travelling to determine health risks and necessary vaccinations. Important factors to be considered include the individual's state of health, current immunization status, and travel destination, as well as the local disease situation. Vaccinations and other special precautions may be required. For a list of travel medicine clinics, call Health Canada's Travel Medicine Program at 613-957-8739. Additional travel health information is available on Health Canada's Web site (www.TravelHealth.gc.ca).
Travellers should ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (eg. tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles) are up-to-date. Yellow fever vaccination may be required to enter some countries. Based on the risk of exposure, vaccines for hepatitis A, typhoid fever, or other diseases may also be recommended. Several diseases occur globally. Sexually transmitted diseases(STDs), including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B, occur throughout the world, and the traveller may be exposed to both viral and bacterial infection, particularly if engaging in unprotected sexual activity. Tuberculosis represents a significant risk at certain destinations. Influenza is also a concern, and immunization may be recommended depending on the destination and time of year. Rabies is found throughout the world and is uncontrolled in some areas; risk of exposure may be higher in remote areas. Traveller's diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites in contaminated food and water. Travellers are advised to ensure that food and drinking water are safe.
Infectious diseases not routinely seen in Canada occur and may even be widespread in other countries. Infections acquired abroad such as tuberculosis, diarrhea, STDs, among others, may be resistant to standard North American antibiotic regimens. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive and payment in advance required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance, including provision for emergency evacuation, prior to departure. Travellers should also carry their prescription medicine in the original container along with the prescription.
If you feel ill when you return to Canada, see a doctor as soon as possible. Inform the doctor - without being asked - where you have been. If you were ill while travelling, tell your doctor what your symptoms were and what treatment you received.
12. LOCAL 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.
13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Declare everything acquired abroad, whether purchases for yourself or gifts, as well as goods bought at a Canadian or foreign duty-free store. Keep original receipts. Certain items are restricted from entering Canada. If you are considering importing meat or dairy products, plants, vehicles, weapons, cultural property, endangered species or products derived from them, obtain more information from the Canada Border Services Agency (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca), the Canada Firearms Centre (www.cfc.gc.ca), Canadian Heritage (www.pch.gc.ca/progs/voyage-travel/index_e.cfm), or the office of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) (www.cites.ec.gc.ca). The booklet I Declare (www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4044/) describes what you can and cannot bring back to Canada if you have been away for less than a year.
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 (www.cic.gc.ca), or contact your provincial or territorial government.
15. TRAVEL TIPS
You should:
a) carry a Canadian passport for all visits outside Canada;
b) keep a photocopy of your passport's identification page with you;
c) carry passports, tickets, and money separately;
d) keep valuables and passports safe and carry only enough money for anticipated expenses;
e) leave a copy of your itinerary and proof of citizenship with family and/or friends;
f) carry legally certified documentation signed by both parents permitting a child under 18 to travel alone or with an adult (i.e. a relative or teacher), or carry legally certified documentation from the absent parent if only one parent escorts the child, in addition to a copy of any separation or divorce decree or death certificate; and
g) not visit unknown or isolated areas without first obtaining information or assistance.
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 at home, and your travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you leave the country. 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.
17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Consular Affairs Bureau of Foreign Affairs Canada provides: (a) Country Travel Reports detailing safety and security conditions, health advice, and entry requirements; (b) information on Current Issues highlighting current and ongoing situations around the world; (c) daily e-mail Travel Updates notifying you of changes to our Current Issues and Country Travel Reports; (d) a series of free safe-travel publications to help travellers prepare for a safe and problem-free journey; and (e) Country Profiles for over 225 destinations, which include links (when available) to Canadian Government offices, general information, and trade and investment.
For additional information, you may contact the Consular Affairs Bureau by telephone: 1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788; e-mail: voyage@dfait-maeci.gc.ca; Web site: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/reportpage-en.asp; and TTY: 613-944-1310 or 1 800 394-3472 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 1 800 394-3472 (in Canada and the U.S.). Specific information may also be obtained from a consular representative by contacting Canadian government offices abroad.