Jamaica Travel Tips
Real Advice. No Fluff. Just the Truth About Jamaica from Locals Who Live It.
💱 1. Don’t Exchange Money at the Airport
Although the Jamaican Dollar (JMD) is the official currency, U.S. Dollars (USD) are widely accepted. Currency exchange booths at the airport often provide poor exchange rates. Later, when you spend your JMD locally, the recalculation back to USD can cause you to lose money twice. Most prices for food, transportation, and shopping are quoted in USD anyway — so it’s best to pay in U.S. Dollars and skip the airport exchange counter.
🦈 3. Are There Sharks in Jamaica?
Jamaica’s warm Caribbean waters (80–84°F) are not ideal for sharks, which prefer colder climates. While the ocean is never fully predictable, shark sightings in Jamaica are extremely rare. You can enjoy the beach and swim safely—there is no known shark problem in Jamaican waters.
🌴 Booking Tours in Jamaica
Jamaica is much larger than most people realize, and many of the best excursions and attractions are spread out across the island. When booking multiple tours, it's best to consult our Travel Guide to understand the logistics involved.
Some experiences can be combined on the same day — but that depends on where your hotel is located and the travel time between destinations. To make the most of your time in Jamaica while keeping costs down, check out our handpicked tour options.
For help booking the best excursions and creating unforgettable memories, visit Best Tours in Jamaica.
How Cold Is the Ocean in Jamaica?
The sea in Jamaica is absolutely perfect — warm and welcoming all year round. Ocean temperatures hover between 80°F and 84°F (26–29°C), day and night.
At night, the sea can actually feel warmer than the air, offering a soothing and relaxing swim.
During the daytime, when temperatures rise into the 90s, the ocean provides the perfect way to cool down.
Whether you’re beach hopping, snorkeling, or enjoying a night swim, the Caribbean Sea around Jamaica feels just right.
Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Jamaica?
In most tourist areas and major cities, tap water is generally safe to drink. However, many travelers prefer bottled water, especially if they have sensitive stomachs. Bottled water is inexpensive and widely available, so it’s a safe and easy option during your stay.
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Jamaica?
Citizens of the U.S., Canada, UK, and most EU countries do not need a visa to visit Jamaica for tourism purposes. You’ll just need a valid passport and proof of onward travel. Always check the most up-to-date visa requirements before your trip, as rules can change.
Is It Safe to Travel Around Jamaica?
Yes — especially when you use reputable private transportation services like Best Jamaica Tours. Stick to popular tourist areas, avoid isolated places at night, and always follow local advice. As with any destination, using common sense and booking with trusted providers ensures a safe and enjoyable trip.
Best Time to Visit Jamaica – Skip the Weather App
Jamaica is a year-round destination — warm, vibrant, and always ready to welcome you. The so-called “best time” to visit is between December and April, when the weather is generally dry and sunny. But don’t count out the rest of the year!
🌴 May to November is the “rainy season,” but here’s the truth:
Climate change is real, and rainfall patterns have become unpredictable. We’ve seen droughts during traditional rainy months — and rain in the so-called dry season. The idea of a set rainy season? Not as reliable as it once was.
☔ Ignore the weather apps. Seriously.
They often predict rain every day — and they’re almost always wrong. A forecast of showers might just mean a 10-minute sprinkle in the morning, then clear skies all day. Don’t let it stop you from getting out and having an amazing time.
🌪 As for hurricanes — they’re extremely rare. Jamaica has had many near misses, but the last direct hit was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Before that? Hurricane Charlie in 1951. Still, if you’re traveling between August and October, it’s smart to be prepared, just in case.
Taste Real Jamaican Food – Go Beyond the Resorts
When visiting Jamaica, food should be a major part of your experience — but here’s the truth: many all-inclusive resorts miss the mark.
Most resorts will offer a “Jamaican Night” or a themed restaurant, but in reality, the flavors are often watered down. It’s just okay — and for a cuisine as bold and vibrant as Jamaica’s, “okay” isn’t good enough. The real reason? Many executive chefs at these properties aren’t Jamaican, and the dishes often lack authenticity and soul.
Jamaican cuisine can easily hold its own against the world’s best — whether it’s Italian, Thai, or French. From rich oxtail to spicy jerk chicken, escovitch fish, pepper shrimp, or curried goat — these dishes are culinary art when made right.
👉 Pro Tip: If food matters to you, leave the resort! Explore a trusted local spot or book a tour with food stops included. At Best Jamaica Tours, we know the gems — from hidden jerk shacks to family-run spots serving real Jamaican Sunday dinner.
Don’t leave without tasting the real Jamaica.
Skip the Cookie-Cutter Tours – Explore Jamaica Your Way
Group tours aren’t for everyone — and honestly, they’re not the best way to experience Jamaica. Sure, it might feel “safer” to go with the crowd, but if everyone’s doing the same thing, maybe it’s time to do something different.
At Best Jamaica Tours, we believe your vacation should reflect you — your pace, your interests, your style. That’s why we encourage travelers to ditch the large, generic group tours and book private, customized excursions instead.
✅ Want to spend extra time at a waterfall?
✅ Prefer to skip the souvenir stop?
✅ Craving an authentic local lunch spot off the beaten path?
When you choose private, you’re in control. You enjoy more, waste less time, and still pay close to what the big tours charge — sometimes even less when you’re in a group of 2–4 people.
Your time is precious. Own your space. Travel smarter. Get more out of your day with flexible private tours designed around you.
Jamaican Coffee at the Resort – Don’t Be Fooled
Jamaica is home to one of the world’s most famous and expensive coffees — Blue Mountain Coffee. But unless you’re staying at a high-end boutique resort, you’re probably not drinking it.
Most resorts serve a generic blend or a decent local coffee. And to be fair, Jamaica’s regular highland coffee is still very good. So if you’ve never tried real Blue Mountain before, you might assume that’s what you’re sipping. Ask the server, and they might say “yes” — not to mislead you, but because they honestly don’t know. Blue Mountain gets mentioned so often it becomes the default answer.
🔎 Pro Tip: If you’re a coffee lover, don’t leave Jamaica without the real thing. The best place to buy authentic Blue Mountain Coffee is at a local supermarket, not the overpriced gift shops. Look for trusted brands and check the label.
There’s also High Mountain Coffee — grown in slightly lower elevations. It’s about 80% as good, and costs nearly half the price. A solid option if you’re looking to stretch your dollar.
Resort Beaches vs. Public Gems
Not all resort beaches in Jamaica are created equal — and that’s the truth.
Some resorts were built on less-than-ideal coastlines, and try as they may with sand and landscaping, you just can’t fake a great beach. Meanwhile, the older hotels — the ones built decades ago — often snagged the best beachfront spots before the rest of the coastline was developed.
But here’s what most travelers don’t know:
👉 Some of the best beaches in Jamaica aren’t inside resorts — they’re public.
Whether you’re staying at an all-inclusive or not, don’t limit yourself. Public beaches often have better sand, clearer water, more local flavor, and yes — better vibes.
🌊 Top Public Beaches Worth Checking Out:
Doctor’s Cave Beach (Montego Bay) – Clean, calm, and perfect for swimming.
Seven Mile Beach (Negril) – A long stretch of soft sand, reggae bars, and laid-back energy.
Boston Bay (Portland) – Known for waves, surf, and unbeatable jerk pork.
Puerto Seco Beach (Discovery Bay) – Family-friendly with great facilities and crystal-clear water.
👣 Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to explore beyond your hotel. We can help with transportation and even pair your beach visit with local food spots or attractions. At Best Jamaica Tours, your day is built around you — not a hotel schedule.
Airport Transfers vs. Resort Shuttles – Make the Smart Choice
After a long flight and clearing immigration, the last thing you want is to sit around waiting for a crowded resort shuttle to fill up. Then comes the slow ride, stopping at multiple hotels before finally reaching yours — not exactly how you imagined starting your Jamaican vacation.
That’s the reality with most resort-provided shuttles.
But there’s a better way. And the best of them all is Best Jamaica Tours — the #1 rated private airport transportation service in Jamaica.
✅ No delays – We’re ready when you are.
✅ Private vehicle – No strangers, no stops, just you and your travel crew.
✅ Great rates – Often close to what the resorts charge for shared rides.
✅ Respect & appreciation – We value your time and comfort from the moment you arrive.
✅ Located inside the airport at Desk #4 – No confusion, no stress.
Whether you’re heading to Ocean Coral Spring, Hyatt, Secrets, or any other resort, Best Jamaica Tours ensures you start (and end) your trip right — with comfort, class, and care.
How to Spot Real Hospitality in Jamaica – It’s Not in the Script
Some resorts talk a lot about “hospitality.” But let’s be real — hospitality isn’t something you rehearse. It’s something you feel.
Many of the big-name chain resorts in Jamaica operate from manuals that were written elsewhere — for a different culture, a different vibe. They imported their brand, their rules, and even their managers. What’s often missing? The real Jamaican spirit.
This author will say it plainly:
The service feels staged, the smiles aren’t always genuine, and the energy doesn’t reflect the Jamaica people come here for.
People don’t choose Jamaica just because of the beaches or the weather — plenty of Caribbean islands offer that. What separates Jamaica is the soul of the place:
The warm greetings
The spontaneous laughs
The cultural energy that hits you as soon as you land
Jamaican people are the heartbeat of this island.
It’s our food, our reggae, our jokes, our vibe, our runners, our Rastas, and yes — even our ganja that sets Jamaica apart.
© 2025 Best Jamaica Travel Guide. All Rights Reserved.