Jamaica

Tipping

• Tipping is expected for services
• Restaurants: 10
• 15% of the bill, or check if a service charge is already included
• Hotel staff (porters, housekeepers): JMD 100
• 200 or USD 1
• 2 per bag/day
• Tour guides/drivers: JMD 500
• 1000 or USD 5
• 10 depending on the length and quality of the tour
• Taxi drivers: Usually round up the fare or add a small amount for good service
• Other services (e
• g
• , spa treatments): 10
• 15%

Money & Payments

• ATMs are widely available, especially in tourist areas
• It's advisable to withdraw local currency (Jamaican Dollars
• JMD) from ATMs rather than exchange cash at the airport or hotels, which often have less favorable rates
• Many ATMs dispense both JMD and USD
• Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) are widely accepted in major tourist areas, hotels, and larger establishments
• However, for smaller vendors, local shops, and street food, cash is essential
• It's recommended to bring some USD cash for convenience upon arrival, as it is widely accepted, especially in tourist
• centric businesses, and can be easily converted to JMD
• There is no significant black market for cash in Jamaica

Cultural Norms

• Dress modestly when visiting religious sites or certain local communities
• Beachwear is generally confined to beach and resort areas
• Greeting people with a friendly "Wah gwaan" (What's going on?) or "Good morning/day/evening" is common and appreciated
• Politeness and respect are highly valued
• Eating customs are generally informal, but it's polite to wait until everyone is served before starting to eat, especially in a group setting
• Haggling is common in local markets but less so in established shops

LGBTQ+ Information

Exercise caution. Jamaica has very conservative laws regarding LGBTQ+ individuals, with colonial-era laws criminalizing same-sex relations. While enforcement varies, discrimination and homophobia are prevalent. There are no legal protections for LGBTQ+ people, and same-sex marriage is not recognized.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

• The legal drinking age is 18
• Drug laws are strict, and possession of even small amounts of marijuana can result in arrest and penalties, despite recent decriminalization efforts for small amounts (2 ounces or less) for personal use, which results in a fine rather than criminal charges
• However, cultivation, sale, and trafficking remain illegal and carry severe penalties
• Public consumption of alcohol is generally accepted, but public drunkenness can lead to issues

Special Laws

• It is illegal to wear camouflage clothing unless you are a member of the military
• Public nudity is illegal
• Possession of ganja (marijuana) is still illegal in significant quantities, and trafficking carries severe penalties
• Be mindful of noise levels in residential areas, especially late at night