Travel advice for Jamaica
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Jamaica
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Jamaica has a huge amount of choice when it comes to accommodation, including some of the world’s finest luxury hotels, but it’s extremely rare to find anywhere to stay for less than US$50 per night in the resorts (Treasure Beach and Port Antonio being notable exceptions), and you’ll usually pay triple that for anything approaching luxury. If you haven’t booked a flight package that includes accommodation, it’s worth reserving a room for your first night or two to save hassle on arrival, and to satisfy immigration requirements. The rates included in this guide are for the cheapest available double or twin room during the high season – normally mid-November to mid-April – but are liable to change. During the low season, rates often decrease by up to forty percent (though this is rare at the cheaper hotels), and proprietors may be more amenable to bargaining. Many of the all-inclusive hotels have a minimum-stay requirement – where this is the case, we have mentioned it in the text – and rates are quoted per person per night based on double occupancy. Although the law requires prices to be quoted in Jamaican dollars, most hotels give their rates in US dollars; payment can be made in either currency.
Finally note that hotels often add a service charge (up to fifteen percent) as well as a fifteen-percent government tax (GCT) to your bill; before you agree on anything, check whether taxes are included in quoted rates.
In recent years, several Spanish chains – including Riu (riujamaica.com), Grand Bahia Principe (bahia-principe.com), Iberostar (iberostar.com) and the Grand Palladium Jamaica (grandpalladiumjamaicaresort.com) – have constructed sprawling thousand-plus room properties on the north coast, offering a cheaper (prices start around US$110/night), if more generic, experience.
On a side note, perhaps because of their reputation, some all-inclusives have started foundations that aim to contribute in positive ways to the local communities in which they operate. Most notable is the Sandals Foundation (sandalsfoundation.org), which has done some incredible work across the island in the areas of sports, education and health.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Jamaica
written by Andy Turner
updated 26.04.2021
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