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Jamaica overview: News, features and travel fact file

Aug 26, 2010by News Desk

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Jamaica has long attracted tourists with its excellent beaches, great reef diving and laid-back lifestyle.

While independent travellers after a harder cultural experience will find plenty here – there are the histories of reggae music, coffee and rum production and the slave trade to explore, for a start – Jamaica’s tourism industry focuses on sun-and-fun, relaxation and romantic escapism, all of which it does incomparably well.

Purpose-built resorts are scattered throughout the island, offering everything from adults-only luxury to a middle-market family experience. Weddings and honeymoons are big business too. Providing you know your stuff, you should find something to sell to almost any client.

Sponsored by Sandals

If you’re selling Jamaica, take a look at what our sponsor Sandals has to offer below.

Visit our NEW Sandals Interactive to find out more at sandalsinteractive.co.uk. Check out current offers and the weekly travel agent Star Booking, on TWacademy.

Travel fact file

Information from Gazetteers.com’s Jamaica guide (subscription required).

Capital City: Kingston
Dialling Code: 1 876
Local Time: GMT -5
Electricity: 110V AC 50Hz
Emergency: Police 119, Fire and ambulance 110
Driving: Drive on the left. National licence or International Driving Permit required.
Airports: Kingston Norman Manley International (KIN); Montego Bay Sangster International (MBJ)
Climate: Tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. It is cooler in the evenings and in the more hilly regions. Rainy months are May and October, but showers may occur at any time. Hurricanes sometimes occur between June and November.
Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD 1 = 100 Cents)
Credit cards and travellers cheques: Widely accepted, preferably in US Dollar denominations. Foreign currency may only be exchanged at airport bureaux, banks or cambios. Receipts for foreign currency must be retained.
Bank opening times: Monday-Thursday 8.30am – 3.00pm, Friday 8.30am – 4.00pm
Tipping: 10-15% service charge is normally added to the bill but additional tips around 10% are expected. Tips for taxis around 10%

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Sandals and Beaches

Jamaica is the home and heartland of Sandals & Beaches Resorts, offering 10 spectacular resorts scattered over the island, each with its own personality. Sandals resorts boast some of the most sumptuous suites in the world, many with personal Butler Service, from the new Swim-Up River Suites at Sandals Negril and Sandals Royal Caribbean, to colonial-style Plantation Suites at Sandals Negril.

Accommodation to suite everyone

Scattered amongst the dreamlike tropical islands of Jamaica, Antigua, St Lucia, Bahamas and Turks & Caicos, are 17 incomparable Luxury Included® Sandals and Beaches resorts.

Luxury Included® is the embodiment of unrivalled, vibrantly unique hotels that are only Sandals and Beaches resorts. Offering guests exemplary standards of service, exceptional cuisine choices, and accommodation that is truly world class with a choice of suites that culminate in private plunge pools and Butler Service.

Wrap this with exceptional land and water sports, scuba-diving included and unlimited greens fees at private golf clubs and numerous entertainment and activities at Beaches Resorts for all the family, and what’s more it is all-included.