Where is Jamaica located? detailed information

This article is written for those who, having heard about the place where summer lives forever, are still asking the following question: “Jamaica - or a country?” This is an amazing state, which is located on the other side of the Earth, attracting a large number of tourists. Like to visit this country and our compatriots. At the same time, they are not even afraid of the fact that there is a decent distance between Jamaica and Moscow, equal to 9800 km, and the flight time is almost 14 hours. And this is with a free air corridor and favorable weather.

Location on the world map

Where is Jamaica located? On the world map, it can be found in its western part. This country is located in the West Indies. Together with Haiti, Puerto Rico and Cuba, it is part of the Greater Antilles.

You can find Jamaica between 18 and 20 degrees north latitude and 75 and 78 degrees west longitude. What has Jamaica neighboring countries? From this third largest island of the archipelago, only 144 km to Cuba in southbound, as well as 162-186 km to Haiti, if you go west. To the east, at a distance of 290 km, are the Cayman Islands. The closest point on earth is Cape Gracias a Luce. This territory of Nicaragua is located in the southwest at a distance of 629 km.

The country of Jamaica is located on an island of 10,990 square kilometers. The length of its territory from west to east is 224 km, and from north to south - 36-81 km. Length coastline islands is equal to 1022 km.

Not far from Jamaica in a southwesterly direction is coral reef. Its area is 8021 square kilometer. The height of this reef in the water column is 102 meters. To the east of this cluster of corals are the four islands of the Pedro Keys. It is also the territory of the country of Jamaica. Officially, the most remote of these islands is considered the most south point exotic state. The Morant Keys archipelago is also considered the territory of the State of Jamaica.

Geography

culture

Taino Indians, Europeans, Africans, Indians and Chinese had a great influence in shaping this sphere of society. This vibrant mixture of different directions led to the creation of a single modern Jamaican culture.

It was in this country that a new musical style was born - reggae. It is distinguished by a slow rhythm and a melodic chant, to which the performer and listeners can shake their heads with pleasure. A similar style arose under the influence of rock and roll and blues, superimposed on Caribbean rhythms. The lyrics of reggae songs are based on the philosophy of protest movements and Rastafarianism.

Interestingly, thanks to this style, many others have appeared on the planet. This is jungle and dubstep, trip-hop and others. Every year, Jamaica hosts the world's largest reggae music festivals. The most famous of them is Reggae SumFest. Musicians and tourists gather for it in July.

In general, the country is known for its numerous festivals and carnivals. The biggest show in Jamaica takes place in Kingston in January-February. Other popular local festivals are Caribbean Rum, Jonkanoo Christmas and the Wine and Food Festival.

Kitchen

Jamaican eating habits have been influenced by the traditions of local Indians, Chinese, British, Indians and Spaniards. The main food products used in the national cuisine are potatoes and corn, beans and rice, fish and various seafood, meat and vegetables, yucca and peas. Seasonings for dishes are often nutmeg, ginger and allspice.

Akki is the national fruit of Jamaica. It is often cooked along with vegetables, lard and codfish. This dish is served for breakfast along with tortillas. Other popular local fruits include bananas and mangoes, coconuts and guava, papaya and pineapples.

As for chicken, fish and pork dishes, they are most often seasoned with seasoning, which includes cinnamon and allspice, onions and green onions, thyme and nutmeg. The name of such a mixture is jerk.

Tourists will also be interested in local bammy cakes. They are fried from cassava root, which is pre-crushed and soaked in coconut oil. They eat such cakes with fish or serve them as a snack.

Jamaican traditional soft drinks are fruit juices and coffee, coke water, and Irish moss. The last of them is prepared from carrageenan seaweed with the addition of milk, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg.

The traditional alcoholic drink is Jamaican rum. It is made from sugar cane.

Jamaica on the world map

Administrative device countries.
Jamaica is divided into 14 districts, which are called parishes here. They are located in three historical districts countries. The head of state is Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain. The country uses the English constitution as the basic law governing life local population. In addition, Jamaica has its own constitution.
The capital of the country is Kingston. The same city is the largest and most attractive for tourists.

Map of Jamaica in Russian

Attractions.
The Bob Marley House Museum is especially popular in the country. For the whole country, Bob Marley was a person not only of cultural but also of political significance. Often in his controversial hymns, he sang of the independence of Jamaica, as a free and separate state from England.
In addition, the beach in the city of Negril is also interesting. Tourists most often spend time here, since the beach is huge and provides many amenities. The water is very clear here, and numerous hotels are located nearby.
This country is a treasure for those tourists who prefer beach holiday but also want to enjoy the unique culture of Jamaica. Photo materials used from Wikimedia © Foto, Wikimedia Commons

General information

Geographical position. Jamaica is an island nation located on the third largest island in the Greater Antilles group in the West Indies south of Cuba.

Square. The territory of Jamaica covers 10,991 sq. km.

Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital of Jamaica is Kingston. The largest cities: Kingston (588 thousand people), Spanish Town (93 thousand people), Montego Bay (84 thousand people). Administrative-territorial division of the country: 14 parishes.

Political system

Jamaica is part of the British Commonwealth. The head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General. The head of government is the prime minister. The legislature is a bicameral parliament (the Senate and the House of Representatives).

Relief. Most of the island is highlands and mountains, the height of which does not exceed 2,256 m.

Geological structure and minerals. The bowels of the country contain reserves of bauxite, gypsum, limestone, marble.

Climate. The climate of Jamaica is humid tropical trade wind. Average annual temperature on the coast it fluctuates around +27°С, in the center of the country it does not exceed +22°С. The average annual rainfall is 800-5 000 mm. Hurricanes often hit the country in late summer and early autumn.

Inland waters. The main river is the Black River.

Soils and vegetation. Evergreens are common in Jamaica rainforests, the territory in the west and south of the country is covered with savannas. The vegetation is typical of the tropics. The savannah is characterized by a combination of grass cover (elephant grass, bearded vultures) with solitary shrubs and trees (baobab, umbrella-shaped acacias). The flora of Jamaica has been largely affected by economic activity person. When Columbus reached Jamaica, he saw an island completely covered with forest. Today, forests cover one fifth of the country's territory, and many plant species have disappeared.

Animal world. Jamaica is famous for its great variety of birds: parrots, cuckoos, hummingbirds and flatbills. On the island, there are practically no large

predators and poisonous reptiles. There are a large number of rodents (rats, mice) on the island.

Population and language

The population is 2.634 million people, the population density is about 239 people per 1 sq. km. km. Ethnic groups: Africans - 76%, mestizos - 15.1%, whites - 3.2%o, Chinese - 1.2%, Indians.

Language: English (state), Jamaican dialect (English with African, Spanish and French elements).

Religion

Protestants - 60%, Catholics - 5%, Jews, Muslims, Hindus.

Brief historical sketch In ancient times, Jamaica was inhabited by Indians.

In the period from 1494 to 1670, Jamaica belonged to the possessions of Spain; Spanish colonization led to the complete destruction of the Indians.

Since 1513, the importation of slaves from Africa began to work on plantations. In 1670 it became a British colony.

In 1760 and in 1823-1824. there were major uprisings of Negro slaves, suppressed by the British.

In 1838 slavery was abolished in Jamaica.

From the 70s. 19th century US capital was actively introduced into the Jamaican economy. Jamaica achieved internal self-government in 1959

Brief economic essay

The basis of the Jamaican economy is bauxite mining (2nd place in the world) and alumina production, which is carried out by national companies with the participation of US and Canadian capital.

Sugar, rum, tobacco, light industry; processing of imported oil, cement production, chemical, pharmaceutical enterprises, assembly of electronic equipment. Main export crops: sugar cane, bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, cocoa, Jamaican pepper, tobacco. Food crops: corn, rice, cassava, sweet potato. Animal husbandry is poorly developed. Cattle, pigs and goats are bred. Coastal fishing. Export: bauxites, alumina, bananas, sugar, rum.

The monetary unit is the Jamaican dollar.

A Brief Outline of Culture

Art and architecture. Spanish Town. Rodney Memorial; Royal House (former governor's residence); cathedral of st. Catherine (XVII century).

Jamaica is an island nation within the British Commonwealth in the West Indies. In the northwest it borders on the territorial waters of Cuba, in the east on the territorial waters of Haiti, in the south on the territorial waters of Colombia. The capital of Jamaica is Kingston.

The name comes from the distorted Native American word "haymaka" (Arawak. Xaymaca), which literally means "island of springs" or "land of springs."

On August 6, 1962, Jamaica declared independence from Great Britain as part of the Commonwealth of Nations. The capital and largest city of the country is Kingston.

The climate in Jamaica is humid tropical. In January, the average monthly temperature is about +25C, and in July, about +27C. The coldest and rainiest months are usually May and October, but there is some light rain in other months of the year.

Jamaica Island: photos

Jamaica Island: where is it located

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Greater Antilles group. The main island is located between 17° - 19° north latitude and 76° - 79° west longitude, 145 km south of Cuba, 160-190 km west of Haiti, 290 km southeast of the Cayman Islands. The nearest point of the continent - Cape Gracias a Dios (Nicaragua) - is located 630 km to the south-west. With the length of the island from west to east for 225 km, from north to south - from 35 to 82 km, it has an area of ​​10,991 km². The length of the coastline is 1022 km.

How to Get to Jamaica Island

There are several ways to get to Jamaica:

• Lufthansa and Condor airlines jointly operate a flight on the route Moscow - Montego Bay via Frankfurt. The duration of the flight is about 16 hours, excluding connections.
• british airways carries out transit flights through London to Kingston - but here is a nuance: a change of airport in London, and for some flights - an overnight stay in London. The duration of the flight is about 16 hours, excluding connections.
• An alternative is Virgin Atlantic flights, which follow the route Moscow - Kingston or Moscow - Montego Bay with a connection in London. In this case, you also cannot avoid changing the airport in London (from Heathrow to Gatwick).

There are no direct flights from the CIS countries, so the flight is carried out either through Moscow or in transit through Europe. Transit points are London and Frankfurt.

When flying with British Airways for CIS citizens, it is required transit visa Great Britain, but for citizens of the Russian Federation it is only recommended. Therefore, if you need an overnight stay, then it is better to apply for a visa. In case of moving from one airport to another, you must have an air ticket to destination with a departure from another airport and a voucher for a hotel in Jamaica (it is desirable that the hotel is not the cheapest).

Jamaica Island: video

Traveling in Jamaica

The desire to go to Jamaica arose spontaneously. A few years ago, I could not have imagined that someday I would be so far away and make an important and fateful decision right here. But more on that later.

Jamaica is the third largest island nation in the Caribbean at 145 km. south of Cuba. Looking at this small speck on the world map, it becomes a little scary to fly so far. I assure you it's worth it! And a tiring flight with a transfer, and a painful wait, and sunburn will not be remembered after visiting Jamaica. Only the azure expanse will remain in memory caribbean, huge palm trees, coral sand and stunning sunsets to reggae rhythms.

For a long time, Jamaica was a colony of Great Britain, having gone from the abolition of slavery in 1834 to gaining full independence in 1962. Now only left-hand traffic, at first unusual for us, reminds us of the colonial past. The country was once the world's leading sugar producer.

I was brought to Jamaica by the marriage ceremony, which left unforgettable feelings in my heart. If you want to make the most important day of your life really special, I highly recommend choosing a wedding venue and at the same time honeymoon trip namely Jamaica. You will not experience such vivid emotions multiplied by the peculiarities of local color anywhere else.

The wedding ceremony is extremely simple and very touching, it can be held both at the local city hall and in one of the hotels right on the Caribbean coast, where a representative will arrive with all the necessary documents for registration. Subsequently, you can make a notarized translation with an apostille at the Russian Embassy in Kingston.

So welcome to Jamaica - a country of amazing contrasts and diversity!

Visa and border crossing

I talk in detail about the visa to Jamaica.

Concerning customs regulations, it is forbidden to import:

• narcotic and psychotropic substances (here you need to be careful with drugs that may contain prohibited components, the same applies to potent painkillers, first of all),
• pets, and you yourself are unlikely to decide to take your pet to the other end of the Earth.

Restrictions:

• alcohol is allowed to be carried in the amount of 1.3 liters,
• tobacco products - in the amount of 200 units.

It is forbidden to export:

• representatives of flora and fauna,
• leather and fur products,
• national currency.

No vaccinations are specifically required to visit Jamaica, however, it is recommended to take antimalarial drugs, but this, as a rule, no one adheres to. You need to make sure you have medical insurance international standard.

How to get there

If you decide to go to Jamaica, be prepared for the fact that the path is long. Very long. But this circumstance should not stop you in your desire to visit the country: all the time spent will pay off with more than incredible impressions and a fantastic vacation.

There are two ways to get to Jamaica: by air or water transport. When planning a trip, be sure to take into account the travel time, and this is two full days of travel both ways. In other words, if you fly for 7 days, then 2 of them will reach your destination, for a total of 5 days of direct rest.

Tourist regions

It is difficult to divide Jamaica into tourist and non-tourist zones, any part of the country, wherever you are, is attractive and interesting for the traveler in its own way. Therefore, the entire island can be considered one tourist region. But there is still a conditional division: the center, the western and eastern parts.

In this section, I will briefly describe each of them.

Center

The central part of Jamaica is mountainous, there are many lakes and waterfalls. We went here to look nature reserves, fishing villages and clean beaches (Ocho Rios, Spanish Town).

The center is less popular with tourists, but when exploring the island on your own, I recommend not to deprive this part of your attention.

East

The capital is located in the eastern part and there is a beautiful port with a picturesque lagoon. This is where the huge cruise ships stop.

It seems to me that the east, more than other regions, combines contrasting business and places of interest to tourists, where water and other entertainments are concentrated (Port Antonio).

West

The western part of Jamaica is the most touristy. It is here that the vast majority of tourists arrive and here are located hotels of world famous chains. International flights arriving at Montego Bay Airport charter flights. The city is the second most popular resort, but it is preferred mainly by supporters organized recreation.

Solo travelers explore the area and stop in remote, not overloaded with tourists corners.

Often I book hotels on Booking - you can check if there are better prices somewhere. If you wish, you can consider the option of renting private apartments and apartments - more.

Top cities

The largest cities in Jamaica, I can include the following:

• - This is the capital and to a greater extent the economic center of the country, rather than the tourist one. The city looks very modern, this is largely due to the earthquake of 1907, after which it was completely destroyed and rebuilt. There are large banks, embassies, shopping centers, as well as a large port where we went to look at huge cruise ships. There are also opportunities to have fun: water sports sports, museums, clubs and restaurants. I liked the city for its ultra-modern architecture, cleanliness and the availability of a full-fledged infrastructure for both business and leisure visits, I would love to spend more time here.

• Montego Bay can be considered the main tourist center, it is here that most flights arrive and it is here that the world's most famous chains of hotels, restaurants, a wide beach strip and everything that the soul of a tourist desires are located. I flew here on a flight from Frankfurt am Main. If you don’t stop by, but fly directly to Montego Bay, you find yourself in tropical bliss, which will become the main impression of visiting Jamaica. And when you manage to see both cities, you can feel the contrast between the center of business life and the center of leisure. I recommend doing just that so that the opinion about the country is most complete.

• Resort located in the western part of the island, it was a village in the past, not a city. Its beaches are among the top ten in the world, and the air is filled with carelessness and happiness. There's a zone in Negril sandy beaches and rocky shores, saturated night life and great dive sites. I did snorkeling here.

• located in the eastern part, this is a former fishing village that has become a resort area. A large amount of greenery is striking, this place is surrounded by mountains and waterfalls, huge cruise liners arrive here and bring horseback riding enthusiasts who are engaged in equestrian sports here. We talked at the hotel with a married couple who fly every year to practice horse riding in one of these centers.

Islands

Jamaica itself is an island state, the island is located in the neighborhood, and the Cayman Islands.

Together with them, it is part of the Greater Antilles group. The length of the island of Jamaica is 235 km, and maximum width about 80 km. This is the third largest island of this group. South coast the islands are surrounded by reefs, and the northern one is more rocky with a narrow strip of beaches. The island struck me with rich nature, many rivers and waterfalls, picturesque mountains. That is, Jamaica can be considered both as a country and as an island.

I was surprised by the lack of an accessible, well-established ferry service between neighbors. Accessible only by plane or cruise ship, although short distances make it possible to organize regular water transport links. Tourists are often disappointed, not knowing this nuance, hoping to visit several countries in one trip.

Top attractions

Personally, I consider the main attraction of Jamaica to be its nature. But I will adhere to generally accepted rules and talk about the most famous:

• Bob Marley Museum. In any guide you will meet him one of the first. It is located in Kingston, in the house where the musician lived and worked. Tourists are shown the house and its room with a guitar shaped like a star. This tour is mainly visited by music lovers and fans of reggae music. I liked it there too.

• Jaime Bond Beach in northern Jamaica near Ocho Rios. It's private and private beach With paid entrance(about 3 EUR per person). The popularity of the beach is associated exclusively with the name of James Bond, there are many beautiful and more scenic spots on the coast. It often hosts music festivals and other events. Personally, I don’t recommend this must-see attraction, but in general list pointing out.

• Falls and Dunn's River Park. Definitely worth a visit! It is very beautiful in here. The height of the waterfalls is about 180 meters, the water flows directly into the Caribbean Sea. Eat viewing platforms and climbing with an instructor. There are many palm trees, orchids, bamboo, breadfruit trees in the park, there is a beach below.

• Rose Hall. This is a mansion in Montego Bay, with which an interesting legend is associated, it is known to all the locals. According to legend, the estate belonged to wealthy planters. Their nephew married the girl Anna, who grew up on and there mastered the magic of voodoo. All her husbands died, and then she herself was found dead in her bed. Guy De Lisser's book The White Witch of Rose Hall is dedicated to this legend.

• Dolphin Cove. This more attraction than an attraction. Here, in natural bay live dolphins, crocodiles, rays, sharks. They are in natural environment habitat, so the impressions are much brighter than after visiting a zoo or a dolphinarium.

Weather

Jamaica is located in the tropical humid climate zone. Proximity to the Equator affects the length of daylight hours, it gets dark very early. But what amazing sunsets there! And with the sunrise, tropical nature awakens with extraordinary beauty.

During the year, the air temperature fluctuates between +25...+33 °C, dropping to +15 °C in mountainous areas. Like other Caribbean countries, Jamaica has a tropical rainy season that lasts from May to October. But such rains come mainly at night and do not interfere with rest. The water temperature is almost always the same: about +25 °C.

Jamaica is located in the hurricane belt Atlantic Ocean. September is considered the season of hurricanes, one of which I caught during one of my travels, then the country was subjected to significant destruction, and flights were canceled. It is most comfortable to rest during the period of our Russian winter when dry and warm. In July and August it is quite hot and stuffy, it will be very difficult to move around the country and attend excursions. The sun is very active at any time of the year, I strongly do not recommend being on the beach in the afternoon and before 4 pm, there is a high risk of getting serious burns (I definitely advise you to put a burn remedy and antihistamines in your first aid kit).

Money

national currency The Jamaican dollar is the Jamaican dollar (JMD).

Going on a trip, take with you credit cards of popular payment systems Visa or MasterCard, as well as cash dollars, which are accepted along with Jamaican in many places. By personal experience I can say that changing foreign currency to local is not very profitable, and you will lose a lot on conversion. There are two most convenient options: withdraw cash from an ATM from a Russian bank card (will issue in local currency at the current exchange rate) or pay in dollars on the spot. I do not recommend taking euros with you. I prefer the first way in any country.

In many hotels you can exchange currency and use an ATM, cards are accepted in restaurants, shops, with the exception of small souvenir shops, where it is preferable to pay in cash.

I also want to warn you against possible cases of fraud in exchange offices and stores: carefully check the change, with an unfamiliar currency it is easy to make a mistake in the calculations, and scammers make money on this. Another tip: be sure to notify the bank which country you are going to. This is due to the fact that when making payment transactions from afar, the bank has suspicions about security and the card is blocked. Unlocking in most cases takes time and nerves, which depends on the particular bank. It is unlikely that anyone will want to clarify the circumstances with managers and communicate with the bank by phone during the entire vacation. This situation happened to me, but, fortunately, there was some money on the card of another bank and cash, it saved me. Keep all receipts for purchases, currency exchange, cash withdrawals until you return to Russia, this can also be useful in resolving disputes.

Moving around the country

Traveling in Jamaica is pure pleasure. It doesn't matter which mode of transportation you choose! I am sure any of them will turn the exploration of the area into an exciting adventure.

Public transport

Inside Jamaica, the most convenient way to travel is by bus, fixed-route taxis and regular taxis. bus service between cities is well developed, routes are varied, and prices are fixed. Bus schedules of large companies are respected.

Taxi cars most often do not have meters, each trip initially has a certain cost. If you use the services of private drivers, it is better to negotiate the price in advance, before boarding, otherwise there may be misunderstandings in the calculation. In the case of intercity trips, the fare doubles. Domestic flights by local airlines are also very popular with local residents; they have a low cost and short duration (on average from 15 to 40 minutes). The trip from Montego Bay to by taxi is very tiring, and the flight is short and affordable.

Rent a Car

Any tourist over 23 years old and under 70 years old who has driver license international standard and credit card. Points are located in all hotels and other tourist areas. You can see price options.

However, I do not recommend renting a car. The fact is that there are practically no road signs in the country, and local drivers are distinguished by sloppy and extreme driving, so there is Great chance damage the rented car and get into an accident. It is better and safer to take a taxi. At the very least, you will be driven by a person familiar with the national driving style and local roads. In Jamaica, when traveling by road, there is one interesting feature: very often mongooses cross the roadway, without exception, all drivers stop and let them pass. There are even special road signs with the image of an animal.

Connection

Currently, almost every traveler is familiar with Viber, Whatsapp and Skype services, so about telephone communication I will say briefly: if such a need arose, you can use the telephone boxes in hotels or post offices. They work with coins and cards (I didn’t use them myself), there is also a local mobile operator Digicel (a minute of a call to Russia costs about 0.17 USD or 20 JMD). I categorically do not recommend calling from a hotel room: the bill for communication services can be unpredictable.

I also advise, if necessary, to purchase a local SIM card (its cost is about 5500 JMD, 3000 of which will be on the account), but for a one-time trip this is not a very profitable solution.

Wi-Fi is available in all hotels (in the lobby or throughout the territory), the quality is stable, sometimes it can deteriorate during tropical rains. IN resort areas ah, communication problems should not arise, but in remote areas where locals live, there may be interruptions. To call Jamaica, you need to dial the combination 8-10-1-876-subscriber number. Cities do not have separate telephone codes, it is the same for the whole country. Using the roaming service of Russian mobile operators is very expensive, it is better to connect to the Internet only via Wi-Fi. And even better - turn off all gadgets altogether and enjoy a carefree vacation :). That's exactly what I usually do. And let the whole world wait.

Language and communication

English is considered the official language in Jamaica, but it will be extremely difficult for you to express yourself in it, especially with local residents not employed in the tourism sector. In the 17th century, a large number of slaves were brought to Jamaica from West Africa, which brought local characteristics to the culture, resulting in the formation of the Jamaican Creole language, based on a mixture of English and African dialects. In addition, in Jamaica there is a local dialect "patois". It was formed by mixing English and loanwords of Spanish and African origin. Each of these mixtures is unique and does not belong to a particular language.

After living in the country for several days and talking with the locals, you will quickly get comfortable and learn to understand what they say. At first, everyone has some difficulty trying to communicate in traditional English. Airport and hotel employees speak the most clearly, as they work with a large number of people from all over the world every day. different countries. The main means of communication in Jamaica is a sincere friendly smile, do not hesitate to ask again if something is not heard or understood. Jamaicans are very polite and conservative, adhere to generally accepted norms of communication.

For everyday needs, a vacationer needs a basic set of phrases in English from a standard phrasebook, from some special phrases in everyday life, only "yo, man" is remembered, which they use everywhere and on any occasion.

Here are 10 phrases that I think will come in handy in various situations:

• Hey (analogous to greeting hello or hi), for some reason they say that in Jamaica.
• Please, give me a local sim card - Please give me a local sim card.
• I would like to try national food - I would like to try national cuisine.
• Where can I find coffee and rum for the best price? Where can you find coffee and rum? best price?.
• I need a doctor/medicine for headache, stomachache, flu - I need a doctor/medicine, headache, stomachache, cold.
• How much is this? Will you make a discount? - How much does it cost? Will you make a discount?
• Can I change money in a hotel? What is the rate? – Is it possible to exchange money at the hotel, what is the exchange rate?
• Which bus goes to the city center/mall/airport? – Which bus goes to the city center/shopping center/airport?
• Jamaica – no problem! - Jamaica - no problem! :).

Features of the mentality

Upon arrival in Jamaica, you immediately feel the atmosphere of serenity and
slowness: no one is in a hurry, the locals are lazy
looking at tourists, airport employees are clumsy and relaxed,
but always smiling.

In Jamaica, it's customary to say "no problem"! This phrase, perhaps, most fully reflects the essence of the local mentality. The absence of problems, rather, the concentration on them, which is usually evident in Russia, is surprising at first. After all, people also live there, experiencing difficulties and disappointments, but they have a completely different attitude to this. I believe this is largely due to the year-round warm climate. The further north and colder, the more gloomy people. The fact is well known, but climatologists should study this phenomenon deeper in the context of the influence climate zone on human character and temperament. I think it could be interesting research.

Jamaicans are very friendly and at the same time a little arrogant. Do not use the word "Negro" in their presence or discuss the colonial past. Just enjoy the conversation and get positive from them. Jamaicans are very fond of music and dance a lot, and anywhere. Airport employees, looking at my passport, sang something softly and danced :). My Russian seriousness vanished! At the hotel, employees will often chat with you, be interested in you, life in Russia, your opinion about the country and recreation.

The girl who organized our wedding ceremony then wrote to me and asked if we liked it and when we would come back to rest. Above her desk, I saw a lot of postcards and drawings with warm words and wishes from married couples, it touched me very much. In Russia, as a rule, everything is more formal and somehow soulless. Creepy aunts in the registry office with incredible hairstyles and nasty voices are hardly capable of creating a festive atmosphere. I would like only one thing: that the solemn part should end soon or be reduced to a minimum.

It is often striking that in Jamaica, many locals use narcotic smoking blends like regular cigarettes. You need to be careful when communicating. But in general, these are very pleasant cheerful people who love guests from different countries. They came up to me several times and asked what happened to me. When I answered that it was nothing, they were surprised, because I don’t have fun and don’t sing! Jamaicans are lazy. Here I can note a general similarity with the inhabitants of other hot countries. Even institutions work mostly until 2 pm, then everyone rests. If you need to resolve some urgent matter or make an appointment, get ready for long wait result and do not think that they have lost interest in the case. In this case, it is more productive to communicate informally and the process is noticeably accelerated.

I can't help but mention the taxi drivers. They are VERY talkative! You won't be able to drive in silence. The taxi driver will definitely ask where you are from and what you do, for what purpose you came, what kind of family and work you have. In response, you will have to listen to a similar story from him. The inhabitants of Jamaica left very pleasant impressions on me, I maintain friendly contact with some of them.

Food and drink

The cuisine of Jamaica, like the country itself, is very colorful and varied; it has absorbed the influence of Spanish, African, Indian and English traditions. Differs in exotic combinations of products and a large number of spices. Goat and pork dishes, seafood, fruits and vegetables are common. Jamaicans also love rice and often cook it as a side dish for the main course.

Red beans and breadfruit are also used. Exotic fruits are consumed here not after the main meal for dessert, but along with it or even instead of it. The most popular is oraniq, a cross between an orange and a tangerine, very pleasant in taste.

As for the national drink, you will be surprised to know that it is cocoa! Yes, yes, it is he, and not coffee, as is commonly believed. Jamaicans also drink tea, but mostly with herbal supplements. They don’t know a lot about good varieties of tea here. So if you are a connoisseur of an elite quality drink, concentrate better on cocoa or coffee :). Ask the bartender to prepare one of the coffee-based cocktails for you. There are several types, and each one is worth trying.

The most popular alcoholic drink, you guessed it, is rum and cocktails with it. One gets the impression that it is added everywhere and given even to children.

Wine is imported from countries latin america and Spain, local is not produced. There is also a national light ginger beer, which is very fond of teenagers.

shopping

Jamaica is a small and not very rich country, so lovers of luxury brands and boutiques will have a hard time here. Shops and malls are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. where you can find clothes, shoes, jewelry, watches and other goods. But I recommend that you leave shopping centers until you return to your homeland and go to one of the local markets in Kingston or Montego Bay, such as Hustle. Do not deny yourself the pleasure of bargaining and joining the local culture. However, be careful, there are petty thieves and pickpockets.

Vacation with children

Jamaica is not the best choice for traveling with children. There are several reasons for this: firstly, a very long flight with a transfer will be extremely tiring for both you and the child. Change of time zones and time difference also adversely affect well-being. Secondly, the process of adaptation and temperature difference when visiting Jamaica in winter time can negatively affect the immature children's immune system, plus the aggressive tropical sun. It's not worth the risk, it's better to choose a direction closer and with a climate more familiar to us.

However, if you still decide to fly with a child, the hotels have created the entire infrastructure for children's recreation, and the coast of the Caribbean Sea is distinguished by a gentle entry into the water with a gradual increase in depth. As for entertainment outside the hotel, they are designed mainly for a contingent of adults. Jamaica, in my opinion, is more suitable for a romantic trip or an active holiday.

Safety

In general, Jamaica cannot be classified as a safe country for tourists, but nothing threatens you in tourist regions and on the territory of hotels. Everywhere there is security and police patrol. Vigilance should be exercised outside the resort areas when communicating with local residents.

The fact is that the standard of living in the country is low, and they strive to make money on visitors, often very successfully. Do not accept dubious offers to ride private tour V unique places islands. Such stories often end in a drug den.

In the evening and at night, it is better to refrain from walking around the city and the beach. Keep money and documents in the hotel safe, and carry small amounts for small expenses and a copy of your passport with you. The indigenous population behaves kindly with tourists, it is enough to exercise reasonable caution. The country occupies a leading position in the prevalence of HIV, blood-sucking insects cause a lot of trouble. Women should not dress frankly and defiantly, Jamaica is a country of conservative traditions and norms of behavior. Crabs run along the beach and near the shore, which can bite painfully, in this case it is better to contact the first-aid post or doctor's office at the hotel and not make independent attempts at treatment.

Nearby countries

Jamaica's nearest neighbors are 145 km away and the island about 200 km away. Cruise companies, developing routes in the Caribbean countries, include nearby states and islands in the holiday program. However, the liners of American companies do not call at the ports of Cuba due to strained diplomatic relations.

At present, the political situation has changed. Perhaps this will also affect the tourism sector. Jamaica, in my opinion, is the most colorful of all the neighbors in terms of the Caribbean mentality and natural diversity. Unfortunately, it is also more costly. In addition, you can fly directly to Cuba and the Dominican Republic from Moscow, bypassing transfers in Europe, which reduces total time on my way.

If you have free time and means, you can go to Dominican Republic and see the capital of Santo Domingo. The flight will cost approximately 50,000 JMD or 25 thousand rubles per person one way or 80,000 JMD or 40 thousand rubles round trip.

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