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Airport
Description
Sangster International Airport, Norman Manley International.
Best Time to Visit
December 15 - April 14, winter is the best and most
popular time to visit.
Resort Areas
Montego Bay, Negril, Falmouth, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio,
Kingston, Spanish Town, and Mandeville.
Bank Information
Banking hours: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Monday to Thursday;
9:00 am - 12:00 pm, and then 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm Friday.
ATM Available No
Currency Jamaican
Dollar.
Departure Taxes $28.00
U.S.
Drinking Water
All drinking water
in Jamaica is purified and filtered by modern methods.
Bottled water is available.
Duty Free Shopping
Duty free is available
in the airport, U.S. citizens can return with goods
up to the value of $150, including 200 cigarettes or
50 cigars,2 litre of spirits,2 litres of wine.
Climate/Topography
Jamaica, about
235 km (146 mi) long and 82 km (51 mi) at its widest
point, is bisected by highlands, bending east and west,
that cover 80% of the island. The highest elevations
are in the Blue Mountains to the east. The coastal plains
are widest and most arid to the south. Most of the soil
of the island, particularly in the central section,
contains a high percentage of limestone, making cultivation
difficult. Rainwater does not remain near the surface
but percolates through the limestone soil to unusable
depths. The island has few large rivers; only the Black
River is navigable. The mean annual temperature is about
27° C (80° F) on the coast. Annual rainfall averages
1,955 mm (77 in), but it reaches 5,080 mm (200 in) in
some mountainous regions. Jamaica has a great diversity
of vegetation, although many areas have been cleared
for agriculture. The climate is tropical all year, temperate
in mountain areas, it may tend to get a little cooler
in the evenings. The rainy months are May and October,
but showers may occur at any time.
Electricity
110 volts AC, 50Hz,
single phase.
Gambling
There is no casino
gambling in Jamaica, although a number of resorts have
game rooms with slot machines. The only legal betting
is on horse racing at Caymanas Park Race Track in Kingston.
Innoculations/Vaccination
No vaccinations
are required to enter the country unless, in the last
6 weeks, you have visited: Asia, Africa, Central & South
America, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Trinidad or Tobago.
Language
Official language
is English.
Location Description
Jamaica, a nation
in the West Indies, occupies the third largest island
in the Caribbean Sea. Located south of Cuba and west
of Hispaniola, Jamaica is slightly larger than the island
of Hawaii. Kingston is its capital.
Proof of Citizenship
Valid U.S. passport,
or state issued birth certificate with raised seal and
photo ID backup.
Golf Courses
Montego Bay
The Half Moon Golf Course is a Par-72 championship
course designed in 1961 by renowned course architect,
Robert Trent Jones. Sculpted from the foothills of the
western Jamaican coastline, the course has an international
reputation for being challenging and beautiful. A member
of Jack Nicklaus's "Great Golf Resorts of the World,"
Half Moon has hosted a number of prestigious tournaments.
With four tee markers on every hole, scratch golfers
and beginners will find an enjoyable challenge as they
tackle Robert Trent Jones's design and the ever-present
trade winds. The Half Moon Club also offers a full service
Golf Shop and the David Leadbetter Golf Academy.
The Ocean Course at Wyndham Rose Hall is renowned
for its imaginative layout and historic site, with a
bedeviling Par 4 8th hole only 322 yds from the rear
tees, but ominously close to the Caribbean along its
left-hand side. This challenging, recently renovated
18-hole Par 72 course stretches to 6,590 yards, with
breathtaking views of Jamaica's Blue Mountains and the
Caribbean Sea.
The White Witch Golf Course winds through the
mountains of Jamaica's historic 4,000 acre Rose Hall
Plantation, along 200 acres of lush greenery and rolling
countryside, with panoramic views of the ocean, mountains
and island. Located at The Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall, this
6,800-yard 18 hole Robert von Hagge design is set along
1,500 feet of beachfront, with multiple tee locations
and dramatic elevation changes.
Tryall Golf Course is a 6,221-yard, Par 72 course
widely considered among the finest in the Caribbean.
Tryall attracts the game's leading players and prestigious
international events, like the Johnnie Walker World
Championships, Mazda Champions, Jamaica Classic and
Shell's Wonderful World of Golf. Designed by Ralph Plummer,
the course's sculpted fairways and manicured greens
meander through forest-green hills, between stands of
coconut palms and fruit trees, round lily-padded ponds,
down to a one-and-a-half mile long shoreline.
Ironshore is an 18-hole, Par 72 course noted
for a challenging layout with a number of intriguing
blind holes and a total of 6,633 yards. This is a links-type
course, with well-bunkered greens requiring accuracy
and steely-nerved approaches.
Negril
Negril Hills is an 18-hole, par-72 course measuring
6,333 yards, with gently undulating fairways, elevated
tees and greens, picturesque water hazards and lush
vegetation. Located in the lush green hills high above
the white beaches of Negril, this sporty course offers
the challenging topography and natural beauty that characterizes
the great golf courses of the world. A tennis court,
restaurant, pro-shop and club house are all on the property.
Runaway Bay
The Superclubs Breezes Runaway Bay Course is
a Par 72, 18-hole championship course offering an exhilarating
experience for beginners and accomplished golfers alike.
Designed by Commander John Harris, the course was opened
in 1960 and features sand bunkers, long rolling fairways,
and large flat greens protected by grassy mounds. The
host of many championship events, the course measures
5,389 yards and is slope rated 117 from the forward
trees. From the back it measures 6,870 yards and is
slope rated 124. The course is well trapped, protecting
it from certain errand shots and wind gusts of up to
35 mph. Guests of the resort receive unlimited greens
fees and complimentary entrance to the on-site golf
school.
Ocho Rios
Sandals Golf & Country Club is an 18 hole, Par
71 course with a total of 6,311 yards, located two miles
from Ocho Rios,amidst verdant hills 700 feet above sea
level. This is one of Jamaica's most scenic courses,
noted for majestic trees, rolling fairways, constant
breezes, a plantation clubhouse and a 10th hole offering
a spectacular view of the Caribbean.
Dress Description
Lightweight tropical
clothing is best suited throughout the year. On the
beaches shorts and swimwear are acceptable. A light
sweater is suggested for evening, especially in the
winter months. Some hotels require casual evening wear
for women and a jacket for men when dining. Laundering
and dry cleaning facilities are available.
Rental Car Information
To rent a vehicle,
the driver must be 25 years of age. A valid drivers
license, valid for 12 months, may be used for up to
a 3 month period. The driver must post a bond to meet
insurance regulations with cash, major credit card,
or travelers checks. Rentals are available from many
different companies.
Time Zone
Eastern Standard
Time/No Daylight Savings
Tipping & Taxes
Hotels have a service
charge of 10-15%, the same amount is generally accepted
at restaurants.
Tourist Board Phone #
(800) 233-4582
Wedding Requirement
Original or certified
copies of birth certificates. If either party is divorced,
original or certified copies of divorce papers. If either
party is widowed, original or certified copies of spouse's
death certificate. Couple must be in Jamaica for 48
hrs.
Weather Conditions
Jamaica's average
annual temperature is 80°F / 27°C. The average yearly
temperature range is between 78°F and 85°F. Extreme
temperatures range from a low of 65°F to a high of 95°F.
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