Last updated: 23 Oct 2025
Jamaica
About
| The third-largest island in the Caribbean is also one of the most colourful. Idyllic white sand beaches and vibrant tropical blooms sit on a backdrop of blue mountain peaks. As the adopted home of the Rasta, Jamaica is also a riot of red, gold, and green. Renowned as the birthplace of Bob Marley, reggae remains at the island's musical heart. Rice-and-peas, rum, coffee and cricket are its soul. Local pastimes centre on oral traditions, such as discussing an idea to exhaustion, often over a fiercely fought game of dominoes on a veranda or front porch. Follow one of many hiking and climbing trails up the Blue Mountains to heights above 2,100m (7,000ft). Shrouded by mists that give the peaks their bluish tinge, the Blue Mountains are home to more than 200 bird species and 800 species of plants. Dive in underwater gardens, with many sunken wrecks as well as a rainbow of sponges, corals and varicoloured fish. Spot nurse sharks, furry sea cucumber, eagle rays, upside-down jellyfish, tobacco fish and snapper in shallow spurs and grove reefs amidst an assortment of caverns. Be sure to have a camera at the ready when dolphin-spotting in Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, the cove is home to numerous bottle nose dolphins. |
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| Capital: | Kingston (KIN) |
| Currency: | Jamaican Dollar (JMD) |
| Language: | English. A local dialect of Patois is spoken conversationally. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 1 876 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT -5 (7 hours behind South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Left |
| Best Time to go: | Year round destination, but high season is from December – April when rates will be higher. |
| Best For: | Eco-tourism, island relaxation, tropical forests |
| Plugs: | Usually 110 volts AC, 50 Hz, though some places use 220 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style flat two-pin plugs (with or without a grounding pin) are mostly used. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. Outside of the main towns, water may be contaminated. |
| Health: | Within the main towns, healthcare facilities are adequate but expensive, and doctors may require upfront health insurance. Outside of the main towns, healthcare facilities are limited. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. |
| Customs: | Beachwear should be reserved for the poolside / beach. Some restaurants may have a formal dress code. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | It is illegal to possess, use or export Marijuana. Possession may lead to imprisonment and deportation. Homosexuality is prohibited. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Credit cards are widely accepted and ATM’s are widespread. Avoid walking in isolated areas. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be imported into Jamaica without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 230g of tobacco. • 2L of alcohol • 170ml of perfume and 340ml of eau de toilette • US$500 of other goods (Jamaican passport holders and residents only) |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited items include narcotics, indecent or obscene prints and publications, counterfeit coins, and all publications of de Laurence Scott and Company or Red Star Publishing Company of Chicago, USA relating to divination, magic, cultism or supernatural arts. If you wish to import meat products for personal use, you must obtain an import licence. |
Issuing Authorities
Jamaican High Commission
Office W2, 2nd floor, Brooklyn Court, 361 Veale Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Tel: 012 366 8500
Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:00am to 4:00pm / Fri 9:00am to 3:30pm
E-mail: info@jhcpretoria.co.za
Web: jhcpretoria.co.za/
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1; Mar 5; Apr 18-21; May 23; Aug 1, 6; Oct 20; Dec 25-26
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Feb 18; Apr 3, 6; May 23, 25; Aug 1, 6; Oct 19; Dec 25-26
Visa Requirements
Visas are not required by SA passport holders for tourism or business purposes.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Ensure passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months from date of entry
- Evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay
- Return or round trip ticket to another country
- A completed and signed Immigration/Customs C5 form, either online (enterjamaica.gov.jm) or a physical form
SA Representative
South African High Commission
15 Hillcrest Avenue, Kingston 6
Tel: +1 876 620 4840
E-mail: jamaicak@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/kingston/
Also accredited to Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
