Jamaica Travel Insurance

Known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, relaxing resorts and tropical rainforests, Jamaica is a popular destination for tourists to find tranquility and adventure. Whether you’re hoping to explore the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park or sunbathe on the sands of Montego Bay, Travel Guard can help you plan your dream Jamaican vacation.

Travel Guard offers a variety of comprehensive travel insurance plans to pack on your trip to Jamaica.

Our Preferred Plan is a great place to start since it includes medical expense coverage, trip delay, baggage coverage and more. However, if you’re planning on more adventurous activities, you may want higher benefit limits to help protect your travel investment. In which case, you may want to consider our Deluxe Plan which includes additional features like flight accident coverage and roadside assistance.  Plus, Travel Guard has optional add-ons to customize your travel insurance plan to fit your needs, like our Adventure Sports Bundle, which can help cover your daring explorations in Jamaica. 

For the latest information related to COVID-19 travel requirements for Jamaica, please visit the official U.S. Embassy site. 

Jamaica is a popular tourist destination, but the Caribbean nation also has high rates of petty and violent crime as well as civil unrest, including in areas frequented by travelers. Petty crime, armed robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, homicide, sexual assault and gang violence are all concerns. Although gang violence typically occurs outside of tourist areas, collateral risks do exist. Local authorities may declare a state of emergency without warning to combat crime.

Avoid traveling alone or in isolated areas, regardless of the time of day, and don’t wear expensive jewelry or carry large amounts of money. Be careful when withdrawing money from ATMs and only use kiosks inside secure locations such as banks and major hotels. Do not take public transportation and instead use pre-arranged services or transportation arranged through your hotel or resort. If a demonstration is underway, avoid the area due to the potential for violence.

Security concerns within Jamaica’s resorts and hotels are lower, but visitors should carefully choose accommodations with robust security measures in place. Take precautions to secure travel documents, credit cards and cash in hotel safes and avoid leaving items unattended in public areas. Be aware that criminals have spiked food and drinks, even in resort areas.

LGBTQ+ travelers should take extra precautions if visiting Jamaica, as they may face legal concerns, harassment and violence. Choose resorts that are known to be friendlier to the LGBTQ+ community and avoid public displays of affection or revealing personal details.

Finally, Jamaica is susceptible to hurricanes, which can lead to infrastructure issues, flooding and landslides. If traveling during hurricane season, keep track of weather-related developments and have an evacuation plan in place.

Visit the U.S. Department of State website for up-to-date information on travel advisory levels and safety information for travelers to Switzerland.

All U.S. travelers should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service offered to U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad. Enrolling in this program allows you to receive important information from the embassy and helps the embassy contact you in an emergency.

The official currency in Jamaica is the Jamaican Dollar. Currency can be exchanged before your departure at a local bank or an airport kiosk, which should be available at your arrival airport as well. Travelers can exchange currency at banks in major cities or, depending on where you stay, you may change currency at your resort. While credit and debit cards are widely accepted, it’s always good to carry a small amount of cash if you shop with a small, local vendor. Be sure to inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid unwanted interruption. 

There are three main languages spoken in Jamaica – Jamaican English, Jamaican Patois and Spanish. Jamaican English is the most common language spoken on the island and is the language used by the government and media. English is also commonly spoken on resorts, but if you feel there may be a language barrier, you can always download a translator app that works offline.

Visas are not required for U.S. citizens who are staying less than 90 days in the country. Tourists will also need a valid passport with one blank page. 

The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica is in Kingston. Visit the official U.S Embassy government website for a list of up-to-date phone numbers and addresses.

Jamaica is known for its year-round warm and tropical climate. December to May is the country’s dry season, meaning this is an ideal time of year to visit to get maximum sunshine. Jamaica’s rainy season runs from June to November, so that time of year tends to see heavier rainfall with threats of bigger storms coming from the Atlantic. Still, the country’s beauty won’t disappoint no matter when you decide to visit. 

Winter is a great time for tourists to visit Jamaica and learn more about the country’s cultures with events such as Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, which takes place in Montego Bay towards the end of January, or Bob Marley Week, which celebrates the life and legend of Jamaican celebrity in the country’s capital of Kingston.

If a music festival isn’t your speed, tourists can visit in March to watch the Jamaica Kiteboard World Cup in Port Antonio where participants are involved in a 10-day kiteboarding competition or celebrate Carnival across the country in April.

Jamaica’s dial code is +876, which is used to call landlines and mobile phones in the country. Remember to use the exit code of +11 when placing international calls from the U.S. and consider the area code of the city or town you’re calling. Remember landlines are typically more affordable than connecting to a cell phone, but contact your phone provider for cost estimates and to let them know of your travel plans to avoid unwanted interruption during your trip. 

Tourists traveling to Jamaica will be able to use and charge their electronics as normal since the country has a similar voltage to the U.S. However, you may want to bring a universal adaptor if you are worried an item will not work without it.

Tourists traveling via cruise will be able to travel to other countries and ports easily, however, if not taking a Jamaican cruise, visiting nearby islands, such as the Bahamas is a possibility so long as you do your research on the regulations for the countries you’d like to see. 

Jamaica can be a great vacation for families as the warm, sunny days leave plenty of time to explore activities that your resort has to offer, whether it’s hanging out by the pool, learning to snorkel or taking a boat tour around the island, you’ll find many ways to keep the whole family entertained.