Jamaica Travel Tips
Jamaica is one of the top destination wedding locations in the Caribbean. It is the third largest island in the Caribbean and it is conveniently located just over an hour from Miami. Travelers heading to Jamaica won’t have a problem getting there and getting around easily because of the abundance of flights and rental car services available. Many destination wedding couples choose Jamaica for their Caribbean wedding because it is easy to get to and has a very good tourist infrastructure.
Flight Information
Most destination wedding couples and guests arrive to Jamaica via the Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. If you are going to Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, or Runaway Bay, this is the most convenient point of entry. If you are going to Mandeville, Port Antonio, or Kingston, you can travel to Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport. Airlines that serve Jamaica from the US include Air Jamaica, American Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and USAir. It takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes to fly to Jamaica from Chicago and New York, 5 hours and 30 minutes from Los Angeles, 1 hour and 25 minutes from Miami, and 4 hours and 20 minutes from Dallas.
Renting a Car
If you plan to leave the resort grounds where your destination wedding will be held, it’s a good idea to rent a car. Although renting a car in Jamaica can be pricy, it is recommended because it is much easier to get around that way and it allows you to explore parts of Jamaica that would otherwise be difficult to see. You can get a rental car all over Jamaica but you will find the best selection in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Kingston. It is better to rent a car from a large company for increased flexibility. For example, with a large rental car company, it is sometimes possible to rent a car in one city and drop it off in another.
You can find a very good road map made by the Jamaica Tourist Board at tourist board offices and car rental agencies. In the low season, a rental car costs as low as USD $35 per day whereas in the high season, it could cost up to USD $120 per day. Rental car companies that have offices in Jamaica include Avis, Budget Rent A Car, and Advantage Rent A Car. You must be 25 years-old, have a valid driver’s license from your country, and a valid credit card in order to rent a car in Jamaica. Road conditions in Jamaica are poor and you must drive on the left side of the road.
Travel and Customs Requirements
As of 2006, US citizens are required to travel with a valid passport to Jamaica. You must also show a return or ongoing ticket. You will receive an immigration card upon arrival. You must hold onto this card because you have to give it to customs when you leave the country. You can bring home $800 worth of duty free merchandise if you have been away for more than 48 hours but you will be charged 10% tax on the next $1000 worth of merchandise.
Destination Wedding Packages in Jamaica
There are a wide range of resorts in Jamaica than can help you plan your dream destination wedding. Couples Resorts provide wedding packages with all the frills and are located along gorgeous Jamaican beaches. Couples Resorts are for couples only and offer more affordable rates than other resort chains. Those who are willing to splurge can also go the Couples Resort’s private offshore island for their wedding and honeymoon. The five-star Sandals Resorts are also very popular for their signature wedding packages. For a more private ceremony and reception, consider renting a private luxury villa. The Beach House Villas in Negril offer the perfect setting for destination wedding couples who’d like to avoid the large resorts and have a more private ceremony. |
