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How To Travel To Jamaica
Tips and Advice On How To Get To Jamaica

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cheap_hotels_in_montego_bay_sea_gardens_resort_plane_passingHow To Travel To Jamaica

by Sheree-Anita Shearer | Associate Writer

How do you travel to Jamaica? Being an island in the middle of the Caribbean, there aren’t many options to get here; it is either by air or sea.

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What is the best way to get to Jamaica?

I would say the best way to get to Jamaica is by plane. Unless you are interested in a cruise, it wouldn’t be feasible to take a boat here. For one, there are other stops on the journey and being on the cruise ship is a huge part of the journey.

If you are just interested in one destination then it is easier and cheaper to just take a plane there.

How do you get to Jamaica by boat?

As the 5th largest cruise destination in the Caribbean, getting here by boat will work out just fine. Many cruise lines include Jamaica on their list of countries, so you will get a chance to visit the island while on your cruise.

Do you need a passport to go to Jamaica by boat?

Yes, a passport is still required if you are travelling by ship to Jamaica. US citizens will also need to present an onward ticket. You can read a little more about the entry requirements for non-nationals, including children.

Can I take a boat from Florida to Jamaica?

Absolutely! Florida is one of the closest ports to Montego Bay, Falmouth and Ocho Rios ports in Jamaica and more likely than not, the cruise coming from Florida will dock at one or more of these 3 ports.

Cruise Ships That Dock In Jamaica

Some of the cruise lines that head to Jamaica every year are:

  • Carnival
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Princess
  • Holland America
  • Windstar
  • Seabourn
  • Marella Cruises

Here is a list of all of Jamaica’s cruise ship ports.

Can you fly directly to Jamaica?

There are weekly, sometimes daily direct flights to and from Jamaica and some parts of the US, The Caribbean, Canada and Europe. During the peak season, more direct flights are added as well.

Here, you can check to see where all non-stop flights to Jamaica come from and which of Jamaica’s major airports they land in.

If you are landing in Montego Bay, here are some tips to get through the airport.

If you are heading to Portland, Kingston or St. Mary then it is better to land at the Norman Manley International Airport, if you are heading to Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril or the South Coast, Sangster International in Montego Bay is the better option.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Jamaica?

If you are searching for budget-friendly flights to Jamaica, you will have to consider flying between April and November. That is excluding the times for Carnival and the Emancipendence period as these are both very popular times for Jamaicans living abroad to fly home for the local parties.

Tips On Travelling To Jamaica

Before you go

Ensure that you have all your necessary documents (you can read up on the entry requirements here), vaccinations and medication, if necessary. Also, be mindful of the time you are planning your trip and pack accordingly.

There is hardly any change in the weather year-round but sometimes it might be a little rainier or slightly on the cooler side and it is better to pack with these eventualities in mind. It is also good to have an itinerary.

Pay keen attention to the location of the attractions you would love to visit and carefully consider if you’ll have the time to do it all. Jamaica is a small country compared to many others, but it takes 5 hours to travel from one end to the next.

It might not sound like a lot but, you want to ensure that you have enough time to thoroughly enjoy each activity. And it is next to impossible to visit an attraction in Portland and still make it back in time for the sunset in Negril.

Your plans may not need to be planned to a “T” but at least have a general idea of what you want to do and if possible leave one or two days blank to just rest or see where the day takes you.

Here is a list of the seven most popular resort areas in Jamaica. It will help you to get an understanding of where the popular attractions are.

If you are travelling with children, however, all I said just now about not having your plans down to a “T” goes out the window. Especially when travelling with small children, it is easy to get flustered and that is not what vacations are about.

Having a clear idea of what is to be done makes it a lot easier. Before you leave as well, some airlines and customs will require that you have written consent from the parent who will not be present. Ensure to get this done if it is needed.

And don’t wait until you get here to secure a ride from the airport to your resort either. You want to hit the ground in vacation mode and searching for hotels and car services in the sun at the airport is not ideal.

Here are a few hotels to consider:

Most hotels will have complimentary pickup and drop off at the airport but others may only organise the ride and ask you to pay, either way, it is a secure ride to your next destination and the price when compared to convenience (if you have to pay) isn’t half bad. But if you would prefer to drive yourself around here are some options:

Car rentals in:

If you are travelling with pets, you will have to start preparing months in advance as you must seek the permission of the Ministry of Agriculture for bringing in an animal. This is to protect Jamaica’s ecosystem and its people from potential diseases. Here are some helpful tips on getting your pet to Jamaica and hotels that accommodate pets.

Here are the requirements to drive in Jamaica as a non-national, plus a few helpful tips.

While you are there

Try not to stay at the resort for the entire trip. As tempting as it is, there is so much to see and do on the island that you would be missing out on if you don’t venture out.

Before you leave

Be sure to grab a few Jamaican items here. If you are a fan of jerk sauce, get a few bottles while you are here. Blue Mountain coffee is also way cheaper here than when it is exported. Some Jamaican snacks can be brought as well. Be sure to grab a few, and by few, I mean a box of patties when you are leaving.

Here is a list of other fun items you could buy for yourself or loved ones back home.
I hope this helped you to get a better understanding of how to travel to Jamaica. Book here if you would love to visit a popular attraction or customise your private tour.

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Return to How to Prepare For A Trip To Jamaica from How To Travel To Jamaica
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from How To Travel To Jamaica

References & Sources For How To Travel To Jamaica

  1. Jamaica travel tips: Useful info for travellers: Visit Jamaica (no date) Plan Your Trip To Jamaica. Available at: https://www.visitjamaica.com/plan-your-trip/getting-there/travel-tips/ (Accessed: January 5, 2023).
  2. Manthei, E. (2022) How to travel with a minor to Jamaica, USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network. Available at: https://traveltips.usatoday.com/travel-minor-jamaica-61106.html (Accessed: January 5, 2023).

How To Travel To Jamaica | Associate Writer

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