In Jamaica, mainly English and Jamaican Patois are spoken. English is the official language and is used in government, education and business. Jamaican Patois, often referred to simply as Patois, is a Creole language based on English, but with strong influences from West Africa, Spanish and various African dialects. Patois is spoken by many Jamaicans in informal everyday life and in communication with each other.

The best time to travel to Jamaica is during the winter months. Theweather is coolest and driest from December to February. However, bear in mind that prices for hotels and flights are usually higher during this time and that there are also many other visitors. If you want to save money, you should travel in the low season (March-April or October-November). I love Jamaica in the low season because everything is more relaxed then. The weather in October and November was excellent, with a little more rain. It was just perfect in March! The hurricane season lasts from June to November.

The average temperature in Jamaica is 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit). However, it can get quite hot, especially in the summer months. The weather is hottest and most humid from June to August.

I felt very safe during my solo backpacking tour. Jamaica can be exhausting from time to time, but it is manageable.

The larger cities such as Kingston, Montego and Negril are a little less safe than the country. However, you should have no problems if you are a somewhat experienced traveler.

I use Digicel when I travel to Jamaica. The connection has proven to be the best, and it's easy to get a top-up. I also get an Airlo basic starter plan so I can easily Uber from the airport and set up with a local sim.

Route Taxis are the best way to get around Jamaica. Official route cabs have a red license plate. The route they are on is written on the doors. Route cabs are the cheapest and most flexible way to get around. Just make sure you get on and off on the route. Otherwise you will be charged as a charter cab.

Public bus: The bus stop is located in the city center. I couldn't find a schedule. They seem to travel more frequently than the Knutsford.
Knutsford: The luxury bus from Jamaica connects other important destinations. Note that the specified time refers to the calculated travel time and not the actual time to reach a destination. In addition to the journey time, there are also stops and bus changes that are not visible when you buy your ticket.

Airports: The arrival at MoBay Sangster International is very picturesque, as the airport is located directly on the beach. The airport is also only 10 minutes from the HipStrip, 15 minutes from downtown and 20 minutes from Mount Salem. Sangster International Airport is also small, which makes it particularly convenient to move around.

Kingston Airport is located about 20 minutes outside of Kingston.

I use Digicel when I travel to Jamaica. The connection has proven to be the best, and it's easy to get a top-up. I also get an Airlo basic starter plan so I can easily Uber from the airport and set up with a local sim.

I drank tap water in the larger cities and it was fine. However, the water quality can vary. And it is advisable to take your water filter or UV water bottle with you.

"Tourism Leakage": Jamaica is a tropical paradise loved by tourists all over the world, but it has a problem that is not visible - "Tourism Leakage". This phenomenon refers to the loss of revenue that occurs when international hotel chains export a large proportion of their income and very little money flows into the local economy.

If you are one of the millions of visitors who flock to Jamaica each year, there is an easy way to mitigate the effects of tourism leakage: Support Jamaican-owned hotels, stores and restaurants. This way you can put your money where your heart is - and give the people of Jamaica a chance to benefit from tourism.

So don't be afraid to look for local businesses on your next vacation. Your decision to leave the tourism dollars in Jamaica could make a big difference.

Access to the beach

Jamaica is known for its beautiful beaches, but only 1% of the beaches are freely accessible to Jamaicans. In recent years, many resorts and private properties have restricted access to certain stretches of beach, making it incredibly difficult for locals to maintain their lives and their right to the sea. Support public beaches and say no to all-inclusive tourism!

Garbage

Make sure you take a foldable food container and cutlery with you! The amount of waste generated by food sold on the street is incredible.

Sunscreen

Make sure to protect Jamaica's marine life and take reef-safe sunscreen with you!