Country info for backpacking in Jamaica

Jamaica, which was originally claimed for Spain in 1494, has a history that has been greatly affected by slavery and the slave trade. The island was taken from Spain in 1655 when British Admiral William Penn and General Venables seized the island. Jamaica for almost two centuries was the world's largest sugar exporter, which was achieved through the use of imported slave labour, resulting in the very large Black population on the island. But, Jamaica does have a sizeable minority of East Indians, and varying numbers of Whites, Afro-Chinese, and persons of Syrian/Lebanese decent. Also, Christianity is the major religion in the island (It is estimated that about 80% of the island's 2.5 million inhabitants are Christians). Jamaica's resources include coffee, papaya, bauxite, gypsum, limestone, and sugar cane.

As in any foreign country, should any emergency situation arise, especially at the domestic level, it is advised to immediately contact your government's embassy or consulate. Governments usually advise travellers staying in the country for an extended period of time to notify their embassy or consulate so they can be contacted in the case of emergency. Note that homosexuality is against the law & considered completely unacceptable in Jamaica, and can lead to violence. Do not display affection to people of the same sex in public - Jamaica is a nation notorious for its persistent intolerance of homosexuality and homosexuals, gay bashings are not uncommon and victims would be met with indifference by the authorities. It can also lead to punishment by law. Gay and Lesbian tourists are best advised to avoid Jamaica as a vacation destination. Marijuana, although cheap, plentiful and powerful, is illegal on the island. If in need of police, dial 119 - just don't expect them to show up on the spot. Also, it is best to avoid certain parts of the island at night. Rural areas of the island are generally safe, but inner-city parts of the island such as Spanish Town and some neighborhoods in Kingston (Trench Town, etc.) should be avoided even during the day. September, October, and November have a lower number of tourists due to being hurricane season. As a result, the police are encouraged to take their vacation during this time. This reduction in police force can cause areas like Montego Bay's hip strip to be less safe than normal.

Medical facilities on the island are not always up to par with health care standards of your home country. Falling ill can sometimes result in major medical fees. Therefore, it is advised to buy travel insurance, as this will ensure peace of mind in emergency situations. The water quality is generally good and safe to drink. If staying in the island's two major cities, Kingston and Montego Bay, the water is of the quality you would most likely find in your home country. However, Jamaicans generally boil their water, and it is likely best to follow the Jamaican people's example. Water service in rural areas can sometimes go out for several hours at a time. Individuals in rural areas have their own water tanks, which catch water when it rains, so be ready to draw from a tank instead of turning a pipe. Bottled water such as Wata (a local brand), Aquafina and Deer Park are widely available. Be cautious of the water quality at public swimming beaches, such as "Walter Fletcher Beach" in Montego Bay, which some locals call "dump-up beach", situated near the north gully. Large amounts of solid and human waste flush down the gully during storm events. The water flowing down Dunn's River Falls has also been said to contain high amounts of coliform bacteria, indicating fecal contamination. Malaria can be a risk, mostly near the Kingston area. The island had been malaria free for years, until incidents popped in recent years. Rumors have been heard of people suffering from symptoms similar to Dengue fever after visiting the cockpit country, but confirmed reports may not exist.