Jamaica: Land of Wood and Water
Jamaica island nation of the Greater Antilles, 234 kilometres (146 mi) in length and as much as 80 kilometres (50 mi) in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is about 620 kilometres (385 mi) northeast of the Central American mainland, 145 kilometers (90 mi) south of Cuba, and 190 kilometres (120 mi) west of the island of Hispaniola , on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated. Its indigenous Arawak-otherwise call TaÃno inhabitants named the island Xaymaca, meaning the “Land of Wood and Water”, or the “Land of Springs” Formerly a Spanish possession known as Santiago, it later became the British West Indies Crown colony of Jamaica. It is the third most populous anglophone country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada.
CLOTHING
The clothing you’ll see around Jamaica is vibrant and striking, but the overarching theme in this tropical climate is comfort. No matter your plans, comfortable clothing is essential. Lightweight cottons and linens are advisable, while light woolens are suggested for evenings. Try to avoid synthetics, which may not be as breathable as woolens and linens. Hats, particularly with large brims, and sunglasses are also highly recommended for travelers. Sun block is also a must-wear for most vacationers. Sundresses and lightweight pants are particularly recommended, though sweaters may be a necessity in the evening in winter. Additionally, waterproof clothing and rain wear are a necessity all year long. Rain showers in Jamaica usually come up suddenly, come down hard, and then are over fairly quickly, so you need to be prepared with a waterproof jacket or umbrella everywhere you go.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Travelers to Jamaica are required to meet only one health requirement. Tourists above the age of 1 must obtain a yellow fever vaccination certificate only if traveling to Jamaica from a contaminated locale. Jamaica has no other health requirements before arriving on the island, but hepatitis A is a frequently occurring disease, and acquiring proper vaccinations is advised before traveling.
For health and medical treatment while staying in Jamaica, first consult the hotel for recommendations regarding a medical clinic, dentist or doctor. The majority of hotels keeps doctors and dentists on call so, in non-emergency situations, check with the concierge before making the trip to the hospital. If you need urgent medical attention, visit one of Jamaica’s 16 public or six private hospitals located around the island. The following list provides the names, locations and phone numbers of the primary medical facilities tourists should visit if necessary:
| Hospital | Location | Telephone |
| University Hospital of the West Indies | Mona, Kingston | 876-927-1620 |
| St. Ann’s Bay Hospital | St. Ann’s Bay | 876-972-2272-3 |
| Port Antonio Hospital | Naylor’s Hill, Port Antonio | 876-993-2646-8 |
| Montego Bay Cornwall Regional Hospital | Mt. Salem Mo Bay | 876-952-5100-9 |
For an ambulance, dial 110 immediately. Also, be sure to check if your insurance policy covers medical expenses incurred while traveling, if not you should obtain traveler’s insurance before visiting the island.
Many larger hotels and chains in Jamaica will have a doctor on-call at all times. It is best that you have any paperwork from your own doctor if you may need it on your travels, including prescription information.
Almost all hotels have trained nurses in attendance and a doctor on call 24 hours.
The travel Guide also offer a brief overlook of the countries history, economy, religion and culture. If you have any questions, related to visiting the country, we most likely answer it in our guide. We offer a vast amount of information and update our site regularly.
