Islandvibes Vacations

FAQ

 

      Frequently Asked Questions

 

Which documents are required to enter Jamaica?

Starting January 2007, all US/Canadian visitors to Jamaica are required to have a valid passport.

UK Citizens: Commonwealth citizens need passports (no visa is required).

Japan Citizens: Passport required. Visa is required for stays of over 30 days.

All other countries: Please contact the JTB office nearest you for requirements.

 

Is a converter or special plug needed for US appliances, computers etc?

The voltage in Jamaica is 120V (@ 50 – 60 Hz) the same as US. All your US appliances, radios, computers will work in Jamaica. The telephone lines also have standard RJ-11 plugs.

 

Are there any items we should bring with us?

Sun block, mosquito repellent, favorite foods, film for cameras, baby food and a pool float.

 

Should we rent a car in Jamaica?

In general, unless you are familiar with doing so, we strongly advise our guests NOT to rent a car as driving themselves in Jamaica can be a hassle (some bad roads, left hand driving, minimal signage, .. etc). We suggest you consider taking advantage of our ground transportation partner “Jahmaica tours”. They can provide you with a full time driver. There prices are very reasonable and probably works out cheaper than you renting a vehicle for yourself. Their excellent drivers can take you anywhere in Jamaica and serve as your guide.

 

What are the Villa amenities?

Your villa comes fully furnished with a Personal Domestic Assistant. This includes items such as towels, bed sheets, wash cloths, tableware, cutlery etc. Please take a look at the amenities page for more details.

 

Can we receive phone calls at the Villa?

Yes. Jamaica uses the North American Dial Plan, so people can call you at the villa from the US or Canada by dialing 1+ Area Code and the 7-digit telephone number. From other countries, callers should follow the normal international dialing procedures. The area code for Jamaica is (876).

 

Suppose I want to cook for myself?

The Villa rental does include a Personal Domestic Assistant who will help you with cooking. However, you may use the kitchen for yourself as needed. There is no rate reduction if you do your own cooking.

 

How do we shop for food?

There are a couple of options. One option is to let your Personal Domestic Assistant (PDA) purchase all the food on your behalf based on a menu that you prepare. She will present you with an estimate for the cost of food and transportation and return any change along with the receipt. The daily cost of food and beverages per adult per day runs about $20-35 per person depending on whether you are a light or heavy eater. The cost will be more if you add alcoholic beverages. The second option is that you go to the market and grocery store either with the cook or by yourself and purchase the food. We find that a trip to the market with the cook is quite interesting. Making at least one trip to the market and grocery store will also give you a perspective on the cost of food in Jamaica.

 

Can I have guests over if I rent the villa?

You may have a few guests over to visit; however, there may be additional charges for meal preparation and for any other services or facilities used beyond that provided for the rental party. You may not invite groups of people (separate from the rental party) to the villa for functions, such as family reunions, meetings, weddings etc. without prior written consent. Guests separate from the rental party may not stay overnight. We ask that you do not invite strangers (people you did not know prior to your trip) into the villa for security reasons. The occupancy for the villa is as stated in the reservation invoice and may not be modified except by prior written agreement.

 

Can I use my wireless telephone in Jamaica?

The Jamaican wireless system operates on a TDMA network, so it is not compatible with CDMA, GSM or 3G networks. Cable & Wireless and Digicell, the Jamaican providers, do have roaming agreements with the following service providers:

USA - AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless

Canada - Rogers Wireless

Barbados & Cayman - Cable & Wireless

If you have roaming service with these providers, you may be able to "roam" while in Jamaica, but check with your wireless service provider.

 

What can I do if I need wireless service but my phone will not work in Jamaica?

If your wireless telephone will not work in Jamaica, rental phones are available from Cable & Wireless or DigiCel. Expect to pay about US$5 per day for rental and access charges. A deposit of approximately US$225 is required for International calls: this should be applied to your credit card, not paid in cash. Any unused amount of your deposit will be refunded. All charges are computed in Jamaican dollars, so the exchange rate at the time charges are incurred will affect the exact US dollar amount.

 

DigiCel Jamaica: http://www.digiceljamaica.com/home/

C&W Jamaica: http://home.cwjamaica.com/index.asp?p=1

 

How do I access the internet in Jamaica?

Currently the Villa does not have high speed internet access. However, you can access the internet from Internet cafes in the town of Ochi ( 5 to 10 minute walk from the Villa). If you bring your laptop to Jamaica you can easily purchase a NetKyaad for specific minutes of internet time. This will allow you to have dial-up service. Please review the NetKyaad information at:

http://netkyaad.com/home.htm

 

Is there a minimum rental period?

Ideally, we prefer stays of one week or more. However, we will consider rentals of 3 nights or more.

 

Do they accept US dollars in Ocho Rios ?

You can use US$ in most places but you will probably not get the best exchange rate and you will get Jamaican dollars back as change.

 

Should we tip our Personal Domestic Assistance?

If you like the service, we suggest a 10-15% tip for your Assistant.

 

How easy is it to exchange money in Jamaica?

It is very easy to exchange US, British, CI and Canadian dollars at local Cambios. There are about 10 located in the Ocho Rios area. All they do is exchange money. There is much less hassle than going into a bank, the lines are long and the exchange rate is not very good.

 

Are there  ATM machines in Ocho Rios?

Yes. The Scotia, Commercial and other Bank have ATM machines at there locations on Main Street near the craft market and General Foods. The ATMs will dispense Jamaican dollars. Your US bank will charge your account at the current exchange rate.

 

What should I do if I get sick?

There are a number of doctors in the Ocho Rios area. There is a hospital in St. Ann Bay (about 10 to 15 miles from Ocho Rios). Your villa Personal Assistant will know how to reach a doctor. Plus, there is a list of contact numbers in the Villa. For serious problems, we recommend Montego Bay Hope, a new state-of-the-art medical diagnostic and treatment center which has a link with a hospital in South Florida should you need to be transported off the island. Before your visit, please check with your insurance company so you know what procedure to follow just in case you do develop a medical emergency.