Getting Around on your Vacation
to Jamaica
Shuttle buses are the best
way of getting around. If you're undecided between two or
more hotels with similar features and prices, choose the one
with the largest shuttle service! Public transportation in
the form of buses is cheap and cheerful – but it may
be too crowded and the driving a bit erratic for most tourists.
Your hotel should provide either
an airport shuttle, or a shuttle to a scheduled airport shuttle
drop off point. Once you get to your hotel, you will then
need to find out how other tourists get to see the wonders
that Jamaica has to offer. Hotels may, for instance, offer
a scheduled bus service for certain tourist attractions. Some
attractions/restaurants even offer a shuttle to collect you
from your hotel (make sure they bring you back also!). For
some other areas, you may need to hire a cycle for a day.
For others, you might prefer to hire car, or take a taxi –
communal or private. Whether it's a cycle or a car, it has
to go on the road and so you need to be very aware of the
other drivers who are using the road! You also need to be
aware that looking at a map that shows an “A”
road, doesn’t mean that it will be up to the standard
of “A” roads back home – it does however
mean that it will have less potholes than a “B”
road.
If you hire a car, make sure
that you point out any defects, scratches, possible dents
before you leave the car hire company – otherwise you
will find that you're the one charged with the repair bill.
Also check that all the interior fixings such as the cigarette
lighter are there otherwise again, you will be charged for
their replacement! Despite this, car hire in high season is
popular so if you are going during the busy tourist season,
you should consider hiring your car in advance by booking
online – some international companies such as Avis,
Hertz and Budget operate in various parts of Jamaica so contacting
their local office or website should help you making your
booking in Jamaica ready for your summer vacation.
If you're feeling adventurous,
there are other ways of getting around in Jamaica, such as
sailing, or even on a jet ski! There are two things you need
to remember about getting around on this beautiful island
– one is that there are any number of ways of getting
around, not all of them safe, and the second is that travel
in Jamaica can be as much of an adventure as you want it to
be!
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