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One of the largest and most popular Caribbean Islands, getting to and around Jamaica is relatively easy; remembering what you do there might not be.

GETTING TO JAMAICA

Air Travel

Most international travelers arrive by air to either Kingston or Montego Bay. Upon arrival you'll need to clear customs. Jamaica requires citizens of Canada and the United States to provide proof of citizenship; a passport is strongly recommended, especially if you want to return home. After your items are checked, you get to buy a tourist card for $27, good for 6 months, that you get to give back when you leave and pay another $27. Some airlines include the price of the tourist card in the airfare, so before you gamble your last $27 or give it to a reggae street musician, check.

Smaller airlines shuttle tourists from Montego Bay or Kingston to smaller hubs. At the airport, hold on to your luggage or your dreadlock wig, Bermuda shorts, and private honeymoon photos could be gone forever.

Cruise Ships

Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean offer Jamaican cruises departing from Florida and arriving in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, or Port Antonio. Cruises between December and April are more popular and more expensive. Springtime cruises offer the best deals. Of course, you may have to deal with a pesky hurricane or two.

GETTING AROUND JAMAICA

Buses

Budget minded travelers who don't mind arriving hours late and smelling like sweaty chicken urine should take the bus. Before hopping on any bus, make sure it is operated by the Jamaican Union of Travelers Association (JUTA), indicated by a Public Passenger Vehicle license plate. Remember to ask how much the ride costs before boarding.

Bus service varies throughout the country: In Negril and Montego Bay, hotel shuttle buses make public transportation unnecessary. Port Antonio offers inexpensive minibus transportation, but the schedule is more erratic than a 3-year old on Red Bull. Before getting on a bus in Kingston, pray. If you still want to get on a bus in Kingston, guard your pockets and other nearby appendages.

Taxis

Having someone who knows the area and the driving laws make taxis a popular choice for visitors. Having a visitor who knows neither the area nor the driving laws make tourists a popular choice for con artists. Make sure you ride only in official JUTA taxis. Typical fares begin at $20 for every 10 miles and are negotiable. Most drivers offer all day sight-seeing tours that range from $100-$180. When preparing for an all day tour, find a driver you trust and doesn't smell like skunk.

Bikes, Mopeds, and Scooters

Two wheeled transportation provides hours of fun dodging potholes and traffic. Most resorts rent non-motorized bicycles, an excellent option for day trips or tourists who get drunk and spend all their money three days before they go home. Wear a helmet. Officials strictly enforce the island's helmet laws.

Rental Cars

Turn signals, staying in one lane, stopping at red lights, and not running over pedestrians as they cross the street are not as popular in Jamaica as they are elsewhere. Potholes the size of North Dakota and other asphalt anomalies make driving on Jamaican streets an adventure. Other important driving tips include: 1) Drive on the left-hand side of the road; 2) Do not drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Depending on the season, rental car rates vary from $35-$120 per day.

Learn more about this author, Trent Lorcher.
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