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Jamaica. An island that runs roughly 234 kilometers in length. (That's a little over 145 miles, for you U.S. readers out there.) Doesn't sound that huge, does it? Granted, it's hardly a distance you could walk any time soon, but it sounds perfectly navigable for those among you used to driving over 100 kilometers an hour on the highway.

Think again. Jamaica doesn't have huge highways or freeways to get you from one place to the next. Much of its charm comes from the fact that the island isn't nearly as industrialized as the rest of the world; unfortunately this also means that transporting yourself from one place to the other can prove tricky.

Getting there is easy enough. You only have two options by air or by sea. Air is by far the fastest, with regular flights to Jamaica that run through one of its five airports. Book a ticket in advance and you're there, no problem. Going by sea takes longer, and will require a cruise boat which is another adventure altogether.

You're faced with a new conundrum once you land, though. How to get around? If you want to see most of Jamaica you'll need a car. Both the resorts and the airports sport companies who will rent you an automobile just be sure to shop around a bit, if you can, as rentals can be pricey. You're better off renting for longer periods of time, as daily prices will probably drop.

A few things to note about driving in Jamaica:

- Depending on which country you're coming from your license may not be sufficiently legal (no worries for Canadian and American drivers, you're safe). And, even if it is, you may have to purchase a temporary Jamaican license while you're on the island.

- All driving is done on the left. Got that? Stay on the LEFT, North American drivers. Take it slow for the first little while if you're not used to left driving.

- Consider driving only during the day. Jamaica's roads, while decent, are more treacherous than those of other countries, and in the countryside may be plagued by wandering livestock. Be prepared for anything.

Is a car not an option? No worries. You can always hop in a taxi instead. Just be sure to agree to the fare BEFORE the taxi starts rolling. What's more, only hop in cabs with red PP or PPV license plates - these taxis are officially sanctioned, metered transports.

Taxis can get pretty pricey, though, in which case you might wanna rent a bicycle. Bikes are especially good if you don't need to go far from your accommodations and want fresh air something Jamaica has plenty of. Scooters are also available for rent for those who want a slower pace but don't like working their legs.

And, for tourists looking to take an extended trip, there's a train that runs twice daily between Montego Bay and Kingston. It's only really useful if you're staying in one of those two locales, of course, but hey. Not bad.

Irregardless of which form of transportation you take, always keep an alternate form of transit in mind. There's no excuse for bad planning (though there are definitely worse countries to get stuck in).

Learn more about this author, Matt Bird.
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