Can You Rent A Car In Jamaica? – 5 Things To Know

Have you been thinking about a holiday in Jamaica? This island is small in size, but there are a lot of places for tourists to visit. If you are visiting for the first time, it would be a good idea to hire a reputable driver to carry you around. On the other hand, if you are familiar with the driving and road conditions and would like to visit sites outside of the resort then you can rent a car in Jamaica after arriving at the airport.

There are many cheap rental car service providers in Jamaica, which means that you won’t have any problems getting a vehicle. These include a number of international car rental companies. For convenience, you can rent a car online. To be on the safe side, you should make the car rental reservation well in advance to avoid problems, especially during the high season. It is worth mentioning that these companies don’t only specialize in rental car services, so it is possible to rent other transportation. This includes buses, and motorcycles.

 

What you’ll learn in this post:
Why Not Knowing The Price of Rental Can Cost You.
How Much Is A Reasonable Amount to Pay for Rental.
The Importance of Knowing Where You’re Going.

Should I Rent A Car in Jamaica? 5 Things to Know.

Driver’s License for Jamaica Car Rentals

You should have a driver’s license from country of origin. A US driver’s license is valid for three months. You should know about the local requirements for driving and car rentals. You might not be able to rent a car if you are over 75 or under 23 years old.

Information On Types of Cars Available for Rental

When comparing the different rental car agencies, you will discover that the modern sedans are the most popular vehicles available. These compact size vehicles are good for navigating the island’s narrow roads, but not so much for exploring the roads off the beaten paths. It would be wise to hire a sports utility vehicle or a jeep if you are planning to traverse the rural areas.

Know The Cost to Rent A Car in Jamaica

The amount that you pay will be dependent on what you want. The car rental companies usually charge less for compact vehicles with minimal insurance coverage and the bare essentials, and a lot more for vans with extras such as a navigation system, DVD player, and top tier insurance. For some, it is worth the price for assurance and comfort, while others take a bit of risk in order to save some money. It is always important to check the contract carefully when picking up a car rental to ensure that there are no extra fees or additional rules that you should know of. You should also check the vehicle to ensure that the company is aware of any little scratch or dent. The rental agencies expect persons to pay hefty deposits to get their vehicles, so they won’t hesitate to take money from it if something is wrong with the car.

 

RECOMMENDED READING: Here’s some ideas on where to stay in Jamaica.

Know Where You’re Going In Jamaica

You will need a map to drive around in Jamaica. Similar to other roads in the Caribbean islands, the ones in Jamaica can be filled with traffic jams so it might be difficult for you to go in and around the larger cities and towns. The country roads on the other hand might be in poor condition, some of the north-south routes will have mountainous terrain and can be extremely narrow, plus the locals often drive in the middle to avoid potholes and soft shoulders. You have to be alert to these things and remember to always drive on the left. The good news is that some of the road on the highways has been improved recently, so you will find gentler turns and smooth pavement. However, this does not mean that you should not be alert when driving on the highways.

One other important thing to mention is that Jamaica has four main highways, and fifteen lesser roads. The main highways connect all of the larger cities, such as the roads running from Kingston city to Ocho Rios. Even though some upgrades have been done, there are still many areas with limited road signs, pot holes and insufficient traffic lights, which mean that you should drive carefully. The lesser roads join the rural towns, and they are not so well maintained. You will see few sidewalks, and even animals roaming freely along the roadside. You should always wear seat belts when driving on the road in Jamaica.

The Proper Currency for Jamaica Car Rentals

The type of currency used is another thing to be mindful of. You can use US dollar, but the Jamaican dollar is used widely so you should try to have it when paying for car rental and other services such as food, taxi cabs, and so on. Ensure that your cash is exchange at a reputable bank or an authorized currency exchange bureau.

In Conclusion

Hopefully this information will be helpful enough for you to rent a car in Jamaica with ease. Jamaica is a popular tourist destination, so you won’t be disappointed if you choose it for your next holiday.

Tweetables

  IF You Don’t Know These 5 Things, Your Car Rental in Jamaica Can Become A Nightmare.
  Adventure is worthwhile. – Aristotle
  5 Great Tips If You’re Trying to Rent A Car In Jamaica.
  Wherever you go, go with all your heart. – Confucius
 

Now It’s Your Turn – What’s Your Experience?
Do you have experience with renting cars in Jamaica? Share your tale in the comments below.

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