The sockets look American and run at 50 Hz, ganja is decriminalised but not legal to smoke in public, and public holidays do not all move to the Monday.
- The sockets look American and run at 50 Hz. Chargers and laptops do not care; anything with a motor or a clock does, so check the label says 50/60 Hz.
- Ganja is decriminalised, not legal. Possession of up to 2 ounces is a ticketable offence with a fixed penalty of about J$ 500, like a parking fine.
- Smoking in public remains illegal, beaches, streets and outside bars included - that is the part visitors get wrong. You cannot take any of it out of the country.
- Jamaica does not move every weekend holiday to the Monday, and visitors assume it does. Check the calendar if a holiday affects your plans.
- Greet people before asking for anything. "Good morning" first is the basic form here, not optional politeness, and skipping it reads as rude.
Electricity, and the catch
Jamaica runs at 110 V and 220 V, at 50 Hz, with US-style flat two-pin and three-pin sockets.
- The plug is American and the frequency is not. US and Canadian appliances fit the socket and are designed for 60 Hz.
- Modern electronics do not care. Phone chargers, laptops and camera chargers are all switched-mode and handle 50 or 60 Hz without noticing.
- Anything with a motor or a clock does care. Hair dryers, shavers and older travel appliances can run slow, hot or badly.
- Check the label for "50/60 Hz" before packing something with a motor.
- Power cuts happen. Keep a power bank charged.
Ganja, precisely
Jamaica decriminalised small amounts in 2015. It did not legalise them.
- Possession of up to 2 ounces is a ticketable offence with a fixed penalty of about J$ 500, paid like a parking fine. It does not create a criminal record.
- Smoking in public remains illegal, and that includes beaches, streets and outside bars. This is the part visitors get wrong.
- Rastafari have a sacramental exemption for religious use.
- You cannot take any of it out of the country. Airport searches are routine and a possession charge in your home country is a very different matter from a J$ 500 ticket.
- Buying from a stranger on a beach is the standard way visitors get into trouble. Licensed dispensaries exist for medical use.
Public holidays do not all shift
- Jamaica does not move every weekend holiday to the following Monday, and visitors assume it does.
- Labour Day fell on Saturday 23 May 2026 and was observed on Monday 25 May. Emancipation Day fell on Saturday 1 August 2026 and was not moved at all.
- Check the Jamaica Information Service calendar rather than assuming, if a holiday affects your plans. Banks and government offices close; resorts do not.
Everyday
- English is the official language, and Jamaican Patois is what people actually speak to each other. You will be spoken to in English and may not follow conversations around you. That is normal.
- Greet people before asking for anything. "Good morning" or "good evening" first is not optional politeness here, it is the basic form, and skipping it reads as rude.
- Dress modestly away from the beach. Swimwear is for the beach and pool.
- Jamaican attitudes to LGBT+ people are conservative and public affection between same-sex couples is likely to draw hostility.
- Jerk is the food to seek out, cooked over pimento wood at roadside stands. Boston Bay in Portland is the traditional home of it.
- The pace is unhurried and "soon come" is not a time. Build slack into plans.
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