Health, vaccinations and medical care in Jamaica

Money first, treatment second

Jamaican doctors and hospitals generally expect immediate cash payment, and this is the practical fact that matters most.

• Travel insurance with medical cover and evacuation is essential. Serious cases are often flown to the United States, and that is not affordable without cover.
• Private facilities in Kingston and Montego Bay are the best on the island. Public hospitals are free or nearly so and are heavily stretched.
• Carry your policy number and your insurer's 24-hour line offline, and call them before major treatment if you can.
• Hurricane Melissa strained healthcare in the affected regions, and some areas have relied on field hospitals. Care outside the main towns in the west may be limited.

Mosquitoes and water

• Dengue is present and is the main mosquito-borne risk. Use repellent by day as well as at night, because the mosquito that carries it bites in daylight.
• Zika and chikungunya also circulate. Pregnant travellers should take advice before booking.
• Tap water in Kingston and the main resort areas is generally treated and safe, but bottled water is the sensible default, particularly in rural areas and after storm damage to supply.
• Ice in hotels and established restaurants is fine.

The rest

• No vaccinations are required for entry unless you are arriving from a yellow fever risk country. Check routine cover plus hepatitis A and typhoid with a travel clinic 8 weeks ahead.
• The sun is strong and the sea breeze hides it. High-factor sunscreen, and shade in the middle of the day.
• Heat and dehydration are the commonest problems visitors actually have.
• Pharmacies are good and widespread in towns, and many medicines are cheaper than at home. Bring your own regular prescriptions with documentation.
• Sea urchins and coral cause a fair number of holiday injuries. Water shoes on rocky entries.