LANGUAGE
The official language of Jamaica is English, but the Jamaican Patois is widely spoken.  A smile is
the same in any language.

CLIMATE
Sea Breezes in the days and mountain breezes in the nights, help moderate the temperature
year round. Daytime temperatures average 80's in the winter and 90's in the summer;
Nighttime, 70's. Traditionally our rainy season is May/June and September/October.   

CLOTHING
Tropical wear is highly recommended. Casual and comfortable is always appropriate.  

During a cool summer evening, gentlemen will be very comfortable in light weight cotton
pants and a long sleeve shirt during a cool winter evening. Summer dresses are great for the
ladies year round. Add a cotton sweater or wrap after sunset in winter months.

Footwear should include sandals, as well as, comfortable walking shoes or tennis shoes. Dunn's
River is Ocho Rios' major attraction, bring water shoes for climbing the falls if you have them,
also good for going to the beach.

Straw hats, baseball caps, sunglasses and sarongs are readily available in the craft markets and
stores.

Depending on the length of stay, you may want to have shorts and t-shirts laundered for
re-use. Washing, drying, and folding are available at $10.00 per large load. Ironing is also
available. N.B. Irons and ironing boards are provided in your room.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO PACK
Medication, pain killers, sun block, burn cream, mosquito repellent, anti-itch cream, adult
and/or children pool floats, CD's/DVD's, favorite hard to find foods/snacks, film, batteries and
addition cards for cameras, baby food, favourite DVD's and toys to soothe tired children, arm
bands, beach toys,.

CURRENCY
US dollars are accepted island wide. Exchange rates vary if you choose to purchase Jamaican
dollars. Most commercial establishments, including grocery and liquor stores, accept major
credit cards. A major credit card is always advisable for unexpected emergencies. Taxis, staff
and driver gratuities, however, must be paid in cash.

MONEY EXCHANGE
It is very easy to exchange US and Canadian dollars at local Cambios. It is much less hassle than
going into a bank and their exchange rate is usually better than at the banks. If you must go
to the bank, hours are 9am - 2pm Mondays thru Thursdays, 9am - 12 noon and 2:30 - 4 pm
on Fridays. ATM Machines are easily accessible.

FLIGHTS
Tourism is Jamaica's leading industry, so reserve flights early. Book to arrive at Montego Bay
airport. Air Jamaica, Air Canada, American, Continental, Delta, British Airways, Northwest, Spirit,
United, US Air and Virgin Atlantic fly into Mobay. Several charters operate from the East Coast,
the Midwest and Europe.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
US and Canadian Citizens do not require a visa to come to Jamaica as tourists, and are
permitted to visit the island for a period not exceeding six months. Citizens, sixteen years and
older of these countries may use the following documents for entry: valid passport (or
passport which has expired for a period not exceeding one year), or an original birth certificate
with raised seal plus a photo l.D. (N.B. both documents MUST bear the same name). On Jan.
1st, 2007 U.S. residents will need a passport to leave and re-enter the United States due to
changes in U.S. entry requirements. A raised seal birth certificate will no longer be valid for
entry or departure from the U.S.

U.K. Commonwealth Citizens need a passport, no visa required.

Japan Passport required. Visa required for stay of over 30 days.

All other countries, please contact the Jamaica Tourist Board office near you for requirements.

Press personnel on assignment will require a work permit, contact a Jamaica Tourist Board
office near you.

All visitors are required to travel with a round trip or onward airline ticket for entry into Jamaica.

No Vaccinations required unless you have visited the following countries within the past six
weeks: Gambia, Ghana, Sudan, Nigeria, Zaire, Burkina Faso, Trinidad & Tobago, Belize,
Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras,
Haiti, South America. Please check with the Jamaican Consulate closest you.

DEPARTURE TAX
Jamaica has a departure tax that is payable in cash or major credit card at the airport upon
your departure. Currently, the tax is JA$1000 or US$27.

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
The easiest, most economical mode for airport transfers is to let us arrange transfers for you
with Tourwise from the Montego Bay airport. The rate is US$25.00 per person each way for
the shuttle service or US$100 for private service. No shuttle bus service available from
Kingston airport, private service will cost US$120.

Local taxis in Ocho Rios are readily available.

TBH offers car or car/driver packages. Remember, we drive on the left hand side of the road
in Jamaica. Unless you are a frequent traveler to Jamaica it is generally best to leave the driving
to a Jamaican. We usually advise our guests NOT to rent a car as driving in Jamaica can be
quite a hassle due to our uneven roads, driving on the left, lack of road signs etc.
We suggest you consider a hiring driver with a van/car either as you require or on a full time
basis if you prefer. We have excellent drivers who will also act as your tour guide, run errands
like popping to the market etc and ensure that you focus simply on enjoying your vacation.

TIME ZONE Eastern Standard Time, Jamaica does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

TELEPHONE CALLS
The Jamaican wireless system operates on a TDMA network, so it is not compatible with
CDMA, GSM or 3G networks. Cable & Wireless and Digicel, the major Jamaican providers, have
roaming agreements with: AT&T Wireless, Cingular Wireless and Rogers Wireless. If you have
roaming service with these providers, you may be able to "roam" while in Jamaica. Check with
your wireless service provider.

We recommend Digicel or C&W cellular phones which are available at local outlets in Jamaica.
Expect to pay about US$5 per day for rental and access charges. A deposit of approximately
US$225 is required for International calls: this should be applied to your credit card, not paid in
cash. Any unused amount of your deposit will be refunded. All charges are computed in
Jamaican dollars, so the exchange rate at the time charges are incurred will affect the exact
US dollar amount.
DigiCel Jamaica: http://www.digiceljamaica.com/home/
C&W Jamaica: http://home.cwjamaica.com/index.asp?p=1

Alternatively, World Talk Pre-paid Calling Cards expedite overseas calls.

INTERNET ACCESS
Bring your laptop as The Blue House offers complimentary Wifi Internet access. Jamaica
experiences occasional power surges, brownouts, blackouts and phone spikes so please do
make use of our a surge protector in the games room for charging your battery.

There is a computer with high speed internet access  in the games room for guest use as well.

ELECTRICITY
Electric current is: 110 volts, 50 cycles (US is 60 cycles). Converters are not necessary for
US-made appliances.

CHILDCARE
Childcare can be arranged hourly or daily at a reasonable rate, depending upon the age and
number of children involved. Night time rates are higher as you may have to pay for the entire
night or pay the cost for a taxi for the nanny to go home.

MEDICAL FACILITIES
St Ann's Bay Hospital is closest to The Blue House. Mo Bay Hope is recommended for major
emergencies. MoBay Hope is a new state-of-the-art medical diagnostic and treatment center
which has a link with a hospital in South Florida should you need to be transported off the
island.
The Blue House has a doctor and a nurse on 24 hour call. Charges apply.
Before your visit, please check with your insurance company so you know what procedure to
follow just in case you do develop a medical emergency

MEALS TIMES
We usually serve meals during the following times: Breakfast 8:30 - 9:30, Dinner 6:30-7pm.
We'll happily accommodate different times whenever possible.

WATER
Drinking water in Jamaica is purified and filtered by the most modern methods so is safe to
drink.

TAX-FREE STATUS Due to a tax treaty between the United States and the Jamaican
Government made in December, 1981, all expenses incurred for holding a meeting or
convention in Jamaica are tax deductible.
FAQ'S - Vacation Info
Weddings
The Blue House
Luxury Bed and Breakfast Villa Ocho Rios Jamaica
Indulge in an affordable
luxury Jamaica vacation or
romantic tropical getaway at

The
Blue House
Bed & Breakfast Villa

A small Caribbean Boutique
Hotel in Ocho Rios Jamaica
Award Winning Ocho Rios Jamaica Luxury Bed and Breakfast Vacation Villa
Click on Links Below for Our Ocho Rios Jamaica Holiday Lodging & Vacation Travel Guide
The Blue House Resort
A Luxury Bed and Breakfast Villa, with the laid back chic and warmth of a small boutique hotel, offering
affordable luxury vacation accommodations and Christian holiday lodgings in White River Estates, St Mary,
on the Caribbean Island of Jamaica, two miles east of Ocho Rios.

Telephone: (876) 994-1367
Mail: PO Box 6189, Ocho Rios, St Ann Jamaica WI

Email: info@thebluehousejamaica.com              Website: www.TheBlueHouseJamaica.com

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Member of JamaicanBedAndBreakfast.com