Orientation

Arriving by Plane

International arrivals are at Norman Manley International Airport, while domestic flights - say, from Montego Bay, - fly into the smaller Tinson Pen Airport.

Norman Manley Airport lies 17 miles (27km) southeast of the center of Kingston. Guard your luggage carefully, as there have been many reports of theft-sometimes involving baggage handlers.

Getting from the Airports to the City

If you're driving a rented car, do not stop even if someone is flagging you down. That person, appearing to be in distress, might actually be an armed robber. The best way to get into town is aboard an officially sanctioned JUTA taxi. The cost of a ride is about $22 from Norman Manley airport, $14 from Tinson Pen airport.

Visitor Information

The main office of the Jamaica Tourist Board is at 64 Knutsford Blvd., open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. A branch office is found at the Norman Manley International Airport, and is usually open to meet international flights.

City Layout

Downtown Kingston is its historic core, rising just north of the waterfront and harbor. The "main street" of Kingston is King Street, heading north from the water to the Parade. King Street begins at Ocean Boulevard and runs north to Sir William Grant Park.

Parallel to Ocean Boulevard run two more arteries-Port Royal Street and Harbour Street, bordered by North and South Parade.

Getting Around

Driving around Kingston is a journey into hysteria. The public bus transportation is horrendous, and foreigners are often pickpocketed. Thus, the taxi is the most reliable form of transportation. Your hotel will call one (unless a cab is parked out front). Taxis meet arriving planes, and are also plentiful in the shopping district. Fares are charged per car, not per passenger. Because most of the taxis are not metered, tell the driver where you are going and agree on the rate before getting in. Make sure you and the cabbie agree on which dollars you are talking about - American or Jamaican.