Determine which method you will use to travel. Airlines that make frequent trips to the nearest airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, include US Airways, Delta, JetBlue, and American Airlines. Purchase your tickets ahead of time and use a comparison site like kayak.com or priceline.com to get the best deal. Consider a short flight from Sangster Airport to Negril to cut an hour off of your travel time. Contact Timair or Air Jamaica Express at timair.com or airjamaica.com to request rates and book your flight.
Acquire passport book or passport card. American citizens who travel by air are required to obtain a passport book. Citizens who travel by sea are required to obtain a passport card. Follow these steps to acquire your passport book or passport card: Fill out form DS-11 available at travel.state.gov, arrive at passport facility with proof of citizenship, identification, and passport photos, and pay applicable fees. Pay a $25 nonrefundable execution fee plus $30 for a passport card or $110 for a passport book. Prices are current as of 2010.
Pack your suitcase, keeping in mind that you will go through customs if you are flyingto Jamaica and some items are not allowed. Prohibited incoming items include flowers, plants, honey, coffee and two-way radios. Visit embassyofjamaica.org for a complete list of prohibited items. Keep your return ticket to the United States handy as it will need to be shown to customs when you arrive in Jamaica. Show sufficient funds to customs personnel as required by Jamaican law. Along with your travel staples of bug repellent, sunscreen, and a bathing suit, also bring a lightweight jacket and umbrella in case it rains, comfortable walking shoes for the beach, reading material, hydrocortisone cream in case of bug bites or jellyfish stings, and lightweight clothing. Skip the perfumes, foundation, and lotion as they either attract insects or will come right off due to the humidity.
Contact your hotel ahead of time to arrange for a hotel transfer. Get a transfer from Sangster Airport in Montego Bay if one is not available from your hotel. The nearest hotel in Negril is between 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes away, depending on traffic from the airport. Book your transfer online at jutatoursnegrilltd.com to reserve a transfer for $25 per person (as of 2010). Expect to pay about $80 for a taxi. Opt for helicopter or limousine service to arrive in luxury. Helicopter or limousine transfers can be booked with Jamaica's Customized Vacations and Tours at jctvv.com.
Be cautious. Go to travel.state.gov and read about any dangerous activities in the area. Hurricane alerts, mudslides, and flooding occasionally occur in Jamaica and visitors are encouraged to be cautious. Most hurricane storm activity occurs between mid-August through October, but rarely create severe damage in the Negril area.
