North and Central America and Caribbean

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Local laws and customs

There are severe penalties for all drug offences, including those involving ganja. Arrests of British nationals for attempting to traffic ganja have increased markedly since 2005. Possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs can lead to imprisonment. All sentences are served in Jamaica. Prison conditions are harsh. Pack all your luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.

Contrary to popular myth, it is illegal to smoke ganja in Jamaica. The local police have stepped up their efforts to clamp down on the practice. Several British nationals have been arrested, fined and even imprisoned for this offence.

Jamaica has laws which make certain homosexual acts illegal. The attitude of many Jamaicans to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people is hostile.

For more general information for different types of travellers see your trip.