Jamaica Traditions

Most of the population - Christians (about 60% - Protestants, 6% - Catholics, etc.). However, the strong influence of traditional beliefs of the African continent, often blended with Christian standards.

The security situation is rather ambiguous. Within the major tourist areas of personal safety you should not worry - here are quite well organized work of their own security and has special police units. Outside the resorts should always exercise great care in communicating with local residents. The standard of living bulk of the population is extremely low, which can not but leave its mark on their attitude towards tourists.

We should not appear outside the resort areas of one - only groups. Be careful when responding to an invitation from a local resident, "show the real Jamaica" - most likely it will be commonplace brothel or disorderly house "overloaded marijuana" local "informal". Especially to be feared shikovato dressed young Jamaican, who quite obtrusively demonstrate their omniscience of all things - usually it is commonplace crooks. Women must be doubly careful. Despite the abundance of police officers on the streets, special assistance from them should not wait, because almost all of them are members of local communities, and therefore are not always impartial.

In the tourist centers on the price labels usually given to U.S. dollars. In shops for ordinary Jamaican price tags are usually exhibited in local dollars, but U.S. and then take without problems. You can exchange currency on the black market - there is usually more advantageous rate of interest on 10, but such operations are associated with greater risk, so long as the local crooks perfectly mastered the technology for cheating tourists.

Official holidays and weekends in Jamaica
January 1 - New Year.
January 6 - Epiphany.
beginning of February - Wednesday Lent.
February 13 - Day of penance.
March-April - Easter and Good Friday.
May 23 - Labor Day.
late May - early June - Feast of Corpus Christi.
August 1 - Emancipation Day.
August 6 - Independence Day (usually celebrated on the first Monday of August.
October 21 - Day of the heroes of the nation.
25-27 December - Christmas.

On Christmas Eve celebrations are held "Dzhonkanu", accompanied by masquerade parades and musical performances. In Kingston held Carnivals (in February and April). In July and August are luxurious Carnivals "reggae Sansplesh" in Ocho Rios and reggae Samfest "in Montego Bay. Regatta Pineypl-Cap "(Miami - Montego Bay, 800 km.) Held every February.