Jamaica car hire

When it comes to seeing the sights in Jamaica, there are plenty of tour groups offering excursions, but if you want to experience this beautiful Caribbean island at your own pace, you’re better off hiring a car – although this does come with its own challenges.

Language: English | Currency: Jamaican dollar | Avg. Flight time: 9 hrs 45 mins

A number of international car hire companies, such as Avis, Budget and Hertz, operate out of Jamaica’s two international airports, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and Norman Manley Airport in Kingston. Rates in Jamaica are among the steepest in the Caribbean, however, particularly in the high season, though most companies offer unlimited mileage.

Using a local car hire company may be cheaper, but you may not be guaranteed a roadworthy vehicle. Before your trip to Jamaica, it’s wise to compare deals from reputable rental companies on TravelSupermarket.

There’s far more to Jamaica than beaches. For instance, drive inland to the Blue Mountains and you can set off to tackle one of its peaks at 2am and reach the top in time to witness a breath-taking sunrise. If you still have some energy left, head to Mystic Mountain, where you can give try out bobsledding on a 1,000m-long, gravity-driven thrill ride through the jungle canopy.

In order to hire a car, you’ll need a valid driving licence and to be at least 25 years of age, although some companies allow drivers over 21 years old to rent if they pay a daily surcharge. Drivers are advised to take out damage waiver insurance, which limits your liability if you have an accident or sustain damage to the car.

There isn’t a national roadside assistance organisation, but most major car hire companies have 24-hour assistance lines. Make sure you check the car thoroughly and take photos before you depart the car rental office, or you may be made liable for what were actually pre-existing scratches.

Driving here is not for the faint-hearted, even though the country uses the left-hand-side system. It’s said that Jamaican drivers have two speeds – too fast and too slow – and they’re prone to stopping without much warning. Roads are also not clearly signposted, so be prepared to ask for directions frequently. It’s advisable to purchase a full-size, current printed road map and bring it with you, and you may also want to consider taking an unlocked phone and purchasing a local SIM card to aid in navigation.

Watch out for pedestrians, cows, mules, goats and chickens, as there are very few paved roads outside the main cities. It’s not recommended to drive at night – not only will you not be able to see potholes, but other drivers may either blind you with high beams or not have any lights on at all.

1. Make full use of the horn. Honking is common – it’s a way to let other road users know that you are about to overtake, swerve, make a sharp turn, or simply to get their attention.

2. It’s wise to give right of way to bigger vehicles, even when it seems unreasonable.

3. Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory and you must carry your driver’s license and paperwork on you at all times.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.