Car Rentals & Road Readiness
Breakdown assistance is limited in urban areas and virtually unavailable in rural mountain passes. Preparing your vehicle and your navigation tools before you leave the lot is critical.
Car Rental Options
Most of the popular international rental companies—Hertz, Avis, Budget—are available in Jamaica and are conveniently located directly at the airports in Kingston and Montego Bay. Local rental companies are also widely available and can be less expensive, though they may be located slightly off the main airport property. Both manual and automatic cars are readily available.
Insurance
Because road conditions are frequently unpredictable and local drivers can be daredevils (especially on winding mountain passes), we strongly recommend getting the extra collision coverage.
Many, if not all, rental companies will insist this coverage is mandatory. If you are relying on the collision coverage offered as a perk by your credit card company, you must get a physical letter from the credit card company confirming your coverage before flying. Many credit card companies will email or fax you a standard letter within a few minutes of asking.
Inspecting the Car
Before handing over the keys, the rental agent will ask you to inspect the car for scratches, dents, and any pre-existing damage. They will document any major blemish on a form, keeping the original and providing you with a copy. They will inspect the car against this exact record when you return it.
Pro Tip: Create Your Own Evidence
Use your phone to take a slow, continuous video of the entire car before leaving the lot. Ensure you capture:
- All four wheels and rims (pothole damage is common).
- The front and rear bumpers (underside included).
- The roof and all glass surfaces.
- The fuel gauge and current mileage.
This timestamped video serves as your primary defense if the company claims new damage upon your return.
Offline Navigation
Because cellular data drops frequently in the mountains and rural parishes, downloading a copy of Google Maps to your phone while you still have Wi-Fi is the best way to ensure your GPS remains reliable.
The Quick Method
- Open the Google Maps app and search for "Jamaica".
- Scroll horizontally through the options below the name at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Download.
The Menu Method (If the quick method fails)
- On your iPhone or Android, open the Google Maps app.
- Make sure you are connected to the Internet (preferably via Wi-Fi) and signed in to your Google account.
- Tap your profile picture or initial in the top right to open the Menu.
- Select Offline maps from the menu options.
- Tap Select your own map.
- Zoom in or out to ensure the portion of Jamaica you will be driving through fits within the highlighted blue frame.
- Select Download and keep the app open until it completes.