Public transportation in Jamaica

Transportation is one of the most important parts of my travels. I always do my research and have it calculated to a capital T. Believe me, it’s not fun when you are stranded and have no clue where you are going. My favourite method of commute is public transportation, mainly because it’s cheap and I’m the queen of cheap travels. The other reason is that I come in contact with so many people from different backgrounds and ethnicities. Public transportation in Jamaica is definitely something to experience.

Pro Tip: I would suggest putting all your valuables deep in your bag when traveling on public transportation in Jamaica or anywhere for that matter. That way losing your valuables won’t ruin your trip. Also, travel in the day, after peak hours in the mornings and before peak hours in the evenings to avoid all the rush and drama.

3. You might experience Racism

If you come to Jamaica, stay in a fancy hotel and only take guided tours, there is a very strong possibility you will never experience this. The tourism industry has done a great job in ensuring that visitors have a wonderful experience when they get to Jamaica by protecting them from these harsh encounters. While they protect with good reason, you might not experience Jamaica’s full culture.

As you move away from the flashing lights and businesses designed to attract tourists, you get closer and deeper into the culture. There you will experience unfiltered Jamaica. Jamaicans love visitors and in most cases, you will experience a lot of hospitality but there are a few bad apples in our bunch.

This one came as a surprise to me as I couldn’t believe some people in Jamaica felt so strongly about other ethnicities. I have seen it on television but have never experienced such hate in person. It is rare in Jamaica as if they feel a particular way about you, they won’t verbally express it. Nevertheless, keep an open mind when traveling solo and expect that you might encounter a minor case of racism.

It’s a Must-try

Regardless many of the disadvantages you might find, the advantages way outnumber them, if you are looking to dive deep into the culture and travel as a local. From fully packed buses to vendors pushing their products through bus windows to sell you what they have, traveling on the local bus in Jamaica is a must-try. I hope that when you decide to visit Jamaica, you try taking public transportation at least once as it is quite an adventure.

transportation in jamaica