I don't know if this is appropriate to this forum, but I read in my Sunday newspaper that the US State Department has issued a "unadvisable" warning for Montego Bay and Kingston, JA in the West Indies due to gasoline tax riots. You may wnat to reconsider travel plans accordingly!

Yep. There is still some tension since the government has increased departure tax to US$25 from US$13 per person. The government will also announce this week if they will reduce the tax on gasoline.

Probably not a good idea to go there now! If you must, then an all inclusive hotel is advisable!

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The problems in JA had nothing do do with departure taxes. It was due to an increase in gasoline price. All is calm and irie as we say.

The propossed gas tax hike was repealled. All in Jamaica is, as they say, COOL RUNNIN'

The State Department warning has been since lifted and many major airlines have resumed flights to Jamaica.

All is not well as yet! There is to be an announcement sometime this week about a possible reduction in the percentage increase. If the people are not satisfied, there could be riots agian.

Jamflyer, you're correct about the reason of the strike. However, why are they increasing departure taxes? Jamaica is not worth it!!

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Flyaway,

I was not aware that they were going to raise the departure tax. I just got back and paid $21.00US.

I am assuming its only your opinion that Jamaica is not worth whatever the departure tax is. I dont think that this is the forum for Jamaica bashing. They are many other places on the web for that. Lets keep this site informative.

In the words of Marley, "One love, one heart, lets get together and feel allright."

Peace.

Jamflyer: Don't get me wrong. Jamaica is a beautiful country and I have had some great times there. I just think that the departure tax JA$1,000 (about US$25) is too high.

Maybe we all, including Jamaicans, need to listen to the words of that Marley "one Love" song a bit more closely.



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The departure tax until a few days ago used to be JA$500. This represents a 100% increase!!!

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Flyaway,

I wasnt going to respond to this anymore but I believe we ought to give people correct information.

After returning from my third trip to Jamaica within the last 6 months on (3/30), the departure tax was $750JA or $21US. The exchange rate at the time was anywhere from $36-$37.50 -US to JA$. I paid the $750.00 departure tax in JA currency as it worked out a little bit in my favor. The departure tax to JA has never been $13. Prior to the increase (in early 98) to $21 it was $15. My next trip to Jamaica is on 6/28-7/8. Regardless of what the departure tax (or even riots) is, it will not deter me from going to JA.

[This message has been edited by jamflyer (edited 04-26-99).]

This is going back a bit, but I swore off anything to do with Jamaica after a "trip report" by a co-worker back in 1990.

Seems he and his wife were in back of another tourist in the customs line for leaving Jamaica. The security gurards took the seashells that this person had collected and SMASHED them to powder in order to verify that they were not hiding places for drugs. The guard's attitude was "be glad we're letting you LEAVE Jamaica at all!"

Ever since then, I have advised my friends to avoid that place at all costs. I got better treatment in Communist China! (wonderful people..check out the Shenzhen report posted a while ago..I forget by whom).

And that was almost 10 years ago, before the current difficulties. I cannot recommend Jamaica for anyone.

IMHO

-Harry

[This message has been edited by hnechets (edited 04-26-99).]

Jamflyer: Have fun in Jamaica!

hnchets: I'm sorry to hear about your trip to JA. With so many other places to go to in this world it's ridiculous how Jamaica can treat visitors. It's bad enough that Jamaica has a bad reputation, but to turn around and charge visitors an unfair and unjust tax for leaving the island is like saying don't ever come back. I am sure Jamflyer will correct me if I am wrong but, it is said that Jamaica's departure tax is now the second highest in the world.

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OMNI, OMNI, OMNI (I'll get that out of the way before CATCOP returns). hnechets, perhaps the reason you should not recommend Jamaica to anyone is that YOU have never been there!!! At least that is what your post implies. A tale from a friend who had a bad experience there almost 10 years ago... come on!!! That's similar to telling someone a restaurant has "bad food" when you've never eaten there. My personal experiences in Jamaica (six visits between 1983 and 1998) have all been pleasant. These experiences include the six friendly locals who appeared out of nowhere to lift the tail end of our taxi so that the driver could change a flat tire! Please also note that Jamaica's ruling party at the time of your friends visit was the socialist party, now replaced by popular election with a more democratic party... times change.

It's true that even with riots some people will always go to Jamaica. Especially those with a love for Marley's songs and way of life :-)!

One Love y'all!

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I am a frequent reader of this board, however, I have never posted on this board. However, this topic is too good.

What is it about Jamaica that brings out the passion (negative or positive) in people? For the record, I must admit that I am a converted lover of Jamaica. Because of what I have heard from other people, who heard from someone else, I had sworn off Jamaica before I ever got there. Then in 92 a co-worker from Jamaica invited me to his wedding, after running out excuse I decided to go for the weekend. To make a long story short, I was back within 6 months.

Now to this topic, we've got one person (Flyaway) who may have gone to Jamaica a couple of years ago and is still going by that information. He apparently is aware of whats going on in Jamaica, but does not have the full story. Flyaway, you just cant get Jamaica out of your system.

We've got another person (jamflyer) who is a die-hard Jamaican lover who no matter what will never turn is back on "Yawd". I am not sure if jamflyer is Jamaican as some of the more passionate defenders of Jamaica are the "yardies" (i.e. Yanks, Brits, Germans or Canucks who think of Jamaica as home).

Then we've got hnechets, who was like me 6 years ago. Oh Jamaica, I will never go. Why not? becasue a friend of a friend said they witnessed (or heard of)someones else being mistreated in Jamaica. All unconfirmed rumors we heard through a 3rd, 4th, maybe 5th party.

I think all of this is the beauty and the magic of Jamaica. Man it aint perfect, but it sure as hell is ideal.

I will be back in August for Sumfest. If you need to find me, stop by Alfred's in Negril and ask for X. Dem all know mi.

One love, one heart.

Irie.