Jamaica car hire
Car hire directory
Firefly car hire locations in Jamaica
6 Locations
Hertz car hire locations in Jamaica
6 Locations
Island Car Rentals car hire locations in Jamaica
5 Locations
Alamo car hire locations in Jamaica
4 Locations
Avis car hire locations in Jamaica
4 Locations
Budget car hire locations in Jamaica
4 Locations
Classique Car Rentals car hire locations in Jamaica
4 Locations
Enterprise car hire locations in Jamaica
4 Locations
National car hire locations in Jamaica
4 Locations
Right Cars car hire locations in Jamaica
4 Locations
Sunnycars car hire locations in Jamaica
4 Locations
Ace car hire locations in Jamaica
2 Locations
Top tips for hiring a car in Jamaica
- Public transport in Jamaica can be slow and unreliable, meaning that those who wish to explore widely will find it convenient to rent a car. It is possible to circle the entire island using the coastal highway or to make side trips into popular locations like the Blue Mountains. The majority of rental agencies, including Island Car Rental, Firefly, and Alamo, allow for one-way rentals, meaning it’s possible to rent a car in Jamaica in your arrival city and drop it off in another. Wherever you choose to go, it is highly recommended to avoid driving at night.
- Renting a car in Jamaica is expensive compared to other Caribbean locations, but it is possible to avoid high fees by picking a car brand or model that is less popular on the island; e.g., go with a Toyota Corolla rather than a Camry. Those planning to drive a lot on mountain or rural roads may find it helpful to have a four-wheel drive or a manual transmission vehicle.
- In Jamaica, children up to the age of four are required to be seated in an appropriate booster or child seat, whether they are placed in the front or rear seat of the car. In addition, the driver is responsible for ensuring that all passengers in the car are wearing seatbelts; hefty fines are in place for those who disobey this rule. Some car agencies like Budget are able to provide child seats for around 781 JMD (6 USD) extra per day, but these need to be booked and confirmed well in advance.
- As of 2019, new road laws were introduced to Jamaica to try to make driving safer. New laws include a prohibition on the use of cell phones or other communication devices in cars, and a raft of new (and expensive) fines for traffic violations, including the failure to use the blinker when turning.
FAQs about hiring a car in Jamaica
Full-size (Class Full-size Car or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Jamaica.
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
On average hiring a car in Jamaica costs $508 per week ($73 per day).
On average a car hire in Jamaica costs $2,177 per month ($73 per day).
Travelers who choose to rent a car in Jamaica are advised to exercise more caution than they might when driving at home, due to congested traffic and poor road conditions outside major cities in Jamaica. Driving is on the left and road conditions vary greatly. You will find the well-signed and well-maintained "A" highway that circles the island, as well as forgotten mountain roads.
Most agencies require drivers to be at least 23 years old to rent a car in Jamaica. This may, however, increase to 25 for some agencies—for example, National. Others are willing to accept 21-year-old drivers for a daily surcharge; at Island Car Rental, for example, there is a young driver surcharge of approximately 781 JMD (6 USD) per day. In general, a driver must have held his or her license for a minimum of one year. English-language domestic licenses are acceptable in most cases for a short-term rental.
Petrol prices in Jamaica are charged by the British gallon, which is a larger unit of measurement than the American gallon. While petrol is readily available in cities, fueling stations can be much farther apart outside urban areas. It is always wise to fill up when a chance presents itself. Most petrol stations are full-service and take payment in cash only. Expect to pay around 736 JMD (5.70 USD) per gallon of petrol.
The speed limit system in Jamaica is relatively straightforward, with only two major limits in operation: 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban or residential areas and 80 km/h (50 mph) outside these areas.