If you are planning to send a missions group
to Jamaica but need some help arranging a daily schedule,
we can help. We have relationships with many local churches,
communities, orphanages, schools and other organizations and
have compiled lists of their needs. We can suggest an itinerary
based on the length of your stay, your interests, and the
skills of your group.
Accommodations
Jamaica Link Ministries founded
Fairhaven
Ministry Empowerment Center specifically to host short-term
mission teams. Fairhaven is centrally located in Montego Bay,
less than 2 miles from the airport and 30 steps from the ocean.
Rates are $25 per person, per night and we can accommodate
up to 50 people. Connecting rooms, common areas and a common
dining room make Fairhaven an ideal location for groups to
stay. Fairhaven also offers meals for groups of 8 or more
at a cost of $12 per day for 2 meals.
If the accommodations at Fairhaven don’t
meet your group’s needs we can help you arrange your
stay at another area hotel. Contact us for more information.
Is your group flying into Montego Bay but planning
to work in another part of the island? Many teams take advantage
of our close proximity to the airport and the ocean and opt
to stay at Fairhaven the night they arrive and several nights
before they depart.
If you need help arranging accommodations in
areas outside of Montego Bay we can suggest several options.
Transportation
Whatever your group size, we can help you arrange
transportation for your time here. Groups 16 and over typically
hire a bus and driver for the week. The estimated cost for
this is $100 per person. If your group is 15 or under we can
either help you rent a van directly or hire a van and driver.
Budgeting
The per person cost for your trip will depend
on two main factors 1) the cost of your airline ticket 2)
the kind of work you will be doing during your trip. As a
general rule, if your group is coming to do a construction
type project, you should plan to cover most or all of the
material costs for that project.
Accommodations, transportation, food, and money
for a group ‘fun day’ can be estimated as follows:
Accommodations:
$25 per night
Food:
Approx $15 per day, more if you plan to
eat dinners out
Transportation:
$100 per person for up to a 10 day stay
Fun:
$40 (most groups go to Dunns River Falls
and Glistening waters)
Add cost for airline tickets.
Add material costs or donations.
Add money to tip your bus driver and hotel staff (for
a group of 25 or over, $10 per person should more than
cover this)
Bring extra money for shopping, snorkeling, et.
What to bring
Valid Passport
Beach Towel
Battery Operated Alarm Clock (Electricity
is 120VAC, 50Hz . Plugs are the same as the States and most
devices (hairdryer, iron, computer) will work properly.
Clocks however will not keep time properly.
Insect repellent
Immodium AD or Pepto Bismol
Water Bottle
Camera
Bible
Church clothes (Jamaicans wear their
best to church):
Men: at least khakis and collared shirt
(you wouldn’t be over dressed with a tie.
Women: Modest skirt or dress
An extra suitcase with supplies for local
ministries (see ministry
partners list of needs, or ask
us for suggestions)
Spending Money
Snorkel mask if you have one (can rent here)
Arriving and Customs
In order to travel out of the country
you will need a valid passport. Make copies of all documents and
leave one copy at home and pack one copy in your checked baggage.
When you are about 1 hour from Montego Bay, the airline will
issue each passenger 2 forms. On the first form you will need
to state your purpose for travel and declare any items you
are importing to Jamaica. You should list “Vacation”
or “Other” and write in “Missions Work”.
As long as you are not going to sell any items you bring with
you (provided all items are worth less than $500.00 USD) you
do not need to declare them.
On most airlines, each passenger is allowed
two checked bags that weigh up to 50 lbs (check with the airline
you are traveling with for specifics). If you go over the
specified weight you will have to either remove items and
leave them behind or pay a fee. Many teams fill the second
suitcase with items to leave in Jamaica, or materials for
their trip. Make sure each passenger knows what is in their
extra suitcase. Customs will ask “What is in your luggage”.
If you answer, “I don’t know, I didn’t pack
it” (this has happened) they will have to open your
luggage (and possibly every one else’s on your team)
and look through it. A good answer would be “Clothes
and other things I am going to use while I am here”.
If they open your bags and question you on items you have
brought to donate, make it clear to them that you are donating
these items, not selling them.
Money
US cash is readily accepted at most merchants.
However, we suggest you exchange money into Jamaican currency
when you arrive. We can exchange your money (if you are staying
at Fairhaven) onsite. If you group plans on exchanging a large
amount of money, please contact us a few days in advance so
that we can have cash on hand) We will give you the best exchange
rate.
