Goin' to Jamaica 🇯🇲 (pt 1 of 3)

Nov 14, 20214 min read

Updated: Nov 24, 2021

It’s been 676 days since our last trip outside of Canada. Our last flight was Jan 1, 2020, and we had just flown back from spending the holidays in Fort Myers, FL with my Mom & John, who are snowbirds.

Then, COVID happened. We had 2 trips booked that we had to cancel 🥺

To NYC, where Jeff’s choir was singing @ Carnegie Hall and Dublin, Ireland for an 11-day cruise with my Grams & Jeff’s parents. Both were once-in-a-lifetime trips. 💔

We put a lot of time into researching where to go. I wanted a beach and sun, to relax, before starting my new job. I am very excited to be returning to the Travel Industry as a Travel Consultant. Not only did we want a good deal, but we also wanted to be safe as possible. I am excited to be sharing our experience with you.

We decided on somewhere in the Caribbean and wanted an island where no test or only an antigen test was required. We chose Jamaica as two friends had recently vacationed there and had good experiences.

I checked the following websites:

- The CDC had Jamaica at a Level 3. We originally wanted to go to Costa Rica, but it was a Level 4 (the highest level), which means Avoid travel. 🙁 Most Caribbean countries were a 3 or 4.

- World COVID Tracker: worldometers -> Jamaica had a spike in cases in September, but was back under control by the end of October.

- Government of Canada Travel Advisory website

Caribbean Countries where NO test is required on Entry if Fully Vaccinated are:

Mexico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama & Honduras

Flytrippers has a complete list of the requirements by country - click this link.

Always verify this information on each countries website as information is constantly changing.

Jamaica requires an antigen test taken less than 3 days from the date of travel. Antigen tests are only $19.97 @ Walmart, done on a walk-in basis. It was an easy process and we had our results within 20 mins. Jamaica, as with most countries now, also requires a Travel Authorization to be completed online before travelling. Print and bring it with you.

We waited until Nov to travel because as of Oct 30th you need to show proof of vaccination to board domestic or international flights departing from most airports in Canada. It was another precaution that helped us feel safer travelling.

NOTE on COVID Insurance - we have medical coverage on our Amex credit card. But, it does not cover COVID. (called to verify) We purchased COVID Insurance through Allianz for $33 total for both of us. If you don‘t have a Travel Agent/booked online, I can help you purchase a COVID policy. Send me a message for more info.

Nov 7th - Pearson Airport - Terminal 3

Check-in was busy but moved quickly. We used self-check-in. Security wasn't very busy. We made it to the gate within 20 mins from arrival. We were expecting it to take a lot longer as WestJet advised us to arrive 2 1/2 hours before departure.

We were quite surprised that they didn’t check Vaccination status anywhere @ Pearson Airport. It is now open for anyone to walk into the terminal. But, we did have to show our Jamaica Travel Authorization & Negative Antigen test proof when boarding. Vaccination status was checked for our return trip as it's quicker to clear Canadian Customs if you are fully vaccinated. But, to be honest, it was very quiet @ customs and probably didn't make a difference. Depends on how busy they are.

We also have NEXUS which helps us clear customs/security faster as we are 'trusted travellers'. Can even use when travelling within Canada. It's worth the $50!

Helpful Tip: Use the TripCase APP for flight change notifications. You can also use it to see the current status of the airline Seat Map. We were lucky to get the Emergency Row in both directions and no one in the 3rd seat. Apple Android

I have missed flying ✈️ ...

When we landed at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, they did a temperature check as we came down the ramp and sprayed hand sanitizer on our hands. We then lined up to use the Customs kiosk.

Once we had our bags, we showed our passports, negative antigen test results and Travel Authorization to the Customs Agent & were welcomed to Jamaica. 🏖

We went to the concourse to find our transfer to the hotel. Most all-inclusive packages include the transfer to the hotel.

Club MoBay is the airport lounge (also available at the Kington airport). You can pay $50 USD p/p for VIP Arrival Meet & Greet service where you are escorted and expedited through Immigration and Customs. It didn't take us that long to clear customs, so we passed on this service. We did purchase lounge access for our departure ($30USD p/p if bought in advance) as we were there during lunch and it included drinks & wifi access. We weren't able to access free WIFI in the main terminal on our arrival.