Let me first make mention of it. This is my third version of “Best Countries to Visit on A Jamaican Passport” and I am so excited to share. It is almost becoming a yearly tradition where I dish out the details improved and updated. Every time around this time of year, I become somewhat dormant, somewhat quiet on social media as I prepare some of my most read cornerstone articles. This is one of them.

I find it necessary to share these details as I truly believe the Jamaican passport is more valuable, more useful and more important than we might believe. While I prep myself for a year another of travels (here’s a teaser ) Aruba, Italy, Cuba, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Peru, Turkey — I want to go ahead and share 10 Best countries to visit on a Jamaican Passport in 2019.

1.Moscow, Russia 

If it’s visa-free then I am all in for it.  Believe it or believe it not! But, the facts are in and  Russia just became visa-free for Jamaicans earlier this year. Also to add, it’s a direct flight straight outta Campton, I meant Montego Bay. It is a direct flight straight out of Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The Nordwind Airlines is now scheduled with direct flights between Montego Bay and Moscow coming in and out every 10 days until April of 2019. If you’ve ever thought about visiting Russia well, here’s your chance. Flights go in and out on Tuesdays and Fridays. Did I already make mention that it is also visa-free?

via Nikolay Vorobyev

2.Tel Aviv, Israel 

I can’t begin to express how much of a bucket list item Israel is. For years, Israel has been a visa-free country for Jamaicans and possibly free-visa for most Caribbean nationals just waiting to be explored by us. So much history, culture and architecture.

Though most flights depart from U.S-based airports, going along with this option will only defeat the purpose of it being truly visa-free if you do not have currently hold a valid U.S visa.

No U.S visa? Get ready for the Multi-City adventure. Travel from the Kingston or Montego Bay airport to Panama (PTY). From Panama, you’ll be able to board your next flight to Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV) along with a quick layover in Caracas (Venezuela) with Turkish Airlines.

If you currently hold a U.S visa, you can connect via Miami, New York & Los Angeles with direct flights to Tel Aviv. Jamaicans are allotted a whole 90 days to enjoy the wonders of Israel. The Dead Sea anyone?

3.Istanbul, Turkey 

While you are on that side of the world, you can consider hopping over to Istanbul, Turkey which is somewhat a visa-free travel country for Jamaicans as well. Here is how Turkey is a little different, if you’re Jamaican, travelling on a Jamaican passport you will need to acquire an eVisa which is really simple. The process takes place online with a $20 fee and is only required to be done 48hrs before your departure. A 90-day allotted time is again granted.

Turkey is vast, thick in culture and rich in gastronomy. I will be visiting Istanbul in this coming year. If you’ve ever been, share some of your favourite tips in the comment section below. Also, if you like to join in on the adventures, be sure to follow my Instagram Account here: TheWorldUpCloser

4. Mexico 

As of current, Jamaicans are granted visa-free travel access to 84 countries. Which means you can now visit these countries for tourism purposes without having to apply for visas prior to your departures. Though these countries are meant to take away the hassle of applying for visas, at least access to 75 of these countries require you to transit through a country that a visa is required for. This somewhat defeats the process of it being truly visa-free. But, here’s the way around it with Panama being one of our gateways.

Travelling to Mexico, this country makes my list every year since I started recommending Best Countries to visit on a Jamaican Passport. It is absolutely one of my favourites. In terms of proximity, Mexico is not very far from Jamaica, in fact, we both share the Caribbean Sea — yet it so different. The culture, the people, the food, the history, the music; at some point please be sure to visit Mexico.

Getting here from Jamaica is pretty easy. You will travel via Panama (PTY) with Copa Airlines and then on to Mexico.  Jamaicans are allocated 180 days to explore the country which is way much more than just Cancun and Tulum. (:

To add, domestic flights within the country is affordable. This gives you the access to travel around and see the different sides of Mexico.

To visit Mexico you will need to book two separate flights including for your return:

1. Flight 1: Kingston or Montego Bay to Panama (PTY)

2.Flight 2: Panama (PTY) to Mexico (MEX)

5.Nairobi, Kenya 

At some point, you have it make it over to the Motherland. Kenya comes in with another 90 days to skylark and gallivant on its land. (:

Though, there is absolutely no flight from the Caribbean that gets you over to Kenya, many Jamaicans and Caribbean Nationals frequent places such as New York City, including myself. If you are reading this, then this is for you.  You can fly directly from New York City to Nairobi, Kenya with Kenya Airlines. Anyone else for Kenya 2019?

Read: Travel Insurance for Jamaicans

6. Georgetown, Guyana 

Guyana comes in as one of the best countries to visit on a Jamaican passport in 2019 as it is visa-free, it’s a direct flight and it is also off the beaten path. Famously known for its dense rainforest and its interesting culture as it is shared between South America and the Caribbean, Guyana is a haven for those who are looking to truly experience the local culture.

For a country that is so rich in culture, I truly believe it deserves more travellers and particularly, more travellers from the Caribbean. You can visit here directly from Kingston with Caribbean Airlines.

7. Serbia 

For the first time in years, Jamaicans can finally visit Europe without any form of European Visas. Earlier this year, Serbia became visa-free for Jamaicans with a 30-day limit in any given year.

Though you will need to visa to visit the neighbouring countries in the Balkan States (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania,) Serbia will be one less country you will need to apply a visa for.

8. Panama 

In terms of accessibility and travel time, Panama happens to one of the better countries to visit on this list for the coming year. It is a direct flight from Montego Bay & Kingston, it is visa-free and with a flight time of just over 2hrs.

The beaches here are spectacular and if you are looking to brush up on your Spanish, this is a good place to start.

9. The ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao)

The ABC Islands are the 3 western-most islands of the Leeward Antilles which is otherwise named Dutch Caribbean. The Caribbean coast here is nothing like what I have ever seen before.

Though a visa is required to visit the Dutch Caribbean, if you are a holder of the valid U.S, British or Schengen visa you can possibly consider visiting these islands as apart of your next Caribbean getaway as anyone of these visas work.

10. South Africa 

South Africa is also one of the countries that will make the list every year. I have previously mentioned how much of a complete package South Africa is and every year, it becomes more and more of a bucket list item.

If South Africa happens to be on your list of places to visit in 2019. Make it happen!

You can also consider making this a multi-city trip as South Africa is way down beneath.

Here is the route:

From Kingston or Montego Bay travel via Panama. From Panama, you can fly to Brazil.

From Sao Paulo, Brazil you can fly directly to Cape Town, South Africa.

Also, if you wondering, Brazil is also a charm. I love it down there and I am already thinking of adding to my list of places to visit in 2019 for the third time.

via Finding Dan | Dan Grinwis

There are so many different countries I have mentioned in both my 2017 and 2018 articles. If you are looking for more recommendations, be sure to check out the links below. Also, if you’d like to suggest a few other countries to visit in 2019, please do so below. I’ll be reading and responding. (:

 

Happy Travels!

 Read Next: Visa-Free “First World ” Countries You Can Visit On A Caribbean Passport

Best Countries to Visit on a Jamaican Passport in 2018 

Best Countries to Visit on a Jamaican Passport in 2017

 

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