Citizens of countries, such as Jamaica, whose passports are considered middle-ranked in terms of power, often complain about the frustration, time and costs associated with obtaining visas to travel. However, there are 86 amazing countries that Jamaicans can visit without a visa once we think beyond North America and Europe.
According to the Henley Passport Index, Jamaicans can visit 86 countries visa free and 86 countries make up a huge chunk of the world!
Beyond Jamaica, there are many other countries with middle-ranked passports that can be used visa free at a similar number of countries. To get a full list of countries that you can go to visa-free using your passport go to the Henley website, enter the name of your country, and conduct a search.
Obviously, the information you get from the Henley Global Passport Index should be used as a starting point and not a final reference. Once you have identified a country you want to visit, be sure to check that government’s official website for the most up to date information regarding visas, passports and COVID. Most countries typically need your passport to have at least 6 months validity remaining when you enter, but that can vary too.
We’ve visited more than 20 countries visa free using our Jamaican passports and these are our favourite ten. Yes, I do have other passports, but Monique is 100% Jamaican, and I usually try to use my Jamaican passport if possible. To qualify for this list a country had to:
- Be a great place to visit.
- The entire trip had to be visa free, and didn’t include the need for any form of transit visa along the way.
- The country either had to allow totally visa free entry for Jamaicans or have some form of visa on arrival or e-visa, which, let’s be frank, are little more than entry taxes.
This is a two-part article, and this part 1 shows, in no particular order, our first five recommendations. Click here for part 2.
Table of Contents
1. Ecuador
There are three (3) reasons why South America is a great place to start looking for fantastic visa-free destinations:
- It is relatively close to Jamaica.
- Every destination offers fantastic value for money.
- Every country on the continent, with the exception of Paraguay offers visa free entry to those travelling on a Jamaican passport. Now, I had a blast each time I visited Paraguay and I have a couple of great Paraguayan friends, but not even the most rabid patriot would claim that Paraguay is a top South American tourist destination.
Ecuador, on the other hand, is a classic tourist destination, with so much to see and do, as we describe in The 13 Best Things to do in Old Town Quito. We flew to Quito on Copa Airlines from Kingston, via Panama City. We didn’t need a transit visa for Panama and nor did we need visas to enter Ecuador.
2. Ghana
For countless Jamaicans, going to Ghana is like coming home. It can be quite an emotional trip, as many have ancestors who were forcibly transported from what is modern day Ghana to Jamaica during the horrors of the slave trade.
You quickly realize that the similarities are amazing in the people, culture and even buildings and roads are astonishing. When you are in Accra, the capital, it’s easy to believe that you’ve simply been transported to a part of Kingston that you don’t know: they are that much alike.
In 2019 the governments of Ghana and Jamaica inked a bilateral visa waiver agreement that allows Jamaicans to travel to Ghana without a visa and, of course, for Ghanaians to visit Jamaica.
The tough part for Jamaicans is traveling without going through the USA, as it is impossible to transit the US without a visa. We managed it by a slightly tortuous route from Kingston through Toronto and London Heathrow to our final destination, Accra.
And thank you for asking, yes it was an exhausting journey, but oh so worth it when we finally got there! We adored Accra and loved our trips to Kumasi and Cape Coast Castle. Next time, we are going to be sure to take in Mole National Park in the north of the country, as well as the tropical forests, hills and waterfalls near the border with Togo in the Volta region.
To check the latest visa status for visitors from your country, go to the Permits and Visa page of the Ghana Immigration Service website. To learn more about visiting Ghana generally try the official Visit Ghana website.
3. Serbia
We really wanted to include a European country, and we have been to two without a visia, but getting there can be a challenge without a transit visa. The USA is a total no-go and flights from Jamaica to the UK arrive at Gatwick (where you DO need a transit visa) rather than Heathrow, where you can transit visa-free. So, a confession, while we have been to Serbia using Jamaican passports, we did so by passing through the Schengen zone.
However, after a little research, I found that it is possible to get to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia without the need for visa. The best options are from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport through Frankfurt on Eurowings with onward connections using Swiss Air or Lufthansa; the prices are pretty good too. From Kingston you can make the trip via either Panama or Toronto on Copa and Air Canada, but these are longer and more expensive journeys.
If you are of a “certain age,” which includes me, Serbia may conjure images of the horrific war in the 1990s, after the break-up of Yugoslavia. I can assure you to put these out of your mind as the entire region can host an absolutely fabulous trip. We loved Croatia, Slovenia and, of course, Serbia.
Belgrade is an awesome city with a varied history thanks to its key strategic location at the point where the rivers Danube and Sava meet. There is little better than just wandering along Knez Mihajlova in old Begrade, through Trg Republike (Republic Square), the city’s main plaza, to Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park.
Modern Belgrade provides a distinct contrast in the form socialist realism and modernism, (which I adore for some reason). Then there is the third part of Belgrade, the old city of Zumen that seems to be stuck in a time capsule since the days Austro-Hungarian Empire.
What’s more, Belgrade has a wonderful foodie scene and great coffee shops. Best of all, Serbia is one of the most affordable countries in Europe.
To find out more about the entire country, not just Belgrade, take a look at the official tourism site. Serbia currently offers visa free entry to Jamaican passport holders for 30 days. To check out the latest visa information go to the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. Indonesia
Another country that is difficult to get to without a transit visa, but which is definitely worth it a thousand times over is Indonesia, or more specifically Bali. For flights from Jamaica without the need for a transit visa, your best choice is likely to be through Toronto on Air Canada, although there are options through Panama and Frankfurt, the latter being only available from Montego Bay.
When you get there, it is amazing. I mean just the mention of the name “Bali” evokes thoughts of paradise on earth, and it’s not far from the truth. There are fabulous beaches, wonderful resorts, gorgeous scenery, beautiful temples and great hikes available, all in a place where costs are amazingly low.
Jamaicans and those from 168 other countries can usually visit Indonesia completely visa-free for up to 30 days. However, at the time of writing the visa waiver program is suspended due to COVID-19 concerns. Let’s hope that this changes soon! To learn about Bali, visit this website. To get current visa and travel information go to the official website of the Directorate General of Immigration of Indonesia.
5. Egypt
If there is one country that should be on everyone’s bucket list, it is Egypt. I know that you can find dozens of articles online saying that it’s overrated, especially Giza, but our advice is to ignore them. The culture clash and history that is old Cairo, the magnificent Giza pyramid complex, a cruise down the Nile, the Valley of the Kings and the Luxor Temple are all places that you have to see once in your life.
These are the most well-known attractions, but there is so much more situated along the banks of the Nile. In fact, pretty much everything in Egypt is located close to the river that is the lifeblood of the country.
The lesser-known sights, but still awesome, include The Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Queens, the memorial temple of Pharaoh Ramesses II, the Theban Necropolis, Deir el-Bahari and the ancient palace of Malkata. If any of these were situated in any other country, they would be world famous and it’s a little sad that because they are in Egypt they are overshadowed by the Great Pyramid, the Sphinx and Luxor!
Visitors from most countries, including Jamaicans, can visit Egypt by purchasing a visa on arrival that will be valid for 30 days. It’s important to know that it must be paid for in cash: US dollars, UK pounds or Euros, and you must have the correct change. When we arrived we each paid US$25 in cash. Alternatively, and our recommendation, is that you apply for an e-visa in advance where you can use a credit or debit card.
A great place to start planning your trip is the official Egypt travel site. The website is stunning, an experience on its own.
If you want to never complain about Jamaican drivers again, take an Egyptian taxi, especially along the main road from Cairo to Giza. There is nothing quite like driving at 130km/h (80mph) with what seems like less than a metre (3 feet) from the car in front. When I asked one driver to slow down a little, he smiled and said, “do not worry, we will get there OK inshallah (God willing).” I’m not sure that this gave me much confidence!
I hope that I have whet your appetite for visa-free travel whether you’re Jamaican or from one of the many other countries with middle-ranked passports. Look out for Part 2 next week.
Author
Nick Abbott
Hi, I’m Nick. Visiting foreign countries has been an important part of my life since my parents moved to Kano in Nigeria in 1977. Since then, as both a military officer and in later jobs I have enjoyed the huge privilege of being exposed to many different countries and cultures.
I am delighted to be able to support my wife Monique and Yes2Yolo primarily by contributing travel articles, providing editing and proof-reading services and being a general sounding board.
Great article Nick! I am very much interested in reading part 2.
Thank you Elizabeth. Much appreciated
Thank you so much Elizabeth!
Thank you for the info. This is amazing
You are most welcome Shanique. Thank you for dropping us a line. Much appreciated.
Thank you for this article most informative.
Thank you Donovan. Really appreciate the positive feedback.
👀 Part 2
Hi Andrea. We did include the link for Part 2 in the Part 1 article. I’ve also pasted the link below for you.
https://yes2yolo.com/travel/10-amazing-countries-we-visited-visa-free-on-a-jamaican-passport-part-2/