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As the proud owner of a Jamaican passport, my only passport, there’s something humbling about handing it over at immigration in a foreign country. Sometimes the scrutiny is real with questions asked about the purpose and length of travel, source of funds, address and return ticket confirmation. Other times, the officer pauses and looks up with a smile: “Jamaica? Welcome!” At nine countries and counting, I look forward to landing in a new country and experiencing how Jamaicans are perceived abroad. Spoiler Alert: It’s mostly positive, but read on to see my firsthand travel experiences as a Jamaican.
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1. Jamaica’s Name Carries Weight Everywhere
I did not expect how far-reaching our country’s influence is. A bartender and shopkeeper in Barranco, Peru feeling so excited to be in my presence, and show off his Rasta coloured armband. Passersby in Antigua, Guatemala who recognized my accent, and were eager to find out how long my flight was because they’ve always wanted to visit Jamaica. I also met several Mexicans who had stories of their relatives who visited, loved and even worked in Jamaica. Even in Kingston, Ontario, I ran into an art gallery owner whose grandmother was born in Kingston, Jamaica– and my husband and I spent close to an hour answering every question he had about our city which he felt connected to and had always wanted to see, but never visited. Everywhere I go, there’s someone excited to talk about Jamaica. The moment people hear “Jamaica,” their faces light up. It’s almost never neutral. It’s:
- “Bob Marley!”
- “Reggae!”
- “Usain Bolt!”
- “One Love!”
Our global footprint is disproportionate to our size. Jamaica is small geographically, a nation with under three million people — but culturally, we are massive. Music. Sports. Vibes. Energy. Even people who have never met a Jamaican feel like they know us.
2. The Love for Reggae Is Real
I knew reggae was global — but I didn’t understand the depth of it until I traveled. I’ve heard Bob Marley, Shaggy, Sean Paul, etc. playing in restaurants in all five Latin American countries I’ve visited to date. I heard several Bob Marley songs playing at Chichen Itza, one of the World’s New Seven Wonders. I’ve walked into restaurants, Ubers and taxis abroad where reggae and dancehall music is blasting. I’ve met people who can sing entire reggae lyrics — and they’ve never stepped foot in the Caribbean. Oh, and in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, I heard more Jamaican artistes on the radio each day than Trini artistes. Reggae is more than music. It’s identity, philosophy, resistance, freedom, rhythm, peace, love and unity. When you’re Jamaican, people connect you to that legacy instantly. Our music became the freedom songs of Africa in the 1900s, so I imagine I’ll encounter even more connection and love for reggae music when I step foot onto the Motherland. There’s pride in that.
3. Sports Open Doors
If music doesn’t break the ice, athletics does. The minute you say Jamaica, someone says: “Usain Bolt!” or “Fastest runners in the world!” or.. they strike the “to di world” pose which was made popular by Usain Bolt. The athletic gene skipped me, but our track and field dominance has created global recognition. Being Jamaican abroad sometimes feels like carrying a reputation for excellence, and that feels powerful. Our reputation precedes us.
4. The English Question…
Now let’s talk about something less flattering. More than once, someone has said to me: “Oh wow, you speak English so well!”… well, to be fair, that only happened to me while in Canada but it happened at least once every day during my observership. It was exhausting and nauseating to repeatedly explain that Jamaica is an English-speaking country. English is our official language. I speak English for the same reason Canadians do– colonization, and part of Jamaica’s British legacy. However, there’s still this global misconception that because we speak Patois, a rich expressive Creole language, we somehow don’t speak “proper” English. While it’s more uninformed than malicious, it reminds you how little some people actually know about the Caribbean. Traveling as a Jamaican passport holder sometimes means gently correcting people’s assumptions.
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5. The Ganja Stereotype
However, this Jamaican stereotype (among others) I correct very sternly: the inevitable question about marijuana. It comes up a lot, either subtly with a wink-wink: “Jamaicaaaa 🌿” or a direct question about how/where to access marijuana in Jamaica. Our association with cannabis culture is global. It’s tied to reggae, Rastafarianism, and decades of pop culture. But here’s the thing — Jamaica is more diverse than that. I’ve never smoked, not even once, and hardly anyone I know does (c’mon! I’m a doctor! I encourage people to STOP smoking for a living!). Anyway, yes, it’s cultural, but many Jamaicans are aware of the dangers of substance use and are simply uninterested in marijuana. But sometimes, when you travel, the first association is ganja so I’m happy to dispel this myth and educate. Associating all Jamaicans with marijuana simplifies us, and Jamaica is anything but simple. If you’re visiting for marijuana though, you can tour a marijuana farm in Montego Bay.
6. Immigration Feels Different
Last but not least, let’s be honest. Traveling with a Jamaican passport means you’re more aware of visa rules, entry requirements, and documentation– especially when you travel to “first world countries.” You double-check everything. You carry extra proof about ties to your home country, lest your vacation plans get mistaken for something else. You’re mentally prepared for more questions. That’s just the reality for many Caribbean passport holders, but something I’ve also experienced? Respect. When you travel far from home with a Jamaican passport, you represent resilience, ambition, and curiosity. Not everyone expects us to be everywhere. And yet, we are. An island with 2.8 million people influencing billions.
Wrap Up
Traveling as a Jamaican passport holder has taught me that identity travels with you, and that still surprises me. Small island, global presence. Did anything resonate with you from today’s post? If it did, sound off in the comments section below! 🙂 I’m experiencing writer’s block, and nearly broke my writing streak.. but thankfully a bit of last minute inspiration struck. Hopefully I can shake it off in time for next week too, or find a new experience to share. The past few weeks have been pretty mundane, and I’m afraid the blog is all caught up with my adventures but let’s see! Thanks for reading! Check out my favourite excursions and my favourite travel insurance company, ’til next time.
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