Don' t just see the sights— get to know the people.

Laid back, sun-drenched tropical paradise, or hotbed of drug-related crime and violence? Neither stereotype is true. Jamaica suffers from a PR problem, created largely by tabloid headlines written thousands of miles away. The reality is more complex and far more fascinating.

Jamaicans have a fire that has been hard to douse. It was burning when their forefathers arrived on slave ships, barely alive after the middle passage, and it was there when they fought the British to a standstill in the Maroon Wars.

In the English-speaking Caribbean they have a reputation for being brash, but they also have a warmth that is unmatched. They are unafraid to talk to strangers, they' ll laugh at nearly anything, they' ll discuss and debate with passion, and they' ll let you know it straight. Despite real economic and social problems, this beautiful and invigorating country regularly ranks among the top five happiest nations in the world in the annual Happy Planet Index. Culture Smart! Jamaica takes you beyond the cliché s with a fresh, uniquely well-informed look at of one of the most intriguing countries in the region.

Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.