Jamaica is an island country located in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and west of Haiti. The country operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST) and uses one single time zone across the entire island.
Jamaica does not observe daylight saving time, meaning the time stays the same throughout the year.
The capital city Kingston serves as the main reference for the country’s official time.
Current Time
Jamaica follows Eastern Standard Time (EST).
- Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- UTC Offset: UTC −5
- IANA Time Zone: America/Jamaica
Quick Facts
- Capital: Kingston
- Continent/Region: Caribbean (North America)
- Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- UTC Offset: UTC −5
- IANA Time Zone: America/Jamaica
- International Dialing Code: +1-876
- Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD)
Time Difference From
- Sydney: Jamaica is 16 hours behind Sydney
- London: Jamaica is 5 hours behind London
- New York: Jamaica is the same time as New York during standard time
- Tokyo: Jamaica is 14 hours behind Tokyo
Daylight Saving Time
Jamaica does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST).
The country remains on UTC−5 throughout the year, and clocks do not change during summer or winter.
Best Time to Call
- From Australia: 10:00 PM – 1:00 PM (next day) Sydney time
- From United Kingdom: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM London time
- From United States: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM New York time
Typical working hours in Jamaica are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM local time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time zone does Jamaica use?
Jamaica uses Eastern Standard Time (EST), UTC−5.
Does Jamaica observe daylight saving time?
No. Jamaica keeps the same time throughout the year.
Does Jamaica have multiple time zones?
No. Jamaica uses one time zone nationwide.
What is the IANA time zone for Jamaica?
The official time zone identifier is America/Jamaica.
Where Is Located
Jamaica is located in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and west of Haiti, and is part of the Greater Antilles island group.
What Is Famous For
Jamaica is famous for:
- Reggae music and legendary artist Bob Marley
- Beautiful Caribbean beaches and tropical resorts
- World-famous Blue Mountain coffee
- Athletic excellence, especially Olympic sprinters
- Vibrant Caribbean culture, food, and festivals
Additional Note
Jamaica uses one national time zone and does not observe daylight saving time, making time coordination with other countries consistent throughout the year.
