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U.S. and Canadian citizens are not required to have a passport when visiting Jamaica, but it is highly recommended. They are not required to have visas.

U.S. Citizens
Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, special rules apply to U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico, Bermuda and certain destinations in the Caribbean*.

U.S. citizens traveling by air are required to have a passport to re-enter the States. Anyone traveling by land or sea needs to present either (a) a passport, passport card or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

On June 1, 2009, most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry will be required to show a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document. They will no longer be allowed to use a government-issued photo ID as proof of citizenship.

The U.S. government recommends traveling with a valid U.S. passport to avoid delays or misunderstandings while visiting other countries. A lost or stolen passport is also easier to replace when outside of the United States than other evidence of citizenship. 

For more information, contact the Embassy of Jamaica at 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC  20036, telephone (202) 452-0660; the Jamaican Consulate in Miami or New York; honorary consuls in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Seattle or Los Angeles. Visit the Embassy of Jamaica's web site at http://www.congenjamaica-ny.org for the most current visa information.

Canadian Citizens
Jamaican immigration rules state that Canadians need only valid official photo identification (such as a driver's license) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) for travel to Jamaica. But an increasing number of airlines in Jamaica are refusing boarding to Canadian passengers returning to Canada who are only in possession of these documents.

Airlines have the right to refuse boarding to any passenger if they are not satisfied with the validity of the travel documents presented, regardless of the country's immigration entry rules. Canadian citizens are strongly advised to obtain a Canadian passport prior to initiating international travel and to carry it for all visits outside Canada.

These requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveler's responsibility to check with the country's embassy or its consulates for up-to-date information.

Sources
Jamaica Embassy: http://www.congenjamaica-ny.org
U.S. State Department: http://travel.state.gov/travel/
Canadian Consular Affairs: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/consular_home-en.asp