I would like to know if I can buy a return ticket once I am there as I do not know how long I will be staying. I will be staying with relatives if that makes a difference.
OR could I buy a ticket and within 24hrs cancel once I make it through customs?
TIMATIC advises:
Immigration authorities may request visitors and transit passengers to prove that they will depart from the country within the prescribed period, by showing a return or onward ticket to their next international destination.
Unless stated otherwise, return/onward ticket is defined as:
a. International airline ticket (i.e. any types of airline tickets, reservation confirmation, booking code etc.); or
b. Evidence of departing from the country by other means of transportation (e.g. confirmation of joining a cruise, train, bus or ferry tickets, proof of departing by private boat or plane, etc).
The chances of you being asked to show a return ticket on arrival are probably very low however.
... though first you have to be allowed to board.
As stated by Timatic the database used by airlines:
Visitors must hold return/onward tickets
It doesn't say "must" for most countries, but here it does.
Basically, if the check-in staff checks you carefully enough and notices this, you're not getting on your flight without a return/onward ticket.
If you do make it do Jamaican immigration, it's unlikely that they'll care.
So yes, buy a flexible ticket and cancel it once in Jamaica
