Jamaica is the Caribbean wonderland of wayfarer’s dreams; year-round warm weather accompanies their incredible variety of resorts, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture. The birthplace of reggae boasted a record number of 4.1 million visitors in 2023 with globetrotters flocking to the beaches of one of the top 3 island destinations. Relaxation, partying, and aquatic adventures have steadily attracted travelers to Jamaica in the past. The country’s Tourism Minister attributes this influx of tourism to a new pursuit of “authentic experiences”. Travelers are venturing out of private retreats and are instead seeking to immerse themselves in the local Jamaican culture. So, is it safe to travel to Jamaica?
This island paradise is not without its risks and excursionists must be cautious. Before you travel to the tropical destination of Jamaica, make sure you are aware of the potential dangers. Find out if Jamaica is safe to travel to below.
Jumping Ahead
Can you travel to Jamaica right now?
Yes! As of June 15th, 2020, Jamaica reopened for tourism travel. Here’s what you’ll need to know regarding the country’s travel health and travel restrictions if you decide to book a vacation anytime soon.
Jamaica Travel Advisory
Find out what the U.S. State Department and CDC advise when it comes to travel safety for Jamaica. The travel advisory determines how safe a country is to travel to based on factors like serious crimes like homicide rates, sexual assaults, terrorism, or other sorts of violence.
Jamaica COVID-19 Travel Safety Guidelines
Despite few remaining health safety restrictions post-pandemic, this information is helpful for Jamaican tourists.
Is it safe to travel to Jamaica?
Jamaica declared a state of emergency in 2018, highlighting the very real dangers afflicting the country. High murder rates, accounts of gang violence, and theft have been regular occurrences plaguing the island –greatly affecting tourism. The government has been working to make the country safer by having military forces assist local police in maintaining order.
The majority of violent crime in Jamaica occurs between Jamaican citizens (Jamaican-on-Jamaican brutality, usually attributed to gangs). However, there is the occasional incident involving vacationists. There are a few main categories of criminal activity, some of which would actually affect any travelers.
Harassment
This is widely reported to be the most common crime in Jamaica against tourists. Local vendors are notorious for pestering visitors, but can often be dismissed with a firm “no thank you”. While a few Jamaican locals may prove to be more persistent, they rarely intend any harm to travelers.
Jamaica values its tourism industry greatly, and in an effort to ensure its security, the government established a specialty security force of “tourist police”. These police officers are dedicated to protecting travelers, are highly visible (you can recognize them by their white hats and shirts), and patrol tourist hot spots in large numbers. It’s important to know how to be prepared if you end up being pulled into a common scam while traveling.
Petty Theft
This is another imminent threat a sightseer in Jamaica would face. Most robberies are non-violent crimes. Pickpocketing is a frequent occurrence, with thieves preying on day-trippers for paper money, jewelry, and electronics like phones and cameras. If you find yourself facing a thief: do not resist.
Most thieves simply want your valuables and will let you go about your way if they get what they want. Be cautious and leave all unnecessary valuables – jewelry, music players, expensive clothing – at home. If you bring valuables, ensure your hotel provides a safe for storage while you’re out. Should you experience theft while traveling, having a travel insurance policy could help reimburse you or replace the items stolen if you choose to file a claim.
Scamming (card stealing and skimming) is another issue that is widespread in tourist spots. To minimize this issue, pay with cash as often as possible and use ATMs in reputable, traveler-friendly (usually tourist) areas.
Gang & Drug Violence
Gang activity used to be primarily restricted to the main cities in Jamaica, but has spread to the rural areas as well. Sightseers are typically unaffected by these crimes. However, it’s encouraged they exercise caution when leaving the confines of a resort and venturing into towns. Drug smugglers have been known to occasionally stow away drugs in luggage, so keep your belongings close to you at all times.
Assault and Murder
Jamaica holds one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world. Although these types of violent crimes typically occur among locals, there have been reports of travelers being victims. Female travelers, in particular, must be wary as sexual assault is regularly reported (even within resorts).
Visit the U.S. Embassy in Kingston if you ever feel extremely vulnerable or need a safe area to retreat.
Home Invasions & Armed Robberies
The number of robberies and break-ins has increased in the last few years in Jamaica. Unfortunately, there are times when home invasions become violent and/or fatal. Most of the time, these events occur between Jamaican locals. However, if you are staying in a vacation rental or other type of resort property, it’s recommended to reinforce the entry points with extra security.
Armed robberies occur quite frequently in Jamaica, but staying in common areas is a safer bet with the specific tourist police nearby. No matter where you are and the time of day, make sure you are wandering alone. Also, keep a watchful eye on your surroundings as a safety precaution.
Jamaica Travel Safety Tips
Many travelers opt to stay at all-inclusive resorts due to security concerns, but more and more are venturing out into “the real Jamaica.” Many travelers who have visited Jamaica report that their adventures occurred without incident, and were instead defined by amazing experiences of local hospitality, entertainment, and cuisine. Now that we’ve answered the “Is it safe to travel to Jamaica?” question, let’s dive into how you have worry-free trip to this tropical paradise.
Safe Areas in Jamaica
If you find yourself itching to leave designated tourist areas, try out these more popular (and safest) cities while you visit Jamaica:
- Portland
- St. Elizabeth
- Manchester
Despite the potential risks, most visitors find that Jamaican locals are friendly and helpful, being quite used to interacting with voyagers from other countries. Hiring a private tour guide is a great option for those who want to get the full cultural experience while ensuring their travel safety in Jamaica.
Places to Avoid in Jamaica
Crime tends to focus on major tourist destinations – cities with large populations. The popular destinations of Kingston, Montego Bay, and Negril are the primary target areas of criminals looking to take advantage of unwary travelers in Jamaica. You’ll often see these areas listed in “reconsider travel” travel advisories for Jamaica due to high crime rates. The following areas within these major cities are noted to be particularly dangerous and should be avoided:
Montego Bay
Many large cities have areas that should be avoided due to the potential risk of crime and brutality and Montego Bay is not excluded from this –it can be a dangerous area. The State Department warns travelers to avoid the following areas within Montego Bay due to rampage and gun violence:
- Canterbury
- Clavers Street
- Flankers
- Hart Street
- Norwood
- Rose Heights
Kingston
In similarity with Montego Bay, Kingston also experiences some areas of violence and shootings and may not be free from danger for those who travel here. Our advice is to avoid traveling to these areas below.:
- Cassava Piece
- Downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Trench Town, Tivoli Gardens, and Arnett Gardens.
- Grants Pen
- Standpipe
- August Town
Spanish Town
The State Department advises against traveling to this area of Jamaica due to regular violence and gun violence.
Transportation in Jamaica
When arranging transportation, book taxi, and bus rides from the hotel which will usually have reputable companies to refer to. We recommend avoiding public buses as they tend to experience higher rates of crime and aren’t usually on schedule. Rental cars also often experience theft and break-ins. Hotel staff and local guides are great resources for a fun excursion – your security is their number one priority. If you’d rather try out a different destination, check out our travel safety guide page with safety information on other popular tourist destinations.
Register for STEP
Also called the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, this free service allows you to register your trips and get access to travel safety updates through the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica. You’ll receive security alerts for your destination and, in emergencies, the embassy can help locate you and find a safe area.
Travel Insurance for Jamaica
Since Medicare and major medical health insurance don’t provide coverage for international travel, it’s important to make sure you have coverage if something goes awry on your future vacation This is especially true since medical care isn’t free in Jamaica for visitors. If you get hurt or injured and don’t have travel insurance, you’d have to pay the bill yourself.
Travel insurance isn’t just for medical emergencies though. If you cancel your trip for a covered reason or lose your baggage, travel insurance can help cover the costs. Furthermore, it can reimburse your additional hotel and meal expenses if you contract COVID-19 during your trip and need to quarantine. We’ve written a helpful blog discussing what travel insurance is and what it isn’t so you can make a more informed decision on whether or not to protect your vacation investment.
Be Aware
As in any location, it’s important to actively assess your surroundings when traveling to Jamaica. The State Department advises avoiding public buses, secluded areas, and walking or driving at night as effective travel safety measures. Also, keep valuables like your passport and extra cash in a hotel safe if you can.
Hurricane Season in Jamaica
Hurricanes are more likely for the Caribbean from June through November –this is the same for Jamaica. You can still travel to Jamaica during hurricane season without much of a hitch. Just pay attention to the weather forecast as your departure date gets closer. Purchasing travel insurance before a named storm allows you to cancel your trip and receive a full reimbursement of nonrefundable costs. On another hand, if a storm suddenly pops up during your trip and you have to cut things short, travel insurance could reimburse the unused portions of your trip cost. We recommend purchasing travel insurance online for coverage against hurricanes.
What are some safe and family-friendly activities or excursions in Jamaica?
As many places are now open, Jamaica still is a great place for a family vacation. There are plenty of safe areas to travel to in Jamaica! Below we’ve provided some inspiration to plan your future trip.
Adventure Lovers: Offering activities for kids of all ages, Yaaman Adventure Park is a great option for all-day entertainment near Ocho Rios. Check out some of their different tours and even get the opportunity to ride a camel or a segway!
Experience Local Cuisine: Although Ocho Rios has many kid-friendly restaurants, Scotchies offers authentic Jamaican cuisine and isn’t too far out of the way.
History Buff: If your family has older kids and you’re looking to learn more about Jamaica’s history, try visiting Seville Great House. Not only will they learn about the colonial roots of the country, but will also get to view some of the archeological artifacts from findings in the area.
Be One With Nature: If your family likes animals and more specifically, birds, Barney’s Hummingbird Garden in Negril is sure to please. Plus, you can walk around the beautiful flower gardens while you enjoy a homemade smoothie!
Knowing the dangers of traveling to a new place is only half the battle. Now that you know the answer to “Is it safe to travel to Jamaica?”, don’t forget to prepare for things that you can’t anticipate like emergency medical expenses with travel insurance. If you are traveling to Jamaica near the hurricane or rainy season, there’s the potential that your adventure could be interrupted, delayed, or even canceled – travel insurance has your back 100%. Whether you are traveling to Jamaica by boat or by plane, Yonder wants to make sure that you are safe, happy, and can fully enjoy your amazing Jamaican adventure.
What are some of your favorite destinations in Jamaica?
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As a seasoned professional with over five years of experience in the travel insurance industry, Meagan has honed her expertise in marketing and operations working for Yonder Travel Insurance.
Throughout her career, she's shown dedication assisting customers at every stage of their travel insurance journey, from the initial quote process to navigating the claims process. Her expert understanding of travel insurance equips her to provide unbiased and valuable insights, which help travelers find the best coverage and maximize its benefits.
Tags: family, travel safety
