Is It Safe To Travel To Jamaica?

Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean with many tourists attractions including beaches, rainforests, music and festivals and energetic resorts. However, as with most destinations, Jamaica does have some crime which might be a nuisance for tourists if measures are not put in place to avoid them. Although the overall incidences of violent crimes have declined in the past decade, incidences of petty theft and harassment are still rife in some parts. To be as direct as possible, is Jamaica safe for tourists? Here is a brief of the safety and security status in Jamaica for the travelers to make their decision.

Crime in Jamaica

As it is common with most Caribbean islands that rely much on tourism, poverty in Jamaica has resulted in cases of stealing and sexually harassment. Many incidents occur at and nearby the major tourist destinations such as Montego Bay and Negril which are famous for resort destinations. The most frequent crimes are pick-pocketing and snatching purses; thefts from rooms in hotels or from rental cars; and the swindlers who hysterically offer to sell counterfeit items or else demand money. They have also been case of sexual harassment against women travelers.

Armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder, in particular, are still a reality, but not as rampant as they were a few years ago. The overwhelming proportion of such deaths is associated with specific forms of criminal gang activities in some specific cities. Such occurrences are very infrequent and do not have a direct impact on the tourists. Terrorism is also a very unlikely occurrence in Jamaica. Thus, although pickpocketing is still an issue particularly when some caution is ignored, travelers who stay away from areas with high rates of night violence are highly unlikely to experience violent crime.

Travel Safety Advice for Jamaica

While travelers should exercise an abundance of caution in Jamaica, taking proper safety measures can effectively minimize risks:While travelers should exercise an abundance of caution in Jamaica, taking proper safety measures can effectively minimize risks:

• Do not take belongings that are not necessary and keep your money and other valuable items in your pocket or a hotel safe if required.
  
• Do not be alone and do not roam around deserted or insecure areas.
  
• Avoid traveling at night unless in groups
  
• Do not accept taxis from strangers or people posing as drivers on the street.
  
• Never go to deserted beaches at night on your own.
  
• Avoid confrontational sellers and don’t take food and beverages from people that might have poisoned them.
  
• - In all accommodations ensure that all windows and doors are closed and locked.
  
• For more flexibility, it might be useful to rent a car, but be very careful when driving at night.
  
• Travelers should buy medical and emergency travel insurance.

Be as cautious as you need to be but do not be scared to a point that you cannot appreciate the attraction, history and the warm Jamaica people who are hosts to visitors. If one decides smartly, then the probability of having a trouble is very less.

Safest Areas in Jamaica

Although crime is not evenly spread throughout each parish, Jamaica’s most preferred and secure tourist zones are Ocho Rios, Portland, Negril, Montego Bay, Port Antonio and the South Coast. These areas boast of good infrastructure, police and a high dependence on tourist revenue hence local people are likely to be more courteous to tourists. The ports that cruise ships use are usually heavily manned, and it is safe to take day trips. Small hotels also have an advantage of being more secure than luxury or all-inclusive resorts. Altogether, those tourists who only frequent large, densely visited places, they do not have any problems with being harassed or getting into other, more severe problems.

In Summary

What is the safety status of Jamaica for the tourists? As for personal safety, travelers should be careful not only with pick pocketing and sexual harassment, but violent crime is extremely rare throughout the Caribbean, and especially in areas with a high density of tourists. Thus, by maintaining the elementary safety rules and applying simple reason, the likelihood of getting into trouble in Jamaica is extremely low. This is another country that millions of tourists visit every year with no harm they could tell you; so you can also visit this country without getting harmed if you will be wise enough to avoid going to the uncharted territories. Once this is understood, travelers can let loose and be a part of Jamaica’s allure of island life, its natural beauty and friendliness of its people which makes it one of the most popular tourist spots in the world.

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