Jamaica is presently thought-about the Caribbean’s fastest-growing vacationer vacation spot and one of many world’s fastest-recovering nations, as per Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism.
This outstanding growth demonstrates Jamaica’s tourism trade’s tenacity within the face of worldwide difficulties and confirms the island’s place as a prime Caribbean journey vacation spot for vacationers from the UK and the US.
Is Jamaica Protected to Go to?
Jamaica is taken into account a secure place however guests ought to solely keep within the vacationer areas as there’s a variety of gang violence and crime within the cities throughout the nation.
Official Journey Advisories for Cuba (U.S., Canada, UK)
U.S. Journey Advisory – Degree 3: Rethink Journey
On July 25, 2024, the U.S. Division of State up to date its journey advisory for Jamaica.
The U.S. Division of State urges vacationers to rethink visiting as a consequence of widespread violent crime and restricted medical companies.
Whereas vacationer areas are usually safer, armed robberies and sexual assaults happen steadily. The U.S. Embassy continues to obtain experiences of assaults, together with incidents at resorts. Regulation enforcement response is commonly sluggish, and prosecutions are uncommon.
Well being care in Jamaica falls under U.S. requirements. Emergency companies are restricted, particularly in rural areas, and personal hospitals require upfront fee. Vacationers ought to carry wanted drugs and safe journey insurance coverage, together with medical evacuation protection.
CANADA Journey Advisory
The Authorities of Canada advises vacationers to train a excessive diploma of warning in Jamaica as a consequence of elevated ranges of violent crime, together with armed theft and homicide, significantly in main cities and sure vacationer areas corresponding to components of Kingston and Montego Bay. Regardless of regulation enforcement efforts, the widespread availability of firearms contributes to gang-related violence, posing dangers even to bystanders. Vacationers may be targets of opportunistic crimes like theft and theft. Felony actions are sometimes concentrated in areas recognized by native authorities as “high-risk communities,” however can happen wherever and at any time. Vacationers are suggested to stay vigilant, keep away from high-risk areas, particularly after darkish, and observe native authorities’ steering. Within the occasion of a theft, it’s endorsed not to withstand, as this might result in elevated violence.
U.Ok. Journey Advisory
The UK International, Commonwealth & Improvement Workplace (FCDO) advises vacationers to train warning in Jamaica as a consequence of excessive crime charges, together with gang-related violence and shootings, significantly in inner-city areas. Whereas vacationer areas are usually much less affected, vigilance is beneficial, particularly in Kingston, Spanish City, Savanna-la-Mar, and sure neighborhoods in Montego Bay corresponding to Flankers, Barrett City, Glendevon, Rose Heights, and Mount Salem. The Jamaican authorities might implement enhanced safety measures like States of Emergency (SOEs) or Zones of Particular Operations (ZOSOs) in response to violence, granting regulation enforcement extra powers corresponding to curfews and searches. Vacationers ought to keep knowledgeable about native safety situations and cling to steering from native authorities.
Areas to keep away from in Jamaica
In line with the Canadian authorities, the next zones have excessive charges of violent crime and a major gang inhabitants:
St. Ann’s Parish: Steer City; Buckfield neighborhood close to Ocho Rios
St. Catherine’s Parish: Spanish City; Central Village; components of Portmore together with Naggo Head, New Land, Previous Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, and Waterford
Clarendon Parish: Whole parish (besides when passing by through T1 and A2 highways)
St. Elizabeth’s Parish: Winery District Neighborhood (between Salt Spring and Burnt Savanna)
Hanover Parish: Logwood; Orange Bay
St. James Parish / Montego Bay: Inland facet of A1 freeway; Queen’s Drive (San San to Concord Seaside Park)
Kingston and St. Andrew Parish: Cassava Piece, Duhaney Park, Grants Pen, Standpipe, Swallowfield, Elleston Flats, August City, downtown Kingston (bounded by Mountain View Ave., Hagley Park Rd., Half Manner Tree, and Previous Hope Rd.), together with Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham City, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench City, Tivoli Gardens
Manchester Parish: Inexperienced Vale, Grey Floor, Pink Floor, Winery neighborhoods of Mandeville
St. Thomas Parish: Black Lane (Seaforth), Grands Penn, Church Nook (Yallahs), city of Yallahs (besides foremost freeway)
Trelawny Parish: Clarks City
Westmoreland Parish: Russia group in Savanna-la-Mar (SE quadrant east of Darling St. and south of A2 Hwy/Barracks Rd.), Morgan Bay, Kings Valley, Whitehall, Bethel City, Pink Floor neighborhoods of Negril
Tips about Holding Protected Whereas Touring in Jamaica
- Chorus from bringing firearms or ammunition. The penalties for carrying such gadgets are extreme and should result in prolonged jail sentences.
- Keep away from strolling or driving throughout nighttime hours.
- Avoid public buses.
- Avoid secluded locations.
- Within the occasion of a theft try, don’t bodily resist.
- Preserve consciousness of your environment and undertake a low profile.
- Enroll within the Good Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to obtain alerts and facilitate finding you in emergencies.
- Study the Nation Safety Report for Jamaica.
- Create a contingency plan for emergencies.
