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Travel has been iffy to Jamaica ever since last year when the U.S. State Department issued a ‘Level 3′ advisory warning Americans of rampant crime, including some cases where tourists fell victim.
Though if you planned to park your butt beachside at a posh Montego Bay resort, chances are you’d be perfectly safe on resort grounds, but cities like Kingston and the outskirts of major destinations came with big questions marks for tourists.
In fact, when I visited Jamaica, my Uber driver refused to leave the airport unless I sat in the front so he could see my every move, forcing me into a classic Talladega Nights moment of not knowing what to do with my hands…
Awkwarrrrddd.
The U.S. State Department has been busy dishing out advisory updates in May, but this one in particular is the best news of all. Jamaica has been deemed just as safe as Cancun, Punta Cana, and numerous Caribbean hotspots, and its status has been downgraded to ‘Level 2′ again.
Meaning Of ‘Level 2′ Designation
Just in case you missed out on dozens of travel advisory updates issued in May alone, let’s do a quick recap so we’re on the same page.
On May 29, the State Dept. issued a new advisory for Jamaica, giving it a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution designation.
As you can probably surmise, ‘Level 2′ isn’t anything to overly worry about as it’s now on par with most popular international destinations Americans visit for their next passport stamp.
What’s interesting is the depth of intel the State Dept. shares for such a low-level alert with eye-catching phrasing like “while violent crime in Jamaica has decreased since 2024, it remains statistically high throughout the country”.
This begs the question of what triggered a downgrade if they feel the need to share crime remains ‘statistically high’.
Is Jamaica Really Safe Now For Tourists?
I visited Jamaica when it was classified as Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Other than the aforementioned Uber awkwardness and some unsightly streets in Kingston, Jamaicans couldn’t have been more welcoming.
I never felt alarmed or like I needed a set of eyes behind me. Now that it’s back to ‘Level 2,’ I suspect I would feel the same way if I went back tomorrow.
The truth is, most people don’t come to explore Kingston and visit the Bob Marley Museum (as surreal as it is!); they flock here to relax beachside at a flashy resort in Montego Bay, Negril, or even Ocho Rios.
Jamaica’s economy thrives on tourism, so it’s always in its best interest to do whatever it can to put tourists first.
In fact, did you know many Jamaicans can’t even visit their own beaches? It’s true. Portions of the coast are off-limits to locals since they’re privately owned for the enjoyment of tourists.
As such, crime can never be entirely predicted, but if you’re going to Jamaica with minimal plans to leave the resort, odds are in your favor you’ll have the trip of a lifetime and go back home unscathed.
Though the State Dept. explicitly states, “U.S. Embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts. U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence”.
Additionally, medical care is a big concern too. Of course, no traveler wants to find themselves in a foreign hospital anywhere, but slow response time for emergencies, combined with questionable payment policies, and understaffed facilities can lead to dire situations in Jamaica.
The State Dept. highly urges Americans to purchase travel insurance before your trip.
Tips To Stay Safe
Again, Jamaica is deemed just as safe as Cancun, Punta Cana, and Paris — all popular destinations on Americans’ radars year after year.
But, the State Dept. has provided a laundry list of tips to remain safe, specifically in Jamaica:
- Avoid bringing firearms or ammunition – even empty casings (Penalties can lead to stiff prison time)
- Avoid walking or driving at night
- Avoid public transportation
- Avoid remote places
- Do not physically resist if attacked
- Remain aware of your surroundings at all times
- Do not draw attention to yourself
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
One thing they didn’t include is to have fun, as cheesy as it may sound! Crime happens everywhere. In all likelihood, the only jerk you’ll encounter is a jerk chicken stand, which is a must!
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.