Is Jamaica A Safe Place To Vacation

Jamaica is a world-renowned island for a vacation. The beautiful waters of the Caribbean sea surround this Caribbean island. We are known for Bob Marley and Reggae, jerk cuisine, white sand beaches, and cascading waterfalls. You can get lost for a while, indulging in the unique culture. For these things and more, Jamaica is an excellent place to vacation.

So, the question asks, Is Jamaica a safe place to vacation? The answer is, while we boast all of the above and more, we are sadly known as a country riddled with crime, drug trafficking, violence, murders, and scamming. Petty crimes, thefts, and robberies are concerns we have as a nation. It is not the best view of our beloved country. However, as a Jamaican, Jamaica has much to offer tourists should you decide to visit it as your vacation destination. 

So, Is Jamaica A Safe Place To Vacation?

Although there are issues with crime etc., Jamaica is still the ideal vacation spot in the Caribbean. The US Department of State has an advisory warning Americans about reconsidering their vacation to the island. And yet, in July 2022, over one million Americans were vacationing on our shores. 

Although there are some crime and other social issues, tourists are not at risk overall. And this is because the main spots targeted by criminals are not specifically tourist destinations. Instead, the trouble spots are Spanish Town, parts of Kingston and Montego Bay. And the Jamaican Ministry of Security and Justice has advisories listing cautionary measures for visitors to our shores to take. Therefore using Yaad Vacations.com provides the best and safest locations to book your vacation.

Repeat visitors to Jamaica, already understand how to enjoy their vacation, so others coming for the first time also realize why they revisit yearly. It is not a challenge to fear because hoteliers ensure their guests are secure while enjoying their stay here. So your security is guaranteed if they book a vacation at a resort, villa, or hotel, depending on your budget and needs. 

Advisories By The Jamaican Ministry of Security And Justice To Ensure Jamaica Is A safe Place To Vacation

The Jamaica Ministry of Security and Justice also put out advisories for visitors on vacation to our island. They advise of places to go and not to go. There are pointers to staying within the confines of the resort’s planned tours and excursions. For people being picked up from the airports and transported to their hotels, there is no chance of them being in danger.

There is also the fact that any crime tourists may encounter is pickpocketing and petty theft. These crimes are worldwide, and a certain percentage are at any tourist destination. The advisory to minimise being a target for these thieves is to dress down and not wear jewellery when out. And this is should you venture off the property or an adventure not scheduled by the resort. 

Venturing into areas listed as crime prone in Jamaica, you do so at your own risk. Vacationers should never go out with strangers and must walk to places at night if in groups. These are some activities you should not do when in Jamaica. 

These advisories are international, as you must be aware when visiting another country, either on vacation or business. 

Here are Somethings visitors can avoid doing to make Jamaica safe place to vacation:

• Firstly, avoid carrying or wearing items of jewellery you want to retain.
• Miminise cash, electronic devices and cameras that are costly while travelling alone.
• Dress soberly, not flashy or wear clothing that attracts attention to you. Pickpockets and petty thieves know how to spot a viable target.
• Never go out alone at night. If you want to go out, do so in a group. Most thieves and crime activity happens at night which is common anywhere. So be smart about this.
• Be aware of your surroundings if you decide to tour any crime-prone locations. Never traverse these places as though you are lost. Some crime spots to be wary of: are West Kingston, Grant’s Pen, Harbor View, Spanish Town, August Town, Norwood, Flankers, Barrett Town, Mount Salem, and Rose Heights, some parts of Kingston and Montego Bay. 

More Advisories To Ensure Your Safety In Jamaica While On Vacation

• Never go on an unplanned tour with strangers. If you want to do so, request a taxi service from the hotel/resort, or use the legally licensed taxi service with red plates. They know the safest routes to take. And remember, there are no Ubers in Jamaica. 
• If in a situation where you get robbed, it is best to comply. Never try to fight your way out of the problem. It is better to lose your stuff than your life. Hence, not travelling with valuables.
• Un- solicited photographs of people, place, or thing is a no-no. For example, taking pictures of ganja fields or some locals may get you in trouble. The reason is that you need to know whose image you are taking.
• Because Jamaica is tropical, the sun can be overwhelming at certain times of the day. Ensure you wear a sun hat, and cover up with lots of sunscreens and sunglasses. If still too hot, find a shady spot to cool off. 
• Plan your trips for vacationing in Jamaica at particular months. For example, the hurricane season is between March to November. Because the Caribbean is within the hurricane belt, you may find your vacation could be more enjoyable if caught in a hurricane on the island. 

Conclusion

As vacations go, Jamaica is a safe place for a holiday once you adhere to the guidelines above. So, planning your vacation, whether as a family or alone, can be just as enjoyable in Jamaica as anywhere else. The island offers many breathtakingly beautiful scenes, exotic foods, and its people’s warmth, which visitors speak of kindly. So plan to be numbered among the millions to visit Jamaica on your next vacation. At the same time, you are booking your stay through Yaad Vacations.com as your chosen option. 

As the Tourism Minister Mr Edmund Bartlett, the country is experiencing its highest numbers of visitors to its shores. If there was a fear for their safety, why come? Therefore, is Jamaica a safe place to vacation? The answer is yes. When booking your stay, ask questions of the travel agents, do your research and make wise decisions about your activities.  

Source:

1.https://www.traveloffpath.com/this-is-why-jamaica-is-still-safe-despite-u-s-safety-warnings/

2. https://travellersworldwide.com/is-jamaica-safe/