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With winter just around the corner and vacation packages popping up on your Insta feed every three posts you scroll past, you may have gotten the hint that it’s time to start planning your next vacation to the Caribbean island.
The turquoise sea, the all-inclusive resorts, the abundant nature, the… rising crime?
As beautiful as these islands are, we understand if you don’t want to book if there are reports of gang activity in Jamaica, where there is still a state of emergency, widespread corruption in parts of the Mexican Caribbean and high crime rates. in the Dominican Republic.
Let’s face it: If you go to a five-star resort, you’ll be as safe as can be in any of those destinations, but maybe barricading yourself in a luxurious enclave in Montego Bay or Punta Cana isn’t your thing. idea of fun – in that case Where can you go that is completely safe?
According to the US Department of State, these are 4 Caribbean islands are some of the least risky for Americans to visit:
Aruba
Aruba is an often overlooked beach destination where powdery white sands unfurl for miles along the azure waters, pink flamingos roam freely along the coastline and overdevelopment is beginning to take its toll on the local communities. Aruba is incredibly safe for tourists.
According to a report published by AXAan insurance company, Aruba maintains a ‘relatively low crime rate‘ compared to neighboring Caribbean islands, where more than 75% of reported crimes are non-violent and most cases involve pickpocketing and bag snatching.
After all, it is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and its residents are officially Dutch, so you can expect both living and safety standards to be higher than in other less developed, independent island states where crime is rife.
In addition to offering visitors a higher sense of securityAruba has a colorful colonial capital to its name – Oranjestad, full of lively cafes and street markets – and resort-lined Palm Beach, a quieter and more peaceful alternative to the Caribbean’s busy holiday destinations.
Barbados
Why take risks in a Level 3 Jamaica when you can go on a stress-free escapade to Barbados instead? Unlike its competitor, this is one of the least dangerous islands in the Caribbean, home to friendly locals who will do their best to help you if you need it, and well-guarded resort areas.
The British-built capital Bridgetown is littered with 17th-century colonial architecture, and if you’re a history buff like us, you should know that the local Nidhe Israel Synagogue (and adjacent museum) is one of the oldest in the New World . already opened in 1654.
Barbados’s greatest triumph, however, is its numerous swimming and diving locations, with Carlisle Bay and its historic shipwrecks, Browne’s Beach with its calm, blue-green colored watersand a beach club and restaurant-lined Dover Beach, to name three.
According to the State Department, Americans face no increased security risk when visiting Barbados, where violent crime is largely under control and their main concern is petty theft. In that case, you know what to do: keep an eye on valuables and avoid them. deserted streets.
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands, made up of three beautiful islands in the western Caribbean where there are some of the clearest waters in the basin, are a British Overseas Territory known for their abundance of diving and snorkeling spots and thriving marine life.
If it’s the beach resorts you’re dreaming of, then Grand Cayman is the place to go, with nightly rates starting at $98 per night at the Grande Cayman Resort in Myrtle Beach this season; Cayman Brac, on the other hand, is popular for its sea caves and wild swimming.
The third and smallest island, Little Cayman, is a protected reserve where you’ll find pink sand and natural lagoons that are home to bonefish and red-footed babies – and if you head inland you might even encounter endangered iguanas.
The best part? The three Caymans are virtually free of violencewith only four murders reported on the archipelago in 2024: with a low murder rate of 7.99 per 100,000 and robbery as the most common offense, although still rare, it is the perfect destination for overcautious Americans.
Saint Lucia
In the Eastern Caribbean, Saint Lucia is a one-island country easily distinguished by its two towering volcanic peaks, the Pitons, sleepy fishing villages with wooden houses and surreal black sand beaches lapped by an azure blue ocean.
It is one of the trendiest Caribbean destinations we can now visit, and which is sure to become even more popular thanks to improved connectivity this season – Americans can fly to Saint Lucia from as many as eight US cities – and its impressive level of safety.
In general Saint Lucia is seen as safewith no reported cases of visitors being affected by crime during their recent visit, and officials in Washington have gave it a Level 1 badge, meaning Americans should take normal precautions.
This means staying vigilant in tourist areas, where robberies and pickpockets are more likely to occur, avoiding traveling around the island, especially in off-route locations, and avoiding dimly lit areas at night – you know the ones , the usual stuff.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and 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 in the post.
