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Travel has been to Jamaica since last year when the US Department of Foreign Affairs warned a ‘level 3’ advice Americans warned of unbridled crime, including some cases in which tourists were the victims.
But if you were planning to park your ass beach in a chic resort in Montego Bay, chances are that you would be perfectly safe at Resort site, but cities such as Kingston and the edge of large destinations came with large question markings for tourists.
When I visited Jamaica, my Uber driver actually refused to leave the airport unless I was at the front so that he could see my every movement, forcing me in a classic Talladega Nights Moment of not knowing what to do with my hands …
Awkwarrrrddd.
The US Department of Foreign Affairs is Occupied in May advisory updates from distributing advice, but this is especially the best news of all. Jamaica has been considered just as safe as Cancun, Punta Cana and countless Caribbean hotspots, and are Status Downgraded to ‘Level 2’ again.
Meaning of ‘Level 2’ -Standing
In case you have missed dozens of travel advice updates that were published in May alone, let’s do a quick summary, so we are on the same page.
On May 29, the state department gave a new advice for Jamaica, making it one Level 2: Exercise increased caution indication.
As you can probably suspect, ‘Level 2’ is not too much worried, because it is now on the same way with the most popular international destinations that Americans visit for their next passport stamp.
What is interesting is the depth of Intel that the state deput. Share for such a low report with striking phrasing as “while violent crime in Jamaica has fallen since 2024, It remains statistically high Throughout the country ”.
This raises the question of what caused a downgrade if they feel the need to share crime, remains statistically high.
Is Jamaica Real Now safe for tourists?
I visited Jamaica when it was classified as Level 3: reconsideration reconsider. Apart from the aforementioned Uber clumsiness and some ugly streets in Kingston, Jamaicans could not have been more hospitable.
I never felt alarmed or as if I needed a set of eyes behind me. Now that it is back to ‘level 2’, I suspect that I would feel the same if I would go back tomorrow.
The truth is that most people do not come to explore Kingston and the Bob Marley Museum (as surreal as it is!); They come here to relax the beach in a flashy resort in Montego Bay, Negril or even Ocho Rios.
Jamaica’s economy thrives on tourism, so it is always in its best interest to do what it is possible to put tourists first.
Did you even know that many Jamaicans cannot even visit their own beaches? It’s true. Parts of the coast are forbidden for the locals because they are private ownership of the pleasure of tourists.
As such, crime can never be fully predicted, but if you go to Jamaica with minimal plans to leave the resort, chances are that you will have the journey of your life and go back home unscathed.
Although the state department explicitly states: “US embassy receives routine reports of sexual attacks, including US citizens’ tourists in resorts. American citizens report a slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, a final statement and sentence are rare”.
Moreover, medical care is also a great concern. Of course, no traveler wants to be everywhere in a foreign hospital, but a slow response time for emergency situations, combined with a doubtful payment policy and under occupied facilities can lead to serious situations in Jamaica.
The state department insists on Americans to buy travel insurance for your trip.
Tips to stay safe
Again, Jamaica is considered just as safe as Cancun, Punta Cana and Paris – all popular destinations on the radars of Americans year after year.
But the state department has provided a laundry list of tips to stay safe, especially in Jamaica:
- Avoid taking firearms or ammunition – even empty shells (penalties can lead to stiff prison)
- Avoid walking or driving at night
- Avoid public transport
- Avoid remote places
- Do not resist physically if it is attacked
- Stay aware of your environment at all times
- Don’t pay attention to yourself
- Register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (Step)
One thing they have not recorded is having fun, as cheesy as it may sound! Crime happens everywhere. In all likelihood, the only one glans You will come across is a chicken coop, which is a must!
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This article originally appeared on Traveloffpath.com
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