The US State Department has updated and upgraded its travel advisory for Jamaica, urging travelers to reconsider visiting the popular Caribbean island during this time of high crime.
As of May 10, 2023, Jamaica is now listed as a Level 3 warning of the four-tier system, with only Level 4: Do Not Travel considered an urgent warning.
Jamaica Travel Advisory
The advice to reconsider your trip to Jamaica it has recently been updated with crime updates. A summary of crime in the country shows that:
“Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, assaults, and murders, are common. Sexual violence is common, including in resorts.”
The advice goes on to say that local laws may be less effective in responding to events, with longer trial periods and different standards of medical care (such as torture or injury) than expected in the US.
Travel advice Level 3: Reconsider Travel was first advised in Jamaica at the beginning of 2022. This latest update maintains the advice, but adds to the discussion of crime types and other areas of the country where many cases are recorded so that travelers have more detailed information to make their travel decisions.
Also Read: Two American Cruise Ship Passengers Missing in Jamaica
Previously, Jamaica was listed as Level 4: Do not travel when crime and COVID-19 were considered, but at the time, the US State Department had several Level 4 advisories for countries around the world based on medical availability. and disease transmission.
In mid-2019, Jamaica was listed as Level 2: Increased Alert, with concerns still being expressed about local crime, but the warnings were not as dire as the current Level 3 advisory.
A trip to Jamaica
Various cruises visit several ports in Jamaica, with Ocho Rios and Falmouth being the most popular cruise destinations. Depending on the itinerary and size of the ship, ships may also call at Montego Bay, Port Antonio, and Kingston.
Train from Carnival Cruise LineMSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line, TUI Cruises, Norwegian Cruise LineAIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Disney Cruise LinePrincess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and many others visit major ports, while smaller, luxury lines such as Seabourn, Silversea, and Marella Cruises visit smaller ports.
When visiting Jamaica, cruises offer a variety of shore excursions, or guests can choose to explore the destination on their own.
Popular tours include dolphin swimming, snorkeling or other water sports, horseback riding, climbing Dunn’s River Falls, visiting rum distilleries, ziplines, jungle tours, exploring caves, gardens, or fun and unique “Jamaican Mountain bobsled.
Also Read: 11 Things to Do in Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Overall, Jamaica is the sixth most popular destination in the Caribbean, with about 1.66 million visitors a year when all its ports are combined.
Cozumel, Nassau, Grand Cayman, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten surpassed Jamaica, but the number of passengers is between the fourth (St. Thomas – 1.69 million), the fifth (St. Maarten – 1.67 million), and the sixth (Jamaica – 1.66 million) ports are very close, and Jamaica can rise in the rankings and busy 2023 ahead.
When visiting Jamaica, or anywhere else, surfers should always exercise caution and stay in crowded, well-lit areas and be aware of their surroundings.
At the moment, no cruises are reviewing their itineraries to avoid stopping in Jamaica, although the safety of guests and crew is always a priority and such revisions may be made if cruises consider port stops to be too dangerous.
