Jamaica: The U.S. State Department has recently upgraded its travel advisory for Jamaica to Level 3, urging travellers to reconsider their plans due to concerns related to crime and medical services.
The announcement, made on January 23, highlighted the prevalence of violent crimes such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides in the country. The advisory noted that s*xual assaults have been reported even at “all-inclusive resorts.”
Jamaica’s homicide rate, as reported by the government, has consistently ranked among the highest in the Western Hemisphere, according to the alert.
The agency expressed concerns about the regular occurrence of violence and shootings in various parts of the country, emphasizing that local police may not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Several Jamaican neighbourhoods were singled out as high-risk travel areas.
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Travellers were cautioned about the under-resourced and not readily available medical services in Jamaica. The advisory recommended obtaining travel insurance, as U.S. health insurance may not be accepted, and Medicare does not apply overseas.
Tips for those considering travel to Jamaica included avoiding public buses, staying away from secluded places, and refraining from walking or driving at night.
The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica echoed the advisory notice, amplifying the cautionary message for American citizens.
Contrary to these warnings, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, announced earlier in the month that the country experienced a significant increase in tourist arrivals in 2023.
A press release from Bartlett indicated a 24% growth, with 4.15 million visitors recorded, including a 16.4% rise in stopover visitors and a remarkable 48.3% increase in cruise arrivals.
This travel advisory follows closely on the heels of a Level 2 advisory issued by the U.S. State Department for the Bahamas, citing concerns about crime rates.
Travellers to the Bahamas were advised to “exercise increased caution,” particularly regarding activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, which may lack proper regulation and safety certifications. The alert urged individuals to review local weather and marine alerts before engaging in water-based activities.
