Jamaica is at the moment thought of the Caribbean’s quickest rising tourism vacation spot and one of many quickest recovering international locations on the earth, mentioned Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism.
This outstanding enlargement demonstrates the tenacity of the Jamaican tourism trade within the face of worldwide difficulties and confirms the island’s place as one of many premier Caribbean journey locations for holidaymakers from Britain and the US.
Is Jamaica protected to go to?
Jamaica is taken into account a protected place, however guests are solely allowed to remain within the vacationer areas as a result of there’s lots of gang violence and crime in cities throughout the nation.
Hurricane Melissaa gradual transferring however extraordinarily highly effective one Class 5 storm with wind that reaches 165 mph (270 km/h)is approaching Jamaica, prompting mass evacuations and emergency warnings throughout the island. The hurricane, already chargeable for 4 deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republicwould the strongest storm to ever hit Jamaica. Meteorologists warn that Melissa’s low pace– transfer simply 3 mph (6 km/h)– will trigger extended heavy rainfallresulting in catastrophic floods and landslides.
The US Nationwide Hurricane Heart (NHC) reported that Melissa was positioned roughly 230 kilometers southwest of Kingston on Monday afternoon, anticipated to make landfall early Tuesday. Predicting forecasts till 40 inches (100 cm) of rainfall in some areas in addition to life-threatening storm surges and damaging winds. The projected path of the storm takes over Jamaica’s north coastthen course southeastern Cuba and the Bahamas later within the week.
Jamaicas Prime Minister Andrew Holness ordered the evacuation of weak communitiescalling on residents to take action keep indoors and comply with security tips. In preparation, college buses And public shelters are used to relocate residents low-lying and flood-prone areas. In the meantime, neighboring international locations reminiscent of Haiti and the Dominican Republic have already been confronted critical floodingwith a number of victims and in depth harm.
Official journey advisories for Cuba (US, Canada, UK)
US Journey Advisory – Stage 3: Rethink Journey
On Could 29, 2025the US Division of State updated her journey recommendation for Jamaica.
The US Division of State reissued the doc Journey recommendation for Jamaica bee Stage 2: Be additional cautiousciting considerations about violent crime and restricted medical providers. Though the general crime charge has declined since 2024, Jamaica continues to report one of many highest homicide charges within the Western Hemisphere. Vacationers are suggested that whereas resorts are comparatively safer, violent incidents – together with armed theft and sexual assault – are nonetheless frequent.
American authorities staff are prohibited to make use of public transport and by driving between cities at night time, highlighting ongoing security considerations. Guests are urged to not stroll alone at night time, steer clear of distant areas and never resist robberies.
Medical amenities all through Jamaica meet U.S. requirements, with restricted emergency response choices and shortages of frequent medicines reminiscent of insulin. Many personal hospitals require upfront fee and lack specialised care. Vacationers are strongly inspired to take action take out complete journey insurance coveragetogether with medical evacuation protection, reminiscent of US Medicare and Medicaid don’t apply overseasand air ambulance evacuations can price between $30,000 and $50,000.
CANADA Travel advice
Canada’s journey advisory for Jamaica at the moment instructs vacationers to “train a excessive diploma of warning” throughout the island because of the elevated menace of violent crime – together with armed robberies and gang-related violence – in each main cities and vacationer locations reminiscent of Kingston, Montego Bay and St Catherine.
Nice Britain Travel advice
The UK Overseas, Commonwealth & Improvement Workplace (FCDO) journey recommendation for Jamaica advises British nationals that whereas vacationer areas are typically safer, the nation has excessive ranges of violent crime – notably gang-related shootings and murders in city areas reminiscent of Kingston, Spanish City and Savanna-la-Mar, which guests ought to keep away from.
Areas of elevated threat (stage 4: don’t journey)
The advisory particularly identifies a number of Stage 4 “Do Not Journey” Zonesthe place even US authorities personnel aren’t allowed to enter because of the excessive crime charges.
Parish of St. Ann: Ship metropolis And Buckfield neighborhood close to Ocho Rios.
Saint Catherine’s Parish: Spanish city, central village, and components of Portmore (Naggo Head, New Land, Outdated Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, Waterford).
Clarendon parish: All areas besides public transport alongside the T1 and A2 highways.
St. Elizabeth Parish: Winery District Neighborhood between Salt Spring and Burnt Savanna.
Hanover Parish: Wooden And Orange Bay.
St. James Parish / Montego Bay: The within the A1 motorway And The Koninginneweg from San San to Concord Seashore Park.
Kingston & St. Andrew Parish: Cassava Piece, Duhaney Park, Grants Pen, Standpipe, Swallowfield, Elleston Flats, August City, And downtown Kingston (together with Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham City, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench City, Tivoli Gardens).
Parish of Manchester: Inexperienced Valley And Grey floor neighborhoods of Mandeville.
Parish of St. Thomas: Black Lane in Seaforth, Grands Penn, Kerkhoek close to Yallahs, and Town of Yallah (besides the primary street).
Trelawny Parish: Clark’s city.
Westmoreland Parish: Russian neighborhood in Savanna-la-Mar, Morgan Bay, Kings Valley, Whitehall, Betheltown, And Pink floor in Negril.
Ideas for staying protected whereas touring in Jamaica
- Don’t convey firearms or ammunition. The penalties for carrying such objects are extreme and may result in lengthy jail sentences.
- Keep away from strolling or driving throughout nighttime hours.
- Avoid public buses.
- Avoid distant locations.
- Don’t supply bodily resistance within the occasion of a theft try.
- Keep consciousness of your environment and keep a low profile.
- Enroll within the Sensible Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to obtain alerts and find you in an emergency.
- Examine the Land Security Report for Jamaica.
- Make a contingency plan for emergencies.