Jamaica Travel Advisory (2024)

Last Update: Reissued with updates to crime information

Reconsider travel to Jamaica due tocrime. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to many areas due to increased risk. Please read the entire Travel Advisory.

Country Summary:Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.

Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities. Emergency services and hospital care vary throughout the island, and response times and quality of care may vary from U.S. standards.

The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica has for several years been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to the areas listed below, from using public buses, and from driving outside of prescribed areas of Kingston at night.

Read thecountry information pagefor additional information on travel to Jamaica.

If you decide to travel to Jamaica:

Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition.This includes stray rounds, shells or empty casings. The penalties for carrying firearms and/or ammunition, even inadvertently, are severe, and can include lengthy prison sentences.
Avoid walking or driving at night.
Avoid public buses.
Avoid secluded places or situations.
Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
Enroll in theSmart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State onFacebookandTwitter.
Review theCountry Security Reportfor Jamaica.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review theTraveler’s Checklist.
Visit the CDC page for the latestTravel Health Informationrelated to your travel.

Violence and shootings occur regularly in many neighborhoods, communities, and parishes in Jamaica. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to the following areas of Jamaica due to crime:

St. Ann’s Parish—Do Not Travel - Steer Town and the Buckfield neighborhood near Ocho Rios

Kingston and St. Andrew Parish—Do Not Travel

Cassava Piece
Downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Arnett Gardens, co*ckburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.
Duhaney Park
Grants Pen
Standpipe
Swallowfield
Elleston Flats
August Town

Manchester Parish—Do Not Travel

Green Vale, Gray Ground, Red Ground, and Vineyard neighborhoods of Mandeville

St. Thomas Parish—Do Not Travel

Black Lane neighborhood in Seaforth
Grands Penn
Church Corner neighborhood near Yallahs
Town of Yallahs, except when driving through on the main highway

Trelawny Parish—Do Not Travel

Clarks Town

Westmoreland Parish—Do Not Travel

Russia community in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Street and south of the A2 highway/Barracks Road)
Morgan Bay
Kings Valley
The Whitehall, Bethel Town, and Red Ground neighborhoods of Negril

If you do decide to travel to the above-listed Do Not Travel areas, please visit our website forTravel to High-Risk Areas.

As someone well-versed in travel advisories and safety precautions, the information provided seems to be an updated travel advisory for Jamaica, emphasizing the high crime rates and safety risks prevalent in various regions across the country. The advisory cites incidents of violent crimes, including home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, which are unfortunately common occurrences. It also highlights the challenges in law enforcement responses and the delay in legal proceedings, affecting U.S. citizens involved in accidents or crimes.

The advisory specifically restricts U.S. government personnel from traveling to several areas due to heightened risks, including specific neighborhoods and parishes with high crime rates. Additionally, it recommends precautions such as avoiding walking or driving at night, public buses, secluded places, and resistance during robbery attempts. It stresses the importance of staying vigilant, enrolling in programs like STEP for emergency alerts, and preparing contingency plans.

Now, breaking down the concepts:

Travel Advisory: A notice issued by governments to inform their citizens about the safety and security conditions in a specific country, warning about potential risks, and advising on precautions or restrictions.
Violent Crimes: Involves offenses like home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides. These criminal activities pose severe threats to individuals' safety and well-being.
Law Enforcement Response: Refers to the effectiveness and efficiency of local police forces in addressing and resolving criminal incidents. In some regions, the response might be inadequate due to various reasons, impacting the justice system and leaving cases unresolved.
Restricted Areas: Specific neighborhoods, parishes, or regions marked as high-risk due to prevalent crime rates. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to these areas for safety reasons.
Safety Precautions: Measures recommended to reduce risks, including avoiding certain activities (like walking or driving at night), staying aware of surroundings, enrolling in emergency programs, and preparing contingency plans.
Crime Hotspots: Identifies areas where criminal activities are more frequent or intense. These include neighborhoods and parishes in Jamaica mentioned in the advisory, where violent incidents occur regularly.

Understanding these concepts is crucial for anyone planning to travel, ensuring they prioritize their safety by being informed and taking necessary precautions in potentially high-risk areas.