Jamaica stay safe · Jamaica travel safety advice
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Jamaica travel safety advice
Jamaica travel safety advice
Jamaica has the 5th highest murder rate in the world. As in any other foreign country, should any emergency situation arise, especially at the domestic level, it is advised to immediately contact your government's embassy or consulate. Governments usually advise travelers staying in the country for an extended period of time to notify their embassy or consulate so they can be contacted in the case of emergency.
If you are approached by a Jamaican looking to sell you drugs or anything else that you are not interested in buying, the conversation will most likely go like this: "Is this your first time on The Island?" Respond: "No, I've been here many times before" (even if it is not true or as he will less likely think you are gullible). Next they, will ask "Where are you staying?" Respond with a vague answer: for instance, if you are approached on Seven Mile Beach, respond by saying "Down the street". If asked "Which resort?", respond with another vague answer. They will see that you are are not stupid nor ready to be taken advantage of. They will appear to be engaging in friendly conversation, but once you are marked a sucker (like "It's my first time here" "I'm staying at Negril Gardens"), you will be harassed. If you are further pushed to buy drugs or something else, calmly tell them: "I've been to this Island many times before: please don't waste your time trying to sell me something. I'm not interested." They should leave you alone, they may even say "Respect," and pound your fist.
The cultural and legal abhorrence against homosexuals (battymen) in Jamaica is far-reaching, and not only from a legal perspective, from which anal sex may be punished with up to 10 years. However, heterosexual anal sex is gaining in popularity, and while technically illegal, it has never been prosecuted by the state. It is advisable to avoid displaying affection to people of the same sex in public, especially between two men - Jamaica is a nation notorious for its persistent intolerance of homosexual behavior, gay bashings are not uncommon (particularly in popular reggae and dancehall music in Jamaica) and victims would be met with indifference by the authorities. Lesbians are more widely accepted by younger Jamaicans, and it is not unusual to see lesbians openly enjoying the 'sights' from the front row at one of Kingston's strip clubs. Simply put, Jamaica is not a suitable destination for LGBT tourism.
Marijuana, (locally known as ganja) although cheap, plentiful and powerful, is illegal on the island. Numerous foreigners are arrested and prosecuted every year for drug use and or possession. Jamaican prisons are very basic and places you would want to avoid at all costs.
If in need of police, dial 119, just don't expect them to show up on the spot.
Also, it is best to avoid certain parts of the island at night. Drugs and alcohol are prevalent, and rural areas are especially dangerous. Armed men may pose a threat to women in some areas. Inner-city parts of the island such as Spanish Town and some neighborhoods in Kingston (Trench Town, etc.) should be avoided even during the day. However, those who are interested in the visiting the Culture Yard in Trench Town should be safe if they go during daylight hours and with a hired local guide, which should not be terribly expensive. Be sure to ask for advice from locals before going, and avoid going there around elections, when violence flares up.
September, October, and November have a lower number of tourists due to being hurricane season. As a result, the police are encouraged to take their vacation during this time. This reduction in police force can cause areas like Montego Bay's hip strip to be less safe than it normally is.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Jamaica
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Jamaica - updated Apr 2024
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Jamaica Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.