The U.S. State Department recently lowered its travel advisory for Jamaica to a less severe category, although it still issued warnings about certain dangers on the island. The statement advises tourists to remain vigilant due to crime in some areas and the reduced availability of medical care nationwide.
| Article | Detail |
|---|---|
| Start date | May 29th 2025 |
| What is changing? | Updated travel advisory warns travelers to "exercise increased caution" in Jamaica due to "crime and limited medical services." |
| What will happen? | Travelers should purchase insurance before traveling to Jamaica, as most locations abroad do not accept U.S. health insurance. Travelers should also refrain from carrying firearms or ammunition, avoid walking or driving at night, avoid public buses, and avoid remote locations. If faced with an attempted robbery, travelers should not physically resist. They should also be aware of their surroundings at all times while traveling throughout the country. |
| Who will be affected? | Travelers to Jamaica |
The agency issued a Level 2 alert, "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution," to Jamaica due to crime and limited accessible healthcare in the region. The category represents a decrease from the previously assigned Level 3: Reconsider Travel risk, the second most severe warning issued by the State Department in its classification of nations.
"While violent crime in Jamaica has decreased since 2024, it remains statistically high nationwide. Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country," reads a statement from the U.S. Department of State.
They also addressed the acts of violence occurring on the Caribbean island, a popular destination for Americans. "The homicide rate reported by the Jamaican government is one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Armed robbery and sexual assault are common," the government agency said.
They also pointed out that Jamaica's healthcare system is unlike that of the United States, a factor travelers should keep in mind when traveling there. Therefore, it is recommended that citizens traveling to this Caribbean island purchase health insurance before embarking on their trip, as Jamaica's healthcare facilities do not accept American insurance.
Although the State Department has lowered the alert level for most regions in Jamaica, some localities remain at Level 4. The parishes listed below have restricted areas for U.S. government workers:
- St. Anne Parish – Steer Town and the Buckfield neighborhood near Ocho Rios
- St. Catherine Parish: Spanish Town, Central Village, areas within Portmore including Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park and Waterford
- Clarendon Parish: All of Clarendon Parish, unless you only drive through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 motorways
- St. Elizabeth Parish – Vineyard District Community, between the communities of Salt Spring and Burnt Savanna, St. Elizabeth
- Hanover Parish — Logwood and Orange Bay
- St. James Parish/Montego Bay — the inland side of the A1 Highway and The Queen's Drive from San San to Harmony Beach Park
- Kingston and St. Andrew Parish — Cassava Piece, Duhaney Park, Grants Pen, Standpipe, Swallowfield, Elleston Flats, August Town, and downtown Kingston, which is between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads
- Manchester Parish — Green Vale and Gray Ground Wards of Mandeville
- St. Thomas Parish – Black Lane Neighborhood in Seaforth, Grands Penn, Church Corner Neighborhood near Yallahs, Town of Yallahs, except if you are driving on the main road
- Trelawny Parish – City of Clarks
- Westmoreland Parish — Russian community in the Savanna-la-Mar, Morgan Bay, Kings Valley, The Whitehall, Bethel Town, and Red Ground neighborhoods of Negril
There are four categories of travel alerts, ranging from Level 1 to Level 4. For Jamaica, the travel advisory is Level 2 for the region as a whole, and Level 4 for specific parishes with regard to Embassy staff.
When planning a vacation, it's important to check the current travel advisory for the place you plan to visit. But which level is most concerning?
- Level One: Take normal precautionsTake normal precautions: This is the lowest level of advice; it is advised that there is some risk in that area, and travelers should take precautions during their visit.
- Level One: Greater cautionThere is an increased security risk in that area, and travelers should take extra precautions.
- Level One: Reconsider the tripSerious safety hazards are present, and travelers are advised to reconsider their plans to this location.
- Level One: not travelThis is the highest warning level, and travelers are urged not to travel to destinations with a Level 4 alert, primarily because the U.S. government may not be able to provide assistance to travelers in the event of a crisis.
Those planning to visit Jamaica should purchase insurance before their trip, as most international locations do not recognize U.S. health insurance. Tourists should refrain from carrying firearms or bullets, avoid walking or driving after dark, avoid public transportation, and avoid isolated areas.
In the event of an attempted robbery, it is advisable for tourists not to resist physically and to maintain constant vigilance over their surroundings while traveling through the country.
