U.S. Has Active Travel Advisory for Jamaica

Yahoo

20-05-2025

As summer fast approaches, many Americans have already begun planning their trips and out-of-the-country vacations for the next few months. But as you plan your travel, the United States has an active travel warning for one of the more popular vacation spots in the Caribbean.
Jamaica is one of the more popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, with the country welcoming 4.3 million visitors in 2024, which generated $4.3 billion for the country's economy, according to the Jamaica Tourist Board.
However, the United States Department of State is warning Americans to think again before visiting the Caribbean vacation destination.
The United States has an active Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica, warning Americans to "Reconsider Travel" to Jamaica as a result of crime and health concerns.
The travel advisory warned that violent crime occurs throughout Jamaica. While the tourist destinations typically experience less of this crime, U.S. citizens have been victims of violent crimes even while on resorts, and law enforcement is often slow and/or inadequate.
"The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common," the travel advisory states.
"The U.S. Embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts. U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence."
In addition to concerns about violent crime, the State Department also warns that Jamaica's health care may not be adequate in the case of a medical emergency, either.
"U.S. citizens should not expect the same level of health care available in Jamaica as is available in the United States," the advisory states. "This includes generally lower levels of emergency service response times or routine care for illness or injury. Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients and may not have the ability to provide specialized care. Ambulance services are not always staffed with EMTs or always readily available, especially in rural areas. U.S. citizens should bring extra prescription medication as common medications such as insulin can be difficult to obtain."
Needless to say, if your travel plans include Jamaica this summer, it would be wise to reconsider or at least take special care.