US Lowers Threat Level For Popular Caribbean Destination
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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America has reissued its travel advisory for Jamaica, decreasing its classification from Level 3: Reconsider Travel to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.
The U.S. State Department issued the update for the Caribbean island on Thursday, saying it was "reissued after periodic review with a change in level."
Why It Matters
Jamaica has long ranked among the top travel destinations for American tourists, around 3 million visiting the island in 2023, according to the Caribbean National Weekly.
The U.S. update to the travel advisory arrives at the start of the summer travel season and carries potential implications for both travelers' safety and Jamaica's vital tourism sector.
Travel warnings influence not only individual plans but also insurance coverage and organizational policies.
What To Know
The main reasons cited for any concerns about travel to Jamaica are crime and limited medical services.
Although violent crime in Jamaica has decreased since last year, it is still high throughout the country.
The U.S. State Department cites Jamaica's homicide rates as "among the highest in the Western Hemisphere" and warns that armed robberies and sexual assaults are common.
U.S. embassy employees in Jamaica are prohibited from using public buses and from driving between cities at night.
Alongside high reports of sexual assault, "U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents" with cases "infrequently prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence," the advisory says.
Americans are also warned not to expect the same level of health care available in U.S. in Jamaica, to bring extra prescription medication and to buy travel insurance.
Specific areas of Jamaica have been placed under a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning, with U.S. government employees working in Jamaica prohibited from traveling to certain areas.
These are:
St. Ann's Parish—Steer Town and the Buckfield neighborhood near Ocho Rios.
St. Catherine's 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, except passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways.
St. Elizabeth's 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—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, 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, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.
Manchester Parish—Green Vale and Gray Ground neighborhoods of Mandeville.
St. Thomas Parish—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—Clarks Town.
Westmoreland Parish—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.
File photo of Jamaica, Oracabessa, taken in April 2023.
File photo of Jamaica, Oracabessa, taken in April 2023.
AP
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Department of State says in its advisory: "While violent crime in Jamaica has decreased since 2024, it remains statistically high throughout the country. Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country.
"The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common. U.S. embassy employees are prohibited from using public buses and from driving between cities at night."
What Happens Next
The State Department updates travel advisories as conditions shift. Officials have advised that Americans should review advisories frequently and consider enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for timely safety updates while in Jamaica or neighboring countries. Additional advisory changes remain possible as new safety data emerges.
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