All those American travellers who are looking forward to the Caribbean escape finally have a reason to smile. The U.S. Department of State reduced Jamaica’s travel advisory classification from Level 3, which advises visitors to reevaluate their trip, to Level 2, which suggests more vigilance and potentially elevated risk.
Why Was the Advisory Level Changed?
The U.S. State Department evaluated travel risks based on crime rates, political stability, health care access, and infrastructure. The department decided on the downgrade from level 3 to level 2 as the crime in Jamaica has decreased since 2024 (even though it is still high in certain parts of the country), tourist areas generally see a lower rate of violent crimes than other parts of the country.
Specific Areas in Jamaica Not To Travel To
According to the U.S. Department of State, tourists should not travel to the below areas:
St. Ann’s Parish – Steer Town and the Buckfield neighbourhood 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 Halfway 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 neighbourhoods of Mandeville.
St. Thomas Parish – Black Lane neighbourhood in Seaforth, Grands Penn, Church Corner neighbourhood 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 neighbourhoods of Negril.
Exercise caution while travelling
Even though Jamaica still remains under level 2 advisory, this simply means that the State Department advises Americans to exercise increase caution during travel due to high levels of violent crime and limited access to emergency services.
Safety Tips and Travel Tools
Even in a low-risk destination, travellers should still prepare. Here are some best practices:
- Enrol in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrolment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Keep digital and physical copies of travel documents, including your passport and insurance.
- Stay informed of local news and weather, especially during hurricane season (June to November).
- Ensure that you book reputable and licensed taxis and tour guides.
Conclusion: A Safer Slice of Paradise
Jamaica is well-known for its stunning beaches and beautiful resorts; however, it is important for travellers to take general safety precautions when travelling. Additionally, the travel alert warns that tourists should avoid bringing any type of weaponry or ammunition into the nation since doing so might result in harsh penalties, including jail time. Additionally, travellers should be mindful of their surroundings, avoid isolated locations, and refrain from driving or walking at night. The advice advises against resisting physically in the event of a robbery attempt.
For the most current updates, visit the U.S. Department of State’s official site.