The Jamaica Travel Advisory has been updated on July 25, 2024, to reflect additional information on crime and health care. The advisory reads:
Reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime. Exercise increased caution regarding medical services. Some areas have increased risk.
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Country Summary: Violent crime occurs throughout Jamaica. 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.
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.
U.S. citizens should not expect the same level of health care available in Jamaica as is available in the United 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.
The advisory also includes a list of off-limit locations (parishes) for U.S. embassy personnel throughout Jamaica with a Level 4 Do Not Travel.
For those who do decide to travel to Jamaica, the advisory includes a listing of dont’s and avoidances, including “do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition” and “avoid secluded places or situations”.
Despite these travel advisory warnings, Edmund Bartlett, tourism minister for the country, responded to the previous warning in February by stating, “Jamaica remains not only a desirable destination but a safe and secure destination for international visitors. Sometimes, the unintended consequences of policies is they cause great harm and damage to the stability and safety of other countries.”
