Jamaica : Safety by City
Jamaica is an island country located in the Caribbean Sea, and with its sheer size, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the fourth-largest island country in the Caribbean.
Cuba is to the south of Jamaica and to the west of the island of Hispaniola.
This island country is, obviously, a paradise for summer lovers, with its gorgeous sandy beaches, rich in gardens of corals, but that’s not the only thing to take your breath away: past the beaches, you will encounter vast banana groves disappearing somewhere in this country’s sheer mountains.
Exploring this island, you will surely run into magical waterfalls emerging as if out of nowhere.
Its capital Kingston is a city of many cultural wonders: the downtown part of Kingston is where historic buildings, buildings of law, banks, street markets, and one of the Caribbean’s greatest art museums are located.
The uptown part of Kingston is reserved for the financially stable, with the city’s best hotels and restaurants.
Though Kingston is a somewhat dangerous city when it comes to crime, it is certainly not boring: it has been named a Creative City of Music by Unesco in 2015.
Warnings & Dangers in Jamaica
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Jamaica is a country where you should be vigilant and take all possible precaution measures in order to minimize the risk of something going wrong, though it is, overall, somewhat safe to visit it.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Public transportation is not the safest or the most convenient option: it is very dangerous due to high levels of crime. Always call a reliable taxi service instead of hailing a taxi from the streets, since there have been reports of taxi drivers assaulting tourists.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
There is an extreme threat to petty crime. Pickpockets are practically an everyday occurrence in Jamaica. You should be extremely careful when handling your valuables and never carry your money in a purse or a pocket. Never carry all your money in the same place, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
When it comes to natural disasters, there is a threat from hurricanes in Jamaica. The hurricane season lasts from June to November. You can also expect earthquakes.
MUGGING RISK: HIGH
There is also a high risk of getting mugged. Jamaica has a high level of violent crimes and it has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world; bear in mind that these crimes do not only happen to locals. Attacks occur both during the day and night.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Even though there haven't been any terrorist attacks in Jamaica's recent history, they shouldn't be ruled out. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
There is a medium possibility of getting scammed in Jamaica. Like in every country taxi drivers might try to overcharge you. Apart from that, double-check your change and negotiate everything in advance.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Jamaica isn't the safest place for a woman to be visiting alone. If you do, be sure to avoid remote streets, both during day and night, and do not flash your belongings or handle money in public. Stay out of the streets at night and be vigilant for any possible dangers at all times.
So... How Safe Is Jamaica Really?
Though Jamaica is alive with music and culture, it also has a very dangerous side.
The crime rates are an increasing problem and one of the biggest problems tourists face in Jamaica is petty theft.
Never flash your jewelry, valuables, cash or electronics such as cell phones, iPads, iPods or cameras, since thieves are on the lookout for these things.
Most types of accommodation provide safes where you can store these things, and this is highly recommended.
Leave everything that might be stolen at home.
However, you should keep in mind that while the most common form of crime in Jamaica is petty theft and most thieves aren’t violent, this could change at any time if you resist.
If you end up in a situation where criminals are aggressive towards you, hand everything immediately and live to tell the tale.
Jamaica has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world, and these crimes do not only happen to locals: many tourists have been killed during the last couple of years so avoid any risky areas.
Also, sexual assaults of female tourists are not uncommon at all, so women are advised to avoid traveling alone, and if they do, not to roam around areas filled with bars, clubs or intoxicated people.
Some women have even been assaulted within their resorts, so be careful at all times while in Jamaica, wherever you are.
How Does Jamaica Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Jamaica | 55 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Norway | 85 |
| Mauritius | 80 |
| Kazakhstan | 72 |
| Germany | 85 |
| Romania | 80 |
| Namibia | 71 |
| Netherlands | 75 |
Useful Information
Visas
Most countries do not need a visa in order to enter Jamaica. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 90 days past your date of return from Jamaica. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
The Jamaican dollar is the official currency in Jamaica. ATMs are widely available throughout the country and credit cards are accepted in most establishments, particularly in tourist areas.
Weather
There are two types of climate predominant in Jamaica. There is the upland tropical climate characteristic for the windward side of the mountains, and the semiarid climate characteristic for the leeward side. There is also plenty of rainfall throughout the year, influenced by the warm trade winds from the east and northeast.
Airports
Tinson Pen Aerodrome, in Kingston, is the largest of Jamaica's three domestic airports. It is located on a major highway, Marcus Garvey Drive that connects Kingston to the nearby residential community of Portmore.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Jamaica, since it covers not only the costs medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Jamaica Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 |
| Low °C | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
| High °F | 86 | 86 | 86 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 91 | 91 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 88 |
| Low °F | 72 | 72 | 72 | 73 | 75 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 75 | 73 | 72 |
Jamaica - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Kingston | 48 |
| Montego Bay | 73 |
| Negril | 51 |
| Portmore | 67 |
| Spanish Town | 68 |
This information is not correct!
The information on this is scandalous at best and need to be removed and reviewed. How do you manage to get even the biggest Airport name wrong? Take this down and stop spreading lies
NOT CREDIBLE get yo facts straight author
how can I report this webpage? the lies and misleading information has my blood boiling. speak facts! tinson what is the largest airport?? I’m Jamaican and I’ve never heard of such a place. I won’t even waste my energy correcting this bullshit. if you’re looking to visit Jamaica do not use this site’s review. There are other credible sites you can check where nothing is sugarcoated but definitely not misleading like this.
Read again
It says “largest DOMESTIC airport”. And this is true, according to wikipedia.
get yo facts straight author
who wrote this????? obviously they are not from Jamaica because this information incorrect and misleading. tinson what is the largest airport? I’m Jamaican and I’ve never heard of such an airdrome. The two main airPORTS are the Donald Sangster Int’l airport, Montego Bay, St. James and Norman Manley Int’l in Kingston.
I’m confused after reading both your posts
It says on google that Tinson Pen Aerodrome is the biggest airport in Jamaica. But then wiki says and I quote “The airport caters mainly to business travellers”. so maybe it’s just a private airport for the rich and famous or something I don’t know.
Clarification
Tinson Pen is not an international airport. There are two international airports, one in Kingston and one in Montego Bay. Tinson Pen is the largest domestic airfield used for small craft travel within the island, other airfields are located in Clarendon and Portland. The one in Portland has recently been considered for upgrading to international status.
As a Jamaican I can say the information provided is adequately correct for a careful reader.
Proud Jamaican who fled to the US
Let me guess, you are one of those numerous “proud” Jamaicans who already fled for the U.S.?
JAMAICA UNSAFE=WRONG
JAMAICA IS SAFE.IF I NEED TO GO TO CUBA THE DOMINICAN REP OR JAMAICA, I WILL GO TO JAMAICA+ITS BEAUTIFUL+I DONT CARE IF ITS POOR,NO ONE LIVES THERE.
I went to Jamaica for my honeymoon 25 years ago. We went again for our 20th 5 years ago and it is not as safe as it once was. I think the changes are more noticeable for people who don’t go all the time. Maybe that is why it is rated more poorly than it seems? I am not sure. I think it also depends on where you stay. If you have money, you have little to worry about because you will be in a gated and maintained area.
Since when?
Since when did Cuba move to the south of Jamaica? Who wrote this balderdash? If the writer(s) cannot get his/her/their geography correct why should I pay attention to anything else? I have flown in and out of Jamaica at least sixty times and I’ve always found Cuba to be NORTH of Jamaica by about 90 miles. Jamaica is reasonably safe, but be a lot more careful in Kingston.
Had a good time
It was part of a cruise stop so I was only there a few hours, lovely beaches and I don’t remember much else because it was about 6 years ago.
Unsafe for gay men
Jamaica is safe if you’re straight and avoid the gangs. it has the highest murder rate for homosexuals in the world though, including a relative of mine. hence I will not be going and, even if I wanted to, I don’t think I’d be welcome.
Everything here is absolutely true, was mugged at gunpoint on my first day here