Jamaica : Safety by CityPortmore is a coastal city in southern Jamaica.
The city was famous for the Portmore Land Development Company, which built 18 km of dams to protect against the floodwaters of the Rio Cobre.
In 2000, Portmore consisted of 60 different parishes, with an estimated 170,000 residents.
Several large shopping centers were built for the growing population.
Now Portmore attracts tourists with a beach holiday – you can visit Hellshire Beach here.
Beach holiday for those who like to relax in a relaxed atmosphere.
You can also have fun in gaming casinos and sweepstakes.
Bike hire is also popular in Portmore.
The city offers many popular mountain trail routes.
Warnings & Dangers in Portmore
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
In general, Portmore is not a particularly safe city. However, it does not carry much tourist attraction. If you find yourself here on business or travel, you are unlikely to encounter crimes. However, in any case, you should always monitor your things and your surroundings. At night it is better not to find on the streets of the city.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Public transport is not particularly safe, especially at the end stations. Tourists are advised to use a taxi or private car. Use only a licensed taxi service and discuss the price of the trip in advance or make sure that the driver has turned on the taximeter.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Pickpockets are found in crowded places, bazaars, in the port, and on public transport. Always keep valuables in a safe place and do not carry a lot of cash with you. Carry a copy of your passport with you, but leave the original in the hotel secure.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
Jamaica is subject to many natural hazards. The island is located in the hurricane belt and has survived many hurricanes. Jamaica also has a history of seismic activity. Investigate reliable sources for these risks before you travel here.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
Armed robberies also sometimes occur in the region. Most often, this is a showdown between drug dealers. However, tourists can also become an accidental victim of an attack. Avoid walking at Portmore late at night and alone. Do not be in the dangerous areas of the city alone.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Although there is no recent history of terrorism in Jamaica, the possibility of attacks cannot be ruled out. Explore the political situation on the island before your trip. It is best to avoid mass crowds, political, and other rallies.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
More often than not, if you are recognized as a tourist, locals may try to deceive you by selling trinkets at an inflated price, overstate the cost of a taxi ride or sell you non-existent tours and excursions. Be on the lookout.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
In Portmore, women are better off traveling in the company. If you walk alone, especially at night and in disadvantaged areas, then there is a high probability of becoming a victim of the increased and persistent attention of local men. Use a taxi to return to the hotel late at night, always get behind the driver and close the windows of the car.
So... How Safe Is Portmore Really?
Despite its tourist attraction, Portmore has a high crime rate.
Most crimes are related to the theft of things, hacking of houses and cars, robberies, attacks.
Portmore also has a high crime rate related to drug trafficking and drug use.
Vandalism and corruption.
Portmore is relatively safe.
Like other communities in the world, it has the right parts and not so good parts, so exercise caution.
Not much available in terms of traditional tourist attractions.
Most locations close to the resorts are safe.
Travelers should be aware that Jamaicans are amiable people.
However, they always try to do a service for Western tourists for money.
Themselves will offer you somewhere to take, help – and they will wait for this monetary incentive, sometimes very persistently.
At night and in poorly lit city streets, it is not safe to be.
Tourists also should not walk around Portmore alone.
Be careful in the bars; make sure that you do not pour anything into the drink.
Avoid any contact with drug dealers as hard drugs are illegal in Jamaica.
Prostitution is common at night in Portmore, in the dead streets, you should avoid them.
How Does Portmore Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Portmore | 67 |
| Kingston | 48 |
| Montego Bay | 73 |
| Spanish Town | 68 |
| Negril | 51 |
| Belize City (Belize) | 37 |
| La Paz (Bolivia) | 52 |
| Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 45 |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
Useful Information
Visas
Visitors to Jamaica must obtain a visa from one of the Jamaican diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the 116 countries designated as visa-exempt countries or countries whose citizens may obtain a visa on arrival. Most Commonwealth Citizens can visit Jamaica for up to 180 days visa-free. A valid passport is a must.
Currency
The Jamaican Dollar is the currency of Jamaica. The currency code for Dollars is JMD, and the currency symbol is J$. It is divided into 100 cents.
Weather
The best times to visit Portmore for ideal weather are mid-November to mid-May. Average temperatures in Portmore vary very little and the weather feels hot all year with a very low chance of rain throughout the year.
Airports
Norman Manley International Airport is an international airport serving Kingston, Jamaica and is located south of the island 10 km away from the center of Portmore. It is the second busiest airport in the country.
Travel Insurance
The travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country. Make sure you got it before starting your journey, the customs officer may ask for it.
Portmore Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 |
| Low °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 |
| High °F | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 91 | 91 | 93 | 93 | 91 | 91 | 91 | 90 |
| Low °F | 73 | 73 | 73 | 75 | 77 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 77 | 75 | 75 |
Jamaica - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Kingston | 48 |
| Montego Bay | 73 |
| Negril | 51 |
| Portmore | 67 |
| Spanish Town | 68 |
Postcard worthy sceneries
Check the weather news reports before you travel, best times to travel and wrap your itinerary around that. A great and memorable beach holiday if you just pick the right place to stay in, they all have instagram and postcard worthy sceneries so get your cameras ready. Just don’t get fooled by some locals trying to sell you overpriced goods knowing you are a tourist! Think smart, and enjoy the vacation.
Had no problems
Landed in Portmore for a business meeting, felt in no way unsafe or threatened.
I’ve found the city to be way friendlier than I expected, with strangers greeting me as I entered bars or restaurants. Continuing on this, you might bump into people who want to help you by offering a ride, helping with your bags, etc. Keep in mind that their wages barely help them go day by day so they’re more than willing to make some money on the side. One of my pet peeves is people trying way too hard to sell me something and it seems Portmore is a haven for this. From flip flops to silver jewelry, they always seem to have something to pass over to a gullible tourist. I say a strong no from the get go, otherwise they will start lowering the pierce trying to lure you in and it won’t end soon.
The restaurant scene is very diverse, especially if you like spicy foods. I overindulged and my gut made sure to let me know that.
From what I saw things might get rather unsafe at night, with groups getting into a fight and so on. This is why I don’t think drinking way over your limit and then waddling on the street back to the hotel is the smart way to go about this.
Being respectful, polite and tipping well one or two people that work at the hotel/resort you’re staying will get you fresh fruits, hints on what to visit next and what neighborhoods are safe and which are not, depending on what you want to do or to visit.
My stay was okish but I found the town rather quiet and small, I don’t see myself booking a trip here. But for a business meeting it was okay, especially considering I didn’t have to pay for the stay.