Subscribe for all my updates and don't miss a thing! Sign me up!

US Travel Warnings For Jamaica

Sharing Is Caring! Share this awesome content with your friends now.

start_here_if_new_image_link

see_jamaica_in_videos_banner_july_2024_large
Us Travel Warnings For Jamaica | Beach In NegrilUs Travel Warnings For Jamaica | Beach In Negril

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

A travel warning, travel alert, or travel advisory is a government-issued warning statement that provides information about the relative safety of travelling to or visiting one or more specific foreign countries or destinations.

The goal is to help travellers make an informed decision about a specific travel destination and to help travellers adequately prepare for what they may encounter on their trip.

Travel warnings are issued by the Department of State in the United States and are commonly referred to as warden messages.

There are four categories or levels:

  • Level 1 - Use Standard Precautions: This is the lowest safety and security risk advisory level. Any international trip involves some risk. Other countries' conditions may differ from those in the United States and change anytime.

  • Level 2 - Exercise Extra Caution: Be aware of increased risks to your safety and security. In the Travel Advisory, the Department of State offers additional advice for travellers in these areas. Any country's conditions can change at any time.

  • Level 3 - Rethink Travel: Avoid travel due to safety and security risks. In the Travel Advisory, the Department of State offers additional advice for travellers in these areas. Any country's conditions can change at any time.

  • Level 4 - Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level due to the increased likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the United States government may be unable to assist. The State Department advises US citizens not to travel to the country or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. In the Travel Advisory, the Department of State offers additional advice for travellers in these areas. Any country's conditions can change at any time.

Jamaica has been placed at a level 3 with some specific areas as level 4. Home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides are all common crimes. Local law enforcement does not have the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.

Emergency services vary across the island, and response times may differ from those in the United States. The homicide rate reported by the Jamaican government has been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere for several years. Travelling to the areas listed below, taking public buses, and driving outside of the prescribed areas of Kingston at night are all prohibited for US government personnel.

While it is true that these areas may be prone to violent activities, these activities are usually among gangs, families and others involved in conflicts and criminal activities. These are not in most cases random acts against strangers. These areas are also not tourist areas, most having no tourist attractions, so it would be odd to find a tourist visiting these areas.

It is advised to avoid the parish of Clarendon because of the high levels of shooting unless you are just passing through. Clarendon was listed as a Level 4.

For the parish of Hanover, it was advised to avoid the areas of Orange Bay and Logwood.

For the Parish of Kingston and St. Andrew the following areas were advised to be avoided:

  • Cassava Piece
  • Downtown Kingston - 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.
  • Duhaney Park
  • Grants Pen
  • Standpipe
  • Swallowfield
  • Elleston Flats
  • August Town

St. James also has areas to be avoided, they are:

  • Canterbury
  • Flankers
  • Glendevon
  • Mount Salem
  • Norwood
  • Paradise Heights
  • Rose Heights
  • Cambridge
  • Springmount
  • Johns Hall

In St. Ann, the only area advised against was Steer Town.

St. Catherine has always had a high level of criminal activities, but only in specific areas. So if you intend on travelling to St. Catherine, avoid these areas as much as possible:

  • Spanish Town
  • Central Village
  • Certain areas within Portmore include Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, and Waterford.

The last parish on the list is Westmoreland, areas to be avoided in this parish are Russia and Whitehall.

These are just a few small communities in Jamaica that most tourists would not visit. So if you are planning your vacation in Jamaica, do not be discouraged, tourist areas such as Ocho Rios, Portland, Montego Bay and Negril, are still some of the safest places on the island.

And if you do decide to venture outside of these areas just be as cautious be sure of exactly where you are going. 

You might like these

Sharing IS Caring! Please help me get the message out by sharing this article with your friends on social media (links below). Thnx ;-)


If you found this page useful, please consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, to get even more. 

It tells you each week about the new information that I have added, including new developments and great stories from lovers of Jamaica! 

Return to Solo Travel to Jamaica from Us Travel Warnings For Jamaica
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from US Travel Warnings For Jamaica

References & Sources For US Travel Warnings For Jamaica

  1. Travel.state.gov. 2022. Jamaica Travel Advisory. [online] Available at: [Accessed 2 September 2022].

Us Travel Warnings For Jamaica | Written: September 02, 2022

New! Take a piece of Jamaica with you💃!

Savour the memories!  Now you can get your authentic Jamaican souvenir items, as well as traditional Jamaican herbs, spices and housewares on our popular e-store. Click Here to learn more.


And, if you ever need a trustworthy and knowledgeable local guide, consider booking a private tour with us!

Your second block of text...

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

JAMAICA_ON_A_BUDGET_EBOOK_COVER_LEAN

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise!

JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget!

I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

my_island_jamaica_channel_tv

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Jamaica_subscribe_button

Read More ...

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

copyscape
Back To The Top Of This Page

Like My Site? Please Click Here To Share It With Your Friends

Home   |   JOIN US   |   Site Search   |   Have Your Say   |   Archives   |   Old Archives   |   Contact   |   Disclaimer   |   TIP ME!   |   Link To Us


Do like I did! Share your passion
(about your city, hobby or experience) and make a living from it. Click Here to see how.

By Wellesley Gayle   |   Copyright © 2007-2024 My-Island-Jamaica.com   |   All rights Reserved.   |   Privacy Policy