Violence in Jamaica

[roo66]

IYve been twice and not had a problem.You need to be cautious and you will be pestered to buy by street vendors.I would deffo only take organised trips or hire a taxi for the day.Outside of the resorts you will see people living in tin houses held together with bits of old wood.We were offered drugs only the once on a day trip to Negril.Jamaica holds some fantastic memories.It would be a real shame to just stay on resort.My tip would be to take the YS FALLS trip to see fantastic waterfalls.We also loved the black river trip.ocho rios is the best place for shopping.You will love jamaica one last thing be prepared to have a long wait coming out of the airport .We were greeted by a guy to help with our bags and we got through much quicker have some notes to tip and get yourselves a drink from the plane to take on the bus trip down you will feel the heat.I am envious can you fit me in your luggage.!!!!

[Mrs.R2be]

Quote:

Originally Posted by negative You should be fine; 1. yes its safe to leave your resort 2. yes the crime rate is high but its pretty much isolated outside the tourist areas / attractions 3. I have lived there for over 20 years and go there 2 or 3 times a year and I still make it out alive every time 4. Thats enough of my ramblings for now

I think negative said it best....

I'm a Jamaican and my husband is Irish. This is not our 1st time going to Jamaica, We always stay in the heart of Kingston and my FI has never had a problem EVERY in fact he LOVES it..... Jamaicans are very laid back fun loving people.

If you don’t mess with them then they won't mess with you... furthermore there’s violence every where you go, look at Cuba and Mexico, Travel agents are advising against Canadians to travel there....

Sorry I'm on about this or if some of you find my response strong but, I'm really sick and tired of everyone saying Jamaica is so unsafe and violent. Well that’s my 2 cents anyway..... .

"Out of many, One people" <---- Jamaica’s national motto

[Jenn]

For our wedding/honeymoon we were in Jamaica for 3 weeks, and spent over half our time OUT of the tourist areas (including our wedding - which was in Little Bay). We actually felt safer out of the large areas (Mobay, Negril)! We stayed at 2 resorts in Negril and were more concerned about theft, locking our door, using the safe, etc then when we were in small fishing villages.

 

Use common sense, but you won't really get a sense of Jamaica unless you leave your resort and meet the locals! It is a beautiful country and the people are truly wonderful! I can't wait to go back

[melody]

I have never been but I would say that unfortunatly, crime is everywhere now....granted more or less depending the areas... do you think I would go downtown Los Angeles at night?

[Shenmaat]

I have been going to Jamaica to vsit family there since I was a little kid and my grandfather used to be chief of police.

 

Kingston can be a little crazy at times, but I have never heard of locals in coconut trees hurling coconuts at tourists (lol).

 

My motto is always this...if you go to a new place and look scared, frightened or like a victim ...you will be a victim.

 

Jamaica is a beautiful island and its beauty is not hidden in the resort. Its going to the fisherman's wharf at 9am and seeing the boats come in with their haul, its watching all the school children walk to school in their matching blue uniforms.

 

As long as you a firm when you turn down vendors (who can be a little aggressive), not leave your 800 dollar camera on a table (would you even do that at home?) and most importantly not look like you are uncomfortable or scared to get abused, you will be fine.

[Freckles]

I havnt been worried at all about going down there. I have done some backpacking in some not so good locations around the world and you just need some common sense, your going to find problems in every country. It wasnt until my friend mentioned violence and crime down there that I thought I would look more into it and see if I was missing anything. Im still Jamaica bound though and cant wait

[chicago88]

Loved it! No problems at all. I agree with everyone else. Be smart & you'll be fine.