Jamaica.Photo:Getty
Getty
The U.S. State Department is asking travelers to reconsider visiting Jamaica.
The country is under a Level 3 travel advisory due to its “crime and medical services.” The agencyannounced the travel alert changeon Jan. 23, stating that “violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides” are common in the country, and sexual assaults frequently occur, including at “all-inclusive resorts.”
Jamaica.Getty
The agency stated that violence and shootings “occur regularly” throughout many areas of the country, and local police “do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.” Multiple Jamaican neighborhood communities were labeled high-risk travel areas.
Individuals looking to travel to Jamaica are warned that medical providers with varying response times are under-resourced and not readily available.
The advisory encouraged potential travelers to obtain travel insurance, as U.S. health insurance may not be accepted, and Medicare and Medicare do not apply overseas. Tips for those who travel to Jamaica include avoiding public buses, staying away from secluded places, and not walking or driving at night.
The U.S. Embassy in Jamaicaalso shared the advisory notice.
Jamaica.Getty Images/Tetra images RF
Getty Images/Tetra images RF
Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett stated earlier this month that the country welcomed a “substantial” growth of tourists last year.
“In 2023 we welcomed a total of 4.15 million visitors, which is a substantial 24% increase over the previous year. This reflects the remarkable appeal of Destination Jamaica. This includes 2,886,064 stopover visitors, which marks a 16.4% rise over the figure recorded in 2022. Additionally, there were 1,265,586 cruise arrivals recorded for the year, representing a whopping 48.3% increase over the number of cruise passengers that visited the island in 2022,” apress releasestatement from Bartlett reads.
Stock image of passports.Peter Garrard Beck/Getty
Peter Garrard Beck/Getty
The travel alert change comes days after the U.S. State Departmentissued a level 2 advisoryfor the Bahamas due to crime rates. The agency advised travelers to “exercise increased caution” in the area and the water.
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“Activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated. Watercraft may be poorly maintained, and some operators may not have safety certifications. Always review and heed local weather and marine alerts before engaging in water-based activities,” the alert explained.
source: people.com
