17 January 2026
Jamaica Travel 2026: Essential Safety Tips for a Secure Caribbean Vacation from Beaches to Resort Destinations
Jamaica Travel Advisory
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Jamaica remains a popular Caribbean destination for travelers, but understanding current safety conditions and recent developments is essential for planning a successful trip.
The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica, urging visitors to reconsider travel due to crime, health concerns, and natural disaster risks. Certain areas, including parts of Kingston, Montego Bay, and Spanish Town, carry a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" designation. Canada's government similarly advises exercising a high degree of caution across the island because of violent crime spiking outside tourist zones.
Hurricane Melissa recently caused extensive damage to Jamaica's south coast, particularly affecting the Black River and Montego Bay areas. While recovery efforts are underway and many resorts are reopening, some airports remain closed. Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart indicated that many resorts should be operational by January 2026, and the Jamaica Tourist Board reports that attractions are welcoming visitors now. Listeners should contact airlines before traveling to confirm airport operations and allow extra time for departures.
Crime remains the primary concern for travelers. Jamaica experiences some of the highest rates of violent crime and homicides in the Western Hemisphere, but the good news is that crime is largely contained to specific neighborhoods in cities like Kingston and Montego Bay where tourists rarely venture. Most visitors staying at resorts in Ocho Rios, Negril, and tourist-friendly areas experience safe vacations when following basic precautions.
For those planning trips, experts recommend avoiding driving in Jamaica entirely, using registered taxis instead, and never traveling at night in unfamiliar areas. Police checkpoints are common along major routes like the A1 North Coast Highway, and cooperation with authorities is essential. Listeners should stay within resort grounds, especially after dark, avoid isolated beaches, and never walk alone even during daytime hours.
Water safety presents additional concerns. The U.S. government warns about unsafe, unregulated tourist watercraft and has prohibited government employees from renting jet skis and boats from independent operators due to documented assaults and accidents. Rip currents are common at beaches, so swimmers should stay close to shore and swim parallel to the coastline if caught in a current.
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, which has included Jamaica in its annual safety ratings since their inception, ranked the country 37th out of 42 countries in 2025, down from a high of 15th out of 35 in 2018.
Listeners should purchase comprehensive travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage, as Medicare does not cover medical expenses incurred in Jamaica. The combination of rugged terrain, severe weather, and limited medical availability outside major cities makes such protection vital. Additionally, keep copies of your passport in multiple locations and use a money belt or concealing clothing for valuables. Hurricane season extends from June through November, so monitor weather updates through NOAA before and during travel.
By choosing accommodations carefully, staying vigilant within resort areas, avoiding high-risk neighborhoods, using trusted transportation, and maintaining awareness of local conditions, listeners can experience Jamaica's beaches, culture, and attractions safely.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica, urging visitors to reconsider travel due to crime, health concerns, and natural disaster risks. Certain areas, including parts of Kingston, Montego Bay, and Spanish Town, carry a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" designation. Canada's government similarly advises exercising a high degree of caution across the island because of violent crime spiking outside tourist zones.
Hurricane Melissa recently caused extensive damage to Jamaica's south coast, particularly affecting the Black River and Montego Bay areas. While recovery efforts are underway and many resorts are reopening, some airports remain closed. Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart indicated that many resorts should be operational by January 2026, and the Jamaica Tourist Board reports that attractions are welcoming visitors now. Listeners should contact airlines before traveling to confirm airport operations and allow extra time for departures.
Crime remains the primary concern for travelers. Jamaica experiences some of the highest rates of violent crime and homicides in the Western Hemisphere, but the good news is that crime is largely contained to specific neighborhoods in cities like Kingston and Montego Bay where tourists rarely venture. Most visitors staying at resorts in Ocho Rios, Negril, and tourist-friendly areas experience safe vacations when following basic precautions.
For those planning trips, experts recommend avoiding driving in Jamaica entirely, using registered taxis instead, and never traveling at night in unfamiliar areas. Police checkpoints are common along major routes like the A1 North Coast Highway, and cooperation with authorities is essential. Listeners should stay within resort grounds, especially after dark, avoid isolated beaches, and never walk alone even during daytime hours.
Water safety presents additional concerns. The U.S. government warns about unsafe, unregulated tourist watercraft and has prohibited government employees from renting jet skis and boats from independent operators due to documented assaults and accidents. Rip currents are common at beaches, so swimmers should stay close to shore and swim parallel to the coastline if caught in a current.
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, which has included Jamaica in its annual safety ratings since their inception, ranked the country 37th out of 42 countries in 2025, down from a high of 15th out of 35 in 2018.
Listeners should purchase comprehensive travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage, as Medicare does not cover medical expenses incurred in Jamaica. The combination of rugged terrain, severe weather, and limited medical availability outside major cities makes such protection vital. Additionally, keep copies of your passport in multiple locations and use a money belt or concealing clothing for valuables. Hurricane season extends from June through November, so monitor weather updates through NOAA before and during travel.
By choosing accommodations carefully, staying vigilant within resort areas, avoiding high-risk neighborhoods, using trusted transportation, and maintaining awareness of local conditions, listeners can experience Jamaica's beaches, culture, and attractions safely.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI