ever since i booked my trip for jamaica, i have been hearing how bad the crime it there. Anthony Bourdain even commented on it last night on his show! i almost hate to hear your answers since i have already paid $2000 towards it, but can anyone who has been there lately give me any info? we are staying at Beaches in Ochos Rios....

You'll be fine at Beaches. It's all inclusive, and they have security. They also have shuttles to their other properties-Sandals to explore. (no kids allowed at Sandals though)

i had one person who told me he knows of people who were picked up from the airport, driven into the jungle, and held up at gunpoint. that was real nice, ya know. people seem to WANT to ruin your trip! thanks for your answer.

Just came back from a great 10-day stay in Jamaica. Have lost track of how many times I've been there and I love it more each time. Beaches should also have a shuttle that picks you up from the airport. There is crime, but as a tourist/visitor you should be fairly immune at this secure property, and if you don't venture off the property at night alone.

Have a great time, and be sure to climb Dunns River Falls if you get the chance.

There is crime everywhere in the world, you just have to be aware of your surroundings and don't do anything dumb. I took my 3 and 5 year old children to Jamaica two years ago, rented a car and traveled over half the island and had the greatest trip ever, never feeling unsafe. We met so many great Jamaican people as well, and asked them about the same concerns that you have, and they all laughed, saying, what would happen if something bad happened to you? with the answer being that tourism would end and Jamaicans would suffer, so most realize this and treat you with respect, but ask you to do the same. A simple no thank you normally is all that is required. Just be prepared to be approached alot, but be polite, and no problem mon. Enjoy your trip.

I've never read a single report of someone being picked up from the airport in MoBay and driven into the jungle and robbed. That's just a scare story and not worthy of any further comment.

As blamona says, the resorts in Jamaica are safe, and you can happily walk around in the town of Ocho Rios if you want during the day. You'll find more danger from the traffic than robbers.

Jamaica has a very high crime rate, but it rarely affects tourists. It's wise to use the same caution you would if you were walking around any unfamiliar place in the US, but you should have a fine time.

thank you ALL SO MUCH!! you dont know how much you have eased my mind. now i can relax and enjoy the anticipation.. xoxo

don't worry, prepare for a great time. we've been to ocho rios twice and negril 3 times and had a great time every time. although i would reccomend negril. just use the same common sense you would use at home.

Jamaica is one of those Islands that people either hate or love. They have their dedicated followers and their dedicated critics. From my research, most of the people who have negative things to say are the cruise shippers. Vendors can be unneccsary aggressive when cruise ships are in port. Also, many nay sayers are unexperienced travelers who did not properly do their research before traveling there. Therefore, their experience did not meet their expectations.

Kingston is known to be a high crime area and tourists are advised to stay out of that area. The areas of Negril, Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay are where the tourist hotels and attractions are located.

I've read the good, the bad and the ugly for years before traveling to Negril and in my personal expereince, I found most of the negative stuff I read to be unfounded. We had a great trip. We were more cautious than we had been on other Islands, but still went off our AI resort to the falls, Black River, The Appleton Rum factory, the craft market, Margaritaville and Rick's Cafe.

We have recently booked our 10th wedding anniversary in Ocho Rios for next year. Again, we will have no qualms in going off our AI resort to experience the beauty of Jamaica.

As long as you stay in your complex most of the tiem you will be just fine!

I don't agree with "stay in your complex most of the time". If you do, you will surly miss out on some of the greatness that makes Jamaica and it will create only part of a vacation. Not going off property of your AI resort and seeing all the things Jamaica has to offer in beauty and culture would be an absolute shame. You would so much since you can stay on property of an AI resort almost anywhere in the Caribbean/Mexico.

We don't consider ourselves to be extremely adventurous people, maybe more curious. So we were very glad that we didn't reject Jamaica just because it was foreign to so many people and they all had a story that they had "heard". We found a lot of things that we fell in love with about Jamaica and would not have considered staying behind at our property. For instance, we loved almost all the food, with the exception of bread fruit. Very popular in the Caribbean Islands but we find it inedible.

I am just wondering if Anguillagirl has ever been?

My wife and I just booked Sandals/Beaches Ocho Rios too... when will yall be there? Aug 21-29 for us... looking forward to it.

From my research, it looks like the west side of the island, where the singles and swingers resorts are, around Negril, are worse than where we are going...because single women are known to come to jamaica looking for a fling...and that brings on many more locals looking for those types of women. Also Kingston is supposed to be dangerous, in that there is some political unrest- but as commented on previously, one public incident drys up the tourist $$, no matter who ends up staying in office.

Matthew
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A doctor who lives near our plan was staying in a very secure, gated resort. Someone came to his door, fired gunshots in through the door and this obstetrician is now in a wheelchair forever. You couldn't give Jamaica to me for free!

Matty- thanks for your reply. please email me when you get back to tell me how it was. [email protected]

kass013- thanks for the vote of confidence.! it could be possible that this was not a "random" shooting. we dont know what this dr. could have been involved in.

I am planning a trip to Jamacia. Can any give me suggestions so I can plan my trip.

tiav~ You might want to start a new thread of your own instead. Your question is buried here on this older one about safety in Jamaica.

I get so frustrated with the horrible fear mongering that goes on about Jamaica...what are the odds that someone randomly gets shot in his resort for no apparent reason...

Why do people feel compelled to regal the general with these stories? What is the hoped for outcome?

Jamaica is a country of over 2. 5 million people and a lot of political and poverty issues. My country deals with many of the same issues in certain areas....but I live in a beautiful country and a beautiful area of the country....I would hate for people to only get caught up in the worst horror stories available - because believe me there are plenty. But rarely rarely rarely evern random. In fact in my best guess 98.5% of crimes are related to somethingn completely unrelated to the happy unsuspecting toursit.

I hope you enjoy your trip and the island and get to know some of the people who live on the island and work so hard to build happy families and homes...it is a wonderful place and in my many travels there and throughout the Caribbean I have never had anything but great experiences...and safe ones.

I lived in Kingston,Jamaica for a year. I am a white girl from NY. I didn't stay in gated or all inclusive resorts. I traveled around and never had any problems that I couldn't handle. Yes, people will hassle you to buy things, yes men will say things about you being sexy or whatever, but like anywhere else in the world, if you hold yourself with confidence, if you are smart and not walk around at night alone, you should be fine. I LOVED Jamaica! Loved the people, would drive around the island and camp, went into the jungles and met the locales and they were all lovely. If you are the type of person that gets scared by anything different than don't go. But if you are a relaxed, adventurous and good natured soul, then Jamaica is amazing. I've gone back many times after that year living there and have loved every moment I spent there.