Jamaica Safety?
Nov 22nd, 2004, 08:19 AM
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Jamaica Safety?
Hi - we are thinking of renting a villa at Round Hill in Montego Bay to run away and get married. Someone told me that Jamaica in general these days is extremely unsafe and dangerous. Help! Any advice or comments would be GREAT!
Thank you in advance!
Thank you in advance!
Nov 22nd, 2004, 08:53 AM
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The only part of Jamaica that is considered dangerous is the downtown Kingston area.
We were in JA for two weeks in August and all over the Negril and Ocho Rios area on foot and by car and never felt unsafe.
The Round Hill area is very safe and secure.
(My guess is that the "someone" who told you this has never been to Jamaica, but I could be way off base.)
We were in JA for two weeks in August and all over the Negril and Ocho Rios area on foot and by car and never felt unsafe.
The Round Hill area is very safe and secure.
(My guess is that the "someone" who told you this has never been to Jamaica, but I could be way off base.)
Nov 22nd, 2004, 10:01 AM
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In my opinion, you're relatively safe when at your resort, on an excursion where someone else is driving, or in the touristy area of MoBay during the daytime.
On the other hand, driving around the countryside on your own is generally not advised, and straying off the beaten path in MoBay isn't a good idea.
We like Jamaica and plan to return there, but there are other islands where one can be less concerned about safety.
On the other hand, driving around the countryside on your own is generally not advised, and straying off the beaten path in MoBay isn't a good idea.
We like Jamaica and plan to return there, but there are other islands where one can be less concerned about safety.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 07:04 AM
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Round Hill is about 10 minutes West of MoBay, upmarket and posh with superb security and a honeymoon place you'll probably not stray from. Should you
wish to go exploring outside Round Hill, Negril for a day for great beach
and Mayfields Falls are great destinations/ go with a guide/PPV insured driver from the resort or a private source like Carolyn Barrett
(www.barrettadventures.com). MoBay itself has few charms --- tho the Gallery of West Indian art is worth searching out (also online).
wish to go exploring outside Round Hill, Negril for a day for great beach
and Mayfields Falls are great destinations/ go with a guide/PPV insured driver from the resort or a private source like Carolyn Barrett
(www.barrettadventures.com). MoBay itself has few charms --- tho the Gallery of West Indian art is worth searching out (also online).
Nov 23rd, 2004, 07:08 AM
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For meals outside Round Hill, The Houseboat restaurant (10 min, in cruiseship port area), The Native on Gloucestershire/the 'hip' strip, and Tapas on Bogue Hill ... in Negril, Cosmo's for lunch, the 3Dives or Norma's for dinner, plus The Jungle for dancing on the wild side, post 1am...
Nov 23rd, 2004, 01:11 PM
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Hi
You are staying at a fabulous resort - and you do not need to worry about Jamaica being unsafe and dangerous! As a Jamaican living in Jamaica, I can tell you - that the only place where some crime takes place is hundreds of miles away in the inner cities of Kingston. Crime on the north coast is almost unheard of, and Jamaicans love visitors!!
Just like anywhere that you may travel to, do the common sense things that you would practise...go out in a group, don't flash your money in a public place, etc. Just stop worrying and come on down - you are going to have a fab time!!
Tiverton House has given some amazing tidbits on what to do in your area. Don't forget the Appleton Estate Rum Tour - and the Black River Safari, ask your tour desk/agent to help you plan a day out!
Have fun....
You are staying at a fabulous resort - and you do not need to worry about Jamaica being unsafe and dangerous! As a Jamaican living in Jamaica, I can tell you - that the only place where some crime takes place is hundreds of miles away in the inner cities of Kingston. Crime on the north coast is almost unheard of, and Jamaicans love visitors!!
Just like anywhere that you may travel to, do the common sense things that you would practise...go out in a group, don't flash your money in a public place, etc. Just stop worrying and come on down - you are going to have a fab time!!
Tiverton House has given some amazing tidbits on what to do in your area. Don't forget the Appleton Estate Rum Tour - and the Black River Safari, ask your tour desk/agent to help you plan a day out!
Have fun....
Nov 24th, 2004, 05:37 AM
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Early May is sunnier than late; but if you on island the last weekend in May, and plan to tour the Black River/Pelican Bar South Coast area, stop in at the 5th annual Calabash Literary Festival scheduled -- free --
in Treasure Beach. See www.calabashfestival.org for more info.
in Treasure Beach. See www.calabashfestival.org for more info.
Nov 24th, 2004, 07:20 AM
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Saying Jamaica is a dangerous place to visit, based on only Kingston, is about as relative as saying the U.S. is dangerous, based on Camden, N.J. I think people who haven't traveled very much in the world tend to forget how large these island countries can be.
Dec 1st, 2004, 06:53 AM
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ps. Round Hill is a fabulous choice! Georgeous property. You will have a great wedding. If you want to venture out. Bargain with one of the drivers and let them take you on excursions or hop on the tour bus. (check with Guest relations)
Have a super time!
Have a super time!
Dec 2nd, 2004, 10:26 AM
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Has the US Government lift the warning on going to Jamaica? I sugegst you look at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings_current.html
http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings_current.html
Dec 3rd, 2004, 05:34 PM
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This whole topic irritates me greatly. While Jamaica is a wonderful island with so much beauty and great people and I've traveled there several times myself. But to hear people say that its safe outside Kingston or better yet they've never had a problem nor heard of a problem is absolute ignorance!
Get your head out of the sand people! Jamaica is full of crime and its not just centered in Kingston....yes thats the worst of it but you as a tourist in tourist areas have to be extra mindful of theft primarily....violent crime is not generally something to worry about in tourist areas unless you resist being robbed or sometimes it can be random, one never knows.
Does one ever wonder why your hotel or villas is so heavily guarded? Come on, wake up and smell the coffee....no where else in the Caribbean is security like that.
Bjork, generally people that haven't travelled very much are the ones who say Jamaica is the greatest place on earth....Yes I think people understand how large some islands but most don't understand that there's TONS of small charming islands, virtually crime free available to them. Most people that rave about Jamaica have not travelled very extensively.
Get your head out of the sand people! Jamaica is full of crime and its not just centered in Kingston....yes thats the worst of it but you as a tourist in tourist areas have to be extra mindful of theft primarily....violent crime is not generally something to worry about in tourist areas unless you resist being robbed or sometimes it can be random, one never knows.
Does one ever wonder why your hotel or villas is so heavily guarded? Come on, wake up and smell the coffee....no where else in the Caribbean is security like that.
Bjork, generally people that haven't travelled very much are the ones who say Jamaica is the greatest place on earth....Yes I think people understand how large some islands but most don't understand that there's TONS of small charming islands, virtually crime free available to them. Most people that rave about Jamaica have not travelled very extensively.
Dec 3rd, 2004, 07:47 PM
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T863- All due respect, of course....but you are simply wrong. I'll take Negril or Ocho over many Caribbean destinations in regards to safety AND most worldly destinations such as London, Rio, Paris, NY, Moscow, all major cities in the US....etc....you get the point. You are absolutely wrong. Jamaica and its people have a different way of taking care of their problems than you are used to. Tourists are safe islandwide....except for obvious places in Kingston. Get a clue.
Dec 4th, 2004, 02:43 AM
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Traveler863,
You made these statements:
"generally people that haven't travelled very much are the ones who say Jamaica is the greatest place on earth....Yes I think people understand how large some islands but most don't understand that there's TONS of small charming islands, virtually crime free available to them. Most people that rave about Jamaica have not travelled very extensively"
I am certain you have NO idea how ignorant that makes you look.
Contrary to your impression that people who enjoy Jamaica are not well-traveled, I have been to 30+ Caribbean islands, all of the United States except for Hawaii, all over Yucatan Mexico, parts of Canada, and Germany.
This is not 1953, and anyone who has a brain and a television knows that there are few places left on earth that you can walk about any time of the night or day and have no concerns about crime.
I am sure there ARE parts of Jamaica that can be dangerous, but as long as one uses the common sense they would anywhere, (most likely their home town) chances are EXTREMELY high that they will have NO problems in Jamaica.
btw, many violent crimes are occurring on small islands these days, so your statement about them being "crime free" is misinformed.
Just recently, there was an armed home invasion and robbery of a villa on St John, there was a robbery at gunpoint on Dominica, and about a year or so ago, a student was shot and murdered on St Kitts - all small islands.
You made these statements:
"generally people that haven't travelled very much are the ones who say Jamaica is the greatest place on earth....Yes I think people understand how large some islands but most don't understand that there's TONS of small charming islands, virtually crime free available to them. Most people that rave about Jamaica have not travelled very extensively"
I am certain you have NO idea how ignorant that makes you look.
Contrary to your impression that people who enjoy Jamaica are not well-traveled, I have been to 30+ Caribbean islands, all of the United States except for Hawaii, all over Yucatan Mexico, parts of Canada, and Germany.
This is not 1953, and anyone who has a brain and a television knows that there are few places left on earth that you can walk about any time of the night or day and have no concerns about crime.
I am sure there ARE parts of Jamaica that can be dangerous, but as long as one uses the common sense they would anywhere, (most likely their home town) chances are EXTREMELY high that they will have NO problems in Jamaica.
btw, many violent crimes are occurring on small islands these days, so your statement about them being "crime free" is misinformed.
Just recently, there was an armed home invasion and robbery of a villa on St John, there was a robbery at gunpoint on Dominica, and about a year or so ago, a student was shot and murdered on St Kitts - all small islands.
