philbilly

Thanks for the post reguarding the Riu property. Of course the other post on the murder, and some other light reading about JA, Iam concern about the safety. Iam still going in May, but what's the real beef? I like to explore and meet the people where am visiting. Tips....

cartera45

I'm still taking my teenage daughter in April - we went last year and she is begging to go back. It will be my fifth trip. The murder at Coconuts was the result of a turf war that had been going on for at least 2 yrs. The squatters, some of them expatriots of the US, had filed a lawsuit to stop their evictions. He had offered to provide them with some land and move them. In June, a woman in favor of the squatters who was questioning ownership of the land was killed, and altho there was no evidence that Eugster was linked to the death,he was concerned enough about the public perception that he published an announcement declaring that he had nothing to do with her death. Many believe his death was retaliation for hers. It is a horrible thing but not reflective of any harm to tourists. I feel that I am safer in Jamaica than in most large U.S. cities and I guess, with recent events, I could say my daughter is safer there than in Sarasota Florida.

TonyHarris

Jamaica is a very scary place.


I've been there several times and will will certainly be back again very soon. The people, culture, food are really terrific. Use common sense and you will have no problem mon.

TomCayman

I guess this sort of issue comes down to how you want to feel on your vacation.

If you want to feel totally relaxed and off guard when in public places, fewer and fewer places in this world offer that... so for a "pure relaxation" vacation, choose carefully.

On the other hands, if you are prepared to step out from the ordinary you can often experience the extraordinary.

In December 1988 I was on vacation visiting friends working in Israel and we decided to visit Bethlehem to see the carolling on Xmas eve in Manger Square..... it was the middle of the first intifada, so we had to walk the last km through Bethlehem with an armed escort as kids hefted rocks at the side of the road, then went through the tightest security I have ever seen to get in.... but when we got in, we were about the only people there (everyone else was scared off), and we had an almost private concert.

Quite the experience... nerve wracking, but awesome.

Again, decide what you are looking for in a vacation and choose your location wisely.

I love Jamaica, but am always watchful and on my guard when in public areas... until I set foot on the Cayman Airways aircraft for the flight home.... but I guess the "buzz" of Jamaica is a big part of the attraction of the place.

liza

I pretty much agree with Tom, except that it is possible to go to JA and stay in a large resort and veg out if you don't feel like exploring or dealing with the people. That's not my sort of vacation but many people like to do that.

Re: the murder - it was a developer vs local residents thing and not a tourist thing so I wouldn't worry about your safety based on that.

A very good way to explore and meet people and still feel safe is to hire a local driver/guide. Driving is pretty rough in Jamaica anyway, so having a pro do it is a good idea particularly for a first time visitor. Good guides know interesting and safe places to go that you might have trouble finding on your own or feel intimidated trying to visit solo. They can all do the standard tourist attractions, some will take you to the towns they are from, many have off-the-beaten-track places they know, visit a school, climb a mountain...whatever your interests are they can plan an itinerary for you that meets them.

I can recommend several good drivers we have used, each based in different parts of the island, if you like.

...my family - including 4 small children, are going to JA in a month - for my kids it's their 4th trip. I feel very good about bringing them there...we won't be spending time in any high crime areas and we do use a driver for our excursions. Our hotel is not an AI resort, we will be using the public beach, but it has good security so I'm not concerned about breakins or having our stuff stolen.

We'll be in Negril, which attracts enough tourists that like to do drugs to in turn attract drug dealers....but I have found in past trips that I am not approached by them when with my children.

cartera45

Tom, the marketing committee which you co chair for the Cayman Island Tourism Association must be very proud of the work you do for them.

TomCayman

Come on cartera, I already post my work email with my profile, but I am here as an individual, can we stick to the thread and not go after posters ?

atticus

I've never been more relaxed than when I was in Jamaica...both in the resort and in downtown Negril. If you can do New Orleans any time of the year....Jamaica is a piece of cake.

I have to admit though, vacationing in the land of white collar criminals has it's appeal....until the U.S. finally comes in and takes down the "offshore" money laundering, uh, I mean banking business. ;-)

travleis

Out islands of the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, BVI's...now that's carefree relaxation at its best (at least as far as the Caribbean goes). Jamaica is like Mogadishu compared to those (and so is much of New Orleans).

TomCayman

Hey atticus, can an entire country sue for libel ?

I may sound touchy, but I am defensive about my country, it gets monotonous to be labelled.

Try this link on for size :

http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/...0310-4341r.htm

Any, back to the travel side of things.... I just wanted to agree with Liza.... and I have a great driver I use too

atticus

Not so much touchy as biased. I am all for you beating your chest over your island of choice, but skewing the facts about another country to give negative impressions is wrong.

I chewed on your fodder and found some for you:

http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/ite.../fatffacts.htm

"The 15 jurisdictions with serious, systemic money laundering problems placed on the FATF list were: the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, the Cook Islands, Dominica, Israel, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Panama, the Philippines, Russia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines."

Cheers

SamH

Jamaica, like any destination, is what you make of it. If you stay within an AI resort you have few worries. If you venture into the countryside you do have to be aware, but you will be rewarded with a more interesting trip. Why sit at a hotel in a foreign country if you just want it to be like home? Get out and visit Jamaica, just be wary. I fully agree about hiring a driver. You'll make a great friend and he'll treat you well.
sam

atticus

For the record....as long as it stands, I posted two other follow-up links to articles discussing the continued money laundering in the Caymans. Odd how protective the powers that be are over one country in particular.......

Were my posts THAT dangerous?