Is it at the moment secure to journey to Jamaica? U.S. downgrades journey advisory degree

WASHINGTON D.C., DC — The U.S. authorities has eased its general journey warning for a preferred tropical trip vacation spot, however officers are nonetheless urging American vacationers to keep away from a number of high-crime areas throughout the island.

In a revised advisory issued Might 29, 2025, the U.S. State Division lowered Jamaica’s threat degree to Stage 2: Train Elevated Warning, citing a lower in violent crime since 2024. Nonetheless, vacationers are nonetheless urged to “don’t journey” to particular communities all through the nation attributable to ongoing security issues.

“Whereas violent crime in Jamaica has decreased since 2024, it stays statistically excessive all through the nation,” the advisory said. “Vacationer areas typically see decrease charges of violent crime than different elements of the nation.”

The advisory features a detailed listing of neighborhoods and parishes the place U.S. authorities personnel are prohibited from getting into. These areas are designated Stage 4: Do Not Journey attributable to excessive charges of armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides.

Among the prohibited zones embrace:

• St. Ann’s Parish – Steer City and the Buckfield neighborhood close to Ocho Rios.
• St. Catherine’s Parish – Spanish City, Central Village, areas inside Portmore, together with: Naggo Head, New Land, Previous Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, and Waterford.
• Clarendon Parish – all of Clarendon Parish, besides passing by Clarendon Parish utilizing the T1 and A2 highways.
• St. Elizabeth’s Parish – Winery District Group, between the communities of Salt Spring and Burnt Savanna, St. Elizabeth.
• Hanover Parish – Logwood and Orange Bay.
• St. James Parish/Montego Bay – Inland aspect of the A1 freeway and The Queen’s Drive from San San to Concord Seaside Park.
• Kingston and St. Andrew Parish – Cassava Piece, Duhaney Park, Grants Pen, Standpipe, Swallowfield, Elleston Flats, August City, and downtown Kingston, outlined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Street, and south of Half Means Tree and Previous Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston contains Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham City, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench City, and Tivoli Gardens.
• Manchester Parish – Inexperienced Vale and Grey Floor neighborhoods of Mandeville.
• St. Thomas Parish – Black Lane neighborhood in Seaforth, Grands Penn, Church Nook neighborhood close to Yallahs, City of Yallahs, besides when driving by on the principle freeway.
• Trelawny Parish – Clarks City.
• Westmoreland Parish – Russia neighborhood in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Road and south of the A2 freeway/Barracks Street), Morgan Bay, Kings Valley, The Whitehall, Bethel City, and Pink Floor neighborhoods of Negril.

Whereas main resort areas typically see decrease ranges of crime, the U.S. Embassy continues to obtain studies of sexual assaults involving American vacationers, together with incidents at all-inclusive resorts.

“U.S. residents report gradual or unsatisfactory response to critical prison incidents,” the advisory states. “When arrests are made, circumstances are sometimes prosecuted to a last verdict and sentence.”

The U.S. authorities additionally prohibits embassy workers from utilizing public buses or driving between cities after darkish.

Well being care stays a critical concern in Jamaica, particularly in rural areas. In response to the advisory, ambulance providers are restricted and sometimes not staffed with skilled EMTs. Public hospitals are under-resourced, and personal hospitals require fee upfront and might not be outfitted for emergencies.

Vacationers are strongly suggested to:

• Deliver additional prescription drugs equivalent to insulin, which can be troublesome to acquire
• Buy journey insurance coverage that features medical evacuation protection
• Perceive that Medicare and Medicaid don’t cowl medical prices overseas

“Air ambulance service to america can vary from $30,000-$50,000,” the advisory famous.

In the event you plan to journey to Jamaica, U.S. officers suggest taking the next precautions:

• Keep away from strolling or driving at evening
• Don’t use public buses
• Avoid distant or secluded locations
• Don’t resist theft makes an attempt
• Enroll within the Good Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to obtain security updates
• Keep away from bringing firearms or ammunition, together with stray shell casings, which can lead to jail time

For the most recent well being info, vacationers also needs to go to the CDC’s journey well being web page.