The US Department of State on Friday issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Jamaica, warning travelers to “exercise increased caution.” The advisory says that “violent crime, such as home invasions, armed robberies, and homicide is common” in Jamaica, as well as that “sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.”
The State Department’s advisory says to avoid Spanish Town, as well as certain neighborhoods of Kingston and Montego Bay where “violence and shootings occur regularly.” It also says US government personnel are barred from driving outside some Kingston neighborhoods at night.
When I went to Montego Bay about a year ago there’s was also a state of emergency with an early curfew and getting out of the resorts wasn’t advised.
Here’s the full Jamaica Travel Advisory:
Kingston
Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Kingston. Do not travel to the following areas:
- Cassava Piece
- Downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Trench Town, Tivoli Gardens, and Arnett Gardens.
- Grants Pen
- Standpipe
Montego Bay
Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Montego Bay. Do not travel to the following areas:
- Canterbury
- Clavers Street
- Flankers
- Hart Street
- Norwood
- Rose Heights
Spanish Town
Do not travel to Spanish Town. Violence and shootings occur regularly in Spanish Town.
