Since we plan to join Jamaica to my caribbean trip, i would like to ask you about the safety situation there (i will fly to Montego bay and then transfer to Negril). I have read some web sites about high crime in Jamaica, and about some precautions there (dont go outside resorts after the sunset, lock the doors, etc). Since we will travel with a little child, i dont want to risk (i could change this destination, but Jamaica is more ideal for next flight connections). I have some questions:
- is it safe to go there ?
- isnt there a risk of break in the rooms (if my hotel will not have walls around), or robberies on the beach ?
- isnt the transfer from MoBay to Negril too dangerous (from robberies, or from accidents - i have heard about bad driving habits there) ?
- did you hear about some bad stories, which happened to tourist there?
I dont want to risk unnecessarily (for example walking in the night), but i want to know, if dont take my child to potential hazzard, if i go there (theoreticaly i can skip this destination, if it is more dangerous than other caribbean destinations).
Thanks for every advice
Please read the available past Jamaican posts on this branch! No the transfer is NOT dangerous.
cut it out. it ain't dangerous. i've been there more times than i can count. with and without my family and friends. just use your head. don't walk into obviously bad places. i don't know what those would be, but as i said, just go. it's fine. no worries.
Yes Jamaica has a high crime rate.
However, most of the crime occurs in areas of the cities that no tourists will visit.
There is very little crime comitted against tourist that visit and stay in the most popular tourist areas. Negril is the most popular tourist area on the island.
If you are staying at one of the all-inclusive resorts they will arrange transfer from the airport to Negril, and yes it is safe. It is also safe if you want to arrange your own transfer with a priavte taxi. The only means of transport that is not safe is using public transport (buses and route taxis) after dark.
No matter where you go it is ALWAYS good to use common sense saftey measures.
So YES you and your family will be safe in Jamaica !!
ONE LOVE !!
Mike
MESYE:
We spent 12 days in Negril in November with TWO little children - 4 y/o and 2 y/o
Exercise normal caution, and there won't be a problem. The others gave good advice. if you leve a tourist area, just increase your vigilance, and don't be a obvious target (many folks make themselves a target ....)
Relax, and don't worry. I've felt more uncomfortable in parts of Amsterdam, Madrid, New York and other western cities than I did in Negril .....
actually i think the opposite of what murman said in one respect. i firmly feel that when you LEAVE a tourist area you can DECREASE your vigilance.
i have traveled all over jamiaca, all 14 parishes, driven roads where kids have yelled "hey look, there's a white man!"... in other words all over the island that most tourists usually don't go. i feel much safer in "the boonies" than in more populated areas.
you must INCREASE your vigilance when you ENTER a tourist area. the worst element of jamaica goes there.. because you're there! they want what you have... your money. i'm not that i'm saying they will take it from you, but they are there to get it. even if it's by peaceful means. you get more beggars and sellers and pushers all the time in negril, mobay, and ochi. you don't see that in the countrysides. so why would you increase your vigilance when you leave the hard sell area?
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