The U.S. State Department has just downgraded its travel advisory for the popular Caribbean cruise destination of Jamaica.
The easing comes after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Jamaica earlier this spring. During the visit Rubio vowed to “reconsider the travel alert to reflect the reality” of the latest crime statistics.
Travel Advisory Drops to Level 2
Jamaican tourist officials had long urged the US to reconsider. Now, the US has downgraded the travel advisory from “Level 3—reconsider travel” to “Level 2—exercise increased caution.”
It cites an overall decrease in the national homicide rate, although this is still comparatively high for the region. There is still a high rate of robberies and sexual assaults, but areas frequented by tourists tend to be safer.
“Do Not Travel” Warning Remains for Specific High Crime Areas
Even though the destination as a whole has seen its advisory level eased, the State Department cites several neighborhoods which should remain off-limits to American travelers and cruise guests.
These are under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, which is the highest risk level:
St. Ann’s Parish – Steer Town and Buckfield near Ocho Rios.
St. Catherine’s Parish – Spanish Town, Central Village, areas within Portmore, including: Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, and Waterford.
Clarendon Parish – all of Clarendon Parish, except passing through using the T1 and A2 highways.
St. Elizabeth’s Parish – Vineyard District Community, between Salt Spring and Burnt Savanna, St. Elizabeth.
Hanover Parish – Logwood and Orange Bay.
St. James Parish/Montego Bay – Inland side of the A1 highway and The Queen’s Drive from San San to Harmony Beach Park.
Kingston and St. Andrew Parish – Cassava Piece, Duhaney Park, Grants Pen, Standpipe, Swallowfield, Elleston Flats, August Town, and 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 Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.
Manchester Parish – Green Vale and Gray Ground.
St. Thomas Parish – Black Lane in Seaforth, Grands Penn, Church Corner near Yallahs, Town, except when driving through on the main highway.
Trelawny Parish – Clarks Town.
Westmoreland Parish – Russia community in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Street and south of the A2 highway/Barracks Road), Morgan Bay, Kings Valley, The Whitehall, Bethel Town, and Red Ground neighborhoods of Negril.
Warning to Visitors
Additionally, Americans are advised to avoid walking or driving at night, not to take public buses, and to avoid travel to remote areas.
They should also not attempt to resist any robbery attempt by fighting back. The advisory also reminds cruisers and other visitors about the standards of medical care and emergency response times.
“This includes slower emergency service and less availability of care for illness or injury. Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients and may not have the ability to provide specialized care,” it said.
“When crimes do occur, U.S. citizens have reported slow responses from law enforcement.”
