Jamaica- change to travel advisory- would you still go?

[Anonymous]

So we're supposed to go to Jamaica for Spring Break and the State Department changed the travel advisory from level 2 to level 3 this week. It's a big family trip and some are now worried. Any thoughts? Would you go? We're staying at a luxury resort 15 mins from the airport. We'll be in a 8 bedroom villa on a gated property that has lots of villas and restaurants, if that matters. Also, I was fine when it was a level 2 when I know some on this board are not, so less interested in the opinions of those who would never go to Jamaica. We can cancel the villa and probably pay a penalty to change flights, but I worry about finding another location. We booked this a long time ago to lock in a good price. Struggling to decide what to do. Opinions appreciated!

[Anonymous]

If you stay at the resort, you will most likely be fine. I’d be worried if you are like my dad Who is incapable of staying put at a resort and likes to rent a car and travel all over island no matter safety issues. Some people stay in a private villa where “risky individuals” know there are tourists in an out.

[Anonymous]

I don't know. 65 murders in 4 weeks??

And then this

"Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts."

Is you resort near the do not travel areas?

https://jm.usembassy.gov/travel-advisory-change-to-travel-advisory-level-for-health-and-crime/

[Anonymous]

Tripadvisor frequent visitors aren't worried
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147313-i70-k14655543-Recent_us_travel_advisory-Negril_Westmoreland_Parish_Jamaica.html

[Anonymous]

Look up more info about where the crime/murders are occurring and see where it is relative to the area you are staying in.

Also reach out to the resort and ask about their security procedures.

This is all just to reassure your family members. Personally I would still go.

[Anonymous]

Sure, I would go. It isn’t like dc is exactly safe at the moment either!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure, I would go. It isn’t like dc is exactly safe at the moment either!

+1. If you are fine with coming into DC, you'll definitely be fine in a gated resort in Jamaica. DC is far more dangerous and there are no gated resorts.

[Anonymous]

I would pass. So many nicer islands to go to.

[Anonymous]

Make sure nobody walks alone at the resort—especially women/girls/kids. And be careful what you drink.

No flashy jewelry. A lot of women leave their engagement rings, anything worth reselling at home. Take costume jewelry if you must, but nothing that resembles a Diamond.

Personally, I’m done with Jamaica, the Bahamas, and T&C. The crime isn’t worth the risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make sure nobody walks alone at the resort—especially women/girls/kids. And be careful what you drink.

No flashy jewelry. A lot of women leave their engagement rings, anything worth reselling at home. Take costume jewelry if you must, but nothing that resembles a Diamond.

Personally, I’m done with Jamaica, the Bahamas, and T&C. The crime isn’t worth the risk.

I do agree with this RE not walking alone and not wearing anything flashy. I have a soft spot for Jamaica but once we were there, and it was a very upscale resort and workers were offering us drugs and I don’t mean pot. Another time I had a diamond necklace stolen Out of my room that I had forgotten to put in the safe

[Anonymous]

Do you have a driver who is picking you up? I remember feeling pretty uneasy at the airport (Montego Bay). Lots of guys being aggressive and hassling is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make sure nobody walks alone at the resort—especially women/girls/kids. And be careful what you drink.

No flashy jewelry. A lot of women leave their engagement rings, anything worth reselling at home. Take costume jewelry if you must, but nothing that resembles a Diamond.

Personally, I’m done with Jamaica, the Bahamas, and T&C. The crime isn’t worth the risk.

I do agree with this RE not walking alone and not wearing anything flashy. I have a soft spot for Jamaica but once we were there, and it was a very upscale resort and workers were offering us drugs and I don’t mean pot. Another time I had a diamond necklace stolen Out of my room that I had forgotten to put in the safe

I don’t have any diamond necklaces, but I wouldn’t go. Just not a fun vacation if you have to be stressed out about this stuff the whole time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make sure nobody walks alone at the resort—especially women/girls/kids. And be careful what you drink.

No flashy jewelry. A lot of women leave their engagement rings, anything worth reselling at home. Take costume jewelry if you must, but nothing that resembles a Diamond.

Personally, I’m done with Jamaica, the Bahamas, and T&C. The crime isn’t worth the risk.

NP. This is very sad, but I agree with it.

[Anonymous]

I would not.

They don’t raise those things lightly.

Taking your children somewhere dangerous for vacation…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make sure nobody walks alone at the resort—especially women/girls/kids. And be careful what you drink.

No flashy jewelry. A lot of women leave their engagement rings, anything worth reselling at home. Take costume jewelry if you must, but nothing that resembles a Diamond.

Personally, I’m done with Jamaica, the Bahamas, and T&C. The crime isn’t worth the risk.

I do agree with this RE not walking alone and not wearing anything flashy. I have a soft spot for Jamaica but once we were there, and it was a very upscale resort and workers were offering us drugs and I don’t mean pot. Another time I had a diamond necklace stolen Out of my room that I had forgotten to put in the safe

This reference to the safe reminds me of what happened at my resort the last time I was in St Lucia. I'd been using my safe just fine for days. Then on the last day for some reason it wouldn't work. I couldn't get it to close and lock. I only had a few hours left, so instead of bothering to call the front desk about it I just left my wallet in the room and went down to the beach for a couple of hours and then came back and packed up and went home. Within a week it became clear my credit card info had been stolen and, most likely, sold. Be careful.