Already booked villa at Half Moon, Jamaica -- should travel advisory change plans?
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Anonymous
We have booked a villa at Half Moon in Jamaica for Thanksgiving 2018, with extended family. We booked last Dec., and I just saw the travel advisory (which I think was issued Jan. 2018). We travel a lot but, as of yet, not to any areas that had the elevated "exercise increased caution" advisory. We were planning on a charter fishing trip; snorkeling trip; and hike to waterfall. I'm assuming this will still be fine as we will be booking with a tour agency (right?) but otherwise should we be staying on the resort grounds unless we hire a trusted driver/guide? I recognize that we will need to modify our behavior -- for example, my parents (late 70s) do tend to walk on the beach by themselves at night, walk along the road to a café, etc., and I imagine this should not be happening. Or am I off-base, and should we be rethinking our trip because of the advisory? Really don't want to because we prepaid for the villa and think it is non-refundable  I'm slightly alarmed so thanks for any advice.
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Anonymous
| We were there last year, and it was lovely. I wasn't concerned at all about safety, and our kids ran around without us (through the kids club) a lot. I think you'll be fine. There is plenty of security. That said, we did not do any organized tours (other than horseback riding through the resort). I have always felt a lot less safe in Mexico than Jamaica, but that's just me. |
Anonymous
| hmm I don't know. We were just in St. Lucia and while we were on our tour, our driver started talking about the crime problems in the other islands. He did mention that he personally would not visit Jamaica right now (or Trinidad). |
Anonymous
| I thought most of the resorts in Jamaica were government owned? We were told that on the resorts you are fine. We took a resort trip to climb the waterfall. I think if you're escorted you are okay. I would not drive around alone in Jamaica. |
Anonymous
| Have you been to Jamaica before? Before the travel advisory I felt fine on the resort grounds, considerably less fine at and around the airport area (Montego Bay) and on the roads. I would stay on resort grounds unless you are with a trusted escort, and even then I would be cautious. |
Anonymous
| OP here— thanks. I have not been to Jamaica before, so I guess I wasn’t sure how much this travel advisory represented a dramatic decrease in safety compared to baseline, if that makes sense. Also, Nov. is a long way away, so plenty can happen between now and then. I appreciate your perspectives, plus the feedback that this resort has plenty of security which definitely makes me feel better! And we’ll all be more careful. Thanks much. |
Anonymous
| The resort grounds are huge and safe. If you are going off-site for a tour, I recommend Chukka Cove. They are reputable and well-organized. |
Anonymous
| Here now and do not feel unsafe at all. |
Anonymous
| Great hope you are having fun! I’ll check out Chukka Cove,, thanks! |
Anonymous
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I personally hate Jamaica. The people are so rude (I can't really blame them though). I never understand why people feel unsafe in Cancun and then don't blink an eye in Jamacia. The locals are practically seething with hatred for the tourists and it has always been unsafe...especially Montego Bay and Negril.
The numbers speak for themselves. Murder rate in Cancun 20 per 100,000. Murder rate in Montego Bay is a staggering 230 per 100,000. Dc is at 18.5. So yea, Jamaica is a pretty violent place. This is not new. There is a reason those resorts are fortresses. |
Anonymous
+1 seething with hatred is accurate. |
Anonymous
Why so much anger? |