The U.S. State Department has updated its travel advisory for Jamaica, warning tourists to “reconsider travel” for several reasons.
The update came on July 25, 2024, several months after a previous advisory urged travelers to “reconsider traveling” after 65 homicides in a one-month period.
The update warned travelers about rising crime rates in the Caribbean island nation and a lack of available health care on the island, including in tourist areas.
According to the Jamaican government, the country’s murder rate is one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere.
“U.S. Embassies regularly receive reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resort locations. U.S. citizens report a slow or inadequate response to serious criminal cases. Even when arrests are made, they are rarely prosecuted to a final conviction and punishment,” the advisory states.
The island suffers not only from everyday illnesses and injuries, but also from slow response times to medical emergencies.
Even when an ambulance is available, it doesn’t always have a fully staffed EMT on board.
The U.S. Embassy recommends that travelers who take prescription medications bring them with them, as prescription medications can be difficult to obtain in Jamaica.
Our journalism needs your support: Subscribe to NJ.com today.
Contact Katherine Rodriguez at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
