Jamaica - should I go? Is it safe?

[Alanslegal]

Hey all,

I am thinking of checking out Jamaica but all my searches online make Jamaica sound like its a dangerous place where I'd be mugged at the minimum :shock:

Has anyone been there, or know anyone who has been there recently?


Thanks,

 

[Dr Ralph]

I was in Jamaica in June/July this year for the cricket.

I'd make a couple of points:

1) Why do you want to go? If it's not for business I can't see a compelling reason. The resorts are ordinary and it's a VERY long way from Australia. It's not particularly cheap either.

2) Kingston is very dangerous. Avoid it if possible and/or don't go out at night with any valuables you don't want to loose. The Australian cricketers (who stayed at the same hotel as us) told us stories about being stalked at night even when in groups. The resorts will be safe enough.

All of that said, I'm glad I went. The cricket was a great experience. Would I go back? Only for the cricket. Would I recommend anyone visit Jamaica? See points 1 and 2 above.

 

[RooFlyer]

Haven't been there, so not strictly relevant to your query, sorry. All I can say is that I've checked it out three times in the past 2 years when I've had the opportunity to visit and passed every time on the basis that there's not much to interest me (as I'm not a beach-and-rum type of person) and I didn't think it was safe for what I like to do, which is wander about the streets.

 

[Alanslegal]

Thanks for the comments,

I will be in Cuba and since I am nearby I thought I'd drop into Jamaica to check it out for a few days - and tick the box - before flying out.

Sad that it seems like a dangerous place and yes I'd like to explore a bit on foot too - than being stuck in a beach resort.

 

[drron]

Kingston is the dangerous area.That said I did walk around there in daylight without problems in 2007 being there for the cricket.
On our cruise this month we called in on Port Antonio.Told it is Ok for men to walk around alone but not for women.It was a beautiful area.The resorts further west on the north coast should be safe.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Thanks for the comments,

I will be in Cuba and since I am nearby I thought I'd drop into Jamaica to check it out for a few days - and tick the box - before flying out.

Sad that it seems like a dangerous place and yes I'd like to explore a bit on foot too - than being stuck in a beach resort.

I did the Cuba trip via Jamaica whilst I was there. Nice short flight.

Unless you have a desperate need to see Jamaica I'd seriously consider the need to travel there.

Resorts are a long way from Kingston airport. Although you can fly into Montego Bay. The resorts are between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.

 

[Alanslegal]

I am just trying to brainstorm ideas nearby to Cuba that are easy to get to (such as Jamaica) and from there, an AA flight to mainland USA.

Any idea/reports about Dominican Republic?? There is direct flight from HAV, and also AAflight to MIA from there. At least there is a Sheraton in the Dominican Republic.

There is Puerto Rico but that involves two flights and a day travel :shock:

 

[Mick1969]

We stayed earlier this year at the Holiday Inn resort in Montego Bay and enjoyed it although we didn't wander far from the resort. For us it was a pleasant beach stop for a couple of days in an all inclusive resort. There were a few day trips available which looked OK.

 

[Alanslegal]

Thanks to everybody for your response. I think I will skip Jamaica this time, will head to the Dominican Republic instead, seems a bit safer there and a few more interesting things to see including the Colonial City of Santa Domingo. Some decent hotel choices too.