Jamaica – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

The advisory level was decreased to Level 2. There were no changes to the risk indicators. The advisory summary was updated.

Exercise Increased Caution due to crime, health, and natural disaster risks. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Advisory Summary

U.S. government employee travel restrictions
U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to use public buses or drive between cities at night. They are also not allowed to travel to certain high-risk areas, as noted below.

U.S. citizens in Jamaica should take the same precautions.

Natural disaster

Jamaica continues to recover from Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall there on October 28, 2025. The hurricane caused widespread damage to the western part of the island. Some areas are still experiencing post-storm impacts on infrastructure and services. 

• All major airports have reopened for commercial flights.
• Some areas in the western part of Jamaica, such as Black River and Montego Bay, are in varying stages of recovery from the hurricane. Exercise increased caution if traveling to affected areas at this time.
• Confirm availability of services and amenities at your destination before you travel to Jamaica.

Crime

• Violent crime is a risk throughout Jamaica. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere.
• Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country.
• Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common.
• The U.S. embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts.
• U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents.
• When arrests are made, cases are often not prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence.

Health
Basic and specialized medical care may not be available in many parts of Jamaica. This includes slower emergency service response times and less availability of care for illness or injury.

• Health care facilities in western Jamaica were badly damaged by Hurricane Melissa.
• Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients. They may not be able to provide specialized care.
• Ambulance services are not always staffed with EMTs. They are not always readily available, especially in rural areas.
• U.S. citizens should bring extra prescription medication. Common medications, such as insulin, can be difficult to obtain.
• U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not apply abroad.
• Most hospitals and doctors abroad do not accept U.S. health insurance.
• Air ambulance service to the United States costs $30,000 on the low end.
• We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance and confirm your coverage. Travel insurance should include medical insurance, evacuation assistance, and other trip coverage.

The Department of State does not pay medical bills.

Level 4 – Do Not Travel

High crime areas

Do Not Travel to high crime areas due to risk of crime.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to the following high-risk areas. U.S. citizens in Jamaica are advised to take the same precautions.

Do not travel to these areas for any reason:

• St. Ann’s Parish – Steer Town and the Buckfield neighborhood 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 Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways.
• St. Elizabeth’s Parish – Vineyard District Community, between the communities of 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 neighborhoods of Mandeville.
• St. Thomas Parish – Black Lane neighborhood in Seaforth, Grands Penn, Church Corner neighborhood near Yallahs, Town of Yallahs, 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.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

If you decide to travel to Jamaica:

• Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition. This includes stray rounds, shells, or empty casings. The penalties for carrying firearms or ammunition, even by mistake, are severe, and can include long prison sentences.
• Avoid walking or driving at night.
• Avoid public buses.
• Avoid remote places.
• Stay aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
• Have a plan to depart in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
• Review the Country Security Report for Jamaica.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Jamaica.
• Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
• We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.