How safe is it to go to Jamaica if you don't stay in an all-inclusive hotel?

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AMO

its perfectly safe but just as you would anywhere be aware of your surroundings .i wouldn't suggest traveling alone at night though-but i wouldn't recommend doing that in any unfamiliar city

Bob D

Very safe ! Although there is crime, and tourist areas are no exception, preditors rely on stupidity to pounce...leaving money or jewelry at the beach, being drunk and flashing money, walking around at night in obviously unsafe areas.

Having said that, crime against tourists is taken VERY seriously, as its the lifeblood of tourist towns, so your actually safer in JA than you would be in the areas of the states that you would NEVER go to even in daylight !

In addition, you'll experience the REAL Jamaica by not staying at a fancy hotel & having them scare you into not leaving the resort. If you do that, you might as well fly to Miami and vacation there instead of Jamaica...you'll save money and get the same result.

traveler

If you ask the all-inclusive resort owners, they are going to tell you to bring a body bag if you don't stay at their resort. Like most places, Jamaicamon is as safe as you want to make it. Be street smart, keep jewelry to a minimum, avoid the "poverty" areas, avoid flashing cash, travel in groups (if possible) and the well traveled areas. If you are going to buy ganja, expect the potential for trouble as some "vendors" will report you to the police for the reward (then they make a profit from selling you the weed and collecting the reward money). Why go to Jamaicamon if you aren't going to enjoy the true culture of the country? Some of the all inclusive resorts hire "security" with clubs at the ends of their property just to give the appearance that it's unsafe for tourists to venture off the property and buy the same souvenires the resort is selling for a fraction of their inflated resort price.

doncrisp99

In the circumstance you said, I would consider going to and staying in Jamaica about as safe as going to and staying in Harlem, The Bronx, NY. In other words, in my statistical analysis, I would consider you to be in unsafe territory.

mommydst5

I would definitely have to agree with "traveler"... Negril for the most is pretty safe. Just be cautious like he/she said and you should have no problem mon!!

Headin South

I stayed in Negril, at a resort that wasn't all inclusive, and we felt VERY safe. Try Catcha Falling Star in Negril. Beautiful cliffs in Negril.

Mandark

The only thing tourists have to worry about in Jamaica are over-enthusiastic souvenir sellers and pushy conossieurs of the weed. Also watch out for pickpockets as you would do in any other country.

Don't feel intimidated by what may seem to be aggressive salesmanship. That's just them. They don't mean anything by it. Just tell them firmly that you're not interested and they'll get the hint.

shaystar

Never been to Negril, BUT three years ago I flew to Ocho Rios and stayed ALONE for five nights in a hotel that was not all-inclusive. I am a single white female from the South. (was 45 at the time). I felt very safe, was only "bothered" a couple of times by locals selling their wares on the streets. A firm "no thanks" is all it took for them to understand I was not interested. Use the usual measure of precaution, treat the natives nicely and with the respect they deserve, and I think you will be fine. I would definitely do it again, not changing a thing. I also took a couple of day tours alone. One of the best vacations I've ever had. (You can contact me privately if you want details of where I stayed if you should find yourself in the Ocho Rios area instead.

Kelly B

I have been to Negril several times, and would feel comfortable to go by myself. As long as you maintain the street smarts you'd have visiting any place, the worst thing you'll have to worry about is telling venders 'No thanks' a million times, and the guys on the beach hitting on you- (read: trying to romance their way into your wallet and/or for citizenship).

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