Is Jamaica as dangerous as everyone says?

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karl morris

I'm a born and grown Jamaican. I have a pen friend (or a better description would be a messenger friend) from the US who visits me about twice a year. She deplores the tourist lifestyle and my one responsibility whenever she comes here is to show here everything there is to see in Kingston. Not Ohci, Negril or Mobay; Kingston.

She has lamented that Kingston, and by association Jamaica, is her "favorite place on earth" and she has traveled to quite a few countries, though non as frequent as here.

Make no mistake, you can get robbed, raped or killed here, the same as everywhere else. It comes down to you being smart. If you're not street smart, then hang with someone who is and avoid known garrisons which will almost certainly increases your chances of receiving bodily harm or financial loss.

Kingston isn't Jamaica, but it defines it and if you want the full experience of what this country is about and what it has to offer you have to leave the confines of the man made and controlled tourist resorts and live the true Jamaican lifestyle.

Dominoes in Raetown, a drink at a local bar, the New Kingston nightclubs and the ... "other" clubs. You can't get it unfiltered anywhere else.

To summarize: Come visit. If you're so inclined drop me a line when you get here and I'll point you in all the right directions. Pay not attention to the sensationalized spin that the media gives us and see for yourself what a great place this is.

Jamaica. No Problem.*

* people here don't actually say that.

The Goddess

I'm going to say this:

When people say JAMAICA is violent..they really mean a NEIGHBORHOOD! It's like IF you living in FLORIDA and the media says, "THREE people were murdered in FLORIDA".. What if everytime someone dies..they news says florida INSTEAD of miami, florida. If they just say FLORIDA, it gives an impression that ALL of FLORIDA is bad.

This is what the media does to Jamaica. They do not specify a place. They just say JAMAICA..as if the whole island is filled with violence.

You are going to have a Grand time. Even with all the talk about violence..Jamaica still manages to reach record tourism EVERY YEAR..so it shows you how much exaggeration the media pulls!

HAVE FUN!

Jamrock14

Take my advice (I'm Jamaican). Believe me, If you go to Jamaica, you can go ANYWHERE you want, NOTHING will happen to you. The wars that happen in JA is due to drugs, relationships... nothing would make them do anything to tourists. You can go on as much tours as you like. And the tour guides will know where to go that's good. Don't worry man, go enjoy yourself in Jamaica. If you want advice on where to go, 'I' would say go to Beaches Negril Resort if you have kids. If not, go to Grand Lido Negril. Both are all inclusive hotels.

Enjoy your trip :)

italianbutt

If you stay within the resorts you are fine. But I guess you dont want to do that.. you could be anywhere.. i would want to explore! I have wanted to go to Jamaica for years but I too am frightened of the violence, but then its apprarent most places now.... As long as you street wise and keep safe im sure you shoul dbe fine.

Allan F

No, Jamaica is not as dangerous as everyone says...notice that the people who are saying Jamaica is so dangerous haven't traveled there and are just speculating based on the media, as Goddess so wisely points out.
Just like any country, acts of violence do occur but usually within certain parts of the city, and usually between people who already know each other (i.e. a domestic altercation). This is no different than the United States or any other country with large urban areas.
If you're going to Jamaica try to visit Port Antonio, Negril, or one of the big resorts like Hedonism II or III.
I've been to Jamaica 28 times and can't wait to go back again. I can say with certainty that Jamaicans are some of the nicest, friendliest people you'll ever meet, and I'm sure you'll agree after you go. As the tourist board says, once you go, you know!

To say Jamaica is a violent place is a very irresponsible statemet. I really think it is time that Jamaica take the media or whomever is responisble for such slander. Any country you go there are pockets of individuals who will rake havoc,

Jamaica is a beautiful country and for the most of part the residents are very nice people.

If you expose yourself as being a "big shot " in any third world country you are making yourself vulnerable for being a target.

Buju's-baby!

Why do people keep on saying this? It's infuriating! I'm Jamaican but am living in Australia at the moment, but not for much longer, and it's worse here than in Jamaica. It's all relative, I say, to the population. I am a crime scene investigator and have the worst in both countries. Why don't you just go there and find out for yourself. You will know where the safe places are and where you should go. I may just be biased because it is my home country but I don't think so. I have lived in Los Angeles and that was terrifying!

As someone else said, Kingston is not Jamaica. I don't like Kingston personally.

jamdowngal

Jamaica can be dangerous but in certain areas. It is a beautiful country with beautiful people, but a few bad apples spoil it for the rest of us. KIngston and St Catherine is a little rough like any big town or city-think of how people fear going to New York because of crime same in Jamaica.

boy_jam_arch

If you know Miami, well Jamaica is little Miami, so people do one third of the what happen in Miami.

â—„â˜¯â™« vanitee of vanitees â™«â˜¯â–º

Jamaica is not dangerous.

Random111

jamaica is also in the media for violence etc, but the media tweaks things up to make a sound interesting.

jamaica is a fantastic place and theres no trouble except for some areas in kingston. but if your planning a holiday in Jamaica defintely stick to Montego Bay, Ocho Rias and Negril and i guarentee there will be no problems man.

mtchndjnmtch2000

stay close to your vac area, and if you are out and about, have 4 to 6 people with you. I f you deside to go any where out of the vac area, use a guide on your excursion. For the most part,it is a fun place to visit.

Nick

yea you will get robbed while you are at a party on the beach, after your bus was going too fast and crashed off an edge. luckily you get out. your friend kiko, of whom you met before the party tells you it is not safe and takes you up to a resort, where a mad scientist takes out all your organs and sells them on the underground market.

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