Is it true that in Jamaica you have to stay on your resort?

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

uhmmm no.... and it's not a good idea either... you can go out and do tours and shopping and all.
don't let anyone fool you...
tourists here are 100 percent safe here and the crime statistics the percon cited are wrong and most of the criminal activity here takes place in Kingston which is not exactly a resort town... you will be okay.

christnp

No, it's not true. There are certain areas where it's really unpleasant to venture out of your resort on foot because you are immediately accosted by dozens of people trying to sell you stuff. They can be aggressive and follow you around. Not criminally dangerous, but very unpleasant.

This is only true of certain resort areas (Negril, Montego Bay, probably others) In general, if you want to go somewhere outside the resort, it's better to get a taxi or rental car and go where you want to be. That avoids the people lurking outside the resorts waiting to pounce (again, not dangerously criminal, just very annoying)

Nighttime walking should be avoided, especially on the beach.

Don't get me wrong, the Jamaican people as a whole are wonderful. It's just the aggressive opportunists waiting to pounce at the resort areas that are a problem.

jamdowngal

I am Jamaican and no we do not dislike americans. Yes there are people who try and make a living by annoying tourist trying to sell stuff, just as how I find it annoying walking thru your malls and every kiosks tries to sell me sometihing from a massage to a trip to Disney.

One person had an experience with ONE person wanting money from them and all Jamaicans are labelled. Come on down and treat people as equals, avoid the ASSES, like you would at home and come and have fun.

Be smart as you would at home. There are places you won't walk alone at night in the U.S. the same goes for here. Jamaica is a magical place and there is a difference between passing thru on a cruise ship and staying on the island. Sorry but those comments just rubs me the wrong way.

Hi Justilolme,
If there was not a market to sell weed to tourist then they wouldn't be there to sell it. Most of the people that ask me about visiting Jamaica ask about weed within the first 3 questions and majority end up smoking it when they come. ANd if the cruise ship tell you not to walk and you choose to DON'T B*T*CH after.

Gulfstream_five_fifty

You don't have to stay on your resort, but if you stray out be street smart and go in groups.
Jamaica is very laid back. No the locals don't hate americans...Just as in America, they do have the garden variety thugs.
Here are some stats.

Central America and the Caribbean > Jamaica > Crime

JAMAICAN CRIME STATS:

Assaults 10,833 [30th of 57]
Burglaries 2,426 [44th of 54]
Car thefts 258 [50th of 55]
Murders 887 [17th of 62]
Murders (per capita) 0.324196 per 1,000 people [3rd of 62]
Prisoners 4,744 prisoners [95th of 164]
Rapes 1,304 [22nd of 65]
Rapes (per capita) 0.476608 per 1,000 people [6th of 65]
Total crimes 39,188 [47th of 60]
Total crimes (per capita) 14.3231 per 1,000 people [37th of 60]

SOURCES: Seventh United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems, covering the period 1998 - 2000 (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention); International Centre for Prison Studies

bygregorio

No. No. No.
Much of what some of the others have said is true. There are SOME persons who seek to make a living by offering goods and services you may not require. Their persistence may be annoying but can be dealt with if you are prepared. The vast MAJORITY are doing their own things which do not include harassing tourists.
Especially should you come to Port Antonio where I live. It is reputed to be one of the most beautiful places in the world and remains largely unspoilt.

QRIOS

Nope, completely untrue...I was in Jamaica in November. There are all sorts of things to do on that island! There are tropical rainforests that you can go white water rafting through, or you could take a zip line. There are all sorts of shops and street fairs. Everything is accessable by the multitude of taxis!

My experience there was very very positive and I had no anti-american experiences. I visited Montego Bay! Hope this helps you!

Anthony F

No, those people getting into trouble are those who are looking to buy drugs and meet up on all kinds of unsavory people. The majority of Jamaicans are good people, who don't do drugs. Stick with that kind, when you go out, and you'll be OK.

big_mustache

Not true. We stayed at Grand Lido Bracco but still took some excursions into the bush to go zip lining. The locals seemed friendly enough.

sandman

I have traveled throughout Jamaica (Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Dunn's River etc.) on several occaisions and have gotten use to being approached if I am in an area where it is a common tactic. I find that as long as you are friendly to those that approach you they will return the friendliness however, I am always amazed at how open they are in their attempt to offer illegal substances to you.
I have met many native Jamaicans calling themselves
'Dr Feelgood' and asking me what I would like? To be offered a spliff (joint) or a 'blunt' (pot rolled in tobacco leaves)is very common. For Jamdowngal, there is a huge difference in walking through an American mall and being enticed by any number of legal and useful products and services in a kiosk setting as opposed to being 'pursued' by a somewhat 'unsavory' stranger offering goods that are illegal. Also in every instance where I have been approached by these individuals they are quite forward and not at all bashful to make you feel obligated to give them a cash tip or reward for just their mere presence or to leave you alone regardless of whether you buy their goods or not. They seem to always ask for a dollar for a cold beer before departing your presence. I think that for the most part rather than having serious harmful intent it is just their way of surviving an otherwise impoverished lifestyle. They learn to do what they can with what means they have at their disposal. However like in any country there are also those that you must be on the alert for since crime is prevalent especially given the right set of circumstances. Its 'tourist beware' because you are on their radar screen and you are a target, like it or not.

boy_jam_arch

No you don't have to stay in your hotel, don't listen people with their undermining story.Lots of American go to Jamaica Daily for Visit, American is Jamaican closest people to live with they understand each other in every way, American pretend to be Jamaican so does Jamaican pretend to be American they always hook up with each other,also they make lot of babies with each other.

banny11475

I have been there 5 times. Its a good idea to travel in groups. I would recommend ocho rios and negril. Lots of locals trying to sell you stuff, just like mexico. the beaches are awesome. hot weather most of the year so pack accordingly.

andylondon2006

Definately no to both.

It would be extremely silly to dislike Americans who bring loads of $ to the island with their tourism,,,
I was there a few yrs back and decided to hire a jeep and go all over the island, one of the best chioce and one of the best holiday I ever had.
Heard Kingston can be a bit different but locals made me feel always very welcome.
Hope this helps you - Good luck!

shasha

be travel smart no matter where you go.no you don.t have to stay on the resort, but the resorts prefer it if you do,they make money if you don't stray.rude locals should not be the reason you don't enjoy the Island ......I walked around at night it was perfectly fine not alone though... and No they do not dislike Americans ...

strongman

That is not true Jamaica people love to share regardless of what people say lets face it violence is every were , but good people are still there, look at Iraq and people still go there ,i am a Jamaican and i love every one black or white Chinese or
Indian it matters not were you are from we love you ,my point is you need to go to experience what AM talking about.

Lizzy

I have visited Jamaica plenty of times. My husband is from Jamaica, a town called Maypen. We stay with family. I am White American. I have never been to the resorts. I get treated like I am a queen. I get treated better than my husband does. Everyone comes to see me, not him!

Of course you will have your stupid people like the one answerer said. The one who wanted money because he gave him directions that they did not ask for. The first time I was in Jamaica, I was buying a lot of things to bring back with me for friends and family. Because I was white and American, they thought they could get over on me and charged me like $500JM more that they was supposed too. My husband noticed and said something. They will try to get over. People really do not approach me because any where I go I am either with my husband or his brother. I do not go out alone unless it is just to the little store and back. Not that I am scared, but my husband just thinks it is safer that way for me until everyone gets to know that I am his wife. When they call they never ask for him, they talk to me longer than him!

Things do happen. You can hire a tourist guide to give you a tour around. And NO, Jamaicans does not dislike Americans. They love us. Tourist provide most of the money for the country than farming and exporting.

You Shouldn't Have

As far as having to stay in your resort, absolutely not. They would rather you did, and spend your money there only, but you can go as you like. As far as disliking Americans, nothing could be further from the truth. Jamaica, like any Caribbean Island depends on tourism heavily, and welcome North and South Americans as well as Europeans and Australians. If you are made to feel guilty for not tipping them, for nothing, and then you go and give them a dollar, you're encouraging the behavior. Jamaica has so many awsome things to do and so many incredible places to see, that you, like most who visit will want to return. :-)

NasCarl #99

I have no idea and have never heard this ,but I honestly wouldn't think that it was true as they always seem to be so very friendly. when they are shown on tv .I would love to go to Jamaica one day

mimi

the island itself is very dangerous and when i went there at night unless you went out with a tour group or something you couldn't leave your resort....during the day you could though i think i don't remember that

dkwkbmn

You don't have to but it is a good idea. My husband and I did not listen. We decided to walk from the port our cruise ship docked at to the shopping area instead of taking a cab as they recommended. We were approached with pot which didn't surprise us. But they guy asked us where we were going and we told him. He gave us directions which we did not ask for or need. We already knew where we were going. We tried to keep walking and he started yelling at us for not giving him money for the directions he provided. My husband tried talking to him but he wouldn't stop so he gave him a few bucks. It was kinda scary. We heard the same thing happened to another couple we met on the ship. They we taking pictures of people at the marketplace and then were harrassed into paying them for letting them take their picture. They are not friendly for free.

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