Is jamaica dangerous? my bf & i r planning to go to a vacation resort but we still want to explore outside?

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we/be/jammin

Hello Ms.Crown not that you have heard from a bunch of people who have not been there, listen to someone who has! I am from the Detroit area so i know what tuff is. and i can tell you this Jamaica is a very poor country, but a very friendly country. the areas of Montego Bay, Negril,and Ocho's Rios are tourist areas and Jamaica's number 1 income is from tourist. it is true that parts of Kingston are very dangerous. but for the most part you are no more at risk of getting kidnapped or robbed then you are in New York, Chicago, Detroit, L.A . with this being said it is still a different country and i would not recommend touring on your own. but would say the same if you went to Aruba, V.I or any other Caribbean island, most of the islands are very nice but poor and some times you get a bad apple to give the whole island a bad name. I will give you this web site of people who have or visit quite often it will have pitcures, reviews of resorts and a question and answer forum. if you want the truth check out www.tripadvisor.com. in closing i have been there twice and am going back next month, this place is as safe or dangerous as you make it, just use common sense just as you would in any major city, the people in Jamaica are very nice, but it does not mean there is not a bad apple with in them. but that can be said any where

naughty

Anywhere you go in this world, there is a possibility you can get kidnapped, robbed, raped, and killed among others. Jamaica has its bad areas, as long as you stay away from those areas you will be fine. Travel in a group, or preferably with a tour guide, never trust anyone. If you go to Jamaica, popular tourist destinations are negril, montego bay and ocho rios. If you want a more calm, and relaxing vacay, St. Thomas, portland and westmoerland are the ideal places to do so. Just do not venture into kingston and Spanish Town by yourselves.

Nick the Dick

Yes!

The Bahamas are much more safer. Also Belize is cheaper and safer.

Unless you want to buy weed stay out of Jamaica

Tami10e

We have been to Negril Jamaica. we stayed in a resort. We left the resort on a shore excursion to play golf. We felt very safe. We did speak with two couples that went over there and did not stay on a resort. They said they did feel safe, however they were treated very, very poorly. They were not waited on in restaurants, their hotel rooms were not cleaned. They definitely felt like they were not wanted. Hope this helps.

JTz

If you're white I would suggest not leaving the resort area. Kidnapping is very common, although not as common as in Haiti.

thndr97

I've heard of many unpleasant experiences that tourists have encountered while touring in Jamaica. Many tourists are ambushed by locals while horseback riding, ATV riding and even in vehicles. One client of mine narrowly missed being ambushed while driving a Jeep on his own. He came across a dead dog lying across the road and when he got out to move it he saw several men hiding in the bushes nearby. He quickly got back into the Jeep and escaped by running the dog over. If you want to go outside of the resort, check with the resort guest relations for their recommendations on an organized tour. Their reputations are on the line when you put the responsibility on them so they will be cautious when it comes to your safety. I would stay away from self guided activities. You might also pick a resort that has alot of amenities. this would give you less of a reason to go outside.

Heidi Ann

I currently live in Kingston. Jamaica is definitely one of those places you want to travel in packs in, especially if you are white. When I went up to Ochi on a break I had everything organized through the hotel that my friends and I stayed at. This way I knew we were pretty much safe. The craft markets are in every city and fun to explore, but see if you can get a local to go with you. The vendors will hassle you if you are on your own and you won't make it more then 15 feet and all your money will have been spent on crap you didn't want or need. There are many things to see and do in Jamaica and it most definitely a beautiful country. Once you decide where you want to go, you can contact me personally and I can see if I can help you out with pictures and places, ideas, etc. If you do go to Ocho Rios ( or as the locals call it Ochi) then I would suggest the Riu (pronounced Rioo). It is an all inclusive resort and they have several resturants and a great staff.

Shockey Monkey

Can be if you wonder off the beaten track

jeannie_brim

Have the people you heard this from ever been to Ja? You Will not get kidnapped. The worst things that you will encounter is people offering you ganja (if you think it's a bad thing). They ask you to buy their goods they make, this is how they make a living. Just say no thanks and they will ask someone else. We NEVER stay in the "compound". Venture out and see the country. It is very different and poor but the people are very nice. Some of the answers you got earlier are very uneducated answers. Just stay out of Kingston if this is you first trip. Parts there are really rough like Spanish Town. You won't have any problems. Hire a cabby and that will make you feel safer.

Curious

Jamaica is not the only island in the Caribbean- why do people only think of Jamaica when they want to go to the Caribbean? There are other islands like Barbados, Dominican and Trinidad. Anyways- others islands along with Jamaica have their share of trouble makers who give tourists a hard time outside of the resorts. I wouldn't recommend going out on your own (you and your BF). If you really want to go I would try to get a guide.

jhnedrmr

It depends on the type of people you hang out with, there is good and bad people everywhere, it is not true that people just get kidnapped, how about all of the kidnappings you hear about in America. Jamaica is a wonderful vacation spot, you have to know the does and the don'ts, don't go up to any Jamaican guy and ask for drugs, or go party with guys you dont know about. Use common sense. Its the same here in America, you hang with the wrong crowd and youll get into trouble.

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