Anyone Concerned about Safety in Jamaica?

[Sun and Fun]

Hi All,

We always explore the islands we visit. We picked our cruise because it stops in Jamaica and this is one of the few islands we have not visited.

 

However, we are increasingly concerned about the safety of the island. We have heard tours have armed guards, people need escorts to visit ATM machines, etc. Our port is far from some of the places we thought we'd like to visit (i.e., Dunn's River Falls).

 

What have been your experiences? Safe or best not to leave the port area? We are a family of four with two teenagers.

 

TIA!

[KenCT]

I was in Jamaica on Tuesday. Usually I tour independently, but in Jamaica I chose to book through the ship for the reasons mentioned. We chose to do the ship's excursion to the Bob Marley Experience in Nine Mile. It was less than I had hoped, but I certainly felt safe through it all.

[ABQrobin]

I am guessing you are at Montego Bay, since you say far from Dunns River Falls.

I would recommend you do an excursion through your ship or one of the independent operators mentioned here on CC. They will take you out to see the real Jamaica and you will feel perfectly safe.

We did the Zipline tour there, through our ship, and had a blast. Then the bus took us downtown to Margaritaville and shopping before back to ship. Nice all day adventure. We loved the people of Jamaica but the vendors can get very pushy in places. We didn't have any problems, in fact, we are hoping to get back to Jamaica next year.

[OCruisers]

If we are not going to someplace close to the port area, we take an excursion thru the ship. ;)

[Keith1010]

In Jamaica we would only do an excursion.

 

We have traveled the world extensively and there are some places we don't feel very comfortable on our own and Jamaica is one of those places.

 

Keith

[Capt_BJ]

I've been all over the island many times ... first visit in mid 70's and last, last week. M' Bay, Ocho, Negril, Kingston, Port Antonio and have driven (been driven) over the roads 'tween 'em all .... I once left Kingston airport at 10 PM in a taxi to get to Port Antonio to meet my ship leaving at 8am. Zero dark thirty drive over the mountains across the island ...... we stopped for a beer (Dragon Stout) a couple of times but otherwise made it intact!

 

following standard precautions you are perfectly safe.

 

what gets to many Americans is a failure to relate to a somewhat different culture. JA folks tend to be loud in speech and ESPECIALLY if doing business with bartering. There are many arm movements and gesturing. ... YOU ARE NOT BEING ATTACKED .... this is their way of doing business on the street.

 

MOST of the time a firm 'No Thank You" followed by a smile works ... IF you keep walking away ... if you linger, to a JA this means you are still bargaining!!!!

 

If ya think JA is 'bad' you should try Haiti!!!!! (Labadee don't count)

[harry0]

i just read about the murders the past month in Mo Bay-yes I am concerned. I will be changing my plans and stay away from Mo bay

4 Murders Sunday 12/4

Edited December 6, 2017 by harry0

[harry0]

http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/bloody-sunday-morning-montego-bay-1

[Capt_BJ]

not safe like in the popular tourist spots in the US

 

like Orlando .... 'cept for PULSE night club

 

or VEGAS ..... need I remind?

[evandbob]

There are armed militia in NYC visible at most landmarks and there are more stationed "invisibly". Makes us NY natives feel safe, rather than alarmed.

I've stayed in Montego Bay twice on land vacations and never felt unsafe. I've gone out to Negril and YS Falls and had a great time. Ported their many times, and when I get approached by a vendor or a tour guide, if I'm not interested, I say "No mon" or "One Love" When I'm offered weed, I say: "No, No, No, I don't smoke it no more", with a smile and usually get a smile in return.

Some vendors are persistant, but most respond well to a show of respect and good humor.

 

Jamaica and Nassau have reputations for agressive vendors, yet I get accosted just as much in Phillipsburgh beach on Sint Maarten, which doesn't get the same ill repute here on CC. IMO, Ocho Rios is the most improved port in the Caribbean..

[Tatka]

We stopped in Jamaica three times. All three in Falmouth.

First two times we went on ships sponsored tours

 

1) Martha Brae river rafting near Falmouth. Very relaxing time in beautiful scenery. If your port is Mobay it shouldn’t be a long drive

 

2) Dunn’s falls ...Nice thing to do, lots of fun, but this will be quite a drive.

 

3) Just went outside of Falmouth. It was a bit run down and not pleasant. But there was a manager of all taxis (or he seemed to be) , and I don’t think he would let any harm to pax.

We negotiated a price to MoBay. Started from $120, but final price was $50 with driver waiting for us there. His minivan wasn’t in the best condition, but we survived. :)

Beach in MoBay was very nice.

Yes we were offered “stuff” several times, but it was not aggressive at all.

 

 

I understand that precautions need to be taken, but never felt unsafe in Jamaica.

They will try to sail souvenirs, or clothes or... even stuff to you, but it was never scary.

[tango55]

there was a Canadian women that was murdered a few weeks ago.was heading back to Toronto after living in mo'bay for awhile.throat slashed.take care.we will be going there jan.17 on the breeze.

[GUEST71919]

not safe like in the popular tourist spots in the US

 

like Orlando .... 'cept for PULSE night club

 

or VEGAS ..... need I remind?

 

I realize that is had been a while since you wrote these post (this and one above), but you do seem to have an issue with people from the U.S. It is unfortunate that you feel such ill will toward Americans when you seem to be leaving here with us...?

It does seem a little silly or unkind to chastise people for being concerned about their safety (and that of older parents or young children). We all have a different level of willingness to accept various levels of risk, I don’t think people should be scoffed at because there’s differs from yours.