While Jamaica is voted fun and safe for all ages, just like any high-tourist area, you need to exercise a few precautionary measures to ensure that you stay is safe and drama-free. Tourists stick out amongst locals, not just to them but to other tourists as well so if you assume you’re safe just because you’re with other visitors to the island, you’re not! Quite often, minor theft is the result of other tourists that are deemed safe, so keep your guard up with everyone while you have a good time.
- It is essential that your country knows that you’re traveling to Jamaica so be sure to register with the embassy where you live prior to leaving.
- Keep friends and family back home current with your travel plans throughout your trip so they know where to look for you. If someone knows you went snorkeling or kayaking and you don’t check in with them later, they at least you have an idea of where you were last to send help to look for you.
- Always have your passport and an identification with a current photo on it with you at all times. It is a good idea to make several copies of this and put one in each piece of luggage, your purse or wallet, room safety deposit box, etc., so if you lose one, you have more.
- Only use taxis that have a red PP on their license plate so you know they are registered. Avoid those with dark windows, too many items hanging from the rear view mirror or if you smell alcohol.
- Tourists traveling alone are not advised to venture to an extremely secluded area by themselves. Couples or groups are generally safe to explore remote areas but you should return to civilization before nightfall, its easy to get turned around and lost.
- Verify fares for buses, coaches and taxis ahead of time so there is no confusion or confrontation later.
- Don’t flash a lot of cash! This should be common sense anywhere you travel to yet tourists still continue to complain in every city around the world that they were robbed after they showed everyone their bankroll when paying for something. Jamaica is a casual island so chances are, you can leave expensive watches and jewelry at home or at least keep them in the room safe while you’re sightseeing.
- If your hotel offers a room safe, use it! It’s there for a reason. Don’t leave money, identification, etc., laying around and don’t place gift bags or tempting items in front of windows.
- Women traveling alone and small children should wear a whistle. This could be worn around the neck on a hemp rope or safety pinned to clothing. Whether you feel you’re in danger or you capsized and you’re stranded in the water somewhere, whistles are valuable tools for getting attention when needed.
- Learn emergency phone numbers in the area and be familiar with where hospitals and police stations are located if you need help.
- Keep your backpacks, luggage and purses close to you. Don’t set them down at the bus park and wander across the street to the cafe in hopes that they’ll still be there when you get back.
- Purses should be worn diagonally across the body to eliminate the chance of someone grabbing it off your shoulder and running away. Be aware though that a purse strap can be sliced with a knife so keep the purse at your front side, not your backside.
- Men should carry their wallets, money, identification, etc., in a front pocket, never the back pocket.
- If the price of a tour sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If one company is offering a service at a fraction of the price of others, there’s probably a good reason! Cheaper is not always better.
- Become familiar with local laws and common practices before arriving on the island.
Visitors fly into Jamaica every hour of every single day to soak up everything that this intoxicating island has to offer and few ever have a problem. Following this guide will help ensure that your stay is everything you’ve dreamed of!