Jamaica – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information.

Reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. 

Do Not Travel to:

• The below-listed areas of Clarendon Parish due to crime.
• The below-listed areas of Hanover Parish due to crime.
• The below-listed areas of Kingston and St. Andrew Parish due to crime.
• The below-listed areas of Montego Bay due to crime.
• The below-listed areas of St. Ann Parish due to crime.
• The below-listed areas of St. Catherine Parish due to crime.
• The below-listed areas of St. James Parish due to crime.
• The below-listed area of Westmoreland Parish due to crime.

Country Summary: Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Emergency services vary throughout the island, and response times may vary from U.S. standards. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica has for several years been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to areas listed below, from using public buses, and from driving outside of prescribed areas of Kingston at night.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Jamaica.

If you decide to travel to Jamaica:

• Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before planning any international travel, and read the Embassy COVID-19 page for country-specific COVID-19 information. 
• Avoid walking or driving at night.
• Avoid public buses.
• Avoid secluded places or situations.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Country Security Report for Jamaica.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Areas of Clarendon Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Clarendon Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:

• All of Clarendon Parish, except passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas..

Areas of Hanover Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Hanover Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:

• Logwood and Orange Bay

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Areas of Kingston and St. Andrew Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Kingston. Do not travel to the following areas:

• Cassava Piece
• Downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.
• Duhaney Park
• Grants Pen
• Standpipe
• Swallowfield
• Elleston Flats
• August Town

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Areas of Montego Bay – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Montego Bay. Do not travel to the following areas:

• Canterbury
• Flankers
• Glendevon
• Mount Salem
• Norwood
• Paradise Heights
• Rose Heights

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas..

Areas of St. Ann Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of St. Ann Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:

• Steer Town

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Areas of St. Catherine Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of St. Catherine Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:

• Spanish Town
• Central Village
• Certain areas within Portmore to include: Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, and Waterford

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Areas of St. James Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

• Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of St. James Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:
• Cambridge
• Springmount
• Johns Hall

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. 

Areas of Westmoreland Parish – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Westmoreland Parish. Do not travel to the following areas:

• Russia community in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Street and south of the A2 highway/Barracks Road)
• The Whitehall neighborhood of east Negril

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.