Americas · Updated
As of October 2026, Jamaica scores 43/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index — verdict: caution advised. The U.S. State Department rates Jamaica Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Of the 5 Jamaica destinations assessed, Negril scores highest (61/100), while Montego Bay scores lowest (56/100).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Jamaica · Assessed 13 October 2026
43
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“Hurricane Melissa Hurricane Melissa made landfall as a major hurricane in Jamaica in October 2025. All Western parishes suffered significant damage and some communities are still without electricity and piped water.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:55:54Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Jamaica: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-07T08:16:36.7446883-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robbery and mugging pose a high risk to visitors, especially in Kingston urban areas and isolated beaches.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are prevalent in markets, buses, and crowded tourist spots like Coronation Market.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed to negative
41/100
Recent traveler reports indicate feeling unsafe in Kingston due to visible crime and police presence, though resort areas receive more positive feedback on safety.
No. Kingston remains high-risk for violent crime and petty theft despite recent police efforts.
Jamaica's homicide rate is extremely high at 49.4 per 100k, and Kingston experiences frequent armed robberies and gang-related violence. While tourist resorts are generally safer, visitors face significant risks in urban areas, particularly after dark, with pickpocketing and bag-snatching common in crowded places.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Kingston faces persistent violent crime, with armed robberies and muggings occurring frequently in urban centers and some beaches. The homicide rate remains among the highest in the Americas, and gang activity contributes to instability in certain districts. While police have reported recent declines in murders, visitors should not assume safety outside resort zones. Petty theft is widespread, particularly in crowded areas such as Coronation Market and on public buses, where pickpockets operate with little interference. Scams involving unlicensed taxis and inflated street vendor prices are common tactics targeting tourists.
Travelers report feeling uneasy in Kingston, especially after dark, citing visible police patrols and crime-related anxiety. Resort areas like Montego Bay and Ocho Rios tend to be safer due to private security, but day trips into Kingston increase exposure risk. Recent incidents highlighted in overseas media, while not in Jamaica itself, reflect broader concerns about Jamaican-origin crime narratives affecting perception. Locally, the Jamaica Gleaner’s October 2026 report on “cards of crime” suggests community-level awareness of persistent threats.
To stay safe, use only authorized transportation, avoid displaying valuables, and never walk alone at night in Kingston. Stick to well-populated, tourist-friendly zones and maintain situational awareness in markets and transit hubs. Hotel safes should be used for passports, extra cash, and jewelry. While the country scores well on health and environmental hazards, personal safety from crime requires constant vigilance, particularly in the capital.
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06 · Destinations
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07 · Questions
The U.S. State Department currently rates Jamaica Level 2 of 4 — Exercise Increased Caution. On our composite index Jamaica scores 43/100. See the destination reports above for city-level detail. (Updated 20 October 2026.)
Of the destinations we've assessed, Negril currently scores highest at 61/100 (Moderate). Montego Bay scores lowest at 56/100.
Directly from public sources: US, UK and Canadian government advisories, World Bank and UNODC crime statistics, WHO health data, live air-quality, disaster and earthquake feeds — plus AI field research over current local reporting. Read the full methodology.