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Jamaica · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Kingston scores 61/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Kingston requires a high degree of caution due to significant crime rates and the impact of recent natural disasters. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Jamaica · Assessed 13 October 2026
61
/ 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
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
HighHigh rates of violent crime and a high homicide rate mean a significant risk of mugging and armed robbery, particularly after dark and in less populated areas.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in crowded areas such as markets and public transport hubs.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
50/100
While many visitors report feeling safe during daylight hours, concerns about walking alone at night and general crime rates temper overall sentiment. Recent disaster impacts may also influence perceptions.
Kingston requires a high degree of caution due to significant crime rates and the impact of recent natural disasters.
While Kingston has areas where visitors can feel safe, particularly during the day, the city faces challenges with high rates of violent crime and property crime. Recent hurricanes have also impacted infrastructure and recovery efforts, potentially affecting safety and services.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Kingston presents a complex safety landscape, demanding a high degree of caution for travelers. While the city's crime index is moderate, the national homicide rate is exceptionally high, indicating a significant risk of violent crime. Property crime is also a notable concern.
Recent events have added layers of complexity. Protests in July 2026 highlighted local concerns about government agreements potentially increasing crime. Furthermore, the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025 means that some areas may still be experiencing infrastructure disruptions, impacting services and potentially safety. The U.S. Embassy's decision to authorize departures of non-emergency personnel in October 2025 underscores the severity of conditions following the hurricane.
Travelers should prioritize safety by avoiding walking alone, especially after dark. Utilizing reputable taxi services or pre-arranged transportation is strongly advised. It is crucial to remain aware of your surroundings and refrain from displaying valuables. Staying informed about local conditions and any ongoing recovery efforts post-hurricane will also be beneficial for a safer visit.
Was this Kingston, Jamaica report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 7 Kingston districts for visitors: 2 safer, 2 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Kingston safety map.
Downtown KingstonavoidHigh crime rates, particularly after dark; avoid unless necessary and with extreme caution.
August TownavoidKnown for high crime rates and gang activity.
Trench TownavoidHistorically associated with high crime and social issues.
Half-Way-TreecautionA busy commercial hub; exercise caution due to crowds and potential for petty crime.
East KingstoncautionSome areas are safe, but others have higher crime rates; be aware of your surroundings.
New KingstonsaferGenerally considered safe for tourists, with good infrastructure and security.
LiguaneasaferA well-developed area with commercial and residential zones, generally safe.
07 · After Dark
60% of people in Jamaica say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
High rates of violent crime and a high homicide rate mean a significant risk of mugging and armed robbery, particularly after dark and in less populated areas.
After dark, be most careful around Downtown Kingston, August Town, Trench Town, Half-Way-Tree. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Kingston requires a high degree of caution due to significant crime rates and the impact of recent natural disasters. While Kingston has areas where visitors can feel safe, particularly during the day, the city faces challenges with high rates of violent crime and property crime. Recent hurricanes have also impacted infrastructure and recovery efforts, potentially affecting safety and services. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Kingston report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Field research flags Downtown Kingston, August Town, Trench Town as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Kingston ranks #1 of 6 Jamaica destinations we've assessed, scoring 61/100. See the Jamaica safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: kingston.json (CC BY 4.0).
