Thread: Jamaica Safety

Ocha Rios ....is this place safe to visit, have been reading that the crime is really bad here.
What safe things are there to do...

Contrary to what you've read, Ocho Rios is fine. Yes, there can be problems if you go off the beaten path, but the same thing can be said with just about anywhere in the world. We have been there on many occasions and have never had any problems, and we've traveled around the island alot.

With that said, Dunns River Falls is a popular place to visit. There's also Margaritaville right at the pier. The shopping area, the Taj Mahal, is only a couple of blocks away from the pier and is gated, so the locals are not allowed in there and is safe. You can also go to an all-inclusive resort for a day - they have some wonderful resorts there and we have gone to several of them.

Keep in mind that if it were not safe, the cruise lines would not go there. But you do have to take certain precautions as you would in any place. You're not going to be walking down the street and get mugged!

One thing you do have to get when you're in Jamaica is Jablum (Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee). It is wonderful!!

Pete

In the past several years Jamaica has made a huge effort to change its image ... per all of the Come Back to Jamaica commercials.

Must be working!

We were in Ocho Rios in both February and March of this year and felt totally safe! These were the first times EVER we've been to Ocho Rios and no one tried to sell us drugs either time.

Originally Posted by LuLu

We were in Ocho Rios in both February and March of this year and felt totally safe! These were the first times EVER we've been to Ocho Rios and no one tried to sell us drugs either time.

I am Jamaican and proud. However consider yourself lucky. It's a Bud called Herb that grows like Weed. It's thought of more of a Herb than a drug. Given in tea when you are ill, place in rum for sore joint, grows in your neighbors back yard like a plant, often NOT smoked outside of the Rastaferians or wannabes. As for the brownies, most of us don't have a sweet tooth. If anyone is in any shape or form, offended at the thought of being offered it, Jamaica is NOT for you. Similar if you were uncomfortable being surrounded by food (my friend) cruising is NOT for you.

That being said, Ocho Rios for a tourist is safe. Use common sense and and the worse thing that will happen is someone will offer something you have NO interest in. Say NO and keep moving. Sometimes No to the locals (me) means, you did not hear me. They can be pushy but most are the poorest in the country. If you are a guy, tell them your wife will kill you. They understand the warth of an angry women. DH hasn't bought anything in years :-)
All else fail, tell them that you are Canadians or British. They beleive Americans on vacation are rich.

The crime rate is shamefully high among locals but mostly in Kingston. This is an area NOT visited by many toursits and even locals like myself.

There are two sorts of people who talk about Jamaica, basically those who love her & those who don't. We went for a holiday not a quick cruise ship visit, we travelled as much as we felt we could as a family but did not feel safe enough to do a great deal more than we did. Vendors were a problem compared to other islands due to the "up front" character of the people, this can be misconstrued as aggression (& sometimes is!) very pushy. They pop up anywhere....literally, in the street on the beach, in attractions, even shop assistants. I know they are just trying to earn a living but it was most off putting. This is an island where you should exercise caution when venturing out alone & going off the beaten track is not advisable in my opinion. In the interests of fairness my visit was about 20 years ago & things change, but I think not that much.

Originally Posted by johnthed0g

. In the interests of fairness my visit was about 20 years ago & things change, but I think not that much.

A lot has changed but as a local I think NOT for the better. The country has since being polluted with tourists from mega resorts (Riu, Palladium, Secrets, Balia Principle, all with accommodation in the thousands) and mega cruise ships. Next docking Oasis of the Seas with over 5,000 passengers. You will find an underlining resentment and fear among many Jamaicans, like myself or even tourist of years ago, who fear the island will loose it natural beauty and be another Cancun.

If you were in Jamaica 20 years ago, for more than 6 hours, ventured out, then you have seen the island and her people for what they are. Some are extremely friendly, many extremely poor, most extremely pushy and upfront, but majority in the tourist area won't hurt hurt you but will bug the cr@ap out of you. Use the precaution you would going in any major city. If you would not go off the beaten path in Chicago, New York, San Fransisco, then don't do it in Jamaica unless you are looking for weed. You don't have to go searching for that, just inhale really hard

Jamaica and her people are about passion and they bring out the Love or Hate in many tourists. It's not for everyone and hope it will never be for everyone. I am as delighted for people who stay on the ship as I am for those who venture out as long as they don't forget common sense, the way they sometimes forget Tip, and a nice outfit for formal night. Wow, I just covered TIP, Safety, Smoking, and Dress code. Iree Mon!

We were there for two weeks & intended to hire a car but even the Virgin Rep advised against it! I also misjudged the size of the island. We stayed at Shaw park near Ochos Rios, we visited the Falls, Carinosa & Shaw park Gardens that I recall. At the mouth of, was it the White river? nearby there were a load of guys who everyone seemed terrified of & they just did what they liked. We had a good look round Jamaica Inn next door, very nice. I am aware that the growth of the AI resort is not popular on the island, & some also resent cruise ships bringing an great many visitors, don't these ships also bring income to the islands?

[quote=johnthed0g;1576751]We were there for two weeks & intended to hire a car but even the Virgin Rep advised against it! I also misjudged the size of the island. We stayed at Shaw park near Ochos Rios, we visited the Falls, Carinosa & Shaw park Gardens that I recall. At the mouth of, was it the White river? nearby there were a load of guys who everyone seemed terrified of & they just did what they liked. We had a good look round Jamaica Inn next door, very nice. I am aware that the growth of the AI resort is not popular on the island, & some also resent cruise ships bringing an great many visitors, don't these ships also bring income to the islands?[/quote]

Yeah but unfortunately the ones who benefit the most are the corrupt/sellout government and the larger businesses often partially owned by foreign investors. Many Jamaicans get by with remittance, people like me living abroad and send monthly checks back. The only time you will know for sure the needy gets your money is when you buy the bracelet or get your hair braided. Jamaica might not be poular on travel forums but a day in Ocho Rios tells another story. Days I no longer enjoy, simply too much.

How 'bout Mo' bay? We are stopping there later in the year.

Originally Posted by johnthed0g

How 'bout Mo' bay? We are stopping there later in the year.

For a nice beach day, Doctors Cove beach. It's a short ride from port and you won't be bothered so much by hustlers. Resort Day - Sunset Beach and Spa. It's all you can eat and drink, water park, off beach snorkeling, topless and a secluded Au Natural beach.
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With all the problems and issues (a lot) Jamaica is safe for a tourist. Whether or not one feels safe is a different issue. The pushiness of many/most/majority of Jamaicans (me too) rub some people wrong. Pushiness is to Jamaicans as political correctness is to Americans. Many Jamaicans (myself included) do not trust some Americans because we believe they don't always say what they mean. That is worst then being poor, hungry, and naked.