Travelers to the Bahamas and Jamaica urged to exercise caution due to high crime rates
The U.S. State Department has warned travelers to the Bahamas and Jamaica to exercise extreme caution due to high rates of crime.
Extreme caution advised for travelers to the Bahamas and Jamaica
The U.S. State Department has issued advisories urging travelers to two popular stops with various cruise lines, the Bahamas and Jamaica, to show extreme caution due to high rates of crime.
The advisory for Jamaica warns that access to medical care may be spotty, and the State Department advises travelers to reconsider their plans. Meanwhile, a Level Two warning has been issued for the Bahamas, urging travelers to exercise extreme caution.
The advisory for the Bahamas highlights crime issues in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Violent crimes such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults occur in both areas. Visitors are advised to be vigilant, particularly when staying at short-term vacation rentals where private security companies may not be present. The advisory also warns against answering the door at hotel/residence unless familiar with the person and not resisting any robbery attempts.
Specific areas of concern
Most of the crime in the Bahamas occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands. The State Department advises visitors to be particularly vigilant in the 'Over the Hill' area in Nassau, where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate. The Level Two advisory for the Bahamas was issued on January 26.
In Jamaica, the Level Three advisory recommends that travelers reconsider their plans. The advisory highlights common violent crimes such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides. It also points out that local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents, and arrests are rarely prosecuted to conclusive sentences. The advisory was issued on January 23.
Additional concerns and recommendations
In addition to the high crime rates, travelers to both countries should be aware of other concerns. In the Bahamas, the State Department warns that public hospitals often lack resources to provide high-level or specialized care, while private hospitals require upfront payment.
Travelers to Jamaica are advised to avoid walking or driving at night, public buses, secluded places or situations, and to keep a low profile. As with the Bahamas, medical care in Jamaica can be problematic with under-resourced public hospitals and upfront payment requirements in private hospitals.
