Spring Travel Advisory if You Are Heading to the Islands
This is the time of year when people are super excited about planning their spring vacations. I find people are especially excited to go to an island where they can see plenty of sunshine since New Jersey had such a wet and gloomy winter! My family and I love taking cruises to the islands and then taking tours around the islands. Unfortunately, some island travel comes with a warning. Even the cruise lines heading to Jamaica and the Bahamas have to rethink what tours their guests should be taking or not taking once they arrive in port. I was surprised to find that, despite the travel advisory, the country had a huge increase in tourists in the previous year. Cruise arrivals alone increased by 48.3%.
Important Update: Travel Advisory for Jamaica and Bahamas
The U.S. State Department issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica. There are four levels of advisory with Level 4 being the worse. Since issuing a Level 3, they’re suggesting travelers think twice about going there. These concerns are mainly because of concerns about “crime and medical services.” After researching the concerns, I found that crime is being zoomed in on the tourists. Of course, we seem to be the target.
The advisory says there are common issues with violent crimes in Jamaica, like home invasions, robberies, and sexual assaults. Yes, you even need to worry if you are booked at places like “all-inclusive resorts.” According to The U.S. State Department, some of these crimes were committed by resort staff. That is very scary since I always trust the staff! The homicide rate in Jamaica is reported to be one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere – that should be enough to get us to change our plans!
Some Travel Tips:
- If you’re planning to go, get travel insurance because U.S. health insurance may not be accepted.
- Medical services might not be available, so be cautious.
- Tips for travelers include avoiding public buses, staying away from secluded places, and not walking or driving at night.
Comparison with the Bahamas:
This advisory for Jamaica comes after a Level 2 advisory was issued for the Bahamas. According to CBS , the concerns in the Bahamas are about crime rates. Travelers were advised to “exercise increased caution” in the area and the water, especially when it comes to recreational water activities. Yes, you can get attacked in the water by more than a big shark.
So, while the idea of a spring vacation in Jamaica to the Bahamas sounds amazing, let’s stay safe and listen to the travel advisories and take necessary precautions.
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