Published: December 3, 2024
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Jamaica Travel Advisory and Jamaica Country Information Page.
Embassy Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Kingston: 142 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6
Tel: +876-702-6000
Hours: Monday-Friday 0715-1600
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
Contact OSAC’s Americas team with any questions.
Jamaica Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication indicates that travelers should reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime and medical services.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kingston as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Jamaica, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
From January 1 to November 30, 2024, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) reported 1,060 murders, which is 17.7% less than the same period in 2023. This follows a decline from 2022 to 2023, where homicides declined by 7.8%. However, Jamaica's per capita murder rate is still amongst the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Other crimes the JCF classifies as “serious” showed significant declines in 2023. These declines have continued in 2024 with a 10.1% decrease in shootings, 25.1 % decrease in rape, 19.7% decrease in robbery, and a slight 1.6% decrease in break-ins. Overall, reporting of serious crimes decreased 13.9% for this period from 2023 to 2024.
Starting in 2017, the Government of Jamaica declared States of Emergency (SOEs) and Zones of Special Operations in high-crime communities throughout Jamaica. Under the SOE, security forces deployed to address organized crime, including gang violence related to drug and gun trafficking and lottery scams. The Emergency Powers Act allowed security forces to detain and deport suspicious persons, to enter premises and seize property without a warrant, and declare curfews. Presently there are no more SOEs in effect.
On June 13, 2024, the House of Representatives approved an extension of 180 days to the ZOSO effective June 26, 2024. The current list of ZOSO includes Denham Town, West Kingston; Norwood and Mount Salem, St. James; Greenwich Town, Parade Gardens and August Town in St. Andrew; and Savanna-la-Mar, in Westmoreland. Within the ZOSOs, crime has been trending downwards.
In Kingston, Embassy personnel reside in several housing compounds employing 24/7 armed guards. Residences must adhere to security standards for a critical-threat crime environment including window grilles, alarm systems, and a safe room.
Gangs are a major security issue and account for over 60% of the island’s homicides. While there is no evidence to indicate criminals and gang-related activities specifically target U.S. citizens for violent crime, U.S. citizens are the prime targets for financial “lottery scams” in which scammers lead victims to believe they have won a drawing or lottery, but the cash or prizes will not be released without upfront payment of fees or taxes. Scammers frequently target the elderly or those with disposable income and operate predominantly from the north coast near the tourist areas. Those organizing scams may obtain personal information of tourists and use it to conduct their operations.
The U.S. Embassy in Kingston maintains several areas as off-limits to its personnel due to high levels of crime.
St. Ann Parish: Steer Town and the Buckfield and Clark’s Town are off limits areas.
St. Catherine Parish: Off limits areas include Spanish Town and Central Village. Additionally, areas within Portmore including Old Braeton, Naggo Head, Newlands, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, and Waterford are off limits.
Clarendon Parish: The entire parish is off-limits, although personnel may pass through Clarendon parish using the T1 and A2 highways.
St. Elizabeth’s Parish: Do not travel to Vineyard District Community, between the communities of Salt Spring and Burnt Savanna, St. Elizabeth.
Hanover Parish: Do not travel to Logwood and Orange Bay.
St. James Parish: Do not travel to all of Montego Bay on the inland side of the A1 highway and The Queen’s Drive from San San to Harmony Beach Park. The downtown “Hip Strip” of bars, clubs, and vendors in Montego Bay is an area where tourists should remain aware of pickpockets and theft.
Kingston and St. Andrew Parish: Do not travel to Cassava Piece, Grants Pen, Standpipe, Swallowfield, Elleston Flats, and August Town. Also do not travel to downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Road. Downtown Kingston includes Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.
Manchester Parish: Do not travel to Green Vale, Gray Ground and Red Ground.
St. Thomas Parish: Do not travel to Blacksmith Lane, Seaforth, Grands Pen, and Church Corner.
Trelawney Parish: Do not travel to Clarks Town.
Westmorland Parish: Do not travel to the following areas: Whitehall, Bethel Town, Grange Hill, Kings Valley, and Red Ground.
Travelers must pass through the Red-Zone to access Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport (KIN). The approved routes are South Camp Road and Mountain View Avenue. The Embassy does not require employees to request permission to travel to KIN using either of these approved routes. All other travel to off-limits areas requires pre-approval from the Regional Security Office.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Jamaica.
Kidnappings are rare in Jamaica.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kingston as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Jamaica.
While there are no known extremist groups active in Jamaica, the prevalence of U.S. and other Western tourists could make the country an attractive target for potential terrorists.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Kingston as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Jamaica. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Jamaica is a constitutional parliamentary democracy. Its political system is stable, and the country has a history of peaceful transfers of power between the two political parties, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP). In September 2020 national elections, the JLP won 48 of the 63 seats in the House of Representatives. International and local election observers deemed the elections transparent, free, fair, and generally peaceful. Jamaica’s next general election is constitutionally due by September 2025.
Protests & Demonstrations
Protests and demonstrations can be unpredictable. Although protests and demonstrations are infrequent in Kingston, they do occur and on rare occasions become confrontational and escalate into violence. In these cases, the protest activities include roadblocks, throwing rocks, burning tires and vehicles, and some degree of physical violence between law enforcement and protesters. The U.S. Embassy and U.S. interests within the community are not immune to the effects of these protests, but are generally not direct targets.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Jamaica, indicating that demonstrations, protests, and/or strikes do not occur frequently, and/or that local law enforcement has the ability to respond adequately.
However, Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Jamaicans are accustomed to the presence of U.S. travelers and residents, and exhibit little to no anti-U.S. sentiment.
Law Enforcement
The National Security Ministry is the bureaucratic home of the Jamaican Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaican Defense Force (JDF), and directs policy over the security forces. The prime minister is the de facto defense minister and has authority over the Jamaican Defense Board. As chairman of the board, he has responsibility for defense-related matters including command, discipline, and administration.
The JCF is the country’s police force. It has primary responsibility for internal security and has units for community policing, special response, intelligence gathering, and internal affairs. When the prime minister and Parliament declare a state of emergency, the JDF has arrest authority and operational partnership alongside the JCF.
The Passport, Immigration, and Citizenship Agency has responsibility for migration. Jamaican police officers have received extensive training from the United States and other international trainers, including the United Kingdom, Russia, China, Canada, and South Korea.
Police Response
Local police assistance is available throughout the country. A shortage of personnel, training, vehicles, and resources can hinder police support for foreign victims of crime. Police do not usually mistreat victims of crime, but response times, investigation techniques, evidence collection, and the arrest/conviction rates of suspects are below the standards found in U.S. police departments.
Investigations of rape and sexual assault can be particularly inadequate, as rape kits are not always available. Victims must often ask for medication to avoid STD transmission and reduce the chances of pregnancy. Prosecution of rape cases moves very slowly, and foreign victims may need to return to Jamaica during the legal process.
Some civilians fear that the authorities cannot protect them from organized criminal elements because they suspect authorities are colluding with criminals, leading them to avoid giving evidence or witness testimony. Those in some marginalized communities are often indifferent to police authority, adding to a perceived sense of lawlessness. Reporting a crime is often a lengthy process that some see as frustratingly bureaucratic.
Those involved in a traffic accident or victimized by crime may have to accompany the investigating police officer to the local police station to file a complaint or respond to questions. Should you require a police report for an insurance claim, the police will charge a nominal fee. Should you require a police report for an insurance claim, complaint must pay a fee at the Tax Administration Department as required by law, before obtaining the police report.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Jamaica, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Jamaica.
De facto impunity for security forces is a problem, since cases against officers are infrequently recommended for criminal trial or see substantial procedural delays. Charges against members of the security forces often take years to process, primarily due to investigatory backlogs, trial delays, and appellate measures.
The constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention but allows arrest if there is “reasonable suspicion of a person having committed or about to commit a criminal offense.” The law provides for the right of any person to challenge in court the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention, and the government generally observes these requirements.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government generally did not implement the law effectively. There were numerous reports of government corruption, and corruption was a significant problem of public concern. Media and civil society organizations criticized the government for being slow and at times reluctant to prosecute corruption cases.
Cybersecurity
Scams originating in Jamaica regularly defraud U.S. and other foreign nationals via Internet contacts they thought were their friends or loved ones. These schemes include online dating services, inheritance notices, work permits/job offers, bank overpayments, non-existent BTA airline boarding fees, adoption of children and even the appearance that you are helping a friend in trouble.
Import/Export Restrictions
Jamaica strictly forbids importing or possessing firearms without prior authorization from the Firearms Licensing Authority of Jamaica. A U.S. concealed carry permit does not allow you to bring a firearm or ammunition into Jamaica. If you bring a firearm, firearm components, firearm parts, or ammunition (even a single bullet) to Jamaica, you will face arrest and prosecution. This will result in a large fine and/or incarceration for an unspecified amount of time. Bringing mace, pepper spray, or knives into Jamaica without authorization will also lead to arrest.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
