Is Jamaica Safe for Tourists?

Derived from an Arawakan word which means “Land of Wood and Water,” Jamaica is a popular Caribbean destination known for its beautiful rivers, lush rainforests, stunning beaches, vibrant culture and warm hospitality. While Jamaica is a tourist hotspot, like any other travel destination, it’s essential to be mindful of safety concerns in order to ensure a secure and enjoyable trip, especially if you’re traveling solo! With that said, today I sat down with solo traveler Amanda of Amanda’s 876 Adventures to find out if Jamaica is safe for tourists + get some great tips for tourists traveling to Jamaica.

TL;DR: Yes, Jamaica is safe for tourists with a 0.01% chance of visitors ever experiencing any crime here!

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Like me, Amanda is a medical doctor and true adventurer at heart. She loves nature, food and visiting new places, especially waterfalls! She’s an extrovert but enjoys her alone time too. Amanda dreams of traveling the world but decided to start with exploring her island home. “Whenever I see or hear of a new spot and want to go, oftentimes I plan a day trip with friends or family. But you know, sometimes life happens and when it’s the day of the trip I realize it’s just me.” Instead of postponing her enjoyment, she did what true travelers do: go alone! “Life is not promised to us tomorrow so once I want to go somewhere, I’m going to go as there’s no time like the present!” That’s how Amanda’s solo travels began and these adventures have given her plenty of stories to share on her successful YouTube channel. She also started a travel company to help both solo and group adventurers explore the best of what the island has to offer! With that said, here is Amanda’s advice to help you stay safe while traveling in Jamaica.

Five Safety Tips for Foreigners in Jamaica

1. #1 safety tip : Do your research!

2. Get a local tour guide/transportation. A lot of persons may rent cars and drive themselves around the island. However, if they are not familiar with the island they may get lost as GPS has a tendency of leading persons astray here. Also, Jamaica, as with everywhere else, has a driving culture with which, if you’re not familiar, can be a lot… plus we drive on the left side of the road and many tourists are not used to that. Lastly, always remember to toot your horn when going around a corner if you’re driving in the hills. Hazard lights are a must if you need to slow suddenly or stop.

3. Before booking a hotel, Airbnb or villa, do your research on the neighbourhood & read the reviews. Recently I’ve had some clients reach out to me and they had booked Airbnbs in some not-so-safe communities. While it may be affordable, it might not be worth it.

4. Don’t travel with too much cash but be sure to have some cash. Here in Jamaica we don’t have Cash App, Venmo or Zelle & sometimes individuals forget to inform their banks that they’re traveling and so the card gets blocked. Also, many stalls and shops in Jamaica still only accept cash. Cash is king in Jamaica. P.S. US dollars are accepted alongside local currency at many establishments in Jamaica.

5. Always abide by the safety rules of the facilities you visit. Don’t try any stunts when driving the ATV or riding the horses. If you can’t swim or you’re not a strong swimmer, please wear the life jacket provided!

Is It Safe to Travel Alone in Jamaica?

“I personally have never felt unsafe traveling in Jamaica, maybe because I’m from the island and I know where to & where not to go as well as how to properly vet an area. Whenever I’m going to a new waterfall and am in the vicinity of its location, I’ll ask persons in the community for guidance or even ask them to come along… some might think it’s strange but I’m a good judge of character. Also, as an additional safety measure when I travel solo, I tend to share my live location with a family member.

Safety Advice for LGBTQ+ Travelers to Jamaica

“Jamaica often gets labelled as homophobic or “not gay friendly”, but that reputation is fast changing. Jamaicans are still more receptive of female same-sex couples than male same-sex couples or the transgendered community, but it’s still quite safe to visit Jamaica even if you fall into that demographic. In fact, members of the LGBTQ+ community have been apart of my clientele. My #1 recommendation is to hire a tour guide as an experienced guide will know where to and where not to take you as a gay traveler to Jamaica.” I’d also add to skip the PDA and you’ll be fine, even without a local guide.

Tell Us More About Amanda’s 876 Adventures

“Amanda’s 876 Adventures officially launched in June 2022 and actually goes hand in hand with my YouTube channel which began in 2020. I started my YouTube channel to encourage and educate people on the diversity of travel in Jamaica, as well as to share safety tips, directions, what to avoid, where to eat etc. As my audience grew, I found that a lot of persons from abroad were reaching out and asking me if I offer tours. Initially, I said no but after a while I decided that I’m going to give this a shot & now here I am.

Amanda’s 876 Adventures can help you plan a solo trip to Jamaica!

“Once anyone is with me, I take good care of them. Safety is always the top priority! Yes, we want to have a good time but we have to ensure that we are safe. The first step is ensuring that we are equipped with all we need & that the venues to which I bring my clients are safe as well. I also pay keen attention to the weather because oftentimes the excursions I offer are outdoors and as such, I may adjust my tours if the weather isn’t favourable.

Find TripAdvisor reviews of Amanda’s 876 Adventures here.

Amanda’s Top Travel Recommendations in Jamaica

• Visit one of our amazing waterfalls. We have numerous waterfalls in Jamaica (not just Dunn’s River) and yes, all of them are natural. This is by far one of my most favourite things about Jamaica.
• Try the bamboo rafting as this is a very unique excursion to our island, unlike ATVs, parasailing, jet skis etc. which can be found in other countries.
• Also, you definitely need to try the local cuisine and I’d recommend the curry goat.

Wrap Up

Do you feel a bit safer now in planning a trip to Jamaica? I sure do hope so. Feel free to ask questions in the comments section, or share additional safety tips for foreign travelers to Jamaica in the comments section below. If you’d like to keep in touch with Amanda, get in touch with her here:

• Website: amandas876adventures.com
• Instagram: @amandas876adventures
• YouTube: @amandas876adventures
• Email: info@amandas876adventures.com
• WhatsApp: 1(876)382-1992

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