US issues Travel Advisory for Jamaica (FALSE)

[captaind & Linston]

Rob,

Thanks for putting a logical view here.

I've done a full search and there is no such warning on any US or Canadian official web site

Cap

[Chris B]

To follow up on Rob's post, I did my own diligence and found that there is no such advisory on the websites for the State Dept or the U.S. Embassy/Kingston. Still going to rely on common sense here.

[rooster]

I as well won't take lite of these incidents in the beach area...I've only stayed in the cliffs for my 22 year visits & visit the beach everyday...never ever has there been an issue while walking around the West End restaurants & bars at night..I'm from Chicago...& won't walk the Lake front at night ever..unfortunately that's the world we live in.

[Captain Oil]

Thank you Rob for clearing up the "travel advisory" story. As usual, you are the calm voice in the storm of internet blather.

Now for a REAL and scary travel advisory, read this one from the US State Department concerning Mexico. Last updated in December 2014

http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...l-warning.html

[RyanP]

Thank you Rob for clearing up the "travel advisory" story. As usual, you are the calm voice in the storm of internet blather.

Now for a REAL and scary travel advisory, read this one from the US State Department concerning Mexico. Last updated in December 2014

http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...l-warning.html

Forever, there have been warnings for Mexico, but those warnings have never extended down into the tourist zone of Cancun, Cozumel, etc. If you have enjoyed visiting Ciudad Juarez, in the past, then I would pay a little closer attention to that advisory.

[RyanP]

Hey, Rob. Thanks for looking into this. I was merely passing along what I thought was useful information from another Negril enthusiast site. It was not my intention to mislead anyone on the board. I guess the writer of this article finds it entertaining to exaggerate and embellish an already sensitive subject. I hope the figures mentioned in the article are fabricated, as well. I have no issue with you deleting this entire thread, if you feel it has no place on the board.

[Kahuna3]

I as well won't take lite of these incidents in the beach area...I've only stayed in the cliffs for my 22 year visits & visit the beach everyday...never ever has there been an issue while walking around the West End restaurants & bars at night.

That's exactly how I felt too - until I was robbed.

Usually there isn't a problem until there is one. When things go south, it happens very quickly, so don't be complacent just because nothing has happened to you. Tourists ARE being accosted, threatened and robbed in Negril, there is no denying it.

You can make whatever arguments you want to try and soften the facts - ie: per capita comparisons, 'it happens everywhere', etc. But the fact is - it IS happening and it will continue to happen until strong action is take to rout the criminals. But I never see police on the beach at night.

I've noticed a definite change in the famous Negril 'vibe'. It changes for the worse when the sun goes down.

There is a new generation of aggressive 'ganja sellers' and 'rum beggars' on the beach at night now. I don't like their in-your-face approach, nor the look in their eyes.

I rarely venture out at night when I'm alone anymore. I don't want to run the gauntlet. Call it self-preservation intuition.

[BostonBob]

I remember early eighties people said to me that Jamaica was dangerous they had heard and I would counter that it was limited to Kingston where there was political unrest but not over the rest of the island. I would say to people that my impression and experience has been that the Jamaicans regarded tourism as critical to their economic well being and that no Jamaican would allow another to mess with the tourists. I saw examples of that, albeit minor incidents where the Jamaican acting up was scolded by others without hesitation. I still believe that is generally the reality. I have walked everywhere and into the hills and have been treated better than I deserve. I think the Jamaicans work very hard to lookout for us. Not putting my head in the sand on the real dangers that lurk everywhere but I do put a lot of faith in the locals to watch out for me. It is my job to watch out for me but the added sense of assurance I feel is a well deserved compliment fir for our friends, in Negril. Just my view on things and I appreciate all the other points of view expressed.

[Jaherring]

The being robbed at gunpoint is what bothers me. Not something I want to worry about while relaxing on vacation. I work hard for my time off every year.

[Mike_D]

The being robbed at gunpoint is what bothers me. Not something I want to worry about while relaxing on vacation. I work hard for my time off every year.

This is the kind of news that concerns me, as well. Were the tourists robbed while in their hotel room or lounging on the beach? Or did it happen while they were walking up a lane or staying in a house off the the main roads? If it's the latter, I would not be so worried as I generally don't do those things. In fact, boardies have been warning about these situations for years, so I know to be cautious. So far, everything I have read about any recent robberies has been hearsay, so all I can do is sit back and wait for some real confirmation and useful detail. And continue to be cautious as always.