Can I just say SMH while reading this thread? I am very offended for some of my friends.
Where to start: I can only use myself experience as knowledge being it the only first hand I have. I readily admit I do not use good judgement as far as safety and precautions while in Jamaica. That being said I walk the streets and back streets and west end in all hours of the night, go clubbing alone and go in anywhere invited by locals solo.
OMG this part blows my mind it ha sto be addressed but I absolutely absolutely use kind and polite manners ( No thank you) at all times aside from a little sarcasm mixed in ( Mi Nah need nah big bamboo mi got batteries) to all Jamaicans even the pushy ones as I am a visitor in their country, yes I am giving my tourism dollars but they could get those just as easy by robbing me. All tourists have to remember they are allowing us safe travels there this is a privilege. I make friends with the drug dealers and pimps and hustlers and honestly these are the best friends to have because characters that see you are in with other less than savory folks are really going to leave you alone if they have any undesirable thoughts because they are afraid of what harm will come to them if they harm you, as Jamaicans do not like other Jamaicans who commit crimes on tourists. Check youtube and see what happens to Jamaicans seen robbing other ones plenty of tourists have videotaped what they have seen in disbelief.
There are far more good folks than bad. I have never had a single moment I questioned my safety in Negril other than once with a US tourist and a few Jamaicans present for that offered to handle it.
Ofcourse if I were to give good judgement safety advice it would be; Stay at a hotel with good security ( get recommendations or ask on this same board). Do take taxi's on west end at night as the roads themselves are unsafe to walk on in dark. Do not flash easily grabbable items or lots of cash( would you leave cheese on livingroom floor if you had seen even 1 mouse by front door earlier). Do not carry more cash then necessary if you run out cab fare is very cheap easy to go back to room and get more from safe.
NEVER walk unlit beach areas with small groups in the middle of night, take the road. You are only asking for trouble. Feel free to stroll in front of your hotel or even further if it's lit and there is security but there are many vacant properties along main beach and this is where the unsavory folks would be at this time of day.
