Beyond its gated villas and luxury developments, Jamaica is far from being an immaculate, trouble-free paradise, so much so that this week, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced a new State of Emergency (SOE) in nine of out of 14 parishes, or 64.29% of the country, including . Im sure they will try to keep you within Negril if at all possible. Jamaicas healthcare system may not be to the same standards and efficiency that travelers from North America or Europe may be accustomed to. If testing positive, you would need to quarantine for 14 days, self-isolated in accommodations in Jamaica, at your own expense (unless quarantine is already included in your resort package). Hi, I am travelling to Jamaica on December 1st from the UK. Licensed accommodations and attractions located outside the resilient corridors that are certified as COVID-19 protocol compliant could eventually also accept guests. The St. James Parishs state of emergency will now last until May 2 according to a resolution by the Jamaican House of Representatives. This post about Japan, Read More Japan travel restrictions Summer 2023: What travelers need to knowContinue, At Intentional Travelers, we believe travel can be transformational. Hi Im also from Canada wondering the same thing! Its all very confusing and stressful at the same time!! March 15, 2022 Ke, American visitor: We arrived yesterday and were shocked by the amount of people arriving at the same time!! Also known as the home of reggae, dub, and ska. Thank you so much in advance for your response. If traveling for business, you would be tested upon arrival and then under stay at intended address for business measures. Suggested: Best beaches in Jamaica to Visit in 2022. Research your accommodations and make sure that they are secure and that doors and windows are locked at all times. With ever-changing travel restrictions, rules, and concerns surrounding COVID-19, our goal is to help you make informed decisions about where, when, and how to travel in this new world of ours. We have seen many reports that a regular nose swab test at any CLIA registered lab, including Walgreens and CVS, have been accepted for entry to Jamaica. According to the update released by the Jamaica Information Service, the requirement to obtain a COVID-19 pre-test within three days prior to travel will be effective until April 15, 2022. My question is about the covid test requirements. Despite what people may say, the possession and/or use of narcotics such as cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy are illegal in Jamaica and are subject to criminal and civil penalties. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. Thank you Michelle for your reply. Our travel experts have rounded up the most pressing safety concerns and mistakes to avoid making on your visit. Empty seats on plane so plenty of space. The most active months are September and October, so avoid traveling to the island during that time. Telling people the day youre going to change money. That being said, some resorts may have limited hours on some amenities. Jamaica never sleeps. But temperatures make a difference in the best times to go during . Jamaica Travel Advisory - Daily | Travel-Advisory.info Book shared hotel transfer from MBJ airport here > Book private hotel transfer from MBJ to Ocho Rios resorts here >. The Canadian governmentwarns its citizens that there have been cases where foreign women were assaulted by locals, fellow tourists, and even resort staff. Is it safe to travel to Jamaica right now? There are too many other neighborhoods to avoid to list here, so search for a detailed list before you go. Or will it be slow. I can say that 1) Jamaica typically has a high warning level from the State Department (due to crime) even before Covid so Level 3 is not unusual, and 2) so far, the biggest surge in cases in Jamaica was due to the Delta variant rather than any increase in visitation. pay for content, product research, guides, and more). Coming from the United States, are we going to be required to get tested again (even if we have the recent test results) thus forcing us to quarantine until results come back? I plan to possibly travel from Costa Rica to Jamaica but only for 3-5 days. Police cleared less than half of rape cases in the past decade, a situation that local media called a rape crisis. While most cases of sexual assault affect local women, there have been cases of foreign tourists also falling victim to this crime. Other Island dont need one.so hoping thats the case for JA! The following are subjective opinions only. This applies to both PCR and antigen test. I will be traveling to Jamaica to visit family. Hello Ashfred, thanks for visiting our blog. 475. The four-tier travel advisory system was launched in January 2018 to better help American travelers identify high-risk travel areas and understand the precautions that they should take. This indicates that Americans should reconsider traveling to the country. Jamaica Travel Advisory | Safety Guide, Written by: Author Andrew Helling |Reviewed by: Editorial Team, Posted on Last updated: July 21, 2023 - Travellers Worldwide is reader-supported. Thats why we want to help you travel confidently, safely, and responsibly. If the hotel is saying that their facilities (including restaurants?) Would this sound about right? There is also a lot of mistrust in authorities to handle rape cases, and with good reason. Will a doctors note stating Im clear to travel and completed quarantine be sufficient or do I need a negative test? 8 Most Dangerous Countries In Latin America In 2023, According To GPI Data, 8 Best Underrated Places To Visit In Pennsylvania In 2023, 38 Best REMOTE JOBS Without Degree or Experience in 2023, How And When To Apply For Canadian Digital Nomad Visa, 31 Best Paying REMOTE JOBS 2023 and How To Get Them, Fatal Bear Encounter Near Yellowstone Claims Womans Life, These 10 U.S. States Report High Passport Delays This Summer, Why Are So Many Travelers Flocking To Cayman Islands In Summer 2023, This Secret Caribbean Island Is Where Oppenheimer Chose To Hide From His Legacy, New Report Sheds Light On The Thriving Global Ecotourism Industry, most popular destinations for American vacationers, statement on the Jamaican governments website, TOP 10 Places For Digital Nomads To Live And Work In Mexico In 2023, 12 Best Hostels in Athens for Solo Travelers, Party or Chill in 2023, 8 Great Summer Weekend Getaways In Indiana For Summer 2023, This Beach Town Remains One Of The Last Affordable Vacation Destinations In The Caribbean, 12 Best Camping Sites in Colorado To Visit in 2023, Privacy Policy & Terms of Use & Editorial Policies. Canada and Australia advise their citizens to exercise high caution when visiting Jamaica instead of suggesting that they should reconsider travel. But that doesnt mean that all of Jamaica isnt safe. I feel 100% safer in Jamaica than I ever have in the US. It does specify that oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swabs can be done for PCR tests, or nasopharyngeal samples will be accepted for Antigen tests. With ever-changing travel restrictions and concerns surrounding COVID-19, our goal is to help you make informed decisions about where, when, and how to travel in this new world of ours. Do we have to fill out another travel authorization before heading to Hilton Hotel? Hi, Im scheduled to fly in April 3rd to Sangster. Thanks for visiting our blog. Violence and shootings occur regularly in the following areas: Areas of Clarendon Parish Level 4: Do Not Travel, Areas of Hanover Parish Level 4: Do Not Travel, Areas of Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Level 4: Do Not Travel, Areas of Montego Bay Level 4: Do Not Travel, Areas of St. Ann Parish Level 4: Do Not Travel, Areas of St. Catherine Parish Level 4: Do Not Travel, Areas of St. James Parish Level 4: Do Not Travel, Areas of Westmoreland Parish Level 4: Do Not Travel. They did a great job with sanitizing, social distancing, and masking and Im fully vaccinated and was really careful, but breakthrough cases can still happen. You can double-check the Pre-Departure and Arrival section on this page before your trip for countries prohibited within 14 days before visiting Jamaica: https://www.visitjamaica.com/travelauthorization/. Jamaicas face mask policy is no longer mandatory. The test is done at home, once I have done the test, I take a photograph of the results. Hi Molly. Quarantine is only required if you, or someone youre traveling with, tests positive for COVID. I appreciate your perspective and any advice you might want to share. February 2023 Bernadette of LiveARelaxedLife, American tourist: I visited Ocho Rios in Jamaica as part of a Caribbean cruise itinerary. Do you know if I can go out to eat after curfew? 21 things to know before traveling to Jamaica - Lonely Planet Is Jamaica Safe for Travel Everything You Need to Know (Updated 2023) Table Of Contents How Safe is it to travel to Jamaica? Your email address will not be published. The hotels have prepared their action plans and have identified facilities and areas at the hotel for persons that are tested positive for COVID 19. We havent been through the airport recently, but I do know that the highest number of arrivals through MBJ airport came over the December holidays. Im traveling to Mexico 1 week prior to traveling to Jamaica. The resilient corridor previously limited visitors to the North Coast (including Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Portland) and Milk River to Negril on the South Coast. We were planning on renting vacation apartments in Negril, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay over three weeks, maybe even tack on a stay at a resort at the end. Public transportation is available and masking on public transit is recommended. Whats next is difficult to predict. Surroundings are kept clean and the safety and health of the people comes first in Jamaica., S., Permanent resident, Kingston (June 2020) People were initially very concerned about Covid-19 but generally Id say weve relaxed quite a bit. Jamaica is one of the more affordable destinations in the Caribbean for tourists. Hi and thanks for visiting our blog. The one I still have is regarding transportation. As long as her Covid test is negative and she stays in the resilient corridor, she wouldnt need to quarantine. Licensed accommodations and attractions located outside the resilient corridors that are certified as COVID-19 protocol compliant may now accept guests. Daniel James Is Montego Bay safe for first-time travelers? These cookies do not store any personal information. Are we allowed to used an approved transport company to collect us from Kingston airport and take us to our hotel in Montego Bay? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Please note that mask wearing is compulsory and in some cases you will not be able to enter a facility without wearing one. I do not represent World Nomads. In nearly every store, restaurant, small business, we were required to use hand sanitizer (readily available at the site) and have our temperature taken prior to entry. Already before even completing the first six months of this year we have already received a combined 2 million stopover and cruise visitors with record earnings of US$2 billion, a whopping 18% above the 2019 earnings for the same time period. The agency issued a "do not travel to" warning for the Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas state because of violent crime. Is Negril safe? - Negril Forum - Tripadvisor So check with your hotel/villa and have a backup plan in case you test positive before your departure date.. Dunn's River Falls is one of Jamaica's most famous attractions. Visit this website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. Thanks for thoughtfully considering your travel choices! hi, I cant see any relevant comments regarding my questions unless im missing something? Gangs are behind many illegal activities, including arms trafficking, the drug trade to the United States and Canada, and other criminal activities such as organized lottery scams. Hello: Can a tourist to Jamaica fly into Kingston for 2 days and then travel to a hotel in the Resilient Corridor for vacation, without quarantine? Jamaica Declares State Of Emergency - Travel Off Path ), Can a friend pick me up on arrival in Montego Bay airport, or do I have to take other COVID certified transport. Avoid the following for extra safety during your trip to Jamaica. This Is Why Jamaica Is Still Safe Despite U.S. Safety Warnings Just remember that the curfew is at 9:00 pm so there is not much nightlife. Violent crimes typically dont involve tourists and can be avoided by staying away from certain parts of the cities and not going out after dark. Where can we find the High Risk list please? On the resort they serve you food and we wore our masks while up moving through the dining room. Private beaches within a resort would not have curfew restrictions. It says that only approved Jamaican transportation companies are permitted. The best times to visit Jamaica are late November through late April during the dry season. We are staying at Rooms on the Beach. There are exceptions in every setting. I hope that helps. There are a few reasons why Jamaica has such a high rate of criminal activity. Dont flash valuable objects such as jewelry or watches better yet, leave them at home to avoid tempting robbers. What is it like to visit Jamaica right now? Let us be your guide! Hi Jared. Face Masks Face coverings are encouraged in public places. The travel advisory is not necessarily overblown crime and safety issues are important to be aware of but its not a new warning and has not affected the countless majority of vacationers. Being a. See my site Policies Warning Issued for Popular Caribbean Cruise Destination In March of 2023, the Jamaican prime minister declared a state of emergencyin several parishes, including St. James Parish, which contains the popular tourist destination of Montego Bay. Most resorts are not at full capacity and its hard to say when this will change. Did cost $40, I heard some hotel provide for free. There are certainly safer countries to visit in terms of crime, especially if you hope to get outside the resort bubble or travel independent of package tours. How has the Coronavirus impacted Jamaica? I recommend asking the hotel where you wish to stay for vacation how you should proceed or see https://www.visitjamaica.com/travelauthorization/traveller-categories/ for details. January 2022 MK & OS, American travelers: We went to Jamaica for 5 days to spend New Years in Jamaica and return back to my site where I served in the Peace Corps several years ago. Jamaica Safe to Travel 2023 (2023) Wanderlust Travels I hope that helps. That is quite new and information on it is still limited. Hi and thanks for visiting our blog. We are using a One Day Pass to attend the wedding. Travelers who test positive for Covid-19 and have a departure flight before the quarantine period ends, may be released from isolation by a medical officer according to the rules of their country of destination and the airlines.