Jamaica

Recommended Vaccinations For Jamaica

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

The rabies vaccine is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into contact with bats.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission for travellers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Recommended Medications For Jamaica

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

There is a low risk for acquiring malaria in Kingston. The WHO and the US CDC do not recommend anti-malaria medication for Jamaica.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Jamaica

For Most Travellers

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks occur throughout Jamaica.

Hepatitis A

There is a high risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Jamaica through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Jamaica.

For Some Travellers

Zika Fever

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.

Rabies

Rabies may be present in bats.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in this country, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission for travellers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Safety & Security in Jamaica

Personal Safety

Jamaica has one of the highest violent crime rates in the Western Hemisphere. While violent crime has decreased since 2024, armed robbery and sexual assault remain common throughout the country. Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than inner city neighborhoods, but incidents do occur even at resorts. Criminals have targeted travelers at resorts, on beaches, and during transportation between locations. Drink spiking happens at various venues, including tourist resorts, and has led to assaults and robberies. Petty crime like pickpocketing and bag snatching is common in crowded areas and on public transportation. Robbery is the primary motive for most attacks on tourists. Criminals are frequently armed with firearms, and physical resistance during robbery attempts can result in serious injury or death. Police response to crimes can be slow, and cases are often not prosecuted to final verdicts. The government periodically implements states of emergency or zones of special operations in response to violence spikes, which can include curfews and enhanced security measures, though tourists are typically not affected by these.

Extreme Violence

Gang violence drives much of Jamaica’s extreme violence problem. The country has one of the worst organized crime rates in the Caribbean, with approximately 60% of gangs actively engaged in shootings, murders, car-jacking, robberies, extortion, and contract killings. Gang activities are primarily concentrated in Kingston, Montego Bay, and Spanish Town. Most violence stems from territorial disputes over drug trafficking, extortion, and community control rather than direct targeting of tourists. Firearms are widely available and used in most violent crimes. Jamaica reported 1,039 homicides by November 2024, though this represents an improvement from previous years. Gang conflicts and drug-related violence occasionally spill into areas where tourists are present. States of emergency are periodically declared in parishes including St. James (which contains Montego Bay) to address gang violence. Civilians, including women and children, have become collateral damage in gang crossfire. While tourists are not typically targets, being in the wrong place at the wrong time remains a risk. Gun violence and shootings occur primarily in inner city areas but have been reported in tourist zones.

Political Unrest

Jamaica maintains a stable democratic political system with orderly rotations of power. Political violence, once a defining feature of Jamaican politics through the 1980s, has declined significantly but has not disappeared entirely. The two main political parties, the Jamaica Labour Party and the People’s National Party, historically used gang affiliations to maintain political control in certain areas. Protests and demonstrations occur across Jamaica and can cause significant disruption to traffic and public transportation. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent, and large gatherings have the potential for disorder. Criminals sometimes use protests as cover for theft and robbery. Workers have staged strikes at public agencies over pay disputes. Civil society groups occasionally organize demonstrations on human rights issues. Local election delays have sparked some political tension. States of emergency are regularly implemented in response to crime spikes rather than political instability. The government periodically imposes curfews with little notice as temporary measures to address violence. Overall, political unrest does not pose a significant threat to travelers, though you should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place.

Areas To Avoid

Several areas in Jamaica are off-limits to U.S. embassy personnel and should be avoided. Spanish Town is considered one of the most dangerous areas in Jamaica, known as the valley of death due to high gang activity. In Kingston, avoid downtown areas between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, including Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens. Also avoid Cassava Piece, Duhaney Park, Grants Pen, Standpipe, Swallowfield, Elleston Flats, and August Town. The Mountain View route between Kingston and Norman Manley International Airport has seen sporadic violence, so use the Hummingbird route via South Camp Road instead. In St. Catherine Parish, avoid Spanish Town, Central Village, and areas within Portmore including Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, and Waterford. Avoid all of Clarendon Parish except when passing through on the T1 and A2 highways. In Montego Bay, avoid areas on the inland side of the A1 highway and neighborhoods including Flankers, Barrett Town, Norwood, Glendevon, Rose Heights, and Mount Salem. In Negril, avoid The Whitehall, Bethel Town, and Red Ground neighborhoods. Also avoid Steer Town and Buckfield neighborhood near Ocho Rios, as well as Logwood and Orange Bay in Hanover Parish.