Health & Safety in Jamaica
The most important steps for your health & safety in Jamaica is preparedness, to listen & follow instructions of faculty and staff at all times, to be vigilant of your surroundings, and avoid dangerous neighborhoods.
To make sure you’re prepared and have access to the most current information about Health and Safety in Jamaica, please enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Program.
Highlight’s from the State Department:
General safety:
- Be aware of your surroundings, avoid secluded places or situations (even within resort properties), go out in groups, and watch out for each other. Don’t be afraid to ask or call out for help if you feel threatened or encounter individuals who make you feel uncomfortable.
- Avoid traveling after dark, and never travel alone! Use the buddy system, preferably in 3s.
- Jamaica, like all Caribbean countries, can be affected by hurricanes. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. Enroll in the Smart Traveler program to ensure you get updates!
Laws
- Possession or use of marijuana or other illicit drugs is highly illegal in Jamaica. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Jamaica can be severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
- In Jamaica, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you or if you take pictures of certain buildings
Crime/Scams
- The primary criminal concern for tourists is becoming a victim of theft. For more detailed information, please refer to the State Department’s website (link above).
- Scams: U.S. citizens are often the target of international financial scams originating in Jamaica. The most prevalent scam in Jamaica is the lottery scam, also known as Advanced Fee Fraud. If you receive calls from Jamaica with claims of winning a prize or lottery, please be wary and never send money up front. It is illegal to play a foreign lottery, and if you did not enter a foreign lottery or drawing, then it is not possible to win one.
The CDC recommends the vaccines for Typhoid and Hepatitis A for Jamaica. Read more on the CDC’s website, and speak with your doctor or campus health center!
Follow the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica on Facebook!