Jamaica
Caribbean · JAM
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Jamaica
Jamaica is strongest for travelers who want a Caribbean trip that mixes beach time with mountain scenery and a little more cultural depth than a resort-only stay. It works best as a compact island route built around one coast or resort base plus one or two inland or historic additions, rather than a full-island sweep.
Popular For
Things To See
- Kingston
- The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal
- Blue and John Crow Mountains
- Green Grotto Caves
- Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park
- Firefly Estate
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- December through March is the easiest broad window in the current brief.
- Most first visits are stronger as a beach-and-nature trip with one or two historic additions rather than a full-island route.
- Kingston, Port Royal, and the Blue Mountains add the clearest contrast if you want more than resort time.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Jamaica.
Guidebooks
📚Browse Jamaica Guidebooks on AmazonTours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Jamaica.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Kingston
- Population
- 2,825,544
- Area
- 10,991 km²
- Region
- Caribbean
Languages
- English
- Jamaican Patois
Currency
Jamaican dollar ($)
JMD
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
60.2
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 63.5
- Restaurants
- 46.8
- Rent
- 19.2
Safety & Peace
higher score = safer everyday environment · derived from World Bank homicide data
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Kingston (18.00°N, 76.79°W).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
15/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 2/100
- Lived safety
- 39/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal❌
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.720
High human development
- 5-year change
- +0.005
- 10-year change
- +0.009
- Trend
- stable
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 1.013
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.358
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.686
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (2)
- 🏛️
The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal
Inscribed 2025
- 🌍
Blue and John Crow Mountains
Inscribed 2015
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 19.9%
- Forest cover
- 56.2%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 7
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 10
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
36/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
47/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
There was no change to the advisory level. The “natural disaster” indicator was removed. The advisory summary was updated. Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and health risks. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Reconsider travel to: St. Ann’s Parish - Steer Town due to risk of crime. St. Catherine’s Parish - Central Village, Waterford, March Pen, and Grange Lane due to risk of crime. Clarendon Parish - York Town and Western Park due to risk of crime. St. Elizabeth’s Parish - Crawford District and New Town due to risk of crime. Hanover Parish - The Green Island Area due to risk of crime. St. James Parish - Salt Spring, Flankers, Rose Heights, the Hart Street area, Norwood, and Mount Salem due to risk of crime. Kingston and St. Andrew Parish - August Town, Brooke Valley, Mountain View, Nannyville Gardens, Swallowfield area, New Haven, the Sherlock Crescent area, Denham Town, Parade Gardens, and Greenwich Town due to risk of crime. Manchester Parish - Old England, New Hall, and Grey Ground due to risk of crime. St. Thomas Parish - The Seaforth area (Blacksmith Lane and Navarre Lane) due to risk of crime. Westmoreland Parish - Grange Hill and Savanna-la-Mar due to risk of crime. Advisory Summary U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to use public buses or drive between cities at night due to road conditions and safety risks. They are also not allowed to travel to areas with increased safety risks without prior authorization. U.S. citizens in Jamaica should take the same precautions. Crime Violent crime is a risk throughout Jamaica. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country. Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common. The U.S. embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts. U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are often not prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence. Health Basic and specialized medical care may not be available in many parts of Jamaica. This includes slower emergency service response times and less availability of care for illness or injury. Read the Health section of the Travel Guidance on this page for more information. Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients. They may not be able to provide specialized care. Ambulance services are not always staffed with EMTs. They are not always readily available, especially in rural areas. U.S. citizens should bring extra prescription medication. Common medications, such as insulin, can be difficult to obtain. Be sure to bring enough of your medications (including prescription and over-the-counter) to last the full duration of your trip. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid do not apply abroad. Most hospitals and doctors abroad do not accept U.S. health insurance. Air ambulance service to the United States costs approximately 30,000 USD as a minimum price. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance and confirm your coverage. Travel insurance should include medical insurance, evacuation assistance, and other trip coverage. If you purchase medical travel insurance, you are responsible for seeking reimbursement from your medical insurance. Follow their guidance and instructions for filing claims. The Department of State does not pay medical bills. Risks in specific areas Level 3 - Reconsider Travel St. Ann’s Parish - Steer Town Reconsider travel to St. Ann’s Parish - Steer Town due to risk of crime. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to St. Ann’s Parish - Steer Town without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel. St. Catherine’s Parish - Central Village, Waterford, March Pen, and Grange Lane Reconsider travel to St. Catherine’s Parish - Central Village, Waterford, March Pen, and Grange Lane due to risk of crime. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to St. Catherine’s Parish - Central Village, Waterford, March Pen, and Grange Lane without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel. Clarendon Parish - York Town and Western Park Reconsider travel to Clarendon Parish - York Town and Western Park due to risk of crime. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to Clarendon Parish - York Town and Western Park without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel. St. Elizabeth’s Parish - Crawford District and New Town Reconsider travel to St. Elizabeth’s Parish - Crawford District and New Town due to risk of crime. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to St. Elizabeth’s Parish - Crawford District and New Town without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel. Hanover Parish - The Green Island Area Reconsider travel to Hanover Parish - The Green Island Area due to risk of crime. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to Hanover Parish - The Green Island Area without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel. St. James Parish - Salt Spring, Flankers, Rose Heights, the Hart Street area, Norwood, and Mount Salem Reconsider travel to St. James Parish - Salt Spring, Flankers, Rose Heights, the Hart Street area, Norwood, and Mount Salem due to risk of crime. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to St. James Parish - Salt Spring, Flankers, Rose Heights, the Hart Street area, Norwood, and Mount Salem without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel. Kingston and St. Andrew Parish – August Town, Brooke Valley, Mountain View, Nannyville Gardens, Swallowfield area, New Haven, the Sherlock Crescent Area, Denham Town, Parade Gardens, and Greenwich Town Reconsider travel to Kingston and St. Andrew Parish - August Town, Brooke Valley, Mountain View, Nannyville Gardens, Swallowfield area, New Haven, the Sherlock Crescent Area, Denham Town, Parade Gardens, and Greenwich Town due to risk of crime. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to Kingston and St. Andrew Parish – August Town, Brooke Valley, Mountain View, Nannyville Gardens, Swallowfield area, New Haven, the Sherlock Crescent Area, Denham Town, Parade Gardens, and Greenwich Town without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel. Manchester Parish – Old England, New Hall, and Grey Ground Reconsider travel to Manchester Parish – Old England, New Hall, and Grey Ground due to risk of crime. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to Manchester Parish – Old England, New Hall, and Grey Ground without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel. St. Thomas Parish – The Seaforth Area (Blacksmith Lane and Navarre Lane) Reconsider travel to St. Thomas Parish – The Seaforth Area (Blacksmith Lane and Navarre Lane) due to risk of crime. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to St. Thomas Parish – The Seaforth Area (Blacksmith Lane and Navarre Lane) without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel. Westmoreland Parish – Grange Hill and Savanna-la-Mar Reconsider travel to Westmoreland Parish – Grange Hill and Savanna-la-Mar due to risk of crime. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to Westmoreland Parish – Grange Hill and Savanna-la-Mar without prior authorization as crime rates are elevated above national averages and violent incidents occur. While violence is typically targeted in nature, U.S. citizens in Jamaica should reconsider travel. If you decide to travel to Jamaica: Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition. This includes stray rounds, shells, or empty casings. The penalties for carrying firearms or ammunition, even by mistake, are severe, and can include long prison sentences. Avoid walking or driving at night. Avoid public buses. Avoid remote places. Stay aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile. Have a plan to depart in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Jamaica. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Jamaica. Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist. We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
Read full advisory →Data current as of August 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data