WASHINGTON – The U.S. State Department has urged travelers to two popular stops with various cruise lines to show extreme caution if they visit those nations because of high rates of crime.
The advisories were recently issued for the Bahamas and Jamaica, each a popular destination for many tropical cruise lines.
The advisory for Jamaica, issued at a higher warning level, also warns that access to medical care may be spotty. In that advisory the State Department said travelers should reconsider their plans.
The more recent advisory, a Level Two warning for the Bahamas that urges travelers to exercise extreme caution, is a result of crime issues in both tourist and non-tourist areas, the State Department said.
“Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence,” the advisory states.
Among its warnings for travelers is to not answer the door at their hotel/residence unless you know who it is and to not physically resist any robbery attempts.
Most of the crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands. Visitors need to be particularly vigilant in the “Over the Hill” area in Nassau where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate, the State Department said.
The State Department issued the advisory Friday, Jan. 26.
The Level 3 advisory for Jamaica recommends that travelers reconsider their plans and notes that U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to many areas due to increased risk.
“Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts,” the advisory states.
“Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents,” according to the advisory. “When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence.”
Travelers are urged to avoid walking or driving at night, avoid public buses, avoid secluded places or situations and keep a low profile. They should not physically resist any robbery attempt.
Medical care can be problematic, the State Department said, because public hospitals are under-resourced and cannot always provide high level or specialized care. Private hospitals often require that payment be made up front.
The advisory was issued Jan. 23.
More information is available through the State Department, which issues travel advisories for each country of the world.