What are some of the most dangerous places to avoid in Jamaica?
It’s no secret that Jamaica is a stunning island nation, renowned for its beautiful beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and captivating natural landscapes.
Jamaica welcomes people from all over the world with its rich culture and unique history, as well as offering countless reasons to visit and explore.
However, like any destination that is popular on the international tourist radar, Jamaica has areas where travelers should exercise caution.
10 Most Dangerous Places in Jamaica
This guide highlights 10 places to avoid in Jamaica, to help you enjoy a safe and memorable trip to this incredible island without any worries.
I have personally spend the majority of my time in Spanish Town (located near Kingston), which is known to locals as ‘The Valley of Death’.
Jamaica has been my base, and I visited many countries in Latin America from here. You can read about some of my adventures on this site.
Let’s now look at some of the risks tourists run when visiting the island.
Is Jamaica Dangerous for Tourists?
In Jamaica, it is not unusual for tourists to hear about the violent incidents such as armed robbery, murder, rape, and sexual assault.
The risk can increase dramatically when staying outside of a resort. I’ve even wrote about the dangers in Jamaica as a solo traveler on this blog.
However, the highest risk for tourists is petty crime. You can almost guarantee that pickpocketing is happening daily in the streets of Jamaica, so you need to exercise caution and keep your valuables extra safe.
Though Jamaica is not without its risks, it still attracts millions of tourists each year. Places such as Montego Bay and Negril are hotspots.
In 2020, they received 1.33 million tourists, but in previous years, they consistently received over 4 million tourists every year without fail.
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Dangerous Places to avoid in Jamaica
Unless you’re looking for trouble, I’ve found that its best to avoid certain dangerous areas in Jamaica to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
That way, you’re able to focus on having a good time here and without taking unnecessary risks. Here are the bad parts of Jamaica, which are all located in the districts of Kingston and Montego Bay.
1. Tivoli Gardens, Kingston
One of the places that Jamaica is infamous for is Tivoli Gardens and Dudus Coke. Tivoli Gardens is a community located in West Kingston and it has the worst reputation, by far.
It was a Rastafarian settlement before it was redeveloped in the 60s and, in the 50s, it was known as the worst Caribbean slum.
This is one of the places to avoid in Jamaica because there鈥檚 a lot of social unrest and drug trafficking.
Confrontations between gangs and law enforcement are not uncommon here. You don鈥檛 want to get caught up in any of that.
2. Flankers, Montego Bay
Flankers is an extremely poor neighborhood, so it鈥檚 known for gang-related crime. Gunfire is not uncommon because confrontations between gangs and law enforcement happen very often.
It’s known as one of the most dangerous places in Jamaica and is best avoided. In extreme cases when with a trusted guide. This is an area Prince William and Kate visited on their Caribbean tour.
Walking through Flankers is 100% discouraged and it鈥檚 also not recommended that you use public transportation.
If you ever need to get through this neighborhood during your trip, which you should make sure doesn鈥檛 happen, use registered taxis only.
3. Grants Pen, Kingston
Grants Pen is one of the top places to avoid in Jamaica. This is one of the areas that travel embassies and advisories always warn against, and for good reason.
If you ever need to pass through Grants Pen, make sure it鈥檚 not at night and never use public transportation.
It鈥檚 important to know about Grants Pen because many holiday home rentals are located there. Grants Pen used to be known for one of the highest crime rates in Jamaica.
Though things had quieted down, there has been a rise in crime since 2017. Curfews are still been imposed in areas of this community.
4. Trench Town, Kingston
Located in the St. Andrew parish, Trench Town is another dangerous neighborhood in Jamaica.
Now, there are many great things to do in Trench Town because it鈥檚 where the National Heritage Site and the Culture Yard Museum are.
It鈥檚 also the birthplace of reggae music and it was Bob Marley鈥檚 home. Not to be confused with the Bob Marley Museum on New Hope Road.
However, it鈥檚 not a safe place to be. If you want to visit, I encourage you to find a reputable guide. This way, you鈥檒l have the support of a local.
5. Rose Heights, Montego Bay
Rose Heights is a suburb located on the north coast and it鈥檚 known for violent crime. As such, it鈥檚 one of the places to avoid in Jamaica.
There are many gangs here, so it鈥檚 not uncommon for them to fight over turf. Additionally, initiations are very common.
It鈥檚 life-threatening for tourists to visit Rose Heights, so it鈥檚 one of the truly bad parts of Jamaica.
Many tourist resorts and some of the best beaches in Jamaica are very close to the north coast, so beware.
6. Norwood, Montego Bay
Norwood is another problematic area and it鈥檚 one of the dangerous places in Jamaica you need to be aware of.
Shootings and other violent crimes are not uncommon here. Social unrest is also a big problem, which is why curfews are often enforced.
Law enforcement is trying very hard to reduce violence in the area, but we can鈥檛 recommend you go there. There鈥檚 not much to do or see here, so you鈥檙e better off exploring other parts of the country.
You can read more on how to stay safe in Montego Bay on this site. Of course, there are many places that are completely safe to visit.
7. Canterbury, Montego Bay
Canterbury is known as a criminal haven and is not safe for tourists. It鈥檚 only 1km away from downtown Montego Bay and there are only 1,500 residents.
Though there hasn鈥檛 been a murder in the area since 2014, residents think of Canterbury as a time bomb. Gangs are still living there and violence can return at any moment. It鈥檚 not a place you’ll feel safe.
8. Cassava Piece Road, Kingston
Cassava is known as one of the most dangerous places in Jamaica, so it鈥檚 not a good idea to visit.
Violent crimes are common and there鈥檚 no sidewalk along the main highway, so it鈥檚 dangerous for pedestrians.
Shootings and violent attacks happen often at Cassava Piece Road, and criminals truly don鈥檛 care who they hurt in the middle of such attacks.
That鈥檚 a high risk to take, so you should avoid visiting.
9. Salt Spring, Montego Bay
Last but not least, we have Salt Spring. It鈥檚 one of the bad parts of Jamaica where murder is very common.
People are often shot to death in their own homes. It鈥檚 that kind of place.
Salt Spring is one of the main places to avoid when exploring Jamaica. Criminals here don鈥檛 care if you鈥檙e a tourist or not, so don鈥檛 put your life at risk just because you want to see new places.
10. Spanish Town
Known as the valley of death (as mentioned eariler) Spanish town actually considered as one of the most dangerous places to live in Jamaica.
When it comes to the number of shoot-outs, robberies, break-ins and other major crimes, this is a town feared by people from all over the island. Gangs such as Clansman and One Order even make news headlines.
However, like with most places in Jamaica that are outside of the areas which are infamous hotspots for crime, there are many close-knitted and family oriented communities. Read more about Spanish Town for insights.
Most dangerous places in Jamaica
Despite the dangerous places, Jamaica is definitely worth a visit, especailly if you love tropical weather and you want to experience new things.
However, you need to do your research and avoid these known dangerous places in Jamaica. Have fun but be cautious and take care of yourself!
While you’re still here, be sure to see this guide all about safety in Jamaica if you are thinking of leaving the resort or venturing off the beaten path.
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