any place is "dangerous" and any country where there are a lot of people living in poverty is dangerous. Mexico City is dangerous. Acapulco is dangerous. Madrid is dangerous. Central Park is dangerous. Cony Island is dangerous!
Just keep your wits about you and leave your jewelry at home.
Linda C

Do a Google search for Sandals Jamaica reviews, danger, safety, incidents etc. Thoroughly research it. Trip Advisor is a great site with hundreds of travelers reviews. I'd help you but there's no time in my life right now.

Here is a link that might be useful: Trip Advisor

Montego Bay is not nearly as dangerous as other parts of Jamaica, including Negril. But when going off the resort, you need to be very aware of your surroundings, and with others. I would suggest not driving/renting a car, because of the added risk and liability if anything happens. We stayed at the Half Moon resort in Jamaica, and when we went off the resort, we hired a driver/tour guide. I never once felt as if we were in danger.

Kingston seems to be the place to avoid.
I usually look on the canadian or u.s.a. embassy website, they have security warnings on a lot of countries.
I just went on the website to check out Puerto Vallarta, it makes you not want to go anywhere in Mexico, lol....

Here is a link that might be useful: dept. of state advisory

Okay, I live in Detroit (well, the suburbs LOL) by choice and most people shudder that anyone would willingly in Murder City, USA. Sandals resorts are beautiful and totally safe. Of course keep your jewerly at home, don't flash money around and be sensible as you would anywhere. There are good and bad people everywhere in the world, including in your own neighborhood. Don't pull up a sex offender list in your area or be prepared to be surprised and shocked!

Jamaica is awesome. The country and it's people are mostly wonderful. Don't be tempted to buy illegal drugs (I know you wouldn't anyway) even though they appear to be used all over. At one time and possibly even still the drug dealers were in cahoots with the police and would tip off to the cops who they sold to. It was a great racket and of course nobody wants to end up in any jail, particularly in a foreign country.

Have fun! Enjoy the seafood and the jerk chicken, jerk pork, jerk fish, etc. etc.

I am jealous!

Duane

Part of the danger may be related to hurricanes. Most Atlantic basin hurricanes occur in August, September and October.

This year is just starting. Today, our first two tropical storms became strong enough to be named. Ah, the season begins!

Thanks for the tips and info...still pondering thoughts on this mainly due to the other couple whos coming on vacation with us and now hurricanes.hmmmm...this just may turn into a weekend in NYC...close to home and I never get bored even after the thousand times Ive been there!

Eileen , my co-worker was in Jamaica last winter with her husband and two small children. They had a great time and never felt unsafe. She said they just stuck to the resort and didn't go anywhere else. I'm not sure what sight-seeing opportunities there are in Jamaica -- I think it's mostly a place to relax in the sun. Sounds good.

I would go, but that's just me. The people 'warning' you of 'danger' are most likely jealous or very insulated people in their daily lives. The issue of safety on a personal level is a total myth no matter what we want to think. You can get killed by a random drunk driver or a meteorite falling from the sky. Enjoy your life and different experiences. Living like an insulated American is nonsense. Have fun and go to Jamaica 'mon! Irie!

p.s. You are much more likely to experience crime in NYC than Jamaica!

Duane

Eileen, I am a travel agent, have been for the past 14 years. I have sent so many people to Jamaica I have lost count. They all come back and rave about it. Many go back again and again.

As others have said, anyplace can be dangerous. I think what is important here or anywhere you travel is to use common sense, don't be flashy with money or jewelry, be aware of your surroundings, don't leave personal belongings or bags unattended, and just relax and have a good time.

You can certainly take sightseeing trips outside the resort, I would recommend either booking them ahead with your travel agent or booking them through the hotel's concierge desk. They can give you a lot of great advice.

Let us know what you decide. I am sure you will love Jamaica! If you go, make sure to have a Red Stripe (beer) or two for me! LOL

Linda

It's been many years since I've been to Jamaica, Negril in fact, and like some of the others have suggested GO!

I can hardly stand it when someone tells me how dangerous going to so and such is...ask if they've been there and experienced it. Me thinks those who are warning you for "your own safety" are most likely scaredy cats in their daily life anyhoo. I wouldn't promote going to a war torn area...but seriously, don't listen to someone who isn't an expert.

While there, whenever I'd order chicken, I'd always end up with the legs, even after requesting white meat...breast meat please. And shore nuff, my plate arrives with leg meat, which isn't that appealing to me (especially after 2 weeks of legs)LOL. We'd met a couple who went yearly and I gritched to them about my plight, wondering what the heck happened to the rest of the chicken! They both had a good laugh on me, because when I made my request to the waiter/waitress I should have handed them a bit of money (tip) for the chef. How was I to know?! LOL!

Make sure you try to find a place where you can have lobster, cuz it's uber fresh...we had a lobster pizza to die for :)

Enjoy the heck out of that beautiful aqua ocean :)

I didn't mean that Negril was dangerous :( I got confused with Kingston. Sorry!