Jamaica --Is it safe?

18 years ago

I recently booked a trip to Sandals Dunns River in Jamaica. I've read wonderful reviews on the hotel, but I am a little worried about leaving the resort. I've heard they try to sell you drugs and that all of the people that work in the shops are extremely pushy and rude if you don't buy stuff from them. Is it safe to leave the resort? Anyone been there lately? I am hoping this will be a great trip, but I am SO worried it won't live up to my expectations.

Thanks for any advice you have.

v

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Comments (6)

anettemartinrn
18 years ago
i was in jamaica earlier this month off the carnival conquest. i understand your concern. yes, you may be approached to buy drugs, say no. yes, many of the vendors are pushy, the exchange rate american to jamaican dollar is 62/1, they really want your business. be considerate and cautious. a word of warning, if you are very conservative some of the tourist wares may shock you. i never saw more pot leaves, boobs and penises in all my life. carved, printed on shirts and bags, on key chains and magnets, you name it. i wouldnt run around jamaica alone, travel with at least one other person. dont take private taxis, stick with the ones that say JUTA, they are government regulated. hope this helps, have a great time.
sanddny
18 years ago
DH and I went to Jamaica in 2004 for our anniversary and we had a great experience. We also stayed at Sandals Dunn's River. We climbed the Falls, but this was booked through the hotel, so everything was safe. We did hear that some people had booked their own bus to the falls and the driver of the bus parked, got off the bus for a few minutes and then a robber came on and robbed them all. So the few bucks extra you spend through the hotel I personally think is worth it. The economy outside the resort areas is very depressed and yes, there are a lot of drugs, but if you stay in the confines of the resort, you should be just fine. We were not offered drugs, but some of our friends were. Just say no and you should be fine. They also sell a lot of other things outside of the resort such as belly chains, hair braiding etc,, just say no to everything and you'll be fine. All that stuff you can get at the hotel anyway. The hotel was great, food, entertainment etc was all great, we're glad we went.

PS. It is also a good idea that when you travel outside the resort DO NOT carry ALL your cash, passport etc... The hotels have individual safes and only bring what you need. When you are through climbing the falls they walk you back toward the bus through a little flea market type of area, if you see something you like, by all means buy it and remember always bargain with them. But also be safe in this area (stay in groups etc) We made friends with about 5 couples and so we felt safe being together.
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Just to clarify, everyone has known for about 8 months that my nephew is marrying next June. Once he announced that his wedding would be in Germany, rather than local, my niece told the family of her plans for Jamaica and said she can't afford two trips in the same year. Although she hadn't mentioned her plans to anyone until after her brother booked the church and B.&B. in Germany, it is understandable that she would plan a trip for her 10th anniversary next December, since they go to the Caribbean every few years with the same set of friends. A few weeks ago at a family birthday, my niece showed everyone the extremely expensive luxery resort she wants to book in Jamaica. It became clear that the Bed and Breakfast wedding in Germany (including flights) is actually the less expensive trip. Since she said she can't afford 2 trips in one year, her brother asked if she would consider delaying her anniversary trip a bit, in order to attend his wedding. She said the other couples are already looking forward to their next trip together, and joked that she couldn't believe her brother picked Germany over a 'romantic tropical destination like Jamaica' for his wedding. That made me feel she was insuating that if he had chosen to marry in December and picked Jamaica for his destination, she could have gone to his wedding and still had her luxery anniversary vacation. My nephew's choice of Germany will have them marrying in the same little church his fiancee's grandparents married in, which will be very sentimental for the bride's family. I do recognize that my niece works extremely hard in her career and deserves to spend any money she designates for vacations, anywhere she wants. I can understand that she sees her brother's wedding in Germany as "where I'd be spending my 10th anniversary trip, and I have no desire to do it in Germany." I guess I wish she could see the trip to Germany as her brother's hopefully onetime wedding, as opposed to another of her hopefully many anniversaries to celebrate. But I can see her point if she truly can only afford one trip next year. The ironic thing is, the whole decision for a destination wedding occured to avoid the cost of the large local wedding my Sister wanted, in order not to 'lose face' about not being able to invite all the same guests to a smaller wedding. Now, neither sibling is attending their brother's wedding, because one can't do 2 trips in the same year and the other is in his first year teaching after waiting 2 years to get in and is afraid to ask for time off in one of the busiest school weeks of the year. I wonder if my Sister realizes that the small local wedding her youngest son wanted would have avoided all this, but I'm not going to tell her "I told you so."
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3katz4me
18 years ago
I went to Sandals in Negril a few years ago - it was fabulous. We never left the resort though. In spite of that we got approached to buy drugs - while we were out in the water - people came up by boat....
pammo
17 years ago
We stayed in a villa in the little fishing village of Treasure Beach last year, pretty much off the beaten tourist path. We were cautious in town and locked our doors at night, but basically felt perfectly safe.
aspen0
17 years ago
When staying at an all inclusive resort like sandals you really don't want to leave anyways. If you stay all your drinks/food are free.

If you must take in some off resort attractions (the first trip we did a lot, the next 3 we left the resort 1 time total, see a pattern?) follow the advice people posted here. Go with groups, and book it through the hotel.

As for drugs. Practically every jamaican is a drug dealer. Seriously. You might not notice it because they don't come right out and say it. You'll run into numerous people asking if you party, if you're looking to have fun, if you're feeling good, if you need anything, how are you doing tonight, etc etc. These are all euphemisms for selling drugs.

I don't mind, I like to smoke when I'm there, so I think its convenient that I do not have to go looking for it.

The truth is though, that every bus driver, bellman, and groundskeeper I've encountered while in Jamaica was selling. Also if your resort sells day or night passes to locals then you'll find them on property as well (as well as pimps & prostitutes).

Also, never let a girl wander alone, even on resort property.
hedobrent
17 years ago
Jamaica is like any other island in the Caribbean. You must be careful anywere you go, It just makes sense, whether you are in Jamaica, or going to your local store. Yes, you will be offered marijuana, just say no thanks, they will not bother you again. Remember, they are like a third world country, they are poor, they are hoping that you will spend some money. Just use your head. You can get some great souvenirs for cheap. Be sure and try some Jamaican rum cream while your there! Play safe & have fun!

Jamaica --Is it safe?

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anettemartinrn

sanddny

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