This will be our first trip to Jamaica and we are really
worried about the troubles they are having. Although our
travel agent assures us the resort is safe we would still
like to see more of the isle then just a fortified hotel
with a beach!!
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If you are staying at one of the all-inclusive resorts near
Montego Bay, Ocho Rios or Negril, you should not encounter
any problems than the ones normally encountered by tourists
to Jamaica. Namely, you will be solicited drugs, asked if
you want to exchange money, be asked if you want a taxi by
nearly everyone in town and demanded that you come into
shops, particularly the tourist craft markets. If you are
prepared for that, your experience outside the "gates" of
the resort, all should be well.
~
As for the potential for putting yourself in harm's way, I
don't think you have much to worry about. I have traveled
throughout the Caribbean and have never been a victim of
crime, though I had a few scares. The uprising seems to
have cooled down and you probably will not feel any tension.
~
Anyway, if you are going to be in Kingston, which is not
likely as the resorts are on the North Coasts, be extra
careful and don't carry around too much money, wear jewelry
or wear any Don Ho clothing that will make you stand out.
The protests lasted for three days. They were about a
whopping tax hike to be added to gasoline. The government
was out of touch with the people. They demonstrated.
Hoodlums took advantage of the situation to do some store
looting. They have largely been rounded up. Coastal and
inland tourism is back on track. Never, at any time during
the protests, were tourists targetted by Jamaicans. The
people of Jamaica will bend over backwards to ensure you
have a safe and pleasant stay. Go to the Tourist Bulletin
board at www. jamaicans.com (look under the Interact
heading) and you will see for yourself that life is going on
as usual.