U.S. State Department Updates Jamaica Travel Advisory with Travel Insurance Warning

The U.S. State Department updated its Jamaica Travel Advisory on Thursday, adding more information to its Level 3: Reconsider Travel warning.

While the “Reconsider Travel” warning is not new for Jamaica, the State Department is now most notably “strongly” encouraging all Americans traveling to Jamaica to buy travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage before heading to Jamaica.  

Here is exactly what the State Department now says about Jamaica and travel insurance:

“Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients and may not have the ability to provide specialized care. Ambulance services are not always staffed with EMTs or always readily available, especially in rural areas. U.S. citizens should bring extra prescription medication as common medications such as insulin can be difficult to obtain.

“We strongly encourage you to obtain traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling. The Department of State does not pay medical bills.“

The State Department says that medical evacuation coverage, which could very well be necessary in Jamaica with the lack of care, could run Americans from $30,000 to $50,000.

Previous Jamaica warning

The State Department’s general Jamaica advisory, which has been in place since last May and remains active, focuses on crime in Jamaica.

“Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts,” it says. “Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities.”

The State Department then updated its warning in late January 2024, alerting travelers specifically to reconsider “due to crime and medical services.”

If travelers are headed to Jamaica, the State Department encourages them to obtain traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before arriving. It also warns travelers should avoid walking or driving at night, avoid public buses, and avoid secluded places or situations.