Which Caribbean Islands Are Now Safe To Visit?

The U.S. Department of State has issued a level 1 travel advisory for the safest Caribbean islands to visit, advising travelers to exercise normal precautions. These islands include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, St. Barthélemy, Saint Lucia, and the Cayman Islands. Most Caribbean islands are safe for tourists, but some have risks associated with hurricanes and severe weather, as well as poor infrastructure that could be an issue during medical events.

The ABC Islands, consisting of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, are three of the safest in the region. From Aruba and St. Barts to the Cayman Islands, these Caribbean islands are consistently the safest in the region. However, Anguilla is placed in the Level 1 threat category due to high unemployment rates and a lack of economic growth.

Despite the worldwide Omicron variant surge, most Caribbean nations remain open for tourists with safety measures in place. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moved five Caribbean island destinations into its highest-risk travel category for Covid-19 on Monday. Martinique remains one of the safest Caribbean islands for tourists who stick to well-known areas and exercise common precautions.

The Virgin Islands (both US and British) are one of the safest tourist destinations for foreigners. The safest Caribbean countries right now include Barbados, The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Anguilla, St. Maarten/St. Martin, St. Barts, Antigua, Turks and Caicos, and the Caribbean Islands.

Where not to travel in the Caribbean?

The most dangerous Caribbean islands, according to recent studies, include Puerto Rico, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago, due to high crime rates. The majority of criminal activity in the Caribbean occurs within the islands themselves, predominantly in urban areas distant from tourist attractions. It is therefore imperative that those intending to visit these islands conduct exhaustive research and eschew areas with a documented history of safety concerns.

Which virgin island is the safest?

St. John is considered the safest U. S. Virgin Island based on crime statistics, but other islands like Red Hook, Lindqvist Beach, Hull Bay, and Magen’s Bay are also considered safe. However, it’s recommended to stick to the main tourist areas in Charlotte Amalie and Christiansted while on St. Thomas. Go Sail Virgin Island has a strong safety record, having never had any injuries during their ASA courses and no thefts or stolen property reported by students in the last decade. For more information on safety measures and cruise destinations, contact Go Sail Virgin Island online.

When not to go to the Caribbean?

Hurricane season in the Caribbean occurs from June 1 to November 30, with risk peaks in August and September. Travel companies advise against visiting the region during these months, as damage can be localized. The southern Caribbean, including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, and Barbados, tends to have fewer storms. The rainy season runs parallel to hurricane season, with showers and short tropical storms. Island-specific rainfall varies, with heavier rainy seasons seen in mountainous islands like St Lucia.

The shoulder season, which includes early December and May and June, is characterized by cool, pleasant weather, with deals and affordable flights available. It is essential to check the rainfall of the desired island before planning a trip.

What is the safest Caribbean island to visit right now?

The U. S. Government has identified Dominica, French West Indies, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten as the most dangerous Caribbean countries. The State Department issued travel warnings for Jamaica and the Bahamas earlier this year due to rising crime levels. Jamaica was upgraded to level 3, meaning “Reconsider Travel”, due to high rates of violent crime, homicide, armed robberies, and sexual assaults.

What are the top Caribbean islands for crime?

The Caribbean is a popular destination for travelers, but some destinations are best avoided due to their reputation for crime, shark attacks, and poor health care. Some of the most dangerous Caribbean destinations include Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Kingston, Jamaica, Montego Bay, Georgetown, Guyana, Nassau, Bahamas, and Tiger Beach.

To avoid these locations, travelers should be cautious and choose their timing wisely. For example, the Bahamas’ Abacos Islands should not be visited during hurricane season. Despite these challenges, most Caribbean destinations have redeeming qualities, so travelers should stay vigilant.

To avoid dangerous places, travelers should know crucial details, such as which places to stay away from at night, avoid sketchy areas, leave fancy jewelry at home, avoid accepting food or drinks from strangers, and stay in a group when traveling outside the resort.

Haiti, the Western hemisphere’s poorest country, is considered a no-go zone due to gang violence. In March 2024, the country declared a state of emergency after gangs freed over 4, 000 prisoners and attacked the international airport. The U. S. Department of State has issued a level 4 travel advisory, recommending tourists “do not travel” to Haiti.

Which Caribbean islands are at risk of rising sea levels?

Sea level rise in the Caribbean could impact coastal communities below 3 meters above sea level, affecting 29-32 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago are expected to be the most affected due to at least 80 percent of their land being below sea level. Coastal losses range between $940 million and $1. 2 billion in the 22 largest coastal cities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Main sources of income, such as tourism, will also be affected, as many tourist attractions, such as beaches and hotels, are near the coast. Damage to beaches can negatively impact sea turtles that nest in the Caribbeans, which are all facing endangerment due to coastal erosion and changes in habitat at all stages of their life cycle.

The Caribbean is in a particularly difficult position to address climate change due to its long history of colonialism for the extraction of goods like sugar, leaving it dependent on colonial entities. This has created a disadvantage for the Caribbean as it lacks the ability to compete with the current world economy and be self-sufficient.

Climate change damages the Caribbean’s economy, targeting major sources of income, such as tourism. An increase in hurricanes in the next century could significantly reduce tourism, with hurricane costs estimated to range between $350 million to $550 million or about 11 to 17 percent of the current GDP for annual damages.

Which is safer, Barbados or St. Lucia?

It has been reported by individuals who have visited both countries that Barbados is perceived as a safer and cleaner destination than St. Lucia.

Is Barbados safer than Jamaica?

Barbados is considered one of the safest Caribbean islands, but it’s crucial to be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. Jamaica, despite its reputation for safety, can still be a safe destination if you follow safety guidelines. Some safe areas to stay in include Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril, and Whitehouse, which are also known as resort towns. It’s advisable to ask resort staff for guidance on specific places before visiting.

What Caribbean islands are under travel advisory?

The travel advisory levels for Abu Dhabi, Barbados, Belize, and Bermuda are classified as Level 1 (normal precautions), Level 2 (increased caution), and Level 1 (normal precautions).

Is Jamaica safe in 2024?

Jamaica has been included in Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s Safest Places ratings since its inception, ranking 31st out of 42 countries in 2024. The United States Department of State has designated Jamaica as a Level 3 country, indicating that it is a destination with a significant risk of crime. In particular, Jamaica has some of the highest rates of violent crime and homicides in the Western Hemisphere.

Is the Bahamas or Caribbean safer?

The Bahamas is rated slightly safer by the State Department due to increased caution due to crime. The American Embassy in Nassau has reported 18 homicides since 2024, prompting a security warning. The warning warns travelers that murders have occurred at all hours, including in broad daylight on the streets. Jack Ezon, founder of Embark Beyond, emphasizes the importance of travel advisories, stating that safety conditions in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and New York City are often just as precarious. However, he does not issue warnings about their own cities. The Gun Violence Archive reports that in 2023, the US experienced 656 mass shootings.