Blessed with sunny temps year-round and being a paradisiacal island bordered by turquoise seas, Jamaica is a no-brainer for Americans planning a tropical getaway this winter despite not being the most peaceful of countries.
According to the State Department, Americans should, in fact, ‘reconsider’ travel to Jamaica due to the nation’s widespread gang activity and ongoing issues with crime, but it’s not like that’s stopping U.S. citizens from flocking into Montego Bay:
This winter alone, Jamaica is expected to host over 1 million visitors, with an additional 180,000 airline seats, not to mention its best winter season yet: among all nationalities, Americans are leading the figures, accounting for 74,000 of those new seats.
Considering the dire safety warnings, what is it about Jamaica that has got Americans so hooked regardless?
Resort Zones Are Safe
Jamaica is not exactly the safest Caribbean country out there, but as a destination, it is relatively safe. Does that sound confusing? Allow us to explain briefly:
While it’s true crime rates in Jamaica are exceedingly high, as noted by Numbeo, and infrastructure in some areas is lacking at best, these are problems that, for better or for worse, mostly concern residents, especially those living in largely underdeveloped towns.
As a privileged tourist, however, you’ll be likely staying in a heavily-fortified, well-surveilled resort, where no one gets in or out unless they’re staff, guests, or have been invited, and where criminals do not operate.
Controversial as it may be, though Jamaica is far from being a perfectly functioning state, factoring in the corruption levels and violence, it’s a paradise for visitors, and they have little, if anything, at all to be worried about when going there on vacation.
Luxury Resorts Galore
Jamaica’s wide range of resorts, particularly in and around Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios, plays an equally big part in the island’s popularity with Americans.
Let’s face it: when you have only 7 to 10 days of paid vacation per day, an all-inclusive resort is as good as it gets, where pampering is expected 24/7, amenities are world-class, and the quality of food is unrivaled––have we mentioned the private beaches yet?
They’re not particularly expensive, either, with an overnight at the SeaGarden Beach Resort, in the heart of Montego Bay, costing $250 a night on a weekend this February, or an even-cheaper $193 at Deja Resort, with stunning ocean views and meals included.
Naturally, if you’re the splurging type, and we’re talking 4 figures-a-night, there are much-pricier villas at a paradisiacal Round Hill, or at the landmark, five-star Secrets St. James, with prices at those higher-end listings ranging from $1,044 to $2,000 a night.
Jamaica Is Surprisingly Visitor-Friendly
We wouldn’t be the first ones to venture outside the protective walls of a resort unaccompanied unless it’s the shopping zones in Montego Bay or Negril, which are still strictly patrolled, but if beaching for 7 days straight isn’t your idea of fun, there is a way you can safely explore Jamaica.
Just book a guided tour!
From Montego Bay, you can visit a marijuana farm and bird sanctuary for only $81, pick up and drop off at your location of preference included, or even go on an adults-only, ‘reggae’ catamaran cruise with an open bar along the coast, from $110.
To our fellow culture buffs out there, a must-do while in Jamaica is the Bob Marley Guided Tour of Nine Mile, featuring a stop in St. Ann, the birthplace of the music icon and Jamaica’s most emblematic figure, as well as the Bob Marley Mausoleum ($167.48).
From Kingston, the vibrant capital of Jamaica, there are walking tours of colorful murals ($26), or if you’re keen on something a little more hippy, check out this incredible Story of Jamaican Music Tour, starting from $90 per person.
Flights There Are Cheap
Finally, there’s the fact that Americans can fly nonstop to all three international airports of Jamaica, located in Kingston, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.
Based on Kayak data, the average rate of one-way flights from the United States to Jamaica is a surprisingly affordable $90, with the complete list of nonstop routes listed below:
Nonstop Flights From The U.S. To Kingston (KIN)
5-6 flights per day with JetBlue, Caribbean Airlines or Spirit Airlines
3 flights per day with American Airlines
4-6 flights per day with JetBlue, Caribbean Airlines or Delta Air Lines
1 flight per day with Delta Air Lines
Nonstop Flights From The U.S. To Montego Bay (MBJ)
8-11 flights per day with JetBlue, Spirit Airlines or Southwest Airlines
5-7 flights per day with JetBlue, Southwest Airlines or Spirit Airlines
3-6 flights per day with American Airlines
6-9 flights per day with Delta Air Lines or Frontier Airlines
2-8 flights per day with American Airlines
3 flights per day with United Airlines
2-4 flights per day with American Airlines or Frontier Airlines
2-3 flights per day with American Airlines
- Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
1 flight per day with Delta Air Lines
- Houston-William P. Hobby (HOU)
1 flight per week every Saturday with Southwest Airlines
1-3 flights per day with American Airlines or United Airlines
2 flights per day with Southwest Airlines
1-3 flights per day with Delta Air Lines or Sun Country Airlines
0-2 flights every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday with American Airlines, Jet Blue or Delta Air Lines
1 flight per day with Delta Air Lines
0-1 flight every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with United Airlines
0-1 flight every Wednesday and Saturday with Xtra Airways
0-1 flight every Saturday with Southwest Airlines
0-1 flight every Saturday with United Airlines
Flights From The U.S. To Ocho Rios
1 flight every day with American Airlines
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.