Durrant Pate/ Contributor

Jamaica’s tourism has been hit with a severe body blow, as Canada updates its Jamaica travel advisory with ‘serious warning’.

In fact, Canadians with upcoming travel plans to Jamaica may want to read up on the government’s travel advisory for the popular beach destination, with Ottawa updating the travel advisory for Jamaica on Monday, warning Canadians to “exercise a high degree of caution” due to the high level of violent crime.”

“Violent crime, including armed robbery and murder, is a problem in large cities and tourist areas, including parts of Kingston and Montego Bay, despite the presence of police to counter criminal activity,” reads the advisory. It says the widespread availability of firearms, which are involved in most violent drug and gang-related crimes, could put visitors at risk of being the victims of crossfire in certain areas. 

Communities warned about

The advisory lists the following areas in Jamaica for having a significant gang population and high incidences of violent crime:

Greater Kingston

• Arnett Gardens
• August Town
• Balmagie
• Cassava Piece
• Delacree Park
• Denham Town
• Drewsland
• Felstead Pen
• Four Miles
• Glendale
• Grant’s Pen
• Greenwich Town
• Hannah Town
• Harbour View
• Hunts Bay
• Jones Town
• Lower Cockburn Gardens
• Maverly
• Mountain View
• Nanse Pen
• Olympic Gardens
• Payneland
• Portmore
• Rennock Lodge
• Riverton City
• Salmagie
• Seaview Gardens
• Tavares Gardens
• Tivoli Gardens
• Tower Hill
• Trench Town
• Waltham Gardens
• West Kingston
• Whitfield Town

St. Catherine

• Central Village
• Ellerslie
• Homestead
• Ravensworth
• Spanish Town
• Tawes Pen

Montego Bay

• Bottom Pen
• Canterbury
• Flankers
• Hart Street
• Mount Salem
• Norwood Gardens
• Rose Heights
• St Clavers Avenue

South Coast

• May Pen

Canadians travelling to these spots in Jamaica are being advised to stay aware at all times, avoid visiting or travelling at night, follow the advice of local authorities, avoid walking alone, go out in groups, and avoid visiting isolated areas and beaches.

“If you’re threatened by robbers, don’t resist, and hand over your cash and valuables. Resistance may provoke the use of violence,” the advisory reads in conclusion. Last week, Canada issued a serious update to a travel advisory for Mexico.