Durrant Pate/Contributor

The United Kingdom Foreign Office has issued an updated travel warning advisory to nationals travelling to Jamaica.

British tourists heading to Jamaica are being urged to exercise increased caution following a new travel advisory from the UK government warning of a rise in sexual assaults at resorts and continued disruptions linked to Hurricane Melissa. 

The warning comes as Jamaica continues to recover from the category 5 storm, which struck the Caribbean in October 2025 and caused widespread infrastructure damage across sections of the country, leaving some communities still facing intermittent electricity and water disruptions months later.

The updated advisory from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) was issued on May 7, warning that incidents have been reported in heavily frequented tourist areas, including beach resorts, bars and organised excursions. 

According to the advisory, several reported assaults involved perpetrators first encountering victims socially before targeting them in secluded locations. It points to as a reported rise in sexual assaults involving British nationals at resorts, beaches, bars, and excursions, often occurring after meeting perpetrators socially.

Rape and sexual assault in tourist areas

“Some British nationals have reported incidents of rape and sexual assault in tourist areas, including beach resorts,” read the advisory, noting, “in many cases, the alleged perpetrator was someone the victim met socially, for example at a bar, hotel, beach or excursion.” The advisory urges British travellers to remain vigilant in social settings and avoid isolated areas after dark. 

It also stressed that while the incidents are not widespread, the pattern was serious enough to justify heightened travel guidance. Travellers are being encouraged to use only licensed or hotel-approved transportation services and avoid accepting rides from unofficial taxi operators or newly met acquaintances. 

Officials also advised visitors not to disclose hotel room numbers or share detailed travel plans with strangers. The advisory puts particular emphasis on independent travellers, recommending that solo visitors regularly update friends or family on their whereabouts and transportation arrangements.

“If you experience sexual harassment or assault, or if you feel threatened or unsafe, report it as soon as possible to hotel staff or your tour operator,” the FCDO said. Beyond personal safety concerns, the FCDO notes storm recovery challenges remain a concern in parts of western Jamaica. 

Health related concerns 

Some areas continue to experience unreliable utilities, while damaged infrastructure has complicated access to healthcare services in certain communities. Health officials are also warning visitors about an increased risk of mosquito-borne illnesses in storm-affected zones where standing water remains an issue. 

The FCDO further stressed the importance of comprehensive travel insurance. In October 2025, the US State Department urged travellers to reconsider visits to Jamaica due to concerns over crime, health and natural disaster risks before lowering its advisory in January 2026 to “exercise increased caution.” 

In March, Canada also updated its official travel guidance for Jamaica, warning travellers of elevated safety risks. The advisories come despite Jamaica remaining the Caribbean’s most popular destination for British travellers. 

The island welcomed 230,000 UK visitors in 2024 and 202,160 in 2025, while nearly 30,000 British tourists visited during the first two months of 2026 alone. The advisory points to Safety & Security concerns with high levels of crime and gun violence existing, and “states of emergency” are sometimes declared, which can lead to increased security measures in areas like St. James.