Is it safe in Jamaica?

[delgadot]

Hello Ladies!

 

I am so worried and need some opinions...I am looking to get married in Jamaica with about 50 guests. After looking at so many reviews and people's pictures I am thinking that I want to have my wedding outside of the resort and hook up with a wedding coordinator like (Tropical Weddings or Jamaica Elegant Weddings) but my dilema is that when I have told people that I want to get married in Jamaica their response has been "Oh well I am not leaving the resort it is not safe" so now I am feeling bumbed and discouraged about having my wedding outside of the resort....I do not want my guests to not feel safe....any thoughts would be much appreciated...

[blckrevpower]

I just arrived back from a visit to Jamaica, and we had a great time!!!

We were only on the resort 2 of the 6 days I was there. One of my friends arranged to have a guy drive us around so we could see the

real Jamaica and not what the resort just presents as Jamaica. In my opinion, it was safe. We went all the way up the mountains of Nine Mile and Negril. We also stopped to get some REAL Jamaican food. What they serve at the resort is nothing compared to what we ate. We went to the music festival Sumfest and had AN AMAZING TIME!!!! Overall, I really enjoyed my stay. I've been to Jamaica before and stayed at the resort the entire time. This recent visit was much better because I got to see most of Jamaica.

I will warn you that Jamaica is a very poor island, so expect to get asked for money in certain places by certain people. I can compare it to beggars in the streets here in the States, but we all know that America is a much more wealthy country than Jamaica.

I would suggest arranging for transportation with one of the companies there so the driver can expose you to whatever you want to see.

Personally, I wouldn't care if people wanted to leave the resort or not. More power to them for their views. Why even visit a place like Jamaica if you're not even going to step foot outside the resort? For me, that viewpoint just encourages that idea that the people of the island are not really important. Jamaican people are different sort, and it would be great if you, your fi and guests could see that when you visit.

I'm not really the type to arrange my life to suit others, so I guess I can easily say that and forget about those people. I'm not planning our wedding to suit other people's needs, but OUR needs. It's our wedding. I honestly can't figure out where the notion to please the people on your day came from. Okay, food and drinks are a must, but the other stuff? Semantics. With the arranged transportation, we didn't have to worry about paying for cabs or getting ripped off because we had someone with us the entire time.

I felt very safe and secure while I was out and about seeing the island. I would highly recommend it. You won't regret it.

Good luck with your search and happy planning!!!

[bizzyangel]

I have been to Jamaica before outside of the touristy parts since I have family there and have always felt safe. Then again it has been awhile since I was last there for my grandfather's funeral in 2000 and things have changed a lot since then but if I were to visit any of my family members I still would feel safe. I would imagine the parts that you would be traveling outside of the hotel are not of any danger. I know the recent problems with the drug lord were in Kingston and they have since captured and extradited him.The country itself is not very bad and the people are very welcoming and of a loving nature.I would imagine that wherever the wedding coordinator sets up for your wedding location and reception will be safe for you and your guests. So far the reviews of the wedding coordinators from the brides here have all been very positive experiences so I don't think you should worry.

 

[delgadot]

Thank you so much for that I was really worried and you do have a great point "that wherever the wedding coordinator sets up for your wedding location and reception will be safe for you and your guests." I do intend on taking a trip there next year to visit and actually see the different resorts and meet with the coordinator etc. So with that in mind I can see for myself what it is like. I think that the recent drug issues etc. that has been in the news is probably what has my family rowled up and thinking negatively. Thanks again I really appreciate your thoughts!

[delgadot]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience that is exactly what I needed to hear!! I need to stop worrying about what other people think and need to stay focus on the fact that it is our day and this is what we want! Thanks again:)

[debbmach]

I worry about the same thing. I've had a few guests say things to me like, 'you sure you want to still get married there?', 'i won't leave the resort'. I guess right now there's a travel advisory against going there, although I think it's mostly for Kingston. Negril is so far from there and on the resort it's a different world, that's what I tell people anyway. I've always wanted to go to Jamaica and as long as the conflict is restricted to one city then I really want to go!

[mswhatever]

I just got back from Jamaica, last friday. We walked up and down the streets in Negril with NO Problem. 

[Sax Lady]

My FI is from there and still there. I think you will be fine. I think a lot of times people here certian things and just get scared. I view it like this (I'm from the states) You know that there are bad parts of LA or New York but you still go, you just make sure you stay out of those areas. I think people are very quick to judge and especially with a DW because that gives them a chance to debate your choice. There are places all over the world that are bad but there are also good. I think once you visit you will feel better, but as a pp said the country is poorer so be prepared because some people that only stay on the resort dont see it. I actually heard some guest one time say I dont know why the complain its not that bad but they never let the resort. I hope this helps

[delgadot]

Thanks for all of the posts they have been comforting. We are not getting married until July 2012, so I plan on taking a trip to Jamaica next year so I will get to see what it is like...

[Kelleyann71]

Hey there!

I'm dealing with the same exact thing.  The negativity I'm hearing is getting old.  A lot of the people I've heard negativity from have only seen Jamaica from a cruise ship.  One thing they don't realize is that the beggars will likely be right where the ships dock... there are a lot of people there... they're trying to make money!

 

Who cares if people try to sell you stuff or ask for money... they're trying to make a living. 

 

We're thinking Grand Pineapple in Negril in 2011. 

 

We've never been to Jamaica but I've read so many reviews here and on tripadvisor that I'm not really concerned about it.

 

What I am concerned with is how many people say negative comments when I'm working so hard to make a beautiful wedding for me and for all of them.  It's so discouraging and insensitive.

 

Where are you planning on getting married?

 

Kelley