Where To Stay, Safety Tips, and Advice

Thoughts of Jamaica invoke Caribbean visions that few other islands can conjure: roadside jerk stands wafting through road trip windows, memories of Bob Marley evoked by the rhythm of Reggae, and stretches of sugar-white sands that will make your heart sing.

Solo travel in Jamaica is a life-affirming adventure, affording a more cultural experience than any other Caribbean country I’ve visited. But it’s fair to say it also requires a bit more pre-planning. Safety in Jamaica is, understandably, for many visitors the most significant concern – especially when travelling solo. Sure, if you’re flying in to flop down in an oceanfront resort and not straying any further, there’s really no worry. But while a gorgeous, luxury stay is for many Jamaica’s calling card, my personal view is that it would be criminal not to experience the island’s local culture as well as indulging.

I spent a month traversing the entirety of Jamaica, working on a video assignment for Faces2Hearts, a project by Europe Aid, the former name of a part of the European Commission’s International Development Agency. While a large part of my time was spent with the fantastic project partner and Jamaican local Jeana Lindo, I also spent many days and nights exploring solo. If you’re also looking to travel to Jamaica independently, here’s my advice.

Use Couch Surfing to meet other solo travellers to share costs

It’s fair to say Jamaica doesn’t top any list of the best solo travel destinations. As such, meeting fellow solo travellers isn’t as easy as elsewhere. Sure, you could stay in a hostel, but if you’d prefer a beachside resort experience – and, who wouldn’t, when the shorelines sparkle like this – then you’ll likely find yourself surrounded by couples, families, or friends travelling together. 

While this limited pool of solo travellers makes it harder to share experiences or costs with others, it’s not impossible. Couch Surfing is one of my favourite travel apps for this purpose, and while many assume it’s just for finding a host, the “meet up” feature is very handy for connecting with other travellers, and even locals. Of course, exercise the same due diligence and caution as you would when meeting people online anyway. Another idea is to opt for an adult-only resort that’s solo traveller-friendly for a higher chance of conversation and connection.

Pick an adult-only, beachfront resort with easy access to local culture  

You don’t have to choose between an active or all-inclusive Caribbean holiday in Jamaica—here you can have both. Along the island’s popular north coast, where shorelines twinkle in turquoise and aqua marine, and you practically sink into the powdery sands, you’ll find numerous luxury resorts providing all the comforts and security you could seek. Opting for a beachfront resort means that you’re never far from a swim, and it’s undoubtedly a better first-stay option for solo travellers than Kingston, the country’s capital. 

Jamaica’s two main resort towns are Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Though those might have tourism facilities and hotels to choose from, I found them a little too developed, crowded and lacking in soul. My favourite beachside, solo travel spot that I’d highly recommend is actually about halfway between them, in the parish of Trelawny.

Here, on its own, enclosed development, you’ll find the perfect bolthole, Ocean by H10 Hotels’ tranquil pair of five-star resorts. Both have access to numerous pools, a dreamy beach right on the doorstep, and the onsite restaurants serve decent local food, not just international fare. Of the two, I opted for Ocean Eden Bay as it’s adult-only, which, as a solo traveller, I prefer. Cost-wise, I also found Eden Bay much fairer-priced than most other resorts in Jamaica. While in many places I essentially paid the same price for a room as a couple travelling together – due to single supplements, resort fees, or per-room rather than per-person prices – Ocean’s rates were much closer to half-price, meaning you can enjoy a gorgeous double room without paying double just because you’re travelling solo. 

Take a tour in Trelawny to appreciate Jamaica’s local side

Trelawny was perhaps my Jamaican parish, and not just because of the resort. It’s a great mid-location for day trips to Montego Bay (45 minutes) and Ocho Rios (one hour), ideal for exploring attractions like Dunn’s River Falls. More importantly, the parish is home to some fantastic, slightly more offbeat attractions and experiences that will show you another side of Jamaica, all within 10-20 minutes of Ocean Eden Bay.

The capital of Trelawny is the well-preserved Georgian town of Falmouth, where you’ll find local markets and historic architecture on a walk. It might have some bad reviews about safety, but I found it perfectly fine. It’s one of Jamaica’s cruise ports, so it’s in the parish’s interest to keep it safe, but as the cruise port is fenced off with its own markets and activities inside, the actual town itself doesn’t feel too touristy. Another absolute highlight of my time in Jamaica was right here at the Luminous Lagoon. At night, these waters light like a fairytale blue carpet, due to the millions of bioluminescent organisms living in the lagoon. The group boat trips are secure and well organised, and it’s only a ten-minute transfer from the hotel.

Other highlights in the vicinity are rafting on the Martha Brae River. Tracing the mangrove-flanked river route onboard a rustic bamboo raft is serene, and as a solo traveller, you’ll either be buddied up with another solo visitor for the experience, or you can opt for a private sailing. The standout Trelawny experience for me, though, was being able to join one of the Cockpit Country Eco Tours. The small-group tours, led by local guides, will take you into the mountains to meet farmers, enjoy authentic local cuisine, and gain insight into Jamaica’s ecosystem. It was one of the few times on my travels in Jamaica that I not only felt 100% safe, but also like I was experiencing the real Jamaica, not one polished for tourists.

Plan your visit to Kingston with a local guide

Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, feels like a different country from the north coast’s resorts. I think it’s a shame that many visitors skip it entirely due to the driving distance or safety concerns, and I truly believe it’s a must-visit to experience the authentic local culture and way of life. Visiting Kingston’s main attractions, such as the Bob Marley Museum, Trench Town Culture Yard Museum, or Devon House, is generally considered safe for solo travellers – though you’ll likely not want to wander too far from the museums.

Still, to get a proper feel for Kingston’s different neighbourhoods and personality, a guided tour will not only make you feel more secure if you have safety concerns, but also allow you to have a more intimate experience. One of my top Jamaica travel tips is to try to join a tour with Kingston Creative. Founded in 2017, this artistic community group has worked incredibly hard to brighten Kingston with new murals, street art, festivals and events, using creativity to improve community links. Their tours are fantastic, as while being shown around the different artworks and hearing about local Dancehall culture and sampling the best patties, you’ll also get to see downtown Kingston proper. 

Read up on current local safety advice before arrival

Solo travel in Jamaica can be a concern for all, whether a man or a woman. In some areas, you don’t want to look flashy; you will want to remove all jewellery and not carry around expensive phones or cameras. Not all of Jamaica is unsafe, far from it, but it’s advisable to double-check both recent safety warnings from the UK Gov Travel Advice, and also ask for local advice from your accommodation if planning to visit or go somewhere alone. I’d also suggest conducting a Google News search for the area to check for any local reports, such as those in the Jamaica Gleaner.

During my trip, I’d often message my friend Jamaica and say, “hey, what’s it like here?” and her insight as a local was priceless, whether suggesting an alternative or advising me not to visit a particular spot on my own. Do the research, take precautions, and you’ll find that the majority of visits to Jamaica are trouble-free. 

You don’t need to book excursions for every single activity 

Jamaica is one of the most unforgettable islands you’ll ever visit. There are countless incredible experiences to be had. Explore underground in the Green Grotto Caves, splash around on Dunns’ River Falls, go tubing along the White River, or taste local rum at Falmouth’s Hampden Sugar Estate, the Caribbean’s oldest rum producer.

The bad news? Nearly all of these activities cost money. In fact, even visiting a lot of the “public” beaches in Jamaica costs money, whether you’re a tourist or a local (something I found both sad and shocking). Add them all together, and the cost quickly stacks, especially if you’re booking private drivers and excursions on top of the entry prices. As such, be selective about which experiences you want to do – some are rather similar – and try to focus on experiences that don’t involve a long, expensive taxi drive. It’s one of the reasons I loved staying in Trelawny, there’s heaps to do nearby.

The good news? Nearly all of these attractions, because they are tickets, don’t necessarily require an excursion to join them. You’re going to need to pay the entry fee anyway, and as a solo traveller, adding the cost of hiring a private driver on top will skyrocket your expenses. Look for group tour excursions that offer resort pickup, as these will save a little money and potentially introduce you to new friends. Or, consider taking registered taxis with fixed charges between the attraction and your resort – at both ends, they are usually happy to call and make these arrangements. 

Enjoy the nightlife with a bit of pre-planning 

After dark is when I, and many solo travellers, I guess, feel most vulnerable. I’ll admit that was especially true in Jamaica, and I was quite conscious about going out after dark, which is a shame in a country renowned for its music, culture and nightlife. Sure, even after visiting, there are some experiences, such as attending a Dancehall street party or local bar, that I’d still advise are best done with a local. But some other nightlife spots, many of which have plenty of security, both outside and roaming the venue, are arguably some of the safest places to be in Jamaica.

It goes without saying to trust your instincts, moderate your drinking, and make sure you travel by registered taxi. Still, in some venues, especially in Montego Bay, or the Dub Club cultural centre in the hills overlooking Kingston, I felt totally relaxed, made to feel very welcome, and didn’t have any safety concerns. For a more low-key night, head to somewhere like Devon House.

Budget some extra cash just in case

It goes without saying anywhere, but if you’re concerned about safety in Jamaica, you’ll want to ensure you have an emergency budget to use. Whether you’ve opted for local accommodation instead of a resort and felt unsafe upon arrival, or you want to hire a private driver after your first solo outing to make things easier, the extra pre-planned budget affords a little more peace of mind.

Still, for a first-time solo visit to Jamaica, I’d really recommend – though out of character for my usual travel style – opting for a beachfront resort. That way, if you do find exploring the island independently overwhelming, at least you’ve got all the facilities, pools and pristine sands you need on your doorstep to still enjoy an excellent and relaxing holiday.