Is Jamaica Safe?Why do you ask? Is anyplace really safe? Perhaps a better question might be something along the lines of why Jamaica has an unsafe reputation. The answer might surprise you. History. And not all of it is recent history. Jamaica's reputation goes back to the days of pirates and buccaneers plying the Caribbean Sea. That would be from about 1550 until the early 1700s. After Columbus located Jamaica it was soon colonized by Spain. The brutal import of slaves from Africa began shortly after to provide labor in various agricultural enterprises, most notable being sugar production. An expedition from England took Jamaica in 1655.
In the 1700 and 1800s Jamaica was considered a potentially rich but deadly place. While some upwardly mobile soldiers and professionals viewed assignment there with desire, most found such an assignment as dangerous. Diseases in the tropics, unknown to most English, took a deadly toll. And although the pirate trade came to an end, the concepts of larceny and debauchery lived on.
In recent decades Jamaica gained a notorious reputation in the international drug trade as a major supplier of ganja with nefarious gangsters at the helm. The reggae culture promotes the smoking of ganja and as such it is tolerated on the island in some places (not in reputable establishments). While at one time many were involved in exportation of illegal ganja, that practice came to an end due to an increase in law enforcement. Despite what you may have heard, there are no fields of ganja covering the valleys and hills of Jamaica. This is the land of trees and water. The reputation of a ganja haven is hard to put down despite the best efforts of the Jamaican Tourist Board. And you might see it while in Jamaica, after all the reputation does have a basis in fact. If you don't want it, just say "no thanks, I'm good" and walk away. Chances are good the "seller" will simply move on to another potential customer. And certainly do not accept any "free" samples. Nothing is free on the island. Ganja is illegal and your holiday can end in ways you do not want if you are caught.
*** *** Essentially Jamaica is a safe place so long as you stay in the business and patrolled tourist areas, don't wander about by yourself at night, and don't flash a lot of cash or other riches. This is just like most places where tourist and business travelers can be found. Wander into the wrong area at the wrong time and bad things can happen. The best advice is to simply stay alert, know where you are going with confidence before you set out, and if it sounds too good to be true, it mostly isn't true. Keep your head about you and enjoy the vibe. Jamaica is all about getting along, consider the national motto: "Out of Many, One People"; that says it all. Respect. Crime Statistics by Country (Total Crimes per capita, Jamaica is ranked #37) Jamaica Timeline * Jamaican History (Gleaner) * Visit Jamaica
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Jamaica's Port Royal 
It is not unusual for cruise ship visitors to be confronted by opportunists when they leave the immediate dockside. These opportunists are selling anything from fresh fruit to bottled water to illegal drugs. Many feel this represents Jamaica. It does not. The real Jamaica is in the country side where every day people go about their every day lives living closely to nature. This part of Jamaica is not easy to see on a one day visit to the island.