As the Caribbean becomes increasingly popular for its luxury cruises and all-inclusive beach resorts, it’s easy to forget how dangerous some Caribbean cities are.
Affected by political corruption, financial insecurity, devastating natural disasters, and extreme poverty. These cities remind us that it’s only recently that the Caribbean has become a sought after holiday destination known for its white sand beaches.
Luckily, most of the danger is confined to specific neighborhoods so you can still travel to a lot of these cities if you’re cautious. But, some are so heavily affected by drug trafficking and gang crime that they should be avoided at all cost.
7. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
There’s recently been some media sensationalization about tourists mysteriously dying in the Dominican Republic. Whilst many were actually due to natural causes, travelers should be wary of going to Santo Domingo.
There’s an ongoing problem in the city with police corruption, petty theft, and even aggravated assaults. Be wary of wearing any flashy jewellery or taking your phone out on the street.
El Capotillo is definitely a neighborhood to stay clear of if you do decide to go. It’s recommended to stick to resort holidays in the Dominican Republic or visit safer cities like Puerto Plata.
6. Nassau, Bahamas
Whilst the city center and lots of the neighborhoods in the city are deemed safe for tourists, the outskirts of the Nassau and more residential areas aren’t so safe.
Sadly, there’s a growing unrest between locals and tourists due to the growing gentrification of some areas of the city, that’s led to a growing number of reports of petty theft.
Keep an eye on your belongings, especially in nightclubs and bars, and don’t go out alone.
One neighborhood that tourists should avoid at all cost is the area known as Over the Hill, which is situated South of Nassau’s city center not far from the Queen’s Staircase.
It’s sad because this neighborhood that now sees rising rates of violent crimes was founded by former African slaves in the 1800s and was once a place of hope and resilience.
5. Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
Once an island notorious for its high murder rates and aggravated assault crimes, St. Kitts & Nevis has taken considerable measures to move away from its violent past.
In Basseterre most of the crime activity is gang and drug related. So whilst the statistics on crime are high, tourists are rarely the targets.
That said, the city does occasionally have reports of opportunistic petty theft and assault. Be cautious about flashing your expensive items and never travel there alone.
Despite its past, Basseterre is getting increasingly safer!
4. Colon, Panama
Whilst Panama is one of the safest cities in Central America. The same can’t be said for Colon, which is located along the Panama Canal.
Cutting through the center of the country, the canal has enabled global trade and contributed to the country’s overall economy. Sadly, for the port city of Colon it has also caused increasing problems with drug trafficking that has brought with it civil unrest and gang crime.
One problem that affects tourists is robbers pretending to be tour guides and then mugging them! Make sure you only book certified tours and be alert to avoid scams.
3. Kingston, Jamaica
A city known for its wild dance parties and vibrant culture, Kingston is sadly still pretty dangerous. It remains a popular international destination, but visitors’ warnings are frequent.
Kingston frequently ranks at the top of homicide rate charts, and the city has considerable drug and gang related crimes.
The violence tends to be isolated to the poorer neighborhoods in the city, but throughout Kingston there are reports of robberies and physical assault. On a few isolated occasions there have even been crimes reported within the confines of all-inclusive resorts.
2. Belize City, Belize
Belize city is pretty dangerous. There are high rates of homicides, perpetual problems with gang activity, and frequent robberies.
Whilst other areas of the country are safe for travelers, Belize City is a risky destination for visitors. The south side of the city is especially rife with gang related crime. However, some neighborhoods like the Commercial District and Fort George District are safe during the day.
The city’s notoriously tough central prison has featured in the documentary ‘Belize: The Prison That Found God’ that explores the prison’s questionable religious approach to rehabilitation.
1. Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Haiti is sadly the poorest country in the Caribbean. It has been heavily impacted by natural disasters, like the notorious 2010 earthquake of magnitude seven.
Events like this have significantly contributed to the country’s financial instability and civil unrest.
Nowhere is the nation’s poverty more evident than in Port-Au-Prince. The city is mostly controlled by armed gangs now. There are growing numbers of gang-related crimes, and tourists are often the targets of armed robberies, physical assaults, and even murder.
In a country where nearly 60% of people live below the poverty line, perhaps a beach holiday isn’t the best idea?
Leave a Reply