The U.S. Department of State has issued a warning for American travelers headed to the Bahamas due to violent crime that has impacted the local area.
A security alert from the U.S. Embassy in Nassau prompted the issuance of a Level 2 travel advisory. The advisory, issued on Jan. 26, urged travelers to “exercise increased caution” should they decide to visit the Caribbean country.
The embassy reports that there have been a total of 18 homicides in Nassau so far this year, with some of the incidents occurring during daylight hours. The majority of crime includes burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, all of which has occurred on the island of New Providence, home of the Bahamian capital of Nassau, and on the island of Grand Bahama.
According to the press release, 2024 murders have been primarily driven by retributive gang violence.
It has been reported that violent crime has been happening in both tourist and non-tourist areas. The State Department is urging travelers to be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence.
The State Department is also warning U.S. travelers steer clear of activities like boat tours with commercial recreational watercraft because they are not consistently regulated.
If you are currently making plans for your spring or summer vacation, there are certain locations that you may want to reconsider visiting.
Safety tips for travel to the Bahamas
If you do make the decision to travel to the Bahamas, the State Department has a list of safety tips to help Americans stay safe.
-Keep a low profile.
-Be aware of your surroundings.
-Do not answer your door at your hotel/residence unless you know who it is.
-Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
-Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
-Follow the Department of State on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to be kept up date.
-Review the Country Security Report for the Bahamas.
-Prepare a contingency plan for emergency and medical situations.
-Exercise extreme caution in the eastern part of New Providence Island (Nassau).
-Use caution when walking or driving at night.
Additional Travel Advisory Warnings
A travel advisory has also been issued for Haiti in the Caribbean, citing civil unrest as the reason for the Level 4 classification. The alert level system ranges from Level 1, which is the lowest, to Level 4, which is the highest.
Jamaica currently holds a Level 3 designation due to high levels of crime, while the Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos have been placed at Level 2, indicating that travelers should take extra caution when visiting these destinations.
Some regions in Mexico may pose a higher risk for travelers due to criminal activities and potential abductions.
Individuals who opt to travel to regions with a higher risk of travel are advised to maintain a discreet appearance, exercise caution during nighttime, remain vigilant of their surroundings.
