Topping travel headlines recently has been the level two travel alert issued for The Bahamas by the US State Department.
The alert was issued on January 26, urging visitors to the tropical islands to "exercise increased caution." With the popularity of The Bahamas and its proximity to the United States, we've been getting questions regarding what this means for potential travel to the area.
The alert specifically references Nassau and Freeport as hot spots for crime. Both of these locations are popular for cruisers and fly-in travelers alike. According to the US State Department, "gang-on-gang violence" has resulted in a high homicide rate, primarily among the non-tourist population. The report also states that most crime does not impact tourist areas.
So, what does this mean for you?
First, this does not mean you shouldn't travel to the Bahamas. The Bahamas is a chain of islands with plenty of places to visit besides the areas referenced in the State Department alert. Islands like Bimini are known for their safety and don't appear to be affected by a rise in recent crime rates in the island nation.
Additionally, the state department's job is to notify you of potentially dangerous situations. However, many of these same dangers exist right here at home. A common sense approach to safety should be followed at home or while traveling.
Anytime you are in unfamiliar surroundings, it's best to do your research, stay alert, carry less cash, and have a plan should a potentially unsafe situation arise. Given the alert, it would be best to keep in tourist-heavy areas for the time being when in Nassau or Freeport.
Finally, this is a topic that has been discussed previously in both of these places. Nassau has been one of our least favorite places because I love traveling outside the touristy areas. I've never really felt safe while doing this in Nassau. This alert confirms this. I've never been to Freeport, but I heard the same from fellow bloggers and travelers.
What if you're scheduled to be in The Bahamas soon?
If you aren't traveling to Nassau or Freeport on your trip to The Bahamas, you should proceed with a normal level of caution. Most islands in The Bahamas are unaffected by increased crime. If you are traveling to a cruise line's private island such as Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay, Carnival's Half Moon Cay, Princess' Princess Cays, Disney's Castaway Cay, or others, then you will be perfectly safe as they are not open to the public and operate privately under the supervision of the cruise line. Bimini also should be fine.
If you are making a stop or traveling directly to Nassau or Freeport, don't let it ruin your time. Popular places like Atlantis on Paradise Island, shore excursions on trips, etc., are largely unaffected. I would avoid venturing off by yourself in unfamiliar areas. Guided tours are always the safest bet. In short, don't let it ruin your trip; plan your trip accordingly.
Never overreact to travel news, but don't disregard it.
The media often overplays travel news and issues. It's kind of a smoking gun that people use as an excuse not to travel, producing a high click rate. The same will be true for this story out of the Bahamas. That being said, the US State Department issued the alert for a reason. Read the alert yourself and make an informed decision.
If you are traveling to an affected area and need advice, you can always contact CruiseNReview, and we'd be glad to serve as a consultant for you free of charge, even if you didn't book your trip with us. We want you to be safe while still getting the maximum enjoyment out of your vacation. You can contact us by emailing info@cruisenreview.com or calling (870) 273-5004.
Travelers are always encouraged to:
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.
Review the Country Security Report for The Bahamas.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergency and medical situations. Review the Traveler's Checklist.
Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
A state department alert was also issued for Jamaica. You can read our comments on that report here.
Be sure to subscribe to our alerts for the latest travel news and information. You can do so by clicking here.
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