Travel advisories in Jamaica, Bahamas, Mexico could affect your vacation plans: What to know

As spring break approaches, the United States has issued several travel advisories asking travelers to exercise caution when planning their next trip.

Popular locations for spring break like the Bahamas and Jamaica are both under travel advisories from the U.S. government.

What do the travel advisories mean? Here's what we know.

More: US issues travel advisory for Jamaica, but it's not the only one. Here's a list

Jamaica travel advisory

U.S. citizens should reconsider traveling to Jamaica due to crime and medical services, according to a level three travel advisory from U.S. Department of State.

Home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults and homicides are common, the department said.

"Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts," the advisory said. "Local police often do not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Families of U.S. citizens killed in accidents or homicides frequently wait a year or more for final death certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities."

Hospitals and medical care are often not up to U.S. standards, and can be costly as many places do not accept U.S. insurance. Travelers can obtain traveler's insurance to cover any financial losses due to trip cancellation or medical emergencies.

More: Jamaica responds to U.S. travel advisory, highlights major security, health improvements

Those who do decide to travel to Jamaica are advised the following:

• Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition. This includes stray rounds, shells or empty casings. The penalties for carrying firearms and/or ammunition, even inadvertently, are severe, and can include lengthy prison sentences.

• Avoid walking or driving at night.

• Avoid public buses.

• Avoid secluded places or situations.

• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.

• Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.

• Enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to be located in an emergency.

Bahamas travel advisory

The travel advisory issued for the Bahamas by the State Department is a level two, one level below the one in Jamaica, meaning travelers should "exercise increased caution" due to crime.

According to the advisory, the majority of crime occurs in Nassau, the capital city that encompasses the island of New Providence, and the city of Freeport on the island of Grand Bahama.

Since the start of the year, 18 murders have occurred in Nassau, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy. And violent crime, including burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas, the travel advisory warned.

"Murders have occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets," the statement said. "Retaliatory gang violence has been the primary motive in 2024 murders."

U.S. citizens who travel to the Bahamas should:

• Be more aware when staying at properties where there is no private security.

• Not answer the door unless they know who it is.

• Not physically resist robbery attempts.

• Enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to be located in an emergency.

Is there a Mexico travel advisory?

While there is no overarching travel advisory for Mexico itself, the State Department has various levels of travel advisories for the different states of Mexico.

Most states fall under level two, asking folks to exercise increased caution. Two Mexican states, Campeche and Yucatan, are level one, meaning travelers can exercise normal caution.

But the department warns that violent crime like homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery is "widespread and common in Mexico," and that the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to its citizens in many parts of Mexico.

Those traveling to Mexico should:

• Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans, and share your GPS location. When taking a taxi, send a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and to a friend.

• Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night.

• Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.

• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.

• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.

• Enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to be located in an emergency.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Jamaica travel advisory issued: What U.S. citizens should know