6 Popular Caribbean Islands With the Steepest Crime Increases, State Department Warns
Trinidad and Tobago: A Record-Breaking Surge
Trinidad and Tobago recorded a record 623 murders in 2024, with 43 percent linked to gang-related activity according to officials, marking one of the most dangerous years in the nation’s history. The twin-island nation reported a homicide rate of 45.7 per 100,000 inhabitants, placing it among the most violent countries in the region despite its reputation as a tourist destination. The country has been placed at Level 3 ‘Reconsider Travel’ status and declared a state of emergency in December 2024, which lasted into the following year until it ended in mid-April 2025.
Murders increased dramatically from 97 in 1998 to 623 in 2024, revealing a disturbing upward trajectory that continues to alarm both residents and international observers. Around 180 small, loosely organized gangs compete for control over street-level drug sales and arms trafficking, creating a volatile environment where violence can erupt at any moment. The capital city Port of Spain remains a particular hotspot where armed robberies and kidnappings have become alarmingly common.
Jamaica: Decades of Violence Finally Declining
In 2023, there were approximately 60.9 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in the island nation, the highest homicide rate in Latin America and the Caribbean that year. Gang warfare has plagued Kingston, Montego Bay, and Spanish Town for years, with violence reaching levels that prompted the U.S. government to issue stern warnings. According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, there were 26 murders in Kingston between January 1 and March 9, 2024, though the year showed improvement overall.
In 2024 murders fell to 1,139, a 19 percent decline compared to 1,404 in 2023, marking a significant shift in the crime landscape. The U.S. State Department officially lowered its travel advisory for Jamaica from Level 3 to Level 2, reflecting a notable decline in violent crime across the island since 2024. Still, areas like downtown Kingston remain under Level 4 advisories where travelers should absolutely not venture.
The Bahamas: Tourist Paradise With Hidden Dangers
In the first 24 days of January 2024, the country recorded 18 murders, sending shockwaves through the tourism industry and prompting immediate action from U.S. authorities. Gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population, though the proximity of violence to tourist areas has raised serious concerns. Nassau and Freeport, the two main tourist hubs, have seen violent crimes including armed robberies and sexual assaults occur even in broad daylight.
Violent crime like armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults can occur anywhere in The Bahamas, with most crime occurring in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. The State Department maintains a Level 2 advisory, urging travelers to exercise increased caution, particularly in the Over-the-Hill neighborhood south of Shirley Street. What makes the situation particularly concerning is that violence has crept closer to areas where tourists gather, blurring the lines between safe zones and high-risk neighborhoods.
Haiti: Beyond Crisis Level
More than 5,000 people were killed and an additional 3,700 injured or abducted in 2024, according to reports from the Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights. Haiti is considered a no-go zone due to a massive spate of gang violence, with the country’s government declaring a state of emergency in early March 2024 after gangs freed over 4,000 prisoners from two major prisons and attacked the international airport, prompting the U.S. Department of State to instate a level 4 travel advisory recommending tourists ‘do not travel’.
The Western Hemisphere’s poorest country has descended into chaos where armed gangs control significant portions of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. Haiti’s crime index reached 78.9 in 2025, the highest in the entire Caribbean region. The violence has become so pervasive that basic governmental functions have virtually collapsed in many areas, leaving residents trapped in a nightmare of extortion, kidnapping, and murder with no end in sight.
Cuba: A Surprising Addition to the List
Violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, is also on the rise in Cuba, according to the advisory, marking an unexpected shift for a nation long considered relatively safe for tourists. As of early May, the U.S. Department of State now advises travelers to ‘exercise increased caution’ when going to Cuba due to crime and unreliable electrical power. The island nation faces compounding problems beyond just crime, with infrastructure failures adding another layer of danger.
Since October 2024, there have been several prolonged nationwide power outages, some cuts lasting up to 12 hours occurring daily in Havana, and even longer outside the capital. The combination of rising crime and collapsing infrastructure creates an environment where tourists may find themselves vulnerable and stranded. Petty crimes like pickpocketing have escalated, while more serious incidents involving armed robbery have become increasingly common in areas that previously saw little criminal activity.
Dominican Republic: Persistent Violence Despite Popularity
The Dominican Republic drew more than 2 million U.S. visitors in 2023, making it one of the most popular Caribbean destinations despite ongoing security concerns. Violent crime is a concern in the Dominican Republic despite more police presence in areas often visited by tourists, with homicides causing almost 12 deaths per 100,000 in 2023. The country maintains a Level 2 advisory, placing it alongside destinations like Italy and Germany in terms of caution required.
Over 22 people suffered illnesses from bad food or water at resorts near Punta Cana between mid-February and mid-March 2024, with some having to be hospitalized. Beyond violent crime, tourists face risks from armed robbery, sexual assault, and human trafficking operations. The wide availability of weapons, the use of drugs, and the developing criminal justice system all contribute to the high level of criminality in the country, creating an environment where even resort areas cannot guarantee complete safety.
