If you’re trying to figure out which is the safest Sandals resort, there’s good news: each of the 17 resorts in the Caribbean are considered safe, as they all follow the same safety procedures to take care of guests. In fact, Sandals resorts have been awarded the Healthier Safer Tourism Award by the Caribbean Public Health Agency.
We have been to every Sandals resort and have never felt unsafe.
The safety measures you’ll find at Sandals resorts include:
- Gated entrances and walls surrounding the resorts
- Onsite security guards at entrances, exits
- Security personnel patrolling the resort grounds and beaches day and night
- State-of-the-art 24-hour video surveillance of public areas
- Electric key card access for rooms
- Licensed tour operators for excursions
- Complimentary roundtrip airport transfers
- Onsite medical support
- Sandals staff undergo thorough background checks before they are hired, including criminal checks.
- Staff receives ongoing training from the security staff, and must follow strict rules regarding behavior towards guests.
- Sandals works closely with local law enforcement and continuously monitors local situations for any security issues.
- Local authorities visit Sandals resorts to make sure security measures are up to date, and Sandals often works with outside security experts as well.
According to a Sandals representative’s comments on TripAdvisor, “Sandals Resorts is committed to the safety, security, and satisfaction of our guests. We consider the safety and security of our guests and staff to be of the highest importance. We go to great lengths to ensure that our guests have a terrific experience and that starts and ends with safety.
“Our best-in-class approach ensures that our resort is equipped with comprehensive 24-hour onsite security as well as extensive CCTV that is monitored around the clock. We are among the safest resorts in the Caribbean and you can feel confident that when you vacation with us, your stay will be safe, effortless, and carefree. The team regularly evaluates these safety measures to ensure our approach always remains best in class. We accomplish this through our robust safety policies, employee training, and security and technology infrastructure.
“We have had the great pleasure of welcoming through our doors, millions of guests, who often return again and again. Our hope is that we can also welcome you to our beautiful resort very soon.”
There are Sandals resorts on 7 different Caribbean islands, and the overall crime rate, while generally low, does vary among the islands. The islands with Sandals resorts that have lower crime rates are Antigua, Barbados, Curacao, Grenada, and St. Lucia.
It’s worth noting that Jamaica, which previous had a Level 3 “reconsider travel” warning from the US State Department, recently improved to a Level 2 “exercise increased caution.” The Bahamas also has a Level 2 advisory, while all the other islands with Sandals resorts have Level 1 “exercise normal precautions” advisories.
How can I stay safe at Sandals resorts?
No matter where you travel, you can stay safe by following some basic guidelines.
First, research the area where you’ll be staying and anywhere you want to visit. If you’re not sure about the safety of a particular place, it’s always best to ask someone who knows the area well. Locals are usually the best people to ask about safety tips and which areas to avoid.
Crimes of opportunity like pickpocketing and purse snatching can happen, especially at beaches, hotel lobbies, or cars. Keep your valuables out of sight and in a safe place, such as a hotel safe or locked suitcase. Stay aware of your surroundings.
Don’t carry a lot of cash on you, and keep what money you do have (along with credit cards and passport) in a zipped purse or travel pouch concealed under your clothes. Make sure you have a copy of your passport, driver’s license, and credit cards in a safe location in case any of these are stolen.
Car theft can also occur, so if you’ve rented a car, make sure not to leave any valuables in view and lock the doors whenever you leave it. Choose parking lots that have security features like gates or attendants.
Be careful when visiting more isolated areas of the island, such as nature areas, remote beaches, and small or informal parking areas used by divers. Pay attention, and if you feel uncomfortable, leave.
A good way to stay safe while on vacation is to travel in groups. There’s strength in numbers, so if you can travel with a group of friends or family members, you’ll be a much less likely target for crime. If you aren’t traveling with a group, go places with at least one other person.
If you go out to bars or nightclubs, take the usual precautions: don’t go alone—always in pairs or groups; stick to main streets and brightly lit areas, and always keep your eyes on your drink. If you consume alcohol, do so responsibly so you can stay alert.
Most islands have some form of insect-borne illness. To protect yourself from insect bites, use repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants plus closed-toe shoes at dawn, dusk, or near stagnant water.