Islands located mere miles from one another can have very different cultures, languages, poverty levels and crime risks. Similarly, those danger levels change over time. The St. Thomas of today is far different from the St. Thomas of 1970. The same is true when comparing the Grenada of 1983 to the Grenada of today. To ensure your best chance for a safe and enjoyable vacation, choose an island with a consistently low crime rate. The U.S. Department of State provides a website with current estimations of crime rates, safety concerns and alerts for most Caribbean islands (see References). Choose the specific country, then click on the "crime" link to view data for that Caribbean nation. Grand Cayman, Montserrat and Dominica -- not to be confused with the Dominican Republic -- are some islands that have had some of the lowest crime rates in recent years.
If you are traveling to an island with moderate to elevated crime rates, you may wish to consider an all-inclusive resort. Although no location is 100 percent safe, you're less likely to feel danger at a resort where there's no need to ever leave the confines of the gates. The major drawback of an all-inclusive resort, of course, is that they don't provide you with a real sense of the flavor, culture and customs of the island. If you genuinely long for a plush and pampered vacation, an all-inclusive resort is worth a look. If you want to experience the unique ambiance of an island, visit one with a lower potential for violent crime.
The Caribbean offers a vibrant, culturally-rich setting for exploration and relaxation, so don't allow yourself to be scared away from your long-awaited Caribbean vacation by the mere potential for danger or by headlines of isolated incidents. Violent crimes between locals are far more common than those that are directed toward tourists. Theft of visitors' belongings from chartered yachts, hotel rooms and beaches do occur, but you need not be overly concerned about violent crimes on most islands in the Caribbean, especially to the extent that it cramps or ruins your vacation.
Opportunistic criminals can strike as easily in paradise as they can at home. The temptation for tourists to let down their guard and explore secluded beaches, linger at the ocean after sunset and overindulge in alcohol-laden tropical drinks only increases this risk. Instead, become an informed traveler and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry or lurking in deserted areas at night. Learn to identify the country's public buses and rental cars, and don't accept rides from drivers in unofficial vehicles. Don't flaunt large amounts of cash and always lock your hotel and car doors. And remember, a hotel security guard can be an asset -- even if he is only giving advice about mosquitoes.
