Travel insurance is strongly recommended if you are planning to visit the Caribbean. Even though most islands are generally safe and locals are friendly, petty crimes and scams are quite common. In most islands, especially Cuba, avoiding the attention of the police is the best way to keep from getting into trouble while drugs and prostitution are the main problems on many islands, while the degree of punishment is unpredictable. It's also a good idea not to show off your precious jewllery or you may find yourself in a sticky situation with a jinetero (tout).  Tourists are advised to take shots of Hepatitis B and Tetanus before arriving on an island and taking travel insurance with you is always a wise choice to ensure you are protected against any mishaps.