Tourists warned of the dangers of an island "paradise"

Think the Bahamas and you think idyllic beaches and a laidback island lifestyle.

What you probably don’t expect are murders and gang violence.

But the US State Department recently updated its advisory for American travellers in the Bahamas. 

They are warned to ‘exercise increased caution’ due to rising levels of violent crime, Travel Mole reports.

Perpetrators and victims are mostly locals but State Department officials say ‘burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas."

It urges tourists to take extra care ‘when staying at short-term vacation rentals where private security companies do not have a presence.’

“Gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate,” the advisory said.

High crime areas including Nassau and across New Providence, and Grand Bahama.

The US Embassy in Nassau noted a spate of murders so far this year, which are mostly down to gang violence.

But it said: "The US Embassy is not aware of any US citizens who have been affected."

The tropical island destination saw more than eight million visitors last year

Prime Minister Philip Davis told local news outlet The Tribune that he doesn’t expect the travel warning will impact tourism. 

I think Mr Davis is kidding himself.

Image: Brett Tiagwad, Scop.io