Jamaica - experience and suggestions

[deschutestrout]

We are considering a family vacation in Jamaica next winter ... anyone have experience traveling there? Suggestions? Alternatives for comparable $? Thanks!

[tristessa]

Never been to Jamaica but we did a couple of Christmas vacations in Puerto Rico when I was a teenager, which was a complete blast both times .. stayed at the eastern end of the island near Fajardo, but it's a small enough island that just about everything is a day trip.

Puerto Rico pros: US territory, so no passport required, no currency exchange, no customs on the return flight.

Puerto Rico cons: Not Jamaica, if you've got your heart set on going there.

[deschutestrout]

Actually, we've received negative stuff about the safety of Jamaica these days ... and are looking into Puerto Rico ... positive from you and others about that place. Thanks Hal!

[Jivermo]

Good choice. Jamaica is not a great place for a family vacation. That's not to say it's not a neat place, but Disney World it is not. I took my family there some years back, and it was quite the experience. My daughters spent the majority of their time fending off ganja sellers and hair braiders, as well as amorous Lotharios. We ate well with a village of Rastafarians, jerk chicken and akii, and I never felt unsafe or unwelcome in Jamaica, but I came away thinking it was a better spot for a single, open minded person. The hotel water was on for two hours a day, from 1am to 3am! Think about it. Might I suggest Belize or Costa Rica?

[Bleyseng]

I went to Jamaica in 2006 and loved it especially the food at Lil Ochi a small cafe on the beach. Never bothered by pot sellers or another people. We spent our time at Negril at the beach, the town of Mandelville and went on a nighttime hike up to the top of Blue Mountain for view the sunrise. Now that was amazing and staying at a old coffee plantation, picking coffee beans and roasting coffee was fun.
We were going to go there for Christmas this year but couldn't. Other island that is a blast is St.Maarten as its Dutch/French. Dutch side is very touristy but the French side isn't. Beaches are amazing along with snorkeling, food and stuff to see. It is a fairly small island unlike Jamaica which is very big!
Depends on what you want- lots of tourist stuff, more Spanish culture or all inclusive resort ? When I go to the island I like the island culture and get along with everybody. People ask me to show me the things they are selling and I look and ask about it showing a real interest in what they have. I have bought some amazing handmade stuff this way as most aren't a rip off.
I also go to Trinidad, Arubu and Curacao a lot and enjoy those islands.
I am heading back to Surianme to finish up there and try to go into the jungle again as it's just too beautiful and exotic not to.

I have some friends who just returned from Costa Rica and their trip seemed to me the typical tourist trip. Lots of zip lining and hikes.

[tristessa]

Actually, we've received negative stuff about the safety of Jamaica these days ... and are looking into Puerto Rico ... positive from you and others about that place. Thanks Hal!

Not a problem, I've actually been poking at airfare from PDX > SJU for my own purposes .. wanna go back with Mary someday. It's too early in the year to pull up dates in December for concrete pricing, but it looks like it'll probably be $400-450/per round-trip if you're willing to deal with a couple of layovers, at least with what I'm seeing through Momondo. I think Southwest flies there too, so you might check with them as well -- their flights don't come up on the aggregator stites.

December had plenty of fresh produce when we were there; the waters are warm, the temperatures were nice and warm , and it's Not Hurricane Season .. which is an important consideration. Figure at least a half-day for El Yunque (only tropical rain forest in the National Forest system), a long day for Old San Juan & El Morro. Arecibo Radio Observatory was an awesome visit, but I've always been a space & science geek. Heads south to Ponce for the coffee plantations, some of them give tours. And don't be afraid to try the iguana if you find any on the menu...

[Xelmon]

Arecibo Radio Observatory was an awesome visit...

And that right there made me that much more interested in this place. =D

[tristessa]

..what's not to like?

[hambone]

Sorry I'm in a bad mood.

[deschutestrout]

[hambone]

I wish I could delete this, sorry carry on.

[deschutestrout]

jist givin' ya shit

[Jivermo]

Anyone try to sell you any ganja while you were under there?

[tristessa]

Nope. But I was 14-16 and travelling with my parents and younger brother, so...

[Amskeptic]

Listen to all of you internationalists . . . I am going to vacation on Route 28 outside of Olive at the Citgo station, coffee's not too terrible, then I am going to sightsee at the WalMart Plaza in Kingston, maybe buy a roll of paper towels, then huddle next to the wood stove . . . oh yay.
Colin