Faremax: Travel Forums

I have often wondered about visiting Jamaica, as I had a few Jamaican friends when I worked in Japan, and used to go to a Jamaican bar, and a Jamaican restaurant.

My friends told me that there can be quite a lot going on in the towns such as Montego Bay and Rosemount, and that the rural areas are quite conservative.

Has anyone here been there on holiday?

I've been there once. We stayed at Enchanted Garden resort in Ocho Rios.  The resort was extraordinary and I ave no complaints whatsoever.  For a New Year's party, however, we have decided to go into town to do some clubbing.  Oh boy, I did not think we would make it back alive.  But during the day its very nice and I would suggest visiting at least once.

---

"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." - Albert Einstein
Airline Tickets|Travel Affiliate Program|Airline News

Actually, one of the reasons that my Jamaican fried does not want to go back and live in Jamaica is due to what she says is a rather high level of crime. In the UK not many people visit Jamaica, which is why I was curious to ask on a forum.

I would be interested to go still, but it sounds like you have to be fairly well organised, ie: not go backpacking, or on spec.

Yes, crime is the only negative side.  But on the other hand you will see the same picture if you visit other islands in the Caribbean. As long as you stay in the resort or go backpacking during the day you will not have any problems.

---

"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." - Albert Einstein
Airline Tickets|Travel Affiliate Program|Airline News

Do you mean that the other islands are rather similar in terms of crime levels?

Also, which other Caribbean islands would you recommend? Do they each have a distinctive character?

IMO all Caribbean islands are more or less the same.  They all have one thing in common: as soon as you exit your resort all you see is poverty beyond comprehension.  99.9% of people go to Caribbean for a complete relaxation in the sun and my personal recommendation is Punta Cana in Dominican Republic since this is where you an find the best deals.  The only place I found interesting in that part of the world was Mexico (culturally I mean).

---

"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." - Albert Einstein
Airline Tickets|Travel Affiliate Program|Airline News

Right. So when people take holidays in the Caribbean, are they largely contained within a sort of compound? And as soon as you get outside it, it's pretty poverty stricken?

In that case, I assume that the tourists will be a bit of a target for hassle.

I'd love to go to Mexico - I love the food and it sounds really interesting. I hate to ask this, but isn't Mexico the place where you get some pretty ghastly spiders? In fact I've heard that about South America. That makes my stomach turn!

 

Yes, Caribbean islands are pretty much like that.  Tourists are a target for hassle.  I am not sure about spiders in Mexico.  I did not see them.  Maybe because I wasn't paying much attention.

---

"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." - Albert Einstein
Airline Tickets|Travel Affiliate Program|Airline News

I liked Jamaica, but we've vacationed more in the Dominican Republic. I feel safer in the Dominican.

We've met up with friends off the beaten path and found the locals very accommodating there. At that time, there were several star Toronto Blue Jay baseball players from the Dominican so we certainly had a starting point for conversation.

 

---

http://this-twisted-history.blogspot.com/

faremax:

IMO all Caribbean islands are more or less the same.  They all have one thing in common: as soon as you exit your resort all you see is poverty beyond comprehension.  99.9% of people go to Caribbean for a complete relaxation in the sun and my personal recommendation is Punta Cana in Dominican Republic since this is where you an find the best deals.  The only place I found interesting in that part of the world was Mexico (culturally I mean).

The term "poverty beyond comprehension" is certainly a subjective one. I've traveled to the Bahamian islands for the past 20+ years and I've never seen anything close to what I'd call poverty. I've seen neighborhoods in Washington, DC that look far more poverty-stricken than anything I've seen on any island.

Paradise Island (officially a part of Nassau) in the Bahamas is nice. The exclusive Atlantis Resort is often frequented by well recognizable names. It's a top-notch family-friendly property with a casino. It's set on a beach with powdery sands and crystal waters.

Cozumel, an island off the coast of Mexico, is beautiful as well. I was told when I visited that the island is "run" by a few families so crime is almost non-existent. (I know it's not the Caribbean but it's close.)

---

wouldn't you just love to beeeeeeeeeee me? "-)