Costa Rica vs. Jamaica?

We've been to CR three times and are planning a fourth trip back. We love it. It seems that everyone we know who goes immediately starts planning a trip back. We've been to several cities, in the cloud forest, by an active volcano, near a waterfall and seen monkeys, sloths, toucans, all kinds of amazing things. We've ziplined and night hiked. We really love it. Our friends and family that have gone to Jamaica said the resorts were beautiful but they felt very uncomfortable when they left the property - lots of crime, poverty, etc. The wost CR crime is probably that you can't leave anything in your car unattended; car breakins are not uncommon. We've never felt our safety was in danger.

Unless you prefer cheesy, overpriced, foreign-owned all-inclusives that contribute very little to the local communities, Costa Rica is the better choice.

In Jamaica, all hotels have security barricades like you'd expect at Fort Knox. No thanks.

Some people like the all-inclusive thing where they never have to leave their resort and never have to lift a finger. It's not for me either, which is why I prefer to Costa Rica to Jamaica.

I have gone to both a lot and enjoy both for different reasons

Jamaica has the better whiter beaches and luxury hotels AI

Dunns River Falls amazing lots of cruise ship tourists

CR for adventure wildlife erupting volcanoes hot springs

beaches are nice not quite as white

www.visitcostarica.com

careful with safety both places...

Have fun,

So for me if it is about best beach Jamaica otherwise CR.

There are literally dozens of small, funky hotels on the beach in Jamaica. You don't have to go and stay in the 'fortress' all inclusives.

It really depends on what you like....they are very different types of vacations. My husband very much prefers the stay at the resort, lay by the beach or pool and relax type of vacation. Jamaica, Mexico, any caribbean destination is his dream. He loves going to these places where the water is clear blue and the resorts cater to the guests. We go to relax and maybe do one or two excursions. This not what Costa Rica is about at all. We've been to CR twice now and he would be thrilled to never go back. While he's enjoyed our time there - it simply is not his type of vacation....for him it's not relaxing - although he's had plenty of down time while there. He doesn't care about the volcano once he's seen it - it's a been there done that thing. Same for the whole country - for him there's too much driving, too much getting from one place to another. He wants to get to the destination and be there. So - while I love the CR type of vacation - the activity, the wildlife the exploring and hiking - he's content with the Jamaica type vacation...Now, I also do like the luxury of the AI resorts and appreciate that type of vacation as well.

So, while I'm sure I didn't really help - I just don't think you can compare the two types of vacations. You can leave the resort in Jamaica - usually it will be with a tour group though. I don't think you'll be bored with either vacation.

I have to agree with JeanH about Jamaica - but I also don't think you can compare the two. CR and Jamaica are similar in some ways and different in others. I've been to Jamaica many times and am going to CR for the second time in July. All the times we were in Jamaica, we walked or caught cabs everywhere, and always felt comfortable venturing out on our own. There are many beautiful and intimate hotels that you might enjoy in Negril, Jamaica - in the West End on the Cliffs and some on the beach away from the big AIs on the beach. The places on the Cliffs are blocked from the main road because it is so close, but I'd hardly say they are barracaded. For security, some places have resident friendly (to guests) dogs who watch over whos coming and going. We also found this in CR - small intimate hotels everywhere that are both comfortable and even luxurious, but still allow you to get out and enjoy as much adventure as you want. Some places we stayed in the southern Pacific had a similar security system. In CR, we rented a car and drove from San Jose to Arenal, then down the Pacific coast to Manuel Antionio then on to the Osa. It was bumpy in spot (!) but we were glad we did this. We saw so much this way and it was part of the adventure. As far as beaches go, Jamaica has awesome white powder beaches, but CR has wild natural beaches, volcanos, and wildlife that's right up close!

I don't think you'll be disappointed with either one - they're both great.

I've been to both & love both. Just as a sidenote...we were not in a giant mega-resort in Jamaica. Small, intimate hotels DO exist there BTW! There were no armed guards & it wasn't "Fort Knox" like at all. People were wonderful.

Costa Rica is fantastic, a different sort of vacation for sure, a bit more of an adventure with the opportunity to do lots of things. As for crime, be aware, do your research, don;t stay out until 2 am & walk home drunk & singing, lol! Use common sense in either locale....

Costa Rica is just now starting to build the kind of resorts that your husband enjoys. Places like the Royal Corin and The Springs in Arenal might appeal to both of you. Not so much roughing it, but with lots of actitivities that you would enjoy since you get bored.

Both places are wonderful although lots more to do in CR. If you lean more towards partying and being up late, maybe Jamaica would be a better fit. If wildlife and nature interest you, you'll be amazed by CR.

CR hands down. Jamaica is dirty and dangerous leaving resorts at night. Never felt that way with great Tico's in CR. If you want adventure CR is the spot. If you want to drink like a fish and flounder on the sand only for a whole week Jamaica would be it.

Yikes - no one really benefits from sweeping generalizations. Why not help the traveler with specifics and tell your experience. But saying "Jamaica is dirty and dangerous" is just perpetuating stereotypes that aren't true, and are hard to quell once it's out there.

Okay wasigan you wanted detail - here it is. We were approached in our swimming area at Sandals Ochos Rios by small boats pushing drugs for sale while in our resort and they had to be chased away by security. When we stepped off the resort for some shopping we were blocked from leaving some shops by owner in a small village nearby because we were not interested in their goods and they would not move after some asking kindly and demanded we purchase or we could not leave so I had to push my way out of there. All the locals that worked the resort and staff warned us many times not to leave the Sandals property we were staying at to go to Kingston or other areas especially at night because of the high crime and even murder rates in the Kingston area. In regards to dirty ask anyone that has been to the country and unfortunately there are the resorts and then many of the people liven in great poverty at least from what I witnessed from garbage littered throughout the streets that we had seen and broken down vehicles and houses in great disrepair all around the luxury lodges we were staying at. So that is what I witnessed, experienced and was told. Hope that is more specific for you.

I did have that experience in Costa Rica and would highly recommend that as my destination.

I meant to say did not have that experience in Costa Rica. They are wonderful easy going people and that would be my choice in a heart beat.

Tucan - It's unfortunate you had such a negative experience in Jamaica and were put in such a dangerous situation outside your resort. We've been to Jamaica many times and are happy to report we've had only good experiences and have traveled freely throughout the areas where we were - Treasure Beach, Negril, Port Antonio - and even the surrounding countryside.

My point was - I think travelers benefit from objective information, both good and bad, but not generalizations such as "Jamaica is dirty and dangerous". That's a bit broad. It's like saying all of New Jersey is like Newark airport. I meant no offense - I just think it's responsible to be objective because people make their travel decisions based on our opinions.

Hey Tucan - one more thing. Yours certainly wasn't the only comment I was directing my response to. One poster mentioned "all hotels" in Jamaica have security barricades. I think if I ever read that before I had gone there, I never would have considered it. Honestly I prefer CR as well and am looking forward to July.

Wasigan - I think we are cool. I was just reacting. To your point a more specific response would have been beneficial over generalizations. I just think CR is better based on my experience but to each their own. Hence why it is called an opinion and makes the board interesting to read all those opinions.

Thanks all. DH wins mainly because we waited too late to have many choices for a Spring Break trip, and cost was a factor. I think we'll be ok though. We're going to the RIU in Montego Bay, and from what I've read Montego Bay is a far cry in terms of safety from Kingston. We will definitely get off the resort. I'm still pushing that Cost Rican adventure (wanting to do a Caravan tour), so I'll be back with more questions.

We have been to both as well. Really hard to compare since they are so different. We like both and have enjoyed both. I will say that the folks here that are slamming the guards at the Jamaica hotels might consider that the hotels in CR have guards as well. One we stayed in on Playa Panama, a pretty laid back area, had armed guards manning the gates and walking the perimeter of the hotel 24 hours a day. So armed guards are not exclusive to Jamaica!

Jamaica is the ghetto of the Caribbean..

Riviera Maya, Aruba, Punt a Cana blow it out of the water!

However CR rocks!!!! It has it all and then some!!

The service in Jamaica is sub-par.. However they do make it easy to get whatever drugs you want and most people who go there want that to be part of their vacation.

Had to post...I highly disagree.
I absolutely loved Jamaica. I'm completely drug free, and a simple "no thank you" gets the point across. I thought the service was great when I went, the food was great, and the atmosphere, views, and scenery cannot be beat!
I was offered drugs and seen similar "ghettos" wherever I've traveled...I can't wait to go back to Negril!

Well I guess I'm too late joining this conversation. For Jamaica I would have tried to talk you into going to Negril (instead of Montego Bay) for a less intimidating experience, with lots of small beautiful hotels, on a 7-mile white sand beach & up on "the Cliffs". certainly no need to "stay on the resort".

I have been to Jamaica twice and Costa Rica 4 times and must agree that each country has their certain charm. One thing that I noticed about Jamaica is that there are much fewer children. This could either appeal to you or turn you off. If you choose Jamaica, check out the rockhouse

http://www.rockhousehotel.com/escape.php

My wife and I wanted to get married here, but they were booked up 8 months in advance.

Another amazing place is The Caves:

http://www.islandoutpost.com/the_caves/

I love reggae and there is tons of live music going on all the time in Jamaica. Also, there aren't any big waves to speak of. You can literally lay on an inflatable very close to the shore and not have waves breaking on you.

Cheers!

Looking forward to our trip to CR next week and bring in the new year at Montana de Fuego in Arenal area. 2 nights in San Jose, 3 nights in Arenal and 3 nights in Manuel Antonio. This forum has been a great help in planning our trip.