Looking for a carribbean vacation and we're thinking about Jamaica...We would welcome suggestions on where to stay and what to see? We love the beach and being away from the "strip". Thank you!!

Kris: Both myself and Jean Bowers answered your query about the Bahamas and seeing many of her posts, she has spent some time in the caribbean including Jamaica. I get the impression that she likes it there very much. I used to live there (Ocho Rios) and I don't prefer it. Don't get me wrong, the resorts in Ocho Rios, Negril and Montego Bay are beautiful. The problem , I feel is when you leave the resort. It can be dangerous and the street vendors won't let you alone. The outlying areas are poverty stricken and dirty. I met a lady on Palm Beach in Aruba that was wearing a "Sandals" t-shirt and I asked her what she thought about Jamaica and she said she much preferred Aruba. There are many beautiful places in the caribbean and I am not an expert. Of what I know, I very much want to return to Aruba (3rd time), I want to go to Eleuthera, Turks and Caicos and possiby St. Barth's and St. Kitts. These are the places that I've heard the best things about. Jean may provide some more info. Good luck!

I don't especially care for Jamaica either. I agree with the other posting about the beautiful tropical carribean, but other than it's beaches and tropical atmosphere, I don't think it has much to offer a vacation. The area is very poor and you don't feel safe at all going out at night. Certainly not walking anywhere. I much prefer Mexico, particularly Cancun where it is not only has beautiful beacher, excellent staff and service but you can go anywhere at any time of day or night and be perfectly safe. I would never go back to Jamaica, at least on my own money.

On many points I agree. Jamaica is beautiful. Besides the natural beauty there are alot of things to do on this island. On the subject of safety. I have traveled to Jamaica alone and one does need to use good sence in where to go and when. If you are staying outside Montego Bay and want to go in town for dinner find a restaurant that provides round trip transportation. One such is Margurites. I also used one taxi driver for all of my side trips to visit restored great houses, and off the grounds restaurants. If you have not done much traveling in the Caribbean I suggest that you see several from the comfort of a Windjammer cruise. The one I liked best is the Polynesia out of St. Maarten. We visited St. Kitts, St. Barths, Nevis and Anguilla. On each island I took a tour that was booked by the ships activities director. Several people stayed over a few days on St. Maarten after the cruise was over. All of the islands I mentioned are very beautiful and quite different. There is nothing like waking up to the peaceful morning sounds of the Caribbean on a sailing ship. e-mail me if you wish.

Has anyone been to The Holiday Inn in Montego Bay?
Is there plenty to do there and is it safe? Can anyone recommend tours and good restaurants in the area. Please describe the beach.

just got back from holiday inn sunspree montego bay and enjoyed it very much. we didn't bring our kids but would definitely recommend it for a family vacation. right across the street is a whole bunch of shops and the prices are better than going into town. the rooms were clean, the food was very good i thought, the service a little slow as they are on jamaican time. tipping an american dollar once in a while will help this. careful of the tours as they are pricey but dunns river tour was nice. felt very safe here alot of security. e-mail me if you like.