I have been reading some awful things about travel to Jamaica. Is it really as bad as it sounds?

My husband and I had the same concerns, but decided to see for ourselves last Feb. <BR>We booked with the Superclubs chain, decided to do what is called the 'Lido Lottery'. The Lido clubs are 6 star, and there are 3 of them in Jamaica. All top notch as far as service, food, accomodations, etc. You save quite a bit by doing the lottery, are you are guaranteed one of the three 6 star resorts, all inclusive. <BR>Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a Superclubs host in Montego Bay who then informed us we would be at the Grand Lido Sans Socci. <BR>This was by far the best vacation of our lives, and we've been to Antigua, Cuba, Mexico and Florida. <BR>This place offered 24 hour room service (all included), spa services such as massages, facials, mineral pools, reflexology, the best food we've ever eaten, wonderful entertainment, all water sports, tennis, aerobics, etc. <BR>One word of advice though, we are from Canada and met many couples from the U.S. who paid more than we did (and U.S. currency is worth 50% more than Canadian). Everyone said that they wish they'd of known and booked their trip through Canada. jFly out of Toronto, and you'll catch a direct flight to Jamaica. <BR>We did stay on the resort for safety reasons. <BR>One day my husband walked down the beach a bit and was approached by a local who offered him a joint and a woman for $10.00. haha! <BR>

Jamaica is a much better vacation destination that a cruise stop. I know many people who have been disappointed by one-day stop-overs in Montego Bay or Kingston, then thrilled by a week vacation in Negril! When I won US Airways plane tickets this winter, I chose to use them to return to Jamaica. We've been to several other Caribbean islands since our first Negril trip in 1995. We stay at small hotels which come recommended by multiple sources. We picked Charela Inn (A Fodor's recommendation) and were happy in 1995. We enjoyed Whistling Bird (11 intimate rooms/cottages and family-run) on the beach and Rockhouse (very stylish for laid back Negril) on the cliffs. It was like having two wonderfully different vacations this past May. The people we met were charming. We'll go back again, I have no doubt.

I agree 100% with Diane - I hated Ocho Rios off a cruise ship 12 years ago, but have made about 10 trips back to Jamaica since then with no problems. Mostly Negril, a couple to Montego Bay. Also agree with Laurie - have always had good experiences with SuperClubs. <BR> <BR>The problem with many islands [including Jamaica] is that tourists forget their brains when they go on vacation and do dumb things that they wouldn't do at home - like carry too much money on them, leave money on the beach and in dresser drawers, buy drugs and liquor on the streets, etc. If you retain your common sense, you will enjoy Jamaica. I personally am more nervous about going to New York City this Sept than I ever have been about going to a resort in the Caribbean.

<BR>Choose another destination if you value your vacation time.

<BR>Using common sense will only get you so far. We are not fool hardy, neither are we the "dumb" travelers that the above post describes, yet we've had VERY frightening experiences on several islands. <BR> <BR>Jamaica is definitely an island to think twice about. The socio-political situation is not good & poverty leads to crime against tourists. The break from England was premature. They were ill prepared to self govern & have done a lousy job. <BR> <BR>If you don't mind being closed off in an all-inclusive resort, your odds of meeting trouble are quite small. Jamaica gets so many tourists, odds are in your favor that you will be lucky even if you explore. That's little comfort if you happen to be one of those does encounter problems, regardless of the care you take. <BR> <BR>Yes, there are many wonderful people in Jamaica. But there are too many reports of people being truly threatened or accosted to ignore. Not to mention the many people who DON'T report. And blaming the victim for "leaving their brains at home" is the battle cry of the uninitiated who think that because nothing truly frightening has happened to them, it must only happen to those who are careless. <BR> <BR>The person who does that is the truly "dumb" traveler. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

To talk about visitng "Jamaica" is about as useless as talking about visitng the "U.S." It is a large island, with many facets, some good some bad. <BR>THe best place I have found in all of Jamaica is Port Antonio: Lush, tropical, mountainous, secluded, and not so popular with tourists that it loses it's cahracter. Rented a villa on the water---came complete with a boat, a housekeeper, and a cook. Georgeous! And cheaper than a hotel. Frenchman's Cove is among the most beautiful beaches in the world, and the "Blue Lagoon" is a delight. Go to Port Antonio!