when we stayed at the Poincianna, you had your choice: all inclusive or not.

Negril can be a busy place during Spring break, especially at a resort that ISN'T couples only. <BR>It's probably the same all over the Caribbean, so you're best bet might be Beaches Negril (Sandals for families & singles). The beach and sun sets are really fantastic and the Sandals/Beaches resorts are just wonderful.

last christmas i went to jamaica and scored the best cheeb ever .if it werent for the natives id go back

we went to jamacia in June with another family. All told we had two 3yrolds,5,6 and 7 yr. olds. We stayed at the Beaches Inn. Our walkabouts were stolen out of our luggage(JA said they were not resposible for "lost items"). We were given one of there rooms that had not been renovated.(which we requested, moved 2days later to a nicer room)The help was very rude and not accomodating,(one woman in the dining area was very sweet).We spent our days at the Beaches Negril next door(exchange privledges)The Kids Club there sat the kids up for crafts and stuff, then just chatted with eachother and did not interract with them at all.The last day we were there we took them to the club and they acted as though we were interrupting them by bringing our children in there so they would have to work. The only thing I can recall was good was the fact that we had some great family time with our friends. It was alot of work not to let them ruin our trip.Jamacia is beautiful and I have heard the people have great smiles. Not at either one of the resorts in this case. There is no tipping allowed. They have no incentive to be nice. They make you feel guilty for having the money to go there.

I've been to JA 5 times, this fall will be the second with our kids. My husband went every summer as a child. <BR> <BR>Negril is our favorite because it's so friendly and easy to get around and there are TONS of small hotels on the beach and cliffs, tons of nightlife and many, many great restaurants to try. (I wouldn't recommend the cliffs with small children though - it's a long way down.) <BR> <BR>I only stayed in an A/I once - the first time - after that we rented private villas or chose small hotels. Some A/Is are nice but you might as well be in Florida for all you see of the country. <BR> <BR>My kids loved YS Falls (great waterfalls for kids, very accessible and a large grassy picnic area, changing rooms...lovely drive) and the beach of course, also loved going out on a boat to snorkel (my 4 year old wore a life vest and got the hang of the snorkel quickly). <BR> <BR>No bad experiences to report at all - everyone was wonderful. Negril can be a zoo during Spring Break - if your kid's break coincides with college spring break, you might want to look at renting a private villa in Ironshore (near MoBay) or a less touristy town like Treasure beach or Little Bay... <BR> <BR>Curious: A/Is take up most of the US tourist money in Jamaica but there are TONS of wonderful small places to stay at and in addition to being absolutely charming, they're much cheaper than any A/I. <BR> <BR>Regarding danger: Anyone who can name a crime-free country to travel to where you don't need to be aware of your surroundings and exercise the same caution as when traveling in the US, please let me know! <BR> <BR>:)Liz

We stayed at Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios & loved every minute! Was planning our return 2 days into our trip! We also went out at night with no problems to clubs. Any questions, feel free to email me.

Yes, Jamaica is worth visiting. We stayed at Sandals Negril last yr and had the time of our lives. We will return their again very soon.

Yes Jamaica is worth visiting, you would just have to use common sense and take safety precautions just as you would do at home. I am sick and tired of the constant bashing going on by many on the bb-board. Wouldn't you rather go and see for yourself and judge if its a nice place..instead of listining to many bashings which most of the times are unfounded? From Aruba, to Cayman, from St. THomas to Jamaica, it seems as if no island is good to visit. Now I know why we Americans are treated badly in many islands in the Caribbean, just say that you are a Canadian and you would see how people in the Caribbean will treat you at a much more kind and respectful manner.. <BR> <BR>Guadeloupe, Martinique, French St. Maarten, Cuba, Isla Margarita, Tobago, Curacao, Bonaire are focusing more on Europe which island is next to turn against the many unapreciated Americans... <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

I agree with you 100%. Thanks for the real truth caribbean lover, people need to go and see for themselve and if they dont it their miss not ours.