Jamaica or Mexico?
 

We are debating between going to Jamaica or Mexico this fall. Both have similar activites we enjoy and are similar priced. Is one better than the other? How about safety and friendliness.

We, and many family memebrs, have vacationed in Puerto Vallarta for years. We have found it to be very safe. The landscape is incredible, very green, lush and the Sierra Madre mountains in the backround. Although, the beaches that you will find in this area are much more rough as this is the Pacific ocean. We have visited Cancun once and found the beaches to be beautiful, crystal clear, white sand beaches but also quite rough (may have had something to do with the time of year we visited-July). I would highly recommend Puerto Vallarta. There is a variety of nightlife available, loads of shopping, a huge variety of great, inexpensive restaurants. Also, the service and hospitality, In my opinion, is second to none. Puerto Vallarta is definitely a place that you can explore freely without the excessive worry for safety (take normal precautions as you would at home). I have not visited Jamaica but have heard many negatives such as do not leave your all-inclusive compound. <BR>

No contest - Mexico, in particular the Caribbean side of Mexico at either Cozumel or any of the places around Playa del Carmen. Read the reviews, comments, etc under Latin America forum. <BR>

Hands down, Mexico. The Yukotan

Oops, I hit my mouse with my open dictionary. <BR> <BR>Make that "Yucatan". <BR> <BR>Anyway, the Yucatan area is wonderful. If only I could handle the water . . .

<BR>When looking at inexpensive trips I have usually looked at Mexico (Cancun and area, and Puerto Vallarta), Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. I won't go to Jamaica as I think it is too dangerous (just do a seach on this forum to see!!). I love Mexico - have been to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Ixtapa...Cancun is too touristy for my liking although lots of people love it! I also loved the Dominican Republic I found it less "developed" and very beautiful.

Another vote for Puerto Vallarta ... Peyton's message was right on !!

That's like asking what's better, Hell or Hades?

Man, you all are brutal. I can't believe so many people rag on Jamaica. And brag about Mexico???? Perhaps the Mexican resorts have pandered to Americans so long, that it's like being in...America. <BR> <BR>I for one would like to live a little and try something not so predictable.

Jim, wasn't that just a tad extreme? Jamaica and Mexico are both big places with much diversity. Do you really believe that all of them are both that bad? Too many people have had good experiences in both places for me to believe this.

Yeah, I believe they both are "that bad". I know that they are poor countries, and I have given them both the benefit of the doubt several times. Mexico more than Jamaica, simply because I live closer to it and therefore it's cheaper for me to go there. But you get what you pay for. <BR> <BR>The people in Jamaica seem fun and friendly, in general. However, I also felt a sense that something was always going on behind my back, like a joke at my expense. Too many drugs and always the need to watch your back when you take out money, etc. Our cab driver proceeded to smoke a joint about 6 inches long while he drove us to our hotel. Off the hotel property hustlers relentlessly hassled us. Jamaica is beautiful but if I go back I will stay at an all inclusive resort. (2 trips to Jamaica). <BR> <BR>In Mexico, I have gotten sick from the food every single time (5 trips in all). My room was broken into, my wife was "arrested" by the police and told she was going to jail unless she paid them off. Streets are dirty, and dirty looks from people just hanging out in the streets when you walk by. Very unsanitary food preparation. Just all-around lack of standards.

Jamaica - I have found that the only people who don't like Jamaica are the ones who think they are better than everyone else. Dare I say racist?

Gail, both locations have their good sides and bad sides. I believe Jamaica is more adventurous - yes, you may be bothered by some natives if you venture outside the resort, but as long as no one is hurt (it IS rare), so what? You get to meet interesting people from a very different culture. Frankly, I like to talk to them, sit down and even have a beer with them. I have met more interesting people that way. Yes, I've been offered drugs, but I just respond with "no thanks, I've got plenty" (i.e. none). How many times do you get to talk to someone with such a diverse background? I understand that it is not for everyone, however. <BR> <BR>I personally like Mexico better than Jamaica. I've never gotten sick, but I am very careful as to what I eat, only bottled water (with the seal not broken), etc. Cozumel is a great place. <BR>I guess that having locals come up to me to get me to buy something (some might view this as harassment) doesn't really bother me, but I can certainly understand that it would bother others. <BR> <BR>- Jim

Diana, <BR> <BR>What a preposterous assumption you make!! You should be ashamed for your statement. Every single person who has been to Jamaica and doesn't like it is a RACIST? How absurd. You don't even know what race I am, and you assume I (and everyone else who doesn't like Jamaica) have a problem with black people? <BR> <BR>I stated that I did not like being approached by drug dealers and harassed by hustlers on the street. Are you suggesting that I would enjoy drug dealers and hustlers on my vacation as long as they were white, or the same race as me??? Please reply. I am very concerned about your statement.

Ya'll need to mellow out. <BR>Jamaica is wonderful but very different than Mexico. I have been to both and will go back but for different things. For history, Mexico. for relaxing and slowing down, Jamaica. For less hasseling (sp?), Jamaica. For better food, Mexico. For better diving, Mexico. For nicer people, Jamaica (i'll take some heat for that one) <BR>I have found the mexican vendors to be very aggressive and the men "like" the women, if you know what I mean. I got much more polite responses to my "no thanks" in Jamaica. I love Jamaica and the surrounding islands the best, my mom loves Mexico, particularly Puerta Vallarta. To each his own. (I don't like the americanized areas of Mexico) <BR>And people - the crime in Orlando is worse than in Jamaica. I'm so tired of untrue posts. Everyone take a chill pill.

Diana, your statement is ridiculous. I didn't like Jamaica because it was far too touristy for me. Ditto some areas of Mexico. But there are so many nice places in the Caribbean with less "attitude" - why bother with Jamaica? <BR>