Jamaica VS Aruba
 

My boyfriend and I volunteered our seats on an airline this month and received two free roundtrip tickets anywhere Airtran goes. Since we had been returning from a cruise to Nassau...and did not see the sun once (bad winter for them) we decided to go to the warmest place possible that they offer. Obviously Aruba would be the most southern, but I've heard it's expensive. So we also looked into Jamaica. Aruba seems appealing beacause they rarely have rain, but I like jungle/forest type terrain of Jamaica better. We want to go for probably 7 nights next January and will have to pay for the hotel...so we want to go somewhere nice but still around 100 a night. We are also adventurous and would like to go hiking, snorkeling, diving, etc. Any suggestions on which would be better for the adventure, beaches, and still reasonably priced? Thanks for your help!!

Aruba is mostly flat, arid, U.S. type hotels. Jamaica far better for your needs. Climate in January is consistently warm and warm ocean temps.

I think Jamaica much closer fits what you describe. I like Negril.

We like Negril, too. We've been to both Jamaica and Aruba, and really prefer Jamaica for its culture, good food, beautiful beaches, and lush landscape. Weather in Jamaica can be great in January or so-so. We've experienced both. Aruba has more reliable weather, but IMHO, it's much more Americanized, and less interesting.

do not check a bag in jamaica. the baggage is almost always gone through by the baggage handlers and you will have items stolen. also, crime is very real for the tourist in jamaica. do not leave your resort to "discover" your odds of being robbed are very high

MR- There is a very big difference between Jamaica and Aruba. You and your boyfriend will enjoy Jamaica together so much. We just returned last month and fall more and more in love with the island every trip back.

Keegan, please give it a rest! Most of the islands typically go through your bags. We have never had a problem with theft in Jamaica and if others did they wouldn't keep going back! Crime is very real in your own backyard as well as in many places in the Caribbean. We have been through various parts of the island and never had a problem nor have we ever felt unsafe!

Keegan, can you provide more specific details than vague negative comments which only purpose is to unnecessarily scare people who haven't been yet.

KeeganMJ,

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience in Jamaica. But without specifics of these supposed "crimes", you come off sounding like a troll.

You can do good snorkling and diving in Aruba... not sure about Jamaica... it's safer in Aruba as well.. you CAN find cheaper places in Aruba but you won't be staying on the beach.. interesting hiking in Parke Arikok...

They have taken stuff out of my friends bag coming from Aruba also.. so it's everywhere... especially when you check Aruba Aloe items.. those seem to go missing often...

Safer in Aruba!
Just ask Natalie Holloway.

Natalie who? Oh yeah, the 18 year old that got wasted and went off alone with strangers. Aruba is safe as long as you're not stupid.

Exactly... Aruba IS safer than the other islands.. lots more crime on the other islands, you just don't hear about it... how many people go missing/get killed in your area every day??

I'm sure if tourists went missing on any other island it would be all over the news! How many different islands have you been on the come to the conclusion Aruba is safer. As for Abzurdgirl, any Caribbean island is safe as long as your not stupid. The tone of your comment was a little out of line in my opinion.

I'm sorry, but I have to agree with Abzurdgirl. I've been to 13 Caribbean Islands and Mexico several times. I found Aruba very safe compared to many and that includes Jamaica. However, I enjoyed Jamaica and will return someday. I just know it's a much different atmosphere and culture than Aruba.

You're the one who brought up Natalie Holloway, which in my opinion was in very bad taste. You can not compare a naive teenage girl who made a very bad decision to Islands in which there is real crime reported against tourists and warning advisories have been posted.

Can you really say that Jamaica is safer than Aruba? If so, please provide more specific details as I'm sure we would all be insterested in hearing it.

I not saying it's safer, just it is nowhere as bad as most misinformed people would have it. In fact there have been at least 4 or 5 incidents in the last 4 years where Canadian tourists have died under very mysterious circumstances in the Mayan Riviera area of Mexico. Nothing of the sort has happened in Jamaica or else in this age of non-stop media glare we would all know about it. As for bringing up a specific example, its not in near as bad taste as inferring it was the girls fault for getting "wasted" and making a poor decision in whos company she kept. Maybe bringing her name up will keep someone else from making the same mistake anywhere in the world where they may venture.

No where did the Original Poster ask about a comparison of safety between the two islands.

Suze, you are right. As for the orginal poster, next January in either locale will be a quite a bit nicer than just about any place in North America. It's really a win-win decision.

Just returned from Jakes in Treasure Beach, Jamaica. LOVED it. Cannot wait to return and happy to help you with some incredible things to do and places to see. So amazingly safe and full of things to do or not do. We rented a car and never had an issue, even walking around in the evening...Stay away from super touristy areas and you will fall in love with Jamaica and its people.