Jamaica VS Puerto Rico
 

Hello fellow travelers!

My fiance and I are planning a 5 night 6 day trip for the beginning of June 2011. We are 26 and 29. We have been doing extensive research on which island to visit. We both love the outdoors (zip lining, jungle, waterfalls, snorkeling, etc) and also enjoy busy nightlife. After looking at every island possible we narrowed it down to Jamaica (either Montego Bay or Negril) or Puerto Rico.

I had my mind set on Jamaica and to my dismay I was hearing nothing but bad things...it's dirty, slummy, lots of crime, etc. Jamaica appealed to both of us because of the number of activities (Dunn falls, Rastafarian villages, Bob Marley Museum, zip lining, cliff diving) and because of the nightlife. Not to mention all the great All-Inclusive resorts that are available. The Iberostar Grand Rose Hall in Montego Bay was very appealing and a few Couples Only Resorts in Negril.

After hearing all the terrible things, someone suggested San Juan, Puerto Rico. With it being apart of the U.S. and basically offering most of the same things as Jamaica along with what they say is the best nightlife in the Caribbean we have been giving it a lot of thought. We were also looking for modern 4-5 star hotels in San Juan.

Anyways, we are still on the fence about both places. I would love to hear some feedback and hear what you have to say! Any comments, suggestions or experiences would be great! Thanks for the help!!!

it's dirty, slummy, lots of crime, etc

I don't know where you have been "hearing" things but none of those are true of Negril. That said Jamaica is not for everyone. It's a little rough around the edges. But I love it, incredibly beautiful island with so much to see and do. I've been to Negril 3 times, most recently last summer. The Jamacian culture is rich and exotic and you will feel 'far from home' there.

I've never been to Puerto Rico, but I think the two are pretty darn different. Being Spanish-speaking for starters. IF you are a nervous traveler, I definitely agree that PR is the less adventurous and a more tame destination.

We went to Jamaica for the first time last fall. Spent a week in Negril. We enjoyed our stay. It definitely does feel a bit more 'out there' than the other Caribbenan islands that we've visited, but we consider that a good thing.

We missed a connection on the way to Grenada a few years ago and spent a night and part of a day in San Juan. Big city, had its good and bad parts, from the little we saw. I think there is far more to Puerto Rico than most people realize, but, I'd head to Jamaica, Negril in particular. And, consider, spending a few days at one of the beautiful, small boutique hotels on the West End (the Cliffs) area.

IF you do choose Jamaica, most definitely recommend Negril, but NOT Montego Bay.

I figured the negative things I was hearing wasn't really true.

Thank you for all your insightful responses! We will DEFINITELY take all these into consideration when we make our final decsion. =)

I figured the negative things I was hearing wasn't really true.

Thank you for all your insightful responses! We will DEFINITELY take all these into consideration when we make our final decision. =)

I am not trying to gloss it over or misrepresent.

Honestly, Jamaica has many many very poor people, living a pretty subsistance life. So what some tourists call "dirty" and "slummy" is simply the reality of the people's living situation there.

As far as "crime" anytime you get relatively well-to-do tourists flashing jewelry, cash, electronics, etc. there IS probably going to be some crims that follows.

So I am not dismissing those comments about Jamaica. I just see it from a different perspective. Things ARE primitive in many places (people cooking on campfires and steel drum ovens even for restaurants, goats roaming around, things like that you see plenty of).

Been to Both Prefer Jamaica

although a bit dodgier around MoBay

more exotic vibe the PR for me.

Think you will be fine at any of the more upscale

poperties there.

luxurylink.com great value there more bang for your buck.

It took us 5 years to finally decide to give Jamaica a try because of all the things we've been told and read. Before our trip we had been to Mexico several times and a few other Caribbean Islands. Yes, Jamaica isn't for everyone especially for those who don't have open minds. There is alot of poverty and harsh living conditions, but the Island and it's people are quite charming. Just use good common sense.

I would suggest Couples Negril or Sunset at the Palms. We went to YS Falls, Black River, Appleton Rum factory, Mayfield Falls and Rick's Cafe. Highly recommend all of them. We also had a cab take us to the craft market and didn't get the harrassment that so many people report. I feel it's more related to cruise shippers in the Ocho Rios area.

We are trying to plan a trip to Ocho Rios for December. Been trying to get back to Jamaica for several years, but found the hotel selection and prices are just not as not as good as Mexico.

ok my opinion since i have been in both places with my wife,
Jamaica is beautifull just like Puerto rico both are similar in landscape. Jamaican people are charming but very pushy and touchy ,you will get offer a lot of things especially on the streets , its very poor in areas so watch were you go. Puerto rico has lots of historic sites, people speak both spanish and english, food to die for, beaches and sunsets picture perfect, just watch were you go dont wonder to poor neighbohoods. plenty of casinos ,bioluminesent bays,lots of mountain retreats and the best night life in old San juan, or condado district (try hotel San juan especially on the weekends.

Although we've been to a number of islands in the Caribbean we've only stayed on Puerto Rico one night because of a missed connection and we went to Jamaica for the first time just last month. In fact, we stayed at the Iberostar Rose Hall Grand. We absolutely loved it. Because of my husband's schedule we rarely can plan a trip more than a few weeks in advance and by the time we got around to planning this one both of our first choices, Couples Swept Away and Couples Negril, were sold out. So we decided on the Iberostar and I'll be hard pressed not to return there (although we do want to go to Negril).

Yes, Jamaica is a little different but that's part of the charm. We found all the Jamaicans we interacted with to be very friendly and very proud of their country and culture. Of course there's crime. There's crime everywhere. But I'

Although we've been to a number of islands in the Caribbean we've only stayed on Puerto Rico one night because of a missed connection and we went to Jamaica for the first time just last month. In fact, we stayed at the Iberostar Rose Hall Grand. We absolutely loved it. Because of my husband's schedule we rarely can plan a trip more than a few weeks in advance and by the time we got around to planning this one both of our first choices, Couples Swept Away and Couples Negril, were sold out. So we decided on the Iberostar and I'll be hard pressed not to return there (although we do want to go to Negril).

Yes, Jamaica is a little different but that's part of the charm. We found all the Jamaicans we interacted with to be very friendly and very proud of their country and culture. Of course there's crime. There's crime everywhere. But I'

hmmm. Got an error message and I see not only do I have a double post but it is an incomplete double post!

I wanted to say that I agree with what everyone else has said about Jamaica. Plus there's a lot to do outside of the resorts.

We've considered several times vacationing on Puerto Rico but somewhere else always catches our eye.

We'll definitely return to Jamaica. And I can also highly recommend the Iberostar Grand.

Jamaica has it's slums and crime like everywhere else.

You will be very unlikely to be affected by any of the slum areas, or crime.

Jamaica is a beautiful island and as you said has some fantastic all inclusives.

You can find out a lot more about Jamaica at http://jamaica-no-problem.com

Hope you choose Jamaica and hope you enjoy it if you do.

thank you for all the replies! we have finally chose to go with JAMAICA!!!

we're so excited!!! thank you again everyone!

@ baahaar, so how was your trip experience to Jamaica? I am considering the same options, b/t Negril or MoBay for the AI package options or PR too. Would you recommend? Why or why not.

@xtineg Jamaica was absolutely amazing. We stayed at MoBay at the Iberorstar Grand Rose Hall. We LOVED our hotel. The staff, the beach, the pools, swim up bars, activities. They weren't kidding when they said ALL INCLUSIVE. I mean EVERYTHING was taken care of. My best friend who just got married spent 2 weeks there for her honeymoon as well. It's really great! Everything was really spectacular. I HIGHLY recommend staying in MoBay and doing a day trip to Negril. We were also trying to decided whether to stay in MoBay or Negril and we were SO happy that we chose MoBay. We did a day trip to Negril with our driver and not the tour. That way we could spend as much time as we wanted at the different locations. We checked out some of the hotels in Negril, went to Magaritaville, went Jet Skiing and then headed over to Rick's Cafe for cliff diving, sunset and dinner. We were happy with our decision because that's all that really goes on in Negril. MoBay has more to do and is central to go to other destinations.

I hope that helped you out!

Sorry but I have to disagree that all that goes on in Negril in Margaritaville, jet skiing and Rick's Cafe!

I'm glad you loved Montego Bay so much but your impression of Negril from your 1-day trip with a driver simply isn't all there is to it. I spent 10 days there last summer, I know.