Ocho Rios vs Playa del Carmen
 

There is a small group of us (will either be 3 women or 2 couples+2single women all in their early thirty's) looking to go on a one week vacation in mid April 2006. We have narrowed our destination to 2 locations: Ocho Rios (the new Riu Ocho Rios) or Playa del Carmen, Mexico (Riu Tequila). We are torn between which of the two places would have more to offer when it comes to: interesting sight seeings, tourist shopping, etc.. We appreciate any advice/suggestions on this topic.

Definitely PDC. I hav been to both and frankly, Ochi has very little to offer.

PDC is very safe and hassle-free. Ochi is dirty, touristy and not at all exciting. (Although Jamaica outside of Ochi is AMAZING.)

In either location, I would never stay at an all-inclusive. Too many excellent restaurants in both locales and a lot to see and do.

Both places have an incredibly-diverse amount of activities away from the resort, though if you want to stay relatively close to home, I'd say Playa.

Definitely Playa, though both destinations are very developed and touristic. The new Ochie RIU at US$200/night might look a bargain but it will still be going thru an opening shakedown period. But why stay at a RIU? You can find much more interesting accomodations in Playa for roughly the same price. Hotel Del Seo might work.
If you're adventuresome, look into Zamas, south of Tulum.

I'd say Ochi is to Cancun as Playa is to...somewhere else in Jamaica :)

Just a warning that mid April 2006 is Easter break for many schools. I believe Easter is April 9th so the week before and after will have lots of kids on school vacations.
If you still want to go at that time, and you are all adults, pick an adult only resort.

We are big fans of both Jamaica (Negril more than other areas) and Playa Del Carmen. However, I do think that you will find the off-resort time to be less stressful in Mexico. Jamaica can be pretty intimidating at times, and the vendors can be aggressive to say the least. If you are really into history then Mexico offers the whole Mayan experience with the ruins like Chicen Itza, which are so interesting. Shopping is shopping - in either place you haggle with the vendors and try to get a good deal. Silver can be especially good deal in PDC if you are good shopper.

I think I would give slight edge to Mexico.

also, tripadvisor.com can give you a little more specific reviews on each resort...

I have been to both destinations and I have to say with 2 young single women, I would vote for Playa del Carmen. While I love Jamaica, the Jamaicans are very agressive and the single women may feel intimidated by some of the Jamaican men because of their over friendliness (if you get my drift). It would be less of a hassle for the single women to get out and see the sites and shop in Playa area without the hassle that you might encounter in Jamaica. Both countries off lots to see, but I think Mexico has lots of things to see and do and better shopping in general.

The RIU Palace in Playa del Carmen is absolutely wonderful. My sister and I (late 20s at the time and single) felt quite safe walking around. However, the men did hit on us and we got frequent cat calls from passing cars. Playa is close enough to experience other parts of Mexico as well. The horseback riding at Loma Bonita is amazing. Also, visit Tulum. Shopping is great at a little place on the way from Tulum, can't remember the name. Haven't been to Jamaica yet, but going in December, so I'll compare the two for safety then.

We have been to PDC, never to Jamaica.

I am sure that both resorts are equally beautiful and staffed.

From what I have heard - off property in Jamaica is pretty dicey. It is supposed to be a pretty nasty place.

I have walked PDC on both 5th street [the tourist shopping area] and off of fifth, and never felt unsafe during the day. Nighttime in any foreign country can be intimidating, I felt that in Germany.

Also - based on the reports from PDC during Wilma - the folks from Cancun opened their homes, shared their food and tried to make the folks stranded there feel very welcome. Considering most of thee folks were spoiled Americans who felt a sense of entitlement to some type of vacation – the folks from the Yucatan impressed me with their generosity.

Albeit, I am sure that there was some crime against the folks in duress, I wonder what would have happened if these same folks were stranded in the streets of Kingston. Especially with all of the ant-America sentiment that has been widely publicized.

My advise - read up on Jamaica.

If you want a better bet for your vacation – go with PDC.

Am I generalizing – you bet. But this is also based on hours of reading trip reports, news reports postings on both areas. The sentiment is all the same – Jamaica may be beautiful, but off property it is not safe.

I've never even stayed "on property" in Jamaica if by that you mean a resort...my kids and husband and I have traveled all over the island with a driver/guide, with our own rental car, on foot and by taxi. Always felt safe.

I just wanted to share the perspective of someone that has actually been to Jamaica (in fact several times).

"Safe" is a pretty subjective term.

"Off property in Jamaica is dicey and a pretty nasty place " doesn't hold water in my book, having spent the past 30 years visiting/living on island. I've never felt compromised/threatened -- which is NOT the case in the DR or Mexico in general. But if you're 'RIU types', PDC will feel more comfortable to you.

In response to Diane…

Yes I am an AI person when traveling with my family. They offer the best value and comfort, two things that are very important to my family when we are traveling.

As far a Jamaica goes – it is a third world country that has many of the same issues that much of Latin America has. Poverty, social class issues [rich vs. poor], sanitation, trash in the streets, etc. All of the things I prefer not to face directly on the week or two of vacation I get each year.

Is Jamaica alone in these problems, certainly not.

Can you have a great, safe vacation there – of course, may folks do. Is it a safe place to go off property, on your own, with a rental car or on public transportation, I would not do it and many agree [see the links below].

As far as my credentials as a traveler, I travel on business regularly to Europe, US, Canada and Mexico. I do great deal of exploring on my own with rental cars and pubic transportation. Last year I flew over 50 segments with 40 nights in hotels.

As for reading trip reports, we all have our hobbies when we cannot travel. I don’t see how this disqualifies me from being a seasoned traveler with valid opinions.

Your positive experiences in Jamaica are great, and hope that you continue to enjoy this part of the world. For me and to the folks who want my opinion – I would just as soon stay away from Jamaica.

To backup my opinion on Jamaica, here are a few links about the island:

From CNN. “Jamaica's unprecedented crime level is threatening to derail the Caribbean island's vital tourism industry by scaring away visitors and hurting investment, the tourism minister said.”

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/jamaica/hurting.htm

The US government advises that "Crime, including violent crime, is a serious problem in Jamaica, particularly in Kingston. While the vast majority of crimes occur in impoverished areas, the violence is not confined. The primary criminal concern of a tourist is being a victim of theft"

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1147.html

The local Jamaican agencies advises that you "Try to avoid walking at night alone, stay in well lighted areas, take the customary precautions with your valuables, use your room safe, and don't walk around with wads of cash in your pocket or purse"

http://www.all-jamaica.com/jamaica/dangers.html

Certainly not as reliable as the government sources or CNN, here area couple write-ups from Jamaicans on local on crime:

http://www.jamaicancaves.org/jamaica-crime.htm
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/glean...cleisure3.html
http://www.cdnn.info/news/travel/t051013.html
http://www.parisandjohn.com/jamaica/crime.html


My option stays – I would not travel to this island when there are so many other places on the world that are equally as nice, and much safer.

I have not been to Ocho Rios, but am heading to Negril in a couple of weeks. I have been to Playa and it was a little busy for my tastes, but the shopping/restaurant area was lovely. I spent more time south in Akumal and Tulum. The Zamas in Tulum is wonderful. Even if you don't stay down there, the restaurant is fantastic. Worth a stop after seeing the Mayan ruins. One word of caution..the airport in Cancun can be a hassle. Don't believe anyone who approaches you about anything! Just keep walking and you'll get through faster.

Stash,

How about you leave JA to the rest of us. You certainly seem to have a stong opinion on an island where "My option stays – I would not travel to this island when there are so many other places on the world that are equally as nice, and much safer."

I guess that's part of the magic of Jamaica... it does get to you!

BTW - Kingston is a rather large city... I wouldnt mind being standed on the streets of New Kingston, Norwood or Constant Spring or many other areas.