CANJPH

Funny above how the poster referred to places like Disney and Bermuda as being non-threatening. A couple of years ago, a Canadian girl was kidnapped in Bermuda, raped and killed. Bermuda is not exempt from crime - and neither is any island in the Caribbean. In fact, crime has risen in the Caribbean as many residents will attest. There are posts on this board about crime rising in the USVI and BVI.

We have been to a number of the Caribbean islands and do not feel unsafe in any of them. If common sense and general caution is practiced - you are more likely to get hit by lightning than be victim of a crime in the Caribbean. That includes the island we have enjoyed the most - Jamaica.

amitae

babyblue78......
Did your family like Beaches Negril? Were the rates good?

billjohnson121

I wouldn't recommend Jamaica. My wife and I went twice to Ocho Rios. Although there were a few times when we felt unsafe, I've also felt unsafe in New York. It depends on where you go, what time you're there, and who you're with. Uncomfortable would be a better description. We rented a condo that had 24-hour security patrols (now, very much a red-flag for future vacations), and as soon as we left the fenced-in area of the condos, we could not go ten feet without being asked if we wanted either a taxi, some "smoke", or to come in and see what I have for sale. It was overbearing and unpleasant. No such thing as a casual stroll through town.

Furthermore, the restaurants were not very good; not that the Caribbean is known as an epicurean mecca; and last, Jamaica does not have many good beaches.

You don't want to risk spending your honeymoon someplace questionable. Go next year, after the honeymoon's over!

Suggest you check the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. (Puerto Plata is very nice) Definitely a hidden treasure, much to do, and friendly and respectable people.

jules43

With all due respect, I find the DR as bad as Jamaica. Puerto Plata is dirty and the people are obnoxious. In my opinion, Punta Cana is much nicer than the North Coast.

liza

Jamaica doesn't have many good beaches?

What about the one mile stretch of pink sand called Long Bay near Port Antonio? Lined with palms, wavy enough to surf some days, crystal clear and only a handful of cottages on it (for now).

Frenchman's Cove and Blue Lagoon in Portland - FC has a small stream that runs right into the sea in a protected cove....beautiful. Blue Lagoon is a 200 ft deep spring right near the ocean, with salty water on top and fresh underneath....and the oddest deep blue color. Fabulous swimming.

Negril's 7 mile beach is party central on crystal clear, calm, shallow seas - lined with bars, restaurants and small resorts...but you can't see them because they are all tucked into palm trees and no taller.

Treasure Beach's deserted sandy coves, cliffs and tidal pools offer great beach walking and no one but fishermen and a handful of villa guests...no one selling anything.

Bloody Bay, also in Negril has water that would make your bathtub look murky, and blinding white sand.

We snorkeled one afternoon in Port Maria (1/2 east of Ochi) on a beautiful, empty beach with an unspoiled reef. It had no name that I know.

I don't care much for the beaches in Ocho Rios, the cruise ship harbor activity and general boat traffic have killed a lot of the reef and many beaches there are artificial, the hassle factor (due to being both a cruise stop and a big resort town) is a pain...but please don't judge Jamaica's beaches by Ochi's beaches!

I have to take issue with the food statement too....I gain pounds on every trip to Jamaica, the super-fresh seafood, island spices and jerk cooking....I seek out Jamaican restaurants in the states between visits (though nothing's like the real thing...). To each his own though

jray

Not many good beaches in the Jamaica!!! Oh lord, what will the Jamaica haters come up with next.

atticus

ROTFLMAO!
I know....it is waaay to cold to enjoy the beaches (well, what there are of beaches) in Jamaica! Coldest weather island in the Caribbean.

A.

gio4945

i have traveled extensively throughout the caribbean and have been to jamaica 2x what i will tell you is this first of all it is a third world country and second anywhere you go there is a chance you can encounter a problem even in the USA your best bet in jamaica is an all inclusive resort most of them provide shuttles to sister resorts or other activites and it was safe No i didnt go wandereing around at night and with all inclusives you dont have to. there are bad places anywhere you go. If you want to sight see try the US virgin island this way you have the choice of island hopping for the two weeks the island are all a boat ride awawy from each other good luck

atticus

Been to the USVI (St. Thomas & St. John). Beautiful beaches, people aren't all that nice and crime is definitely present. Felt safer running around off resort in Negril...but, that is just me. At least the people were 1000% nicer to tourists in our experience.

Alot of the local in the USVI seemed to resent white tourists from the states, given the rude comments.

ksmurf420

heres how it works,
if you are a high class rich person that dont like to get dirty then jamaica is definetly not for you. If you are the average type of person that would be willing to spend a vacation learning about culture, then jamaica is for you. Classy people are more for the high class hotel( beverly hills on a Island). lower class resorts benefit jamaica the most. when staying at a place like sandals You pay for the hotel to pamper you, massage you and all of the classy food and drinks for free. why leave the resort?. stay at a 2 star like root bamboos(pitch a tent for 7$ a night) or legends, you stay at the hotel just to sleep and rest up. Me myself, going to jamaica sept 24-29th at a 2star. But me, I am a coservitive hippy. the hotel is just to stay @ between 3AM to Noon.I would rather spend my money on enjoying the people and culture than financing some yuppy hotel to make some CEO millions richer.
I could affor a place like sandals , but my purpose in jamaica is to learn about the locals. This summary explains why you hear differant opinions about jamaica, what type of person are you?

Kimberly

We have been to Jamaica 5 time and never feared for our lives. Like any other place a little common sence is all you need. Negril is one of the most friendly places we have ever been and Port Antonio is so green and lush it is beautiful. If you listen to all the negatives and dont give new places a chance you are missing out on some beautiful experiences. If you have ?'s feel free to email me. We will be going back to Jamaica for 2 weeks in Fseb.

yamon216

Hi. We bought a 2-bdrm condo at Point Village in Negril last year, and hired local craftsmen to gut, then rebuild the entire inside. Since then we've made six trips down, the 7th and 8th are already booked, and I guess that speaks for itself.

I've witnessed two weddings at Point Village, under a 600-yr-old giant tree (banyan?) next to the ocean, and it was awesome.

My personal feeling is that lots of folks get freaked out when someone approaches them and offers to give them a ride, sell them ganja, etc., but in fact a simple "No, thanks" ends it - Jamaicans, even those making a living selling to tourists, are super people, the food is out of this world, and cheap, and the water is crystal clear.

Hope this helps. JB.

jen24

I did not take the time to read all 71 messages posted, but my girlfriend and I (two females in our barley 30's) just came back from Negril in mid July. Like one person posted said, it all depends on where your from. Yes being two women, there were locals who flirted, but I wouldn't call it harrassment. We walked twice down the beach at night, it is fairly safe. Just be firm with your "no's" , they understand & leave you alone. Most of the locals are just trying to sell you something to make money, never to rob you...at least from my experience. Have fun...and stay at Grand Lido. (One of my pics)

dadlianna

Having lived in Antigua and just back from Jamaica, let me jump in. I loved Jamaica..similiar to Antigua but bigger, more lush and well, just a heck of a lot more to do. I hada pleasant stay at Round Hill. One of the best accommodations I have enjoyed. I thought Negril was tacky and seedy but I did not stay there nor investigate the area. Places like Port Antonio, Jakes at Treasure Beach and the country interest me as well.

Antigua is a SUPER location for a honeymoon. Blue Waters, Curtain Bluff or a villa come to mind. A smaller version of Jamaica ...lots to do..GOOD choices..

jacketwatch

Per a readers poll of the travel mag. Carib. Travel and Life Jamaica was the #1 overall best destination. Yah mon.

TracyB

Well, I read as many of these replies as I could...And my opinion would be that Jamaica is not for everyone...But it is definately for my husband and myself...We found it to have so much character...The reggae, the jerk, the lush countryside..Although the people can be quite pesty at times, we totally enjoyed our 2 trips to Jamaica..But if for a minute you would be bothered by Ganja and do not have an open mind, then I would not go...Having travelled extensively over the years, staying at Xtabi in Negril has to be one of our favorites..Also loved the Martha Brae river rafting...Next time we will stay at the Rockhouse, on the cliffs in Negril..Have a great honeymoon..

centraltexasgirl

I've been to Jamaica it's ok but I must say I enjoyed the Florida Keys, and Hawaii more. I don't know where you live but airfare to Hawaii from Austin is $100+ per person cheaper than going to Jamaica, and it is cleaner and just my personal opinion but I think much more beautiful. I've been twice and have been to Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island. I have nothing bad to say about any of them. A negetive note on Jamaica is we stayed at a nice resort (the Miss Jamaica contest was being held there) and every night we were offered drugs of multiple types. It got to be very intrusive and offensive.

centraltexasgirl

Holly if you are the adventurous type, and don't want to got to more than one island for 2 wks, if you choose Hawaii I'd pick the Big Island you can not possible get every adventure done in two weeks on the Big Island. If you decide on it I can send you some of my pictures and answer any questions you may have. A big help for us was the Blue Book, Big Island revealed. We rented a 4x4 and did all the things the rental company said not to. Also Hiked to lava. This time to Hawaii was a trip I'll never forget 20th anniversary this last June. I'm rested up and ready to go back. Whatever your decision... enjoy if your interested in more info my email is [email protected] and there is tons of info here on fodors.

mgmargate

Jamaica # 1 destination. That's a joke right?Let's get serious.

Maureen

If you are not comfortable then you might pass it up. With 2 weeks you can share your time between islands--St. Thomas and Tortola, St. Thomas and St. John, Grenada and Carriacou etc.
Also consider the Big Island of Hawaii--it is beautiful and our favorite hawaiian island. We stayed at the Ohana "Keauhou Resort" in Kona. Reasonable, beautiful setting and the cuisine was good.
Short flights to other Hawaiian Islands. Haleakula in Maui is very impressive -- look down from the volcano and see airplanes flying below! Magnificent lush tropical views and couldn't be more romantic. Just a suggestion. Good luck.