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-   -   Vote Please - St. John or Jamaica or Cancun for Honeymoon? (https://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/vote-please-st-john-or-jamaica-or-cancun-for-honeymoon-171834/)

Peter Mar 13th, 2002 07:13 PM

Vote Please - St. John or Jamaica or Cancun for Honeymoon?
 
Our honeymoon is in August - a/f an exhaustive search, we've managed to narrow our choices down to these three spots, so inputs will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!<BR><BR>Peter<BR>[email protected]

Paul Mar 14th, 2002 04:33 AM

Peter;<BR><BR>With all do respect, that is like asking what kind of wine does someone like? It all depends on what your past experiences have been, what you enjoy in a trip/vacation and what kind of budget you have to work with.<BR><BR>Haveing said that......and assuming that you have a fairly significant budget for your trip (since it's your honeymoon) Id suggest St. John and <BR>Caneel Bay(tie it to a island hopper to <BR>Little Dix Bay and it'd be perfect)<BR>St. John is a bit too Americanized for me but the beauty of the island more than makes up for it I believe.<BR><BR>Never been to Cancun so I can't comment. Jamaica is still my wife and I's favorite island. (the people are magical)BUT!!! to experience Jamaica the way you really should takes more work than you should be doing on a honeymoon. IMHO. Good luck!

Paul Mar 14th, 2002 05:21 AM

Peter;<BR><BR>With all do respect, that is like asking what kind of wine does someone like? It all depends on what your past experiences have been, what you enjoy in a trip/vacation and what kind of budget you have to work with.<BR><BR>Haveing said that......and assuming that you have a fairly significant budget for your trip (since it's your honeymoon) Id suggest St. John and <BR>Caneel Bay(tie it to a island hopper to <BR>Little Dix Bay and it'd be perfect)<BR>St. John is a bit too Americanized for me but the beauty of the island more than makes up for it I believe.<BR><BR>Never been to Cancun so I can't comment. Jamaica is still my wife and I's favorite island. (the people are magical)BUT!!! to experience Jamaica the way you really should takes more work than you should be doing on a honeymoon. IMHO. Good luck!

Kate Mar 14th, 2002 08:58 AM

This is a no brain-er. Jamacia has unfriendly people and you will not want to leave the grounds of the resort. Cancun can be fun - but is a big choice for spring breakers - if that says anything (It should). St. John is suppose to be incredible. I haven't been there myself, but I have been to the British Virgin Islands and many other places in the Carribbean and I always here people talking about St. John.

rebecca Mar 14th, 2002 10:02 AM

Anyone that says Jamaicans are unfriendly must not have been there (or stayed in MObay), only experienced a port while hopping off a cruise ship for a couple of hours or got an lousy attitude reflected back at them. <BR><BR>They are the nicest, warmest people I've encountered - ever. <BR><BR>Could I suggest an hour south of Cancun?? Playa del Carmen is really nice easy vacation. Great stretch of beach and you can get a great deal normally. A day trip or two snorkling in Cozumel is VERY easy and going to Cancun for a day is easy too. Cheap too!<BR><BR>I haven't been to ST John. Can't comment.<BR><BR>Congrats!!

Paul Mar 14th, 2002 10:36 AM

Thanks Rebecca. As the risk of starting an incident, I did not want to be the one to rebut Kate. We've been lucky to have traveled all over the Caribbean. We still have yet to find an island as warm, sincere and magical as Jamaica. But.......to each their own. I'd be awful if eveyone wanted to go to the same place!! Have fun!

Anon Mar 14th, 2002 11:44 AM

Out of the three choices, I would definitely recommend St. John over the others. We went there on a day trip. It's very lush, clean, safe and the beaches are beautiful<BR><BR>We honeymooned in Jamaica and we stopped there on a cruise, on another trip. I usually do not like to "dog" an island but I would not recommend Jamaica at all.<BR><BR>We are the types who enjoy exploring an island--we don't like to be stuck at an AI resort and frankly, we haven't stayed at an AI since Jamaica/Sandal's. We left the resort a few times and each time, we tired of the "hawkers" trying to sell us their wares every time we turned around (literally). Also, we felt very unsafe. I had a very scary experience with two islanders while my hubby was off parasailing and we heard other "stories" (which I won't get into as I've posted them on this board before).<BR><BR>We've also been to Cancun. The beach in Cancun is beautiful but it doesn't have the "Caribbean island" feel. It's more Americanized and it has much more of a party atmosphere about it.

Tabisha Mar 14th, 2002 01:15 PM

We have experienced all 3 places and my<BR>vote is for St. John, especially for a<BR>honeymoon. Gorgeous, clean, safe and<BR>quiet! Save Cancun and Jamaica for a<BR>later time.

anonymous Mar 15th, 2002 03:56 AM

St John is pretty but there is not a whole lot to do besides swim/snorkeling. Jamaica and Cancun have a lot more going on and offer opportunities for nightlife, etc.

Paul Mar 15th, 2002 05:53 AM

They'll make their own "nightlife". It's their honeymoon!!!! Have a blast!

Linda Mar 15th, 2002 05:53 AM

St. John over the other 2 yes for a honeymoon! It doesn't have that much to do (snorkel,hike, eat) but you are an easy ferry ride to St. Thomas - if you must-or to Tortola/Virgin Gorda. Be sure to take your passport-it's British.Personally, I prefer the British Virgin Islands any day over the US.There is no crime, no high rise hotels, friendliest people I ever met and really cool beach bars.I spent my honeymoon there and I am definitely prejudiced!

xxx Mar 15th, 2002 06:00 AM

St. John, without question! Cancun is a commercialized pit--nasty is a word I would use to describe it. Jamaica? It depends if you can tolerate the aggressive vendors and such. St. John is beautiful and peaceful. Trust me. I know.

Penney Mar 15th, 2002 01:04 PM

We have not been to the island of St. John so can not comment other then I have yet to hear a negative comment.<BR><BR>We personally love Jamaica - Negril is the most beautiful side of the island and boosts some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. It does have its fair share of crime but we have never found another island where the people are so warm and the atmosphere so tropical and alive. <BR><BR>Cancun is great if you can go outside the stripe - way tooooooo touristy and all highrises.

Debbie Mar 15th, 2002 01:13 PM

Peter,I haven't been to Jamaica or Cancun but I have been to St John three times.A big "Yes" as a honeymoon spot. Definitly rent a Villa.It's more private and you could get a big,private pool for a reasonable price since your going off season.Good Luck and Congatulations!!

Buckley Mar 15th, 2002 02:06 PM

We've been to all three places and they really are all quite different. Our favorite and my recommendation (especially for a honeymoon) would unquestionably be St. John. It's really quite breathtaking. Cancun is more of a party spot and so can be Jamaica, depending on the city you're talking about. There are many very nice houses you can rent on St. John. Rent a jeep and hit all the gorgeous beaches. You won't forget the experience. In August, Caneel Bay is too warm. Rent something up higher to get the tradewinds.

Nancy Mar 17th, 2002 04:43 AM

Hi Peter,<BR>You got some great advice!<BR>Definitely St. John over the other 2 for your honeymoon. Romance plus!<BR>Both other places are great - just completely different from each other.<BR>Agree with Paul and Linda on where to stay/what to do.<BR>Have fun!

Mike P Apr 2nd, 2002 05:59 AM

My vote would be for either St. John (rent a villa) or St. Thomas near Red Hook. Cancun was "so-so". We're going to Jamaica in June, so I'll report back after that. If you have the $$, look into Maui...by FAR our favorite.

ryan Apr 2nd, 2002 06:35 AM

St. John, all-around the nicest of the three. If you have the bucks, stay at the Westin or Caneel Bay. <BR><BR>Jamaica - High end resorts, Round Hill, etc., comparable to St. John's (maybe even a bit nicer. Some really terrrible places (Hedonism, etc.)<BR><BR>Cancun - As long as you have no pre-text that you are in Mexico, sure. Personally, I think Cancun is "Mexico Light". A few decent restaurants but several chains; Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Cafe etc. Mainly geared to the the moderate to budget U.S. traveler. <BR><BR><BR><BR>

darla Apr 2nd, 2002 08:11 AM

my husband and i went to grand lido, negril for our honeymoon and had a great time. personally, after all the wedding stuff all we wanted to do was relax-sit on the beach and have someone serve us. it was everything we could have wanted-the people were fabulous and the food was wonderful. we were thinking about going to costa rica originally, but decided that was too active a place for a honeymoon. i've recommed it to several honeymooning friends and they all raved. <BR>ps. cancun is a hole, but st johns sounds great!

lp Apr 2nd, 2002 11:33 AM

I went to St. John two years ago with my husband and two girls. The whole time I was there I kept thinking I wish I had spent my honeymoon there! We saw a couple get married at Trunk Bay and it was the most romantic wedding I've ever seen! The beaches are the most amazing beaches I've seen so far in the islands. As far as Jamaica or Cancun, cannot comment as have not been, but hope my information on St. John helps!


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