cancun or Jamaica
 

Where should I go?
Love beaches and nightlife.
Please help
thanks,
mike

Go to Mexico. Was in Jamaica once several years ago and would never return. As for Mexico, I can't stay away. Been to Cancun countless times over the years. The beaches and nightife there are fantastic. Have also just returned from Los Cabos. Beaches are nice but many unswimmable due to drop-offs close to short and strong currents, but I had a wonderful time. But no matter where you go in Mexico, you'll find a beautiful country with beautiful people. Can't wait until my next trip. If you go to Cancun or Los Cabos, make sure you spend some time downtown. It's wonderful to mingle with the people there, and it's not americanized like the hotel zones.

I'm going to make a sweeping generalization but it is my personal experience (2 trips to Jamaica years ago, 16 trips to Mexico more recently).

Mexican local people support and appreciate the money to be made from the tourist industry. Being in the taxi, hotel, restaurant business is taken as a positive thing. Jamaican people were more resentful of tourists and there was an edge to our encounters, that I have never felt in Mexico.

Suze, I agree with you 100%. Safety, to some extent, was also an issue when we were in Jamaica. Have never ever felt unsafe anywhere in Cancun, Los Cabos, or anywhere else in Mexico I've visited, and I always spend as much time as I can among the locals, which I wouldn't do in Jamaica.

Don't think you can beat Mexico for the beauty or expense. You will spend less to go to Mexico than you would Jamaica. The eastern coast of Mexico has it all, beautiful beaches, resorts, nightlife, diving, snorkeling, quiet relaxation. Go for it.

Went to Jamaica in August and Playa del Carmen in February. I vote for Playa. Sorry, haven't been to Cancun!! We had very little nightlife at the resort that we stayed at in Jamaica.

I would go with Jamaica but you do not say what sort of nightlife you like so it is hard to help. A lot of Fodorites seem to have bad impressions of Jamaica. I do not understand it at all. I find Jamaicans to be very friendly and hospitable and the nightlife there is great.

Perhaps coming from south London where there is a very high concentration of Jamaicans I felt more at ease than some other posters...

I vote for Cancun. I recently posted a trip report on my Cancun vacation. Cancun has gorgeous beaches, and a vibrant nightlife. Have a great time wheverever you choose to go!

Cancun. It is sooo much fun, especially the nightlife. Beahces are beautiful and it may be more economical than Jamaica. Go there on your next trip.

Cancun. You can probably find reggae music there someplace without worrying at all about your safety. Jamaica's pretty but downright scary in places.