jamaica or Cancun

[dotjhawkes]

Yet again I am in a quandry over this darn holiday! It was delayed from October cos of thet ruddy hurricane, now the place I want to go in May in Cancun does not have the accomodation I want for the weeks I can get off work, so i am now looking at the Riu Negril in Jamaica or the Riu Tropical Bay in Jamaica. Both look great, but what about Jamaica? Is it all ganja and reggae? I want pampering and luxury! Not Cool Runnings. (Though I do love the film mind)

[jno]

A large number of places in Jamaica are all-inclusive because visitors are reluctant to venture out into the wilds. If they go out, it's on escorted day trips. They do have a point. I've visited more than 100 countries and Jamaica unsettled me more than any other. There's a lot of jostling and eyeballing from people with big attitude. On the other hand, Jamaica has more unique culture than countries 100 times its size - its own music, cuisine, religion, drugs. Also great scenery, waterfalls etc as well as beaches. It ought to be possible to experience some of this in an unthreatened way, and still have plenty of pampering.

[NerdyGeek]

Having been to both Jamaica and Cancun I would recommend neither. Try and get to one of the nice islands in the Caribbean like St Lucia, Antigua or St Maarten.

[nickmo]

Faceless, bulk packages that cram you onto the holiday that you have been looking forward to for ages and then its ruined by the neighbours, the hotel standard isn't what the brochure said - don't follow the pack, dotj.

Done Jamaica, and although had a brilliant stay - dive instructor was from home town!! - and no real problems, certainly wasn't the most comfy place for an evening stroll, and that was in a quieter not mainstream location (I always try to put my own hols together - you do get to better places, nicer accom., and a feel for a location, not a nameless hotel pool stay - just think thats a wste of time).

Look at : http://www.bviholidays.com/cooper.htm. Only 11 cottages plus sailing club on Cooper Island in the BVI, or book direct at: http://www.cooperisland.com/beach.html for your own home for the hoilday on an all but deserted island.

See also http://www.experiencebvi.com/ for other accomm in BVI. Flts around �500 (cheapest deals seem to be ex Manchester) and �200 for the accom. makes it good value for the quality and exclusivity of the islands.

Bring us all back a present!

[honkytonkgal]

St Lucia, Tortola, Barbados,Antigua,Grenada a yes, but Jamaica a no no, i agree with jno, it unsettled me too.

[dotjhawkes]

Well you have put me right off Jamaica now, I was looking at the Riu Negril or the Riu Tropical bay. I have checked out the BVI, but it looks a little remote for just myself and my daughter. I spent most of Thursday in the Travel Agents but I shall have another look online. thanks so far, i shall let you know how i get on.

[jno]

some Caribbean islands, especially those with British Empire background, have direct flights (not BVI though, I don't think). Antigua and Barbados do, but I'm not sure about others. Both have a fairly wide range of accommodation, I believe, from resorts to beach shacks and people are generally friendly. Travel agents can tell you more. You're right about remoteness: after a long-haul flight to the Caribbean, you don't want to have to wait around a couple of hours to change to another flight if you can help it.