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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Goa or Jamaica with baby

20 replies

Equimum · 11/02/2021 16:50

We had a big holiday booked for last year that got cancelled, and the rebooking has been cancelled. We are now expecting a baby who will be five months in February 2022, which we are now looking at. We also have two older children, both used to flying and okay long haul. We have been looking at Goa and Jamaica as these are both on several lists of good places to Lh with babies, but what’s the reality?

Has anyone been to either of these destinations with young babies and, if so, any words of advice?

Goa would be staying in Western chain resort and Jamaica in a local resort.

TIA

OP posts:
Cormoran · 11/02/2021 18:22

First reflect on this

COVID vaccination might be done and dusted in UK by Feb 2022, but maybe not in India or Jamaica and since the baby won't be vaccinated it is a risk you need to consider and plan for when looking at destination and health insurance since covid isn't covered by that. What if the baby gets COVID?

This said, we did Jamaica when DD was 8m , a typical resort which even had a wedding chapel on the beach.
The problem is the zillion of Americans. It is party island for them so everything is catered to fit their style, in the resorts but also surrounding villages.
I like Santo Domingo more, which we did when DS2 was 9 months old.

You need to consider two things:

  1. distance of resort from airport, you definitely don't want to add 1 hour shuttle bus or more. Consider the distance door to door more than just flight time.
  2. water safety because even if you don't give the baby tap water, it will drink some during bath or when you wash face.
Equimum · 15/02/2021 07:52

Cormoron that’s a really good point about people in other countries not having had vaccines, thanks. Thank-you for also sharing your experiences of Jamaica.

OP posts:
Poorlykitten · 15/02/2021 07:56

I’ve spent a lot of time in India. Goa is pretty safe and tourist friendly now. Very easy to travel with kids and children are very welcomed. Yes, I would still be careful with the water but other than that, fine.

SJaneS49 · 15/02/2021 09:43

I’ve not been to Jamaica but I have been to Goa (about 20 years ago so it’s historic and things may have changed a great deal!). I really liked it but it was pretty rough and ready and my personal concern would be from a hygiene point of view with a young baby - they develop stomach bugs very easily! In an upmarket hotel, it should be very safe on that front but obviously you would want to travel around a bit. You have older DC with whom you have done long haul so you’ll already know how difficult it can be keeping a baby cool in tropical heat, muck up of their sleep times etc. Having done the Caribbean with a 6 month year old very tired, hot and grumpy baby completely out of their routine many years ago, it was a lot less fun than I had envisioned!

Sorry to be off putting, it wouldn’t be my personal choice but with careful planning and organisation it could obviously work!

DuchessSilver · 15/02/2021 10:34

I've taken a baby to Goa at a similar age, we had a great time! But we've been before and know the area and systems there well.
Things to think about are:

  • water quality as pp mentioned. If you're breastfeeding this is not much of an issue for the baby, just be careful showering.
  • baby can't have any vaccines other than standard jabs at that age (so no tetanus, typhoid etc). But as pp mentioned covid might be the biggest risk still!
  • Goa is a low malaria area but there are mosquitoes and still a risk of malaria+dengue. You'll need a mosquito net for the baby's cot and some repellent.
  • Electricity near beaches in Goa is sketchy so a/c isn't guaranteed unless your hotel has a generator. It is hot and humid.
  • Road safety isn't great. Car seats are rarely used, you may need to take your own.
  • Health care is disjointed and variable - you may want to do some research in case of emergencies.

Generally Goa is laid back, fairly safe, and locals and staff are lovely.

Cormoran · 15/02/2021 18:12

My biggest worry would remain if baby needs hospital for covid related sickness and liability to cover cost at 100% since covid will be one of the exclusion of health insurance.

For France, if you visit oversea territories such as Martinique, your local health cover is valid in these territories in exotic places. Does something similar exist for UK territories (the BOT) ? I am in Australia, and I know, British citizen are covered by Medicare here.

Therefor, @Equimum I would pick a country that has reciprocal healthcare agreements with UK and make sure to check with NHS since the list is radically reduced post Brexit.

DoThePropeller · 15/02/2021 18:20

Have you considered other Caribbean islands? We had a great trip to Antigua with young children. Imagine smaller islands will also have a better handle on covid.

SJaneS49 · 15/02/2021 18:21

@Cormoran, no idea what insurance policies are available in Australia but here in the UK (and I’m assuming @Equimum is U.K. based) there are Insurance policies that would cover the OP for Coronavirus medical expenses for any family member. We’re with Trailfinders who do and I think there are a number of others.

Cormoran · 15/02/2021 18:26

Great then!! Lucky you!!

AdultHumanFemale · 15/02/2021 18:28

"...good place to long haul"; well, if that isn't an oxymoron...
Sorry, but I can't not say something. We're in a climate emergency. It doesn't sound like you're going to visit relatives as either destination will do, so why the need for a long haul flight? Your baby won't remember a holiday at this age, but the decisions we make about our carbon footprints now will impact on your baby's future (and the futures of other babies).
And yes, I would say this if I knew you in RL too.

SJaneS49 · 15/02/2021 18:31

Indeed.

biibbiibobby · 15/02/2021 18:32

In terms of the Caribbean...Jamaica is...meh...look up Barbados it's more central and closer to other island If you were interested in going to another island.
Antigua is fab too.
If you want secluded then I suggest flying to at Vincent and getting the boat to bequia...it's lush!!

SendMeHome · 15/02/2021 18:35

Antigua looks awesome.

I loved Barbados but I wouldn’t do it with a baby. Or at all for the foreseeable; they’re struggling a lot.

Jamaica has been highly recommend for us to travel to with a baby, but the Covid concerns that others have mentioned would probably put me off for quite a while.

SJaneS49 · 15/02/2021 18:43

Just to clarify, Indeed to @Cormoran.

With respect @AdultHumanFemale, if you are opposed to Longhaul then quite honestly what is your reasoning for being on here.. because quite honestly it looks like you’ve come on here purely to lecture.

I’m sure you won’t mind me saying something in return, since we’re being so open and instructive with complete strangers. Ex employee of a well known Environmental Action group here with a colour it it’s title. I’m assuming that a) you are vegan b) you have an energy efficient house c) don’t own a car d) buy clothes made of recycled materials? Because you will know I’m sure that in carbon footprint terms these all have a far bigger impact on carbon levels that the 2/3% of flying? Then take into consideration the environmental impact of not flying. Tourism protects many natural ecosystems that otherwise would be destroyed for profit - vast swathes of them. On top of that - without tourism, you are looking at loosing species of wildlife currently protected by the tourist $$.

I’d suggest you take yourself off longhaul and if you really want to make a real impact on the environment, go lecture someone on making lifestyle choices that actually will have more of a significant impact.

Equimum · 15/02/2021 18:53

Cormoran thanks for that. We actually have specific Covid insurance which we can carry forward from the holiday it was originally bought for (& it will cover the baby).

Thanks SJaneS49, that’s what we have I think.

For context, in an ideal world I would not be booking a long haul holiday with a baby during COVID. We do, however, have a lot of money with a trace agent, and they want more by the end of the month for the holiday we currently have booked. (They are still saying international travel may be possible by May, but we are doubting it and wouldn’t want to travel anyway. As such, we have to rebook something that costs at least the amount of money they have already have. Consequently, we are also fairly limited in terms of options.

OP posts:
AdultHumanFemale · 15/02/2021 22:36

SJaneS49; with respect, as you put it, the only large environmental action campaigning group "with a colour in its name" (member of that one for 25 years) I can think of advocates de-growth in the aviation industry and has actively campaigned against UK airport expansion, precisely because of its impact on the climate.
Yes, I have popped in on this thread because I think it is important for everyone to question their travel choices in the face of the climate emergency. It's a shame you perceive this as lecturing; it is intended as more of a 'wake up, give your head a wobble".
Your whataboutery concerning my own lifestyle choices is beside the point; you can't advocate a position where only the 'ideologically pure' are allowed to have an opinion and challenge questionable decisions, but FYI; yes, I have invested in making mine a low emissions home, I only buy second hand clothing (and furniture, tech and household utility items) for me and my family (apart from underwear), I do own a car but drove just shy of 1500 miles last year. I am aware of the fact that my enjoyment of dairy products fuels an industry which has an enormous carbon footprint, but unlike you, I do not think that this disqualifies me from having an opinion. It's like saying that someone who is overweight can't discourage someone else from smoking or drinking to excess.
OP, I am sorry you are in a situation where your money is tied up as a result of a prior booking. I hope things work out and that you pick a holiday that will meet your and your family's needs. As SJaneS inferred, a local wildlife organisation at either destination may benefit from a donation while you're there.

SJaneS49 · 15/02/2021 23:47

Apologies @Equimum, this is about to go off topic.

I absolutely loathe hypocrites. I did work for Greenpeace, I’m vegetarian, I don’t drive, we use green energy suppliers and our house is energy efficient, I recycle and do buy 50% recycled clothes but gods knows, I’m not perfect and on that basis would not think I was in a position to lecture others on their lifestyle choices. But your sheer hypocrisy and the emotive tone of your post @AdultHumanFemale, telling the OP off really got to me, so here goes.

Mumsnet has a search function. Unless you have lied on other posts, you are a meat eater. Not only that, in your very own words, you shop at cheap supermarkets, you mention ALDI in particular. So unless you have exclusively bought your meat and dairy elsewhere, you have been purchasing the output of factory farms. Factory farming (if you are unaware) has an extremely damaging negative impact on the environment in terms of pollutants and water and energy usage. Not only that, the animal welfare is usually poor. DH works for a large animal welfare charity, he is involved in International animal welfare activity as well as U.K. activity relating to welfare in farming and encouraging supermarkets to up the anti in terms of purchasing high welfare. Aldi’s performance regarding animal welfare is very poor, particularly when it comes to chickens. So the next time you are chewing on a chicken skin or to use the same kind of language you have used above, are feeding your own children ALDI chicken, do think about the future of the planet.

If you can’t see the dishonesty of meat eating, car driving, car owning people lecturing others on flying (which while obviously not carbon neutral is less damaging than either) then you really need to give your own head a very big wobble!

And yes, donations to sanctuaries are a good thing seeing as many in third world countries have struggled to feed animals this year (to the point of serious concern about starvation) or pay their vets bills and medication. They’d go under in a world where we don’t travel. Poaching would increase substantially as communities would need to substitute income they had received from tourists. Nature reserves, forests etc would also be extremely vulnerable to being sold off by communities and governments, economically weakened by lack of tourist revenue. Endangered wildlife species would go with the sale of habitat and increase in poaching. The fact that if we don’t travel there will be a huge impact is usually completely ignored by the ‘flying is bad’ brigade. Pretty naive really.

AdultHumanFemale · 16/02/2021 22:45

So that is easily the creepiest thing to have happened to me for a while, being searched for evidence of hypocrisy in the MN archives.
You're right, I do shop in cheap supermarkets. I think that same thread also stated that I use my high street greengrocer, fishmonger and butcher as well. I grow most of our fruit and veg for 4 months of the year. I live in and cook for a family of meat eaters and carnivorous pets. I have cut out meat but not dairy products. It's not great, but you know, I welcome your reminder that the meat and dairy industries are huge environmental culprits as well as sources of animal cruelty. I don't feel lectured. I feel grateful that you care enough to remind me, and by extension, anyone else who reads your words. I feel hugely reassured that people like you and your DH are making the great choices you are making.
When considering environmental lifestyle choices, I presume individual fallibility (what you may perceive as hypocrisy). I absolutely do not expect anyone to be 'perfect', who is? People live real lives. To suggest that only those with no ecological 'transgressions' can voice an opinion is a classic climate change denier tactic, and stifles a healthy exchange. We must be able to encourage eachother to make better, more sustainable choices. In my experience, people will try to do the best they can in the circumstances they're in.

SJaneS49 · 17/02/2021 06:50

Let’s get this straight.

You came on this section for people with views quite the opposite of your own @AdultHumanFemale to ‘enlighten’ us and ‘give our heads a bit of a wobble’.

You are now a bit upset as it’s been shown up that your moral grandstanding Is built on a platform as watertight as a chocolate teapot.

Do some research into what is causing the most damage. Industrialised Factory Farming - 14%. Flying 2-3%.

So next time you feel like a bit of virtue signalling activity and posturing, I’d focus lecturing people on making lifestyle choices that are going to have more of an actual real impact.

I think we’re done and again, apologies OP.

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