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Original poster

Is Jamaica too far to go for a week?

37 replies

Sallyssss · 14/03/2022 21:25

Hi, please can you help me make a decision! We are considering going to Jamaica during Easter - haven't been on holiday for 2 years! So hence, the treat! We would land the same day - so we'd have literally have one week there? But there is a 5 hour time difference - my kids are 10, 14 and 17. What do you think? Too far for one week?

If not, we could do Canary Islands. Husband is a little weary of Egypt and we're not big fans of Dubai! Any other suggestions?

OP posts:
babbi · 14/03/2022 21:30

I would do it …
But I live for traveling 😊
Have fun 🤩

Akite · 14/03/2022 21:30

Well, in my younger years we travelled to Peru for just a week and managed fine. Longer would have been better though, and I don't think I'd fancy it with kids. If you don't mind a long flight you could go somewhere like South Africa, they will only be 1 hour ahead by then so no jet lag to deal with.
Canary Islands would be good, or maybe Cape Verde?

GeneLovesJezebel · 14/03/2022 21:31

No, lots of people do.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 14/03/2022 21:38

Well, having many a long and boring sometimes 8 hour drive from the NW down to St Ives for just a rainy half term week (self-catering), a week in a Caribbean hotel in lovely sunshine getting looked after sounds a much better prospect for similar travelling effort if you can afford it. So why not?

That said, coming home will be a nightmare for jetlag.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 14/03/2022 21:39

I'd probably choose Tenerife, though. Costa Adeje. Just for the jet lag reason if it's not possible to take a couple of days off recovering before returning to work.

MarmiteCoriander · 14/03/2022 21:40

I would. 5 hrs flight isn't actually that far in the scheme of things. I'd look at the time zone and in an ideal world, all try to slowly move into that time zone beforehand. Also check any vaccines you might need.

It normally takes 1 whole day, to get over a 1hr time zone difference. Depending which way it is, I'd either get up 1 hr earlier/or later- starting the week beforehand and either stay up later/bed earlier etc. I did this for a 10hr time zone change and even a few days trying to move into the new time zone really helps.

On arrival, get some sun and walk around- even if tired. If you really need a nap- set an alarm for a 20min power nap- then get some sun and get out. I don't mean get burnt, but sunlight really helps re-set your body clock. Have a fabulous time.

DartmoorChef · 14/03/2022 21:41

I would do the canary Islands. Lanzarote is 4 hours away, is a very safe place to stay, with great weather and there are some fantastic all inclusive deals at the moment too

MartinMartinMarti · 14/03/2022 21:41

I would do it (and have done). Jet lag isn’t really a problem if you’re not tied to a schedule when you’re there.

Hottubtimemachine · 14/03/2022 21:56

We just went for a week, kids 13 and 15. Was fine, only downside was flying out of Manchester (never again, queues were horrendous). Would definitely go that far for a week again.

BrilloSolar · 14/03/2022 21:57

In my experience, once you're on the plane, a few hours doesn't make much difference. It's the getting to the airport, through security, hanging around the airport because you had to be there so bloody early to make sure you get through security, waiting for you luggage the other end, finding your transfer/ taxi, sitting on the transfer bus/ in the taxi to your accommodation, that is the exhausting part of travel. If you're going somewhere for a week, you may as well just add on a few more hours flight to go to somewhere you really want to. What's to say that you won't book the Canaries and be delayed by a few hours at the airport here, have a huge wait at immigration or baggage collection there or something delays your transfer to the hotel. Although you could book Jamaica and have all those delays too - so an even longer journey Grin

We went to Mexico for a week with children and it really made no difference that it was a longer flight. Once you're on it, you're on it and I've always found that the longhaul flights are often much better than those to the Canaries because you get your little tv and it's more comfortable and time seem to 'fly'. I find flights to the Canaries actually quite 'long' as its a 4 hour flight on a plane I'm more used to just doing quick 1 or 2 hour flights across Europe in (or maybe I'm just cheap and don't get a more comfy plane to the Canaries!)

drpet49 · 14/03/2022 21:58

Yes, I wouldn’t bother for just a week

Viviennethebeautiful · 14/03/2022 22:00

Just did this journey. Truly easy. Just watch the films. Your kids will be fine and love it

BIWI · 14/03/2022 22:01

Definitely! We used to take the DC to Barbados for a week in October half term - the thing is that the time difference works to your advantage.

If you can get a morning flight (Barbados flights generally leave around 10.30/11.00am), they arrive at around 3pm. So plenty of time to get to your accommodation, unpack and then enjoy the evening.

Flights home are usually overnight, so you have pretty much a whole day in the resort.

Honeyroar · 14/03/2022 22:01

Yes definitely doable. It’s not a very long flight or huge time change. I used to be cabin crew. We used to have two days there and it was still nice.

HelenWick · 14/03/2022 22:06

Go go go go go! Where are you looking at? I am going in August and CANNOT WAIT! It's been 3 years since I was in Jamaica :) It's heaven

70kid · 14/03/2022 22:08

No I hate 1 week holidays 😂😂
You lose a day going a day coming back
Then Jet lag - all that for 5 days in the sun
No chance
I just did 2 weeks in Tenerife which was perfect

Bouledeneige · 14/03/2022 23:05

I just did it in February. It's fine. And lovely.

asparalite · 14/03/2022 23:10

Yes absolutely fine! Also maybe consider Cape Verde.

QuizzicalEyebrows · 15/03/2022 09:20

I've been to Jamaica for a week and it's fine - it's long enough and I dont remember feeling too jet lagged

Check the weather though as they have a rainy season

Whitney168 · 15/03/2022 09:23

If you just want sun and a pool, another vote for Cape Verde. Dull as ditchwater if you actually want to do much else, but great for that.

QuizzicalEyebrows · 15/03/2022 09:25

If you're going to Negril beach which is lovely just know that all the hotels are right next to each other and you can pretty much walk through one to the next which i would have found a bit off putting tbh

QuizzicalEyebrows · 15/03/2022 09:27

And avoid the hotel which is sort of famous for being a full on orgy type of affair

Okbutnotgreat · 15/03/2022 09:30

We’re considering Hurghada (never done Egypt) for beginning of April as it looks potentially a little warmer than the Canaries. The 6 hr flight is a little off putting for just a week though, not sure I’d want to do longer.

RandomQuest · 15/03/2022 09:31

Go go go!!

I personally find that the jet lag is only a factor on the way home because it’s a night flight and you never sleep properly and that’s always the case no matter how long you go for. The way there is fine- stay awake on the plane, early night when you get there and you’ll probably wake a little bit earlier than usual the next day but it’s easy to adjust without even really trying.

Quartz2208 · 15/03/2022 09:36

Yep have done Barbados for a week.

Just did Orlando (same time difference) for the week and actually it was weirdly easier as you hit the ground running and then came back straight into normal life. Found it easier than when we have been for longer

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