Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

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

Original poster

Holiday to Jamaica - what's the point?

105 replies

ImJustMadAboutSaffron · 23/06/2022 09:34

On a call with a friend last night, she mentioned that her sister and her partner are going to Jamaica in April next year. They are staying in a hotel that is one of three similar, and plan to spend all their time around the hotels as they don't feel safe out and about in Jamaica (I'm not sure what resort it is, my friend didn't know).

I don't see the point in this, as it is no experience of a place, culture or anything different to what you would find in any old "fully inclusive" holiday.

Has anyone been to Jamaica and felt unsafe? What do you think?

OP posts:
DomPerignon12 · 23/06/2022 11:59

Despite the holier-than-thou attitude around travelling, it's just a hobby like any other.
Some people just want to relax, willing to pay lots to be in a different environment. I wouldn't consider it a waste if they got what they wanted out of it.

I've been to many countries, done the whole exploring already not ashamed to say that a relaxing, never-leave-hotel sounds like my IDEAL holiday. I'd consider Jamaica a waste because cost, but if I had a bigger budget why not?

DomPerignon12 · 23/06/2022 12:04

Missillusioned · 23/06/2022 11:58

Well Europe won't have as good weather in April as Jamaica, so presumably that's why they're going. I might consider it if I could afford long haul.

I love an all inclusive and if it's a big resort I don't feel the need to leave the hotel much. I am a single parent with children including teenage girls and I'm very aware that in some parts of the world we could be quite vulnerable, so if I went to Jamaica I might well just stay in the resort

I'm over 50 and tired, work full time, have several children and love warm weather, so to me a holiday is a week of not having to work, cook , clean and I can relax in nice surroundings with my book while my kids are entertained in the pool and can fetch their own snacks and drinks. I don't need to be out and about every day.

Exactly!
Daily life is a constant grind. If I'm not rushing about at work, I'm rushing about at home.
Travel with another list of things to rush about is terribly unappealing.

Noisyprat · 23/06/2022 12:04

We all like different things, some people like to spend ££££ going to sunny welcoming Jamaica with it's gorgeous hotels, beaches and cocktails. Some people like Cornwall with it's unreliable weather, crap service, overcrowded beaches and nightmare traffic! Each to their own OP 😎

Grumpybutfunny · 23/06/2022 12:09

Jamaica is lovely, you can go out to see the sights your just advised to do it on a guided tour. Having been to different islands in the Caribbean each has a different viable even in the hotels. Jamaica is about the reggae music, food and rum. Cuba is the salsa music old cars and dancing. Dominican is a mix and more bachata vs salsa, Mexico is the Americans play ground in the Caribbean. Bahamas is next on our bucket list we want to swim with turtles!

Cantdecidewhich · 23/06/2022 12:28

We went on honeymoon last year and it was fabulous, we met up with a mini bus driver who took us loads of different places including sorting out a boat ride down the black river to see crocs and then out to sea to a bar in the middle of the ocean. We went out twice alone and I felt unsafe , there are armed soldiers in the shopping centre and we got followed once so never did it again. We may go back next year. The vibe is incredible

mumda · 23/06/2022 12:35

A friend's daughter has been very recently. After she got back he was muttering about what a waste of money the holiday was as they didn't leave the hotel. They could have been anywhere warm and sunny with a pool.

antelopevalley · 23/06/2022 13:52

I do not see the point either. Much cheaper holidays where you can stay by a pool and do water sports.

Jalisco · 23/06/2022 14:00

theemmadilemma · 23/06/2022 09:51

Jamacia you should go with a guide. The off chance you end up lost and alone somewhere dodgy isn't worth the risk. We stopped at a cashpoint in a town with the guide and it was 'uncomfortable' I'll admit, especally as you had to lock yourself in a little glass cubicle to use it.

Sounds a lot like London.

Jamaica is not really are more or less safe than most places, especially if people are sensible (dripping expensive jewellery is an invitation anywhere in the world). But if people don't want to leave their all-inclusive resorts (and I am not knocking them as I have stayed in a few, especially now I am disabled) then that's fine - they probably wouldn't enjoy "outside", and "outside" might not enjoy them.

antelopevalley · 23/06/2022 14:07

I have never locked myself into a glass box to use a cashpoint in London.

uggmum · 23/06/2022 14:11

I went to Jamaica in March.
Stayed at a lovely resort. Greet beach/food and cocktails.

We did go out and ventured into town. I felt safe.

I would go back.

DomPerignon12 · 23/06/2022 14:14

Jalisco · 23/06/2022 14:00

Sounds a lot like London.

Jamaica is not really are more or less safe than most places, especially if people are sensible (dripping expensive jewellery is an invitation anywhere in the world). But if people don't want to leave their all-inclusive resorts (and I am not knocking them as I have stayed in a few, especially now I am disabled) then that's fine - they probably wouldn't enjoy "outside", and "outside" might not enjoy them.

Show quote history

Definitely not the same as London!
I'm from a developing country and the level of crime and safety is very different. People actively look to rob tourists, don't care if they hurt them. Especially white people because when you're from a developed country you're automatically rich. There are also no road signs anyway, and you can be surrounded by gangs on motorcycles who just speed away. There's unlikely to be CCTV or dashcams anywhere.
There's no such thing like that in London, yes there are pickpockets etc like every other city it's a different level of danger altogether.

Notmytiep · 23/06/2022 14:15

Listen, you can def go out and about in Jamaica and be perfectly safe.
Obviously there are places tourists shouldn't go so therefore do your research etc but to say the entire country isn't safe is ridiculous to me.

Notmytiep · 23/06/2022 14:16

And get a guide from a reputable company. We enjoyed our stay there a few years ago and are planning to go back soon!

Thebeastofsleep · 23/06/2022 15:47

I also travel to experience the local culture, history etc and I would be bored with none of that to do, I don't like sitting still. However some people just want a relaxing time with guaranteed good weather and nice surroundings, and why not?

IfIhearmumagaintoday · 23/06/2022 15:59

woodencoffetable · 23/06/2022 10:20

It's a lot of money and hassle to be able to say 'oh we were in Jamaica last week/month/year'

I'd rather save that money and be in my garden in the days we get. I have travelled but it was to meet people from other countries, not see the country itself. If I was not going to interact with local people I would not want to go. I don't need to sit on a beach or a chair to feel relaxed, in fact I am most relaxed at home, with a bit of work on, the day ahead of me, and my tassimo.

It's no fun sitting in the garden when it pisses it down. The heat in UK is different not to mention unpredictable! I want to have a coffee with different scenery.... its like saying you can put food in the oven/cook at home

people are paying for the ambiance of the restaurant

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 23/06/2022 16:05

I’m unashamedly uncultured, I want sun, relaxation and constant food from my 1 holiday a year

IfIhearmumagaintoday · 23/06/2022 16:08

@DomPerignon12 you need to research. Firstly why is anyone using a cash machine in JA? Its simply uncessary get organised and take money with you. Road signs? Really?

It's a third world Country but tbh the roads are similar to some in Crete. Honestly if that's your complaint road signs just stop at home love. There's areas in London I wouldn't go too, plenty of stabbings and crime which is worse at least with JA it's likely people are starving and desperate for the money...

Sarah2891 · 23/06/2022 16:15

I'm not sure why people are comparing them but Jamaica has a much higher murder rate than London.

I don't get why people go away just to stay in a hotel either, but each to their own I guess.

serendippity · 23/06/2022 16:29

Eek, we're going to jamaica in the summer with 13yr old ds to an AI with Tui and plan on going on a few excursions but through the Tui reps at the hotel. We're staying in Negril and apart from organised excursions, we don't plan on going out on our own. I don't consider it a waste of time, but am now a bit concerned as to how many people felt unsafe! We haven't made a mistake have we?!

Carrotzen · 23/06/2022 16:30

The weather is lovely, the beaches and sea are lovely. These resorts often have suba diving/watersports.

Obviously you still get to speak with plenty of Jamaican people, and enjoy the music and food. Your not cut off from Jamaican culture even if you never leave the hotel. Plenty of people like sitting on a beach all day, and it's up to them if they want to do that in the carribean or in Skegness.

Jamaica is not the safest country, I did leave the hotel with a guide but wouldn't have gone exploring alone. Its not really quite the same as London, my ex was from Jamaica and wouldn't have gone to many places by himself! Its really not the same risk as parts of London

We went to negril and the beach was amazing, the sea much nicer than Greece or Spain as it was calm and less salty. The weather was hot but not that safe dry stifling heat as Europe. The service in the hotel was amazing plus there was plenty of Jamaican food on offer. I've actually never been all inclusive bar Jamaica but Jamaica was by far my best holiday.

Carrotzen · 23/06/2022 16:33

@serendippity I didn't feel at all unsafe in Negril or on any excursions. It's a really lovely part of the world, you will have a great time. I wouldn't have gone out on my own but the touristy excursions are fine and the majority of people are very friendly. You just have to be aware of the risks when travelling anywhere in the world

Carrotzen · 23/06/2022 16:36

It is strange post Op because your not saying I wouldn't enjoy this. Your questioning why anyone would do it, and the answer is they like different things. Which is something most people learn as a young child.

ChangedMyNamrButStillMe · 23/06/2022 16:37

@serendippity you’ll have a lovely time (although isn’t it hurricane season in the summer?). Honestly, the organised excursions are perfectly safe and you won’t feel at risk at all. It’s more if you’re wandering about on your own, especially if you’re white/ obviously foreign that you can very quickly find yourself in trouble

serendippity · 23/06/2022 16:37

Many thanks @Carrotzen to be honest that I'd exactly what we were thinking when we booked, to enjoy the sun, sea, cocktails and Jamaican culture but be vigilant and do it as safely as we can! 😊

VioletPerrin · 23/06/2022 16:38

What concern is it of yours?