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Holidays

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

Mexico or Jamaica?

7 replies

Burritobowl84 · 18/07/2022 11:59

Anyone been to both? How do they compare? Which did you prefer and why?

We will be travelling with a 4 & 7 year old & want to stay for 11 nights

We know we definitely want to go long haul, and we’ve narrowed it down to these 2 destinations but we’re so torn!

From what I can gather Jamaica seems better for day trips as it’s a smaller place and we could more feasibly see more of the main sights in one trip than we could in Mexico. That said we’ve just returned from a week in Greece and didn’t get the opportunity to do all of the excursions we would have liked as it was very warm and we didn’t fancy getting on and off buses or walking long distances in the heat with 2 young children.

Which brings me to Mexico ... the resort style hotels seem to look a slightly better standard than those in Jamaica at the same price point. So if we end up deciding to stay close to our accommodation with the kids in the heat, there’s likely to be more activities and facilities on offer where we are.

However we have heard that Mexico is a lot more ‘commercialised’ than Jamaica, and even if we were staying in a big all inclusive resort in either location, in Jamaica we would have more opportunities to mix with the locals and soak up the culture.

Another huge thing for us is the food. We love Mexican food! Not as keen on Caribbean food.

Beaches ...from the research I’ve done it seems to me that Mexico has wider longer stretches of sand, but Jamaica has calmer clearer waters and less crowds. Would this be accurate?

If we go to Jamaica we think Negril May suit us, and if we go to Mexico, Playa del Carmen. Anyone been to both? How do they compare?

Also weather ... we’re tied to the school holidays for obvious reasons and I know both places will be very hot and humid in the summer months with potential downpours of rain. But which of the two would be the driest and most pleasant in the summer?

Thanks guys

OP posts:
SheriffCallie · 19/07/2022 19:56

We are currently in Playa del Carmen and would 100% recommend. We’ve booked a few day tips to various places but the hotel has enough activities that you wouldn’t need to to feel like you’ve had a great holiday. The beaches have sargassum seaweed, so the water isn’t crystal clear, however it seems to be sporadic, as we had lovely blue water at the hotel beach the last few days. PdC is quite a lively town and good for shopping/restaurants, so we’ve headed in there a couple of afternoons.
It’s currently 33 degrees (at 2pm) but with a nice breeze. We generally don’t do resort type package holidays, but we are enjoying this.

Tours etc aren’t cheap but I suspect that’s more to do with the weak pound atm.

Iflyaway · 20/07/2022 04:32

Yes, been to both, and with DS.

Both brilliant Love the Caribbean and Mexico, both.

Negril all the way. The capital of casual.

Once you go you know.

Jamaicans are so friendly and laid back, will love your kids.

Mexicans love kids too of course but are more reserved compared to the exuberance of Jamaica.

Both are amazing anyway. Leave Mexico till they're older.. my teenage son climbed one of the Mayan pyramids!! 😯

Iflyaway · 20/07/2022 04:35

Oh yea, forgot to say, Negril beach is perfect for kids. It's very shallow. I love lying in the sea on the beach.

Katjolo · 20/07/2022 05:15

Two good choices. I'd go Jamaica.

Libre2 · 20/07/2022 07:00

I have never been to either but a colleague has just come back from Jamaica and said they were advised to go nowhere off resort without a guide and the whole island smelled of weed.

badbaduncle · 31/07/2022 14:28

Libre2 · 20/07/2022 07:00

I have never been to either but a colleague has just come back from Jamaica and said they were advised to go nowhere off resort without a guide and the whole island smelled of weed.

This racist nonsense is said to keep the guests and their money within the usually US owned resort walls. Of course there is Ganja in Jamaica, Rasta's smoke it as part of their religion and it is thankfully decriminalised. It was dreadful to see the Police attacking and punishing Rastas in the 70s and 80s - totally bigoted.
Negril, Treasure Beach and Port Antonio are all very very safe. You can drink the tap water and food related illness is very very rare. Jamaica is a true paradise if you avoid Mo Bay and Ochie which have been exploited by the big Cruise ships and mutlinational resorts.
The Charela in Negril is paradise and very welcoming for children, Jamaican owned and very safe, on the very best patch of the beach.
If you want any advice, name of a safe driver etc pls dm me.

Iflyaway · 31/07/2022 17:32

@badbaduncle Thanks for your post. I utterly agree with you. I love Jamaica!

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