Should we go to Jamaica in late Oct/early November?

[RedPandaFluff]

DH and I have won the lottery - well, not the actual lottery, the childcare lottery, as my mum has agreed to look after DD for a week so that DH and I can have a holiday together.

DON'T FEEL BAD FOR DD. By the time the year ends, she'll have been on a total of three separate weeks of holidays

DH and I haven't had any proper time together since DD was born so I'm very emotionally invested in this holiday. Ideally we want sunshine, warm sea, things to do and see outside a resort (boat trips, towns etc.) and as we're only going for a week, a ten hour flight time or thereabouts.

I've read so many conflicting things about Jamaica in October/November and can't work out if it will rain constantly or if there will be hurricanes or whether it would be fine. Has anyone been at this time of year? Would love to hear your experiences!

I've been before at that time of year and have booked again for next October (not child free though you lucky thing!) Rain dies cone down but is sporadic and clears quickly in my experience so never an issue for us. The chances if a hurricane are there but slim tbh, August and September are peak months but Jamaica isn't generally badly affected even then.

Ahhh brilliant, @EnglishGirlApproximately - thank you. Would you recommend any particular hotels/resorts?

I've always been with work so have seen a few hotels through that! We're staying at Beaches Ochos Rios but we have a ten year old so need plenty to do for a family. My dream when we can go alone is to stay at Jamaica Inn, it isn't the biggest or most glamorous resort but its so charming and feels like real understated luxury. What kind of thing are you looking for?

The purpose of the trip is to reconnect as a couple so maybe - but not necessarily - an adults-only place, somewhere a bit romantic. Right on the beach, for sure. And it would be great to have easy access into a town or other things to do outside the resort - boat trips etc.

Also . . . wait. You get to go to Jamaica for work?!

I'm doing life wrong

Haha well the travel industry isn't known for high salaries but the perks can be pretty special, I'm off to the Seychelles next year with work For a couples holiday I'd look at Jamaica Inn, Secrets Negril or Couples San Souci. Sandals resorts are great but a bit Marmite as the theming isn't for everyone!

I've been in October twice it's fab. Look at Sandals. Ocho Rios easier for the big attractions but Negril is lovely also. Haven't done Montego Bay and to be honest it doesn't appeal as much as the others I mentioned.

Barbados and Antigua are nicer for couples in my view. Oct/Nov are ok. You might get rain but go as far into Nov as you can as chances of bad weather decrease. It’s good value .

Brilliant, thank you so much for this, I'm going to have a lovely evening exploring the places that have been suggested!

@EnglishGirlApproximately - the Seychelles! You lucky thing! That's in my top three but it looks more expensive.

Also the Maldives, in one of the little lodges on the water . . . swoon

@RedPandaFluff my boss has bagged the Maldives trip I'll be super jealous if you come back and say you've booked Jamaica inn!

I've stayed in the RIU Negril buy if I ever go back I would pick a hotel in Ochi Rio as Negril is far away from the airport like a good 2 hour drive! There's also nothing surrounding it as such.

The Seychelles is gorgeous but doesn't have places to visit really, same with the Maldives over the water bungalows.
I loved both of these trips, taken pre-dc though.

DH ( who travels a lot) didn't feel particularly safe in Jamaica when he went but that was years ago.

We visit Mexico for sea with things to do with dc. But I would like to visit Bahamas once I'm dc free again.

Enjoy your trip OP.

The problem with the Bahamas is the inward travel to a good island. You don’t want to stay in Nassau! If I went anywhere it would be to BVIs or Bequia. Both lovely but need a second flight so not great for a week. Lots of the smaller islands have wonderful romantic hotels though.

Have you considered Barbados? Much safer than Jamaica if you plan to leave the resort and go and explore. Not many all inclusives in Bdos but that's the appeal as you can rent a car, get a taxi to go to some of the amazing restaurants, bars, day trips etc instead of just being in a hotel all day (unless that's what you want ofc!)

I've done Sandals in Ochos Rios which was lovely.
Not sure if go for a 10 hour flight just for a week. There are gorgeous adults only places less than 5 hours away.

Portugal is nice. Corfu
If u Fi want long haul though what about Mexico?

Yes but Europe isn’t so great in late Oct early November. Direct flights help though and some Caribbean islands are 8 hours flight.

What about the Canaries. Weather is pretty good later in the year

Definitely Antigua, one of my favourite Caribbean islands. I would go all inclusive as eat
ing out can be expensive.

I've been to a few Caribbean islands and Jamaica was my least favourite. Felt a bit trapped in the all inclusive hotel, it didn't feel particularly safe and happy to be walking round outside. Strange vibe.

If you're set on the Caribbean, I loved Tobago, Antigua and Barbados nice too.

But for a week I'd probably go closer to home and/ or less jet lag - to maximise time not travelling!