I recently returned from a trip to Jamaica and had a horrible time while there. Has anyone else?

Show all answers

thisisnotdel

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your bad experiences while in Jamaica, but glad you returned safely, that's the most important thing.

My sister went to Jamaica and stayed in Negril, with friends, she said it was alright when I asked how her vacation was. She didn't seem too eager about it. But she said she got the cheap plane tickets since her friend worked at a travel agency.

If you need a better vacation, I could suggest Barbados. But keep in mind, the locals are everywhere.

I've been to Barbados 6 times, and loving every time. They don't bother me. In town, they would want to sell you fruits or something, but that's better than drugs!

If you need help on how to plan for a good vacation in Barbados, feel free to e-mail me on here.

Mina

I am sorry to hear what you perceived as a bad vacation. I have been to Jamaica many times, by myself, with friends and also with my then younger children, and have not once felt unsafe. "Begging" or trying to sell your wares is the same as in Mexico and that should bring home for anyone how good we have it here and be grateful for that.
It is true though what they say about Jamaica - you either hate ir or you love it !! After having been there several times and could not wait to go back, when I took my family, my kids raved about it and went back with enthusiasm, while my husband just did not see what I saw in the people, service, etc.
I sell travel for a living and send couples on Honeymoons in Jamaica all the time, and not a single one has come back and not liked it - however, it is important where you go and stay and to prepare people for the fact that you WILL drive through poor areas to get to your beautiful (if booked the right one), absolutely safe resort. Also, stepping off a ship for one day does not give you the right impression of the people (which make Jamaica), unless you know what tours to go on and not go shopping in downtown Ocho Rios by yourself for yet another T-shirt...

Pebbles

When one person don't come twenty others will so no problem mon if you don't come back.

lulu

Sorry to hear about your bad experiences, but just like anywhere else in the world jamaica has its problem it is not crime free, but it is still paradise and the best country in the world.poverty, crime and corruption is a problem faced world wide not only in Jamaica these problems also affect the US and i believe crime is more prevelant in the US. I have been to the US a few times but i feel safer and more comfortable on my beautiful tropical island jamaica.

juggalo420jrb

Are you an uptight upper class person IE: too good for these people like their beneeth you? I didnt have much coming up so i know why they would try so hard to get a shake of tourist dollars. but people can read people and they might have sensed you thought you were better than them. did you try to mingle with some locals? Im stillm going in may and looking forward to it

shasha

It's true not everyone will enjoy a 'cultural' experience in another part of the world,me ...that;s why I went.to see and be with their world.I met the most beautiful loving folks there,and not one person complained about what they didn;t have and shared what they did/their homes with me..sorry you didn't have a good time .not everyone wants to see the struggles of poverty or be touched by those who live it..... of course you do know some of those things you mentioned ghetto,poor service,loals preying on you, drugs ,cheap,trinkets etc..can be found in abundance right here in our world as well,,sadly it is everywhere..............I love Jamaica........

tess

I've travelled all over the world, and found Jamaica no worse than many countries I've travelled to. In Mexico, Bali, Kenya,Costa Rica, Vietnam, the people are much more aggressive. People are poor there and are trying to make a buck.
As far as the resorts, I don't know where you stayed, but there's alot of beautiful hotels with top notch service.
And the beaches are very nice, especially 7 mile beach. I've been to Florida several times and while the beaches are nice I don't think theres any comparison to the Caribbean.
And my last point I don't think you're any safer in the US than in Jamaica. Afterall doesn't everyone pack a gun in the states?

kimarley r

Jamaica no it must be some place else

connors

I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad experience. If you don't mind my asking, where in Jamaica did you visit? Like everywhere else, Jamaica has its ups and downs. Believe me, I'm not saying this because I'm a Jamaican. Often times, ones experience is what one makes it to be. If you (generally speaking) came with a negative attitude or impression of the place, then everything surrounding that visit will seem to have that impact whether or not it is truly so.

I'm telling you, you have nice places, but you'll have to know which to choose. You want paradise, you'll get paradise; but you'll have to be willing to spend.

As for the food, you need to choose all-inclusive hotels (that will give you the opportunity to pick choose and refuse ). Did you get a chance to try our jerk chicken & pork?

I know you're only saying that now because you're still upset. Unfortunately, you might have chosen the wrong place, which I do empathize with you.

On your next visit, why not try Beaches, FDR, Starfish, etc? I know for sure that they have excellent service, friendly staff, beautiful beach, eat & drink till yuh drop, etc. Once you're in hotels like these, then you don't need to go anywhere else unless they're going site seeing. The only draw back is that a weekend may cost up to 1000 or more per couple.

Again, my humblest apologies and I am looking forward to hearing from you about your next overwhelming and breath taking visit. .........

chestnutlocs1

I have been to Jamaica once and cannot wait to go back. My dream is to live in Jamaica! I even made friends with some of the locals and still keep in touch. In fact, one of my friends called me this evening wondering when I am coming back! I found Jamaica no more unsafe than the US.

I say give it another try and you may be saying 'Come Home to Jamaica!'

And Jamaica can do without people like you. Your story perpetuates the myth of American tourist arogance . Sorry about your vacation but I am sure if you had done your homework you would have had a great stay. You probably took a cheap route.

If you can compare the beaches to that of American beaches is just shows you are not an experienced traveller

Where did you stay? In the ghetto?

cyndaylou

I sure feel bad for you man, irie! i went and the people there were so friendly and personally i thought everything was pretty cheap. except margaritaville. the food isnt bad, its just different then what you are used to.

BoyÃ¨l

I am sorry Sir.
That is the reality for many of my fellow Caribbean natives, What you see on American T.V. is a far cry from daily life in many of these islands, far some the tourist hotels many Jamaicans struggle to survive. I pray that this has opened your eyes; but please to not be so caustic. look beyond the poverty to see the beauty of its people and culture. It was these very ghettos that gave us Bob Marley.

''Jamaica, a diamond in the rough''

flightpillow

Sorry to hear about your experience, unfortunatley this happens in many beautiful areas in the Caribbean, some people never witness a bad trip and other's it follows, I guess try another place next time like Aruba or Bermuda and hopefully you won't have such a negative experience, Jamaica was lovely when I was there ......

=(

Celz

I went on a cruise and one of our destination stops was jamaica, yes i do agree it isnt a pleasant place to vacation at, maybe the beaches are beautiful but your not ganna be spending your every moments at the beach, maybe there are other sections of jamaica that are very beautiful and i was surprise to see that carnival cruise choose ochos rio as a stop, dont get me wrong i have nothing against their way of living, we as americans are so used to the good living but thats their neighborhoods and culture and i cant say it was horrible because we arrived back to the ship safe, but i do highly argee on them trying to sell you anything and everything, but thats how they make a living. your best bet is not to give them the chance and just say no and walk away or '" i just bought one". i really liked however the tour we took, the guy was jamaican and he gave us a little history and education about jamaica, that made you look beyond it's conditions and recongize the beauty.

wandie

This is how it is everywhere. They are so eager to see tourists. That is how the people in these places make money. They don't make as much money as we do. They don't have a minimum wage of $6-$7/ hr. But it is expensive there. Too expensive for them to feed there families. Why do you think alot of people are trying to come to the U.S. ? There is more opportunity here than in their country.I've been to The Bahamas and Mexico. These people are poor. Many may not have the opportunity for education to get out of poverty. So they are left to get any type of job. Many of these places don't have middle income. It's either rich or poor. Don't be angry at them because they are trying to survive the best way they know how. I hope you enjoyed the beautiful view. Sorry you didn't enjoy!

dager35

I have 2 friends that live here in San Antonio that are from Jamaica. I was asking them questions about vacationing there and they warned me to not go anywhere on your own. They said things there have gotten worse over the years and crime was up. They told me the best thing to do is to go to a mega resort and go on tours as opposed to looking around on your own. I was bummed but it seems there is a lot of desperation there and so with tourists and their money ... It's a shame really. I've always wanted to go there but I have a 3 year old. If 2 people from there don't think I can go...

azrielle

Wow I'm glad you posted this because Jamaica was our first choice for our honeymoon this summer. Sounds scary! I think we will go to Cozumel instead which is our second choice. Hope your next vacation goes better!

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: