<p>In my ongoing quest to find a warm weather vacation spot for my family of six the week between Christmas and New Years - travel agents have suggested Jamaica - but then I’ve heard from others that it is unsafe and that most of the hotels are run down. Has anyone been to the Riu Ocho Rios? Is Jamaica a safe place where we can get some relaxation in while also having fun excursions? We’re probably going for five days - so we don’t have a lot of time, but want to make the best use of it! Thanks!</p>
<p>Costa Rica-- sea side resorts, zip-lining in the tree canopy, white water rafting, turtle sanctuary, etc. FABULOUS.</p>
<p>My then 19 yo S and I [then 57 yo dad] spent 10 days in 2007. PM for a link to the adventure travel group we booked through. </p>
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<p>You call that relaxing? I could get all of that at home (well, not really).</p>
<p>Went to Costa Rica a few years ago - LOVED it as well. Great excursions and wonderful people. Thanks for the info on Jamaica - I am pretty set that it is not the place for our family. </p>
<p>Now thinking about Riveria Maya. At that time of year, it’s hard to find a relatively close (low airtime) travel destination that is warm and will book for four nights. We’ve been to the Atlantis for the last few years but need a warmer climate and a change. Anyone have experience with Riveria Maya?</p>
<p>I spent 10 days in rural Jamaica this summer on a medical mission. Jamaica is a county of STARK contrasts. The tourist areas can have extravagant and posh resorts–often all inclusive. They are little villages in and of themselves. You can relax, shop, go to the spa, visit multiple pools, eat and drink without leaving the premises. The tourist areas do not have as much crime. If they did, they would no longer attract tourists. </p>
<p>The areas that are not tourist areas, the rural areas represent third world countries. The houses are often concrete block squares with metal roofs. No A/C and no hot water. Windows are glass jalousie windows with no screens, or even wood lattice with screens stapled on and no glass. They live on what grows nearby. I saw no lawn mowers, only goats. The folks I interacted with were peaceful, happy and hardworking folks. </p>
<p>Tourism does benefit Jamaica tremendously, and the crime is something that occurs not in the rural areas I was in and not in the tourist areas per say. It occurs in the typical inner city areas of larger cities. </p>
<p>I think you are as safe in jamaica as you would be in NYC, Atlanta, and LA. There are the areas to avoid. Even the resorts will tell you where to go to eat or shop and where NOT to go.</p>
<p>We visited the straw market in Ocho and climbed Dunne River Falls. The resort you are looking at is right on the main road along the northern shore of the island. We passed it on our travels. You could spend a week there and never leave the grounds.</p>
<p>My two sons, husband and I went to Jamaica about 12 years ago and hated it. What we particularly hated was the fact that the people were always trying to sell us things. They wouldn’t even tell us directions to our hotel unless we gave them money.</p>
<p>If you happen to be into smoking lots of dope, getting drunk a lot or if you think that statues of men with priapism would be great things to bring home, Jamaica would be the perfect spot for a vacation.</p>
<p>As for me, I like Bonaire (great scuba diving and snorkeling, wonderful people, very scenic), and while I haven’t been there yet, I’ve heard wonderful things about Costa Rica.</p>
<p>Incidentally, I am half Jamaican, and had looked forward to for a long time visiting my father’s country.</p>
<p>I am planning a trip to the Riviera Maya in 3 weeks…hurricane season, how’s that for planning?! I found some trip reports online that helped me make my decision. This one was good, and we are planning to stay at this resort: [Trip</a> Report - Viva Wyndham Azteca - March 2009 - Playa del Carmen, Mexico forum](<a href=“http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-forum/48898-trip-report-viva-wyndham-azteca-march-2009-a.html]Trip”>http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carmen-forum/48898-trip-report-viva-wyndham-azteca-march-2009-a.html) .</p>
<p>On a side note, my son bought one of those JetBlue fly-all-you-can in a month passes, so in between his other trips he’s going to meet me in Playa Del Carmen for a few days. I was surprised that he was okay with a vacation with Mom. And to think that just a few years ago he wouldn’t let me walk beside him at the mall! :)</p>
<p>I didn’t like Jamaica, or Barbados, for the same reasons Northstarmom mentioned…people wanting you to buy things. We couldn’t get a moment"s peace on the beach without somebody approaching with trinkets, and some were rude if you didn’t buy something. However there are resorts where the beach is private.
Though it’s years ago and things may have changed, I liked St Lucia, the eastern side of the Dominican Republic, Bonaire, Anguilla, Grand Cayman, St Johns in the Virgin Islands, and Abaco (Treasure Cay with a superb beach, but not much else to do) and Eleuthera in the Bahamas.</p>
<p>I always find Tripadvisor reviewers’ opinions helpful:</p>
<p>[Review</a> of Riu Ocho Rios Hotel, Ocho Rios, Jamaica - TripAdvisor](<a href=“http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147312-d578213-r39518585-Riu_Ocho_Rios_Hotel-Ocho_Rios_Jamaica.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT]Review”>http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147312-d578213-r39518585-Riu_Ocho_Rios_Hotel-Ocho_Rios_Jamaica.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT)</p>
<p>there are lots of resorts - in June the NYT had an article about deals due to the decrease in visitors from swine flu & economy </p>
<p>the family enjoyed our time there - went diving out of Playa del Carmen which is VERY charming - quite a contrast to Cancun.</p>
<p>traveled to Chichen Itza which I had wanted to do since the kids were very little - the roads are much better now and it was a much easier trip than it would have been then.</p>
<p>there are time shares there - which is where we stayed - someone had donated the week to dd’s school auction - you might check out that as an option - there were alot on non-owners checking in when we did.</p>
<p>dh and I are going this weekend to an all-inclusive - yes, hurricane season! -</p>
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<p>Same here. Also, renting a sailboat and captain (with or without cook) in the Island is GREAT! Loved Tortola.</p>
<p>Definitely check trip advisor. We stayed at one of the Palace Resorts, Moon Palace, a few years back. Liked it and generally liked all of their resorts. There are some around the Mayan Riv.<br>
One tip if you go that way is that there are several travel agents who are 'owners" and resell their weeks. If you buy that way you often get extra excursions, manicures, massages, etc. that aren’t typically included in the inclusive pricing.</p>
<p>We have stayed at the Riu Ocho Rios in Jamaica and the Riu Palace Mexico in Playa del Carmen. Both were great hotels but would suggest the Playa del Carmen one based on your concerns. We did day trips to Tulum ruins and Xel-ha water nature park and they were a lot of fun.</p>
<p>Based upon Expedia and Trip Advisor, there are about 30 hotels that have vacancies and appear to be somewhat reputable. It’s so hard to make a decision - they all look so similar. How would we find out about owners selling their time share week? The day trips to Tulum and Xel-ha sound really great and perfect for a short stay. Does anyone know of a Riveria Maya resort with a fun pool area for four teenagers? I’d like to pick up the Atlantis and move it to Mexico.</p>
<p>The Barcelo in the riviera maya is somehwat similar to atlantis, although not as crazy-- but its a bunch of hotels on the same property, lots of pools, and all inclusive. Trips to the Si’an Khen (sp?) nature reserve are worthwhile.</p>
<p>I’ve been to Jamaica 4 times. I wouldn"t go to Ocho Rios. I would go to Negril. I have stayed at Swept Away twice, but the best trip was to Coco LaPalm which is not all inclusive. You can check the review on Trip Adviser. My daughter and I stayed there, and she has yet to stop talking about the people and the food. We just walked the beach all day long, stopping into little shops, eating patties from the beach vendors and choosing restaurants for lunch and dinner. I love Jamaica because it is so lush. I have been to Anguilla, St. Martin and Grand Cayman too, but have only chosen to return to Jamaica. The next trip for me will be either to the cliffs of Negril or to one of these villas. </p>
<p>[Jamaica</a> Vacation and Holiday Villas | Private Jamaican Villa Rental by Tiverton House LLC](<a href=“http://www.jamaicaescapes.com/]Jamaica”>http://www.jamaicaescapes.com/)</p>
<p>The guy who runs that site is so knowledgeable - he can help with everything. I also would like to stay in the Blue Mountains at some point.</p>
<p>This post caught my eye since this is where my family is from. I recommend one of the lesser crime ridden areas of Jamaica at this amazinggg resort. [Island</a> Outpost - Jake’s in Treasure Beach Jamaica](<a href=“http://www.islandoutpost.com/jakes/]Island”>Luxury Villas and Hotels in Jamaica | Island Outpost). Crime may be rampant in most of Jamaica but not this section for the most part. thieves once tried the local grocery. Got away with it once and returned a second time to be hunted down by locals and tied up by the time the police arrived. -lets just say not many have had the courage to try a stunt like that again. And the parish it’s in is beautiful and very rural. Not to mention the owner is incredibly nice and very helpful.</p>
<p>I have never been under the impression that crime is rampant in most of Jamaica. As in this country, it is largely in the major urban area - Kingston. I have friends who have spent a lot of time in Kingston with no issues at all so, even there, it depends on where you go.</p>
<p>Speaking of beaches…does anyone know where one can buy a bathing suit at this time of year?</p>