Cuba or Jamaica? Post Reply

[millymoo]

Wondering if anyone has been to either for a beach holiday with small children . would welcome recommendations on hotels and activities. Thanks!

[supergirl]

With the country history and all the changes that are hapening now, i think it will be a shame to go to Cuba for just a "beach holiday". You ll be narrowing your understanding of the country and its people.

I dont know about Jamaica but it s pretty much the shame, history, vibrancy, music, people. There are so much to do and visit.

If you just want a beach how about the dominican
Republic? My inlaws chose to ho there at christmas because they wanted a beach holiday with nothing really worth seeing or exploring. Just sleep and beach.

If you with the club med your little can have plenty of entertainment too.

[ctmum]

Definitely Cuba It's very safe and children friendly. It's the rich culture and warm people that really fascinate me. I prefer the south, eg Santiago de Cuba to Havana but you may well find that there are more places to go and more things to see in Havana. You need to have at least some basic knowledge of Spanish though.

[zaza107]

I went to Jamaica with my family when I was in uni, my sister was about ten and my brother was about three. We rented a villa outside Montego Bay and had a great time. My husband and I (pre-kid) went back about seven years ago and it's stunningly beautiful. We were in a condo on the Tryall estate outside Montego Bay and also spent about four days in a little hotel on the eastern end (Fisherman's cove?), where we saw more of "real" Jamaica. We got our condo from this place: http://www.jamaicavillas.com/ and the woman who runs it was astonishingly helpful. We went in late November at the tail end of hurricane season, after which rates doubled! I'd suggest being near Montego Bay with littler ones, though not in the city itself. It's a lovely country, we encountered only incredibly friendly and helpful people and we had zero trouble, either time, but it's not risk-free. The east is a bit remote as the roads are less good, apart from right around Kingston and I doubt that's an ideal location for a family holiday, though it's really interesting. I'd love to go to Cuba...Another option is St John, part of the USVI and very beautiful.

[LP73]

Cuba is outstanding but I agree that a pure beach holiday would be a shame.
The resorts are great although still it geared up for children as such - lots of Italians and not too many Brits.

Jamaica is a good option if you want to stay in a resort and not move. Negril area is beautiful. Avoid Montego Bay and Kingston areas as they are so busy.

Alternatively you could try places such as Antigua or St Lucia which are much more child friendly.

[claphamchick]

Another vote for Cuba. Having been to both (although pre-kids), Cuba is safer and easier to travel around, and there is so much to do and see. Both have supreme beaches. Food in Cuba is not amazing though and quite limited (even if you stay in a luxury resorts). But the mojitos... and daiquiris... yum!

[LP73]

Jamaica and Vuba and NOT affected by the concerned virus.
It's not new it's been going around since around 2004 and has only been highlife last year and this year due to six people in the UK catching the virus from curtains Countries - mainly South America.
Many other Caribbean Islands are carrying the virus such as Barbados.

[LP73]

*Cuba!!