Feeling the necessity for somewhat solar and sand? What a couple of journey to Jamaica or Puerto Rico? The difficulty is selecting between the 2.
Luckily, we’ve finished a breakdown for you on how to decide on between Jamaica or Puerto Rico on your subsequent Caribbean trip.
Jamaica or Puerto Rico Fast Picks
- Jamaica or Puerto Rico Seashores: It’s a tie!
- Jamaica or Puerto Rico Price: Puerto Rico
- Jamaica or Puerto Rico Security: Puerto Rico
Jamaica or Puerto Rico: Overview
Jamaica and Puerto Rico are each islands in the Caribbean which might be extraordinarily in style with guests of every kind. They’ve quite a lot of similarities, together with heat climate year-round, lovely seashores, pure points of interest, historic websites, a wealthy native tradition, and scrumptious meals. There are, nonetheless, just a few variations. Puerto Rico has a Spanish heritage, whereas Jamaica was a British colony. Puerto Rico has the next GDP and has a extra Americanized really feel than Jamaica.
Jamaica is among the largest and most visited islands within the Caribbean. An added plus is the number of actions obtainable. You may go snorkeling and scuba diving, mountain climbing, ziplining, bamboo river rafting, crusing, procuring, and exploring historic websites and native cities. There are a number of distinct vacationer areas, every with its personal character: Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios.
There are many nightlife choices and all types of eating places from informal seaside shacks to upscale connoisseur. Jamaica additionally gives a various vary of lodging from cheap inns to trip leases to luxurious resorts. The island is very identified for its many all-inclusive resorts, which vary from reasonably priced family choices to romantic adults-only retreats.
Puerto Rico is situated very near the U.S. Virgin Islands and can be a territory of the US (which implies U.S. residents can go to Puerto Rico without a passport and the greenback is the foreign money). This lovely and pleasant island has a wealth of issues to supply guests, from beautiful seashores to wealthy historical past and tradition to astonishing pure points of interest like rainforests and bioluminescent bays to fascinating cities to fabulous native delicacies and enjoyable nightlife.
All sorts of watersports are nice in Puerto Rico, together with snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing. You could find a spread of lodging sorts from reasonably priced to ultraluxe. Nevertheless, you’ll not discover the huge array of all-inclusive resorts that you simply see in Jamaica.
Jamaica or Puerto Rico: Seashores
On the subject of seashores, each Jamaica and Puerto Rico have lots to supply.
Jamaica Seashores
With over 635 miles of shoreline, Jamaica has some pretty and well-known beaches, resembling Frenchman’s Cove, Physician’s Cove Seaside, and Seven Mile Seaside (typically thought of essentially the most lovely seaside in all of Jamaica). These seashores are very vacationer pleasant and provide tons of facilities, so you’ll be able to keep all day. They’re additionally typically crowded.
Puerto Rico Seashores
Puerto Rico is stuffed with lovely sandy seashores and turquoise-blue waters alongside lengthy stretches of shoreline. They’re excellent for quite a lot of water-based actions resembling browsing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. A number of the finest seashores on the island embrace Condado, Culebra, Aguadilla, and Luquillo.
Jamaica or Puerto Rico: Price
Jamaica and Puerto Rico are each comparatively reasonably priced locations, though Jamaica is called one of many cheapest islands in the Caribbean. The cost of a trip to Jamaica or Puerto Rico could be cheap or dear relying on while you go, what you do, and the place you keep. Flights from the U.S. are about the identical to each locations.
One distinction that may make for a dearer trip is that you simply received’t discover all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Rico, so that you’ll have to spend cash on meals and actions in addition to lodging there.
To economize on both vacation spot, search for offers on-line and journey in the course of the shoulder or offseason. It can be useful to speak with an expert travel agent, who could have entry to particular reductions.
Jamaica or Puerto Rico: Climate
As a result of each Jamaica and Puerto Rico are Caribbean islands with very comparable tropical climate. Temperatures are heat all yr and there’s a dry season and a wet season. Each islands are vulnerable to hurricanes, so if you happen to’re touring throughout hurricane season (June by November) make sure you take note of the forecast and get journey insurance coverage.
Jamaica Climate
The perfect time to go to Jamaica is in the course of the dry season, which runs from mid-December to mid-April and gives tons of solar. Nevertheless, that is additionally the excessive season, so it may be dearer. Jamaica’s wet season is between Might and November. August, September, and October are when Jamaica experiences its highest menace of hurricanes.
Puerto Rico Climate
Puerto Rico’s dry season can be December to April and its wet season is Might by November. The optimum time to go to is between April and June. That is simply exterior of peak season, so lodge prices are cheaper and there are fewer crowds. Puerto Rico enjoys a median temperature of 80 levels year-round.
Jamaica or Puerto Rico: Resorts
Each Jamaica and Puerto Rico have a ton of lodging choices. From high-end to budget-friendly, you’ll discover nice choices for any kind of traveler. The primary distinction is that Jamaica has quite a lot of all-inclusive resorts, whereas Puerto Rico doesn’t.
Jamaica Resorts
Sandals Resorts
There are 7 adults-only all-inclusive Sandals resorts in Jamaica: Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Negril, Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean, Sandals South Coast, and Sandals Ochi.
Every of those luxurious resorts is about on a shocking seaside and thoughtfully designed for the last word in romantic honeymoons or {couples}’ escapes. They characteristic an enormous number of complimentary watersports together with snorkeling and scuba diving; land actions resembling tennis and golf; a number of wonderful swimming pools; a health heart and a spa; and a variety of eating places and bars.
You’ll additionally discover a unprecedented array of fantastic lodging, lots of which characteristic upscale facilities like outsized soaking tubs for 2, personal plunge swimming pools, and butler service. Honeymooners love the dreamy overwater bungalows. That will help you select the very best one, try our article on the best Sandals resorts in Jamaica.
Half Moon Resort
This elegant resort close to Jamaica’s well-known Montego Bay hosts celebrities, royalty, and everybody else on its breathtaking stretch of the Caribbean. A family-run lodge, Half Moon Resort options one thing for everybody, particularly {couples}.
Foodies will love the recent, domestically sourced components, used to create conventional Jamaican meals and different scrumptious choices at 4 eating places. The romantic Sugar Mill Restaurant is among the high eating places on the island.
Select from rooms, suites, or massive villas with personal swimming pools and butler service. Get pleasure from 5 bars, a number of swimming pools, watersports, golf, tennis, horseback using, a health heart, a playground, and a spa.
Puerto Rico Resorts
O:dwell Boutique Lodge
For an intimate keep situated in Previous San Juan, attempt O:live Boutique Hotel, which options simply 15 charming rooms. The Mediterranean-style constructing is nestled within the unique Condado neighborhood only a brief stroll from the seaside, and options lagoon views, an upscale steakhouse, and a classy rooftop bar.
Caribe Hilton
This beachfront resort in Previous San Juan has been a preferred basic since 1949 and has been extensively renovated. Get pleasure from an attractive seaside, a number of swimming pools, lush landscaping that includes ponds, a swanky spa, 9 eating places and bars, a youngsters’ membership, a playground, and a minigolf course. All rooms on the Caribe Hilton have personal balconies.
Jamaica or Puerto Rico: Issues to Do
There are many actions to get pleasure from on each islands, so the true hassle is in narrowing down your day by day agenda.
Jamaica Actions
There are tons of things to do in Jamaica. Many individuals spend quite a lot of their time in Jamaica on the seaside, but it surely’s not all simply sunbathing and enjoyable. Water sports activities are very talked-about because of the clear and calm water. You may go kayaking, paddleboarding, crusing, parasailing, and jet snowboarding. You too can take banana boat rides and glass-bottom boat excursions.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are glorious right here. You may snorkel proper off the seaside in Montego Bay alongside thriving coral reefs which might be simply offshore. Or go to the Montego Bay Marine Park, which permits snorkeling and scuba diving in its protected waters which might be residence to all kinds of marine life. You too can go swimming with horses.
Jamaica additionally gives quite a lot of jungle safari excursions that take you deep into the luxurious rainforests, the place you’ll get to see among the island’s ample wildlife. You too can go ziplining by the rainforest, or rafting on a river. There are additionally historic websites to tour and native cities to discover. Within the night, there’s loads of vibrant nightlife to get pleasure from, particularly in Montego Bay.
Puerto Rico Actions
Puerto Rico additionally gives loads of breathtaking seashores to calm down or be energetic on. You’ll discover excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, with calm water, vibrant coral reefs and loads of marine life. There are additionally some seashores that supply browsing, in addition to some smaller islands to go to like Vieques and Culebra. All types of different watersports can be found right here too.
On land, you’ll be able to discover El Yunque Rainforest and luxuriate in mountain climbing, ziplining, ATV excursions, waterfalls, and swimming in pure swimming pools. For a singular expertise, take a kayak tour of a bioluminescent bay the place glow-in-the-dark algae lights up the ocean at evening. Another choice is to go to Guanica State Forest or the spectacular cliffs of Los Morrillos.
Uncover basic Puerto Rican tradition within the colonial walled metropolis of Old San Juan, residence to quite a lot of historic websites, retailers, and glorious eating places. Go to cities on the island’s western coast like Rincon, Ponce, and Mayaguez and benefit from the laidback vibes and nice sunsets. There’s nightlife in Puerto Rico as properly, from hip golf equipment in San Juan to spontaneous events at informal seaside bars all through the island.
Jamaica or Puerto Rico: Security
Whereas we nonetheless take into account Jamaica a secure place to journey to, it’s much less secure than Puerto Rico.
Not too long ago there was a rise in violent crime throughout Jamaica. And though it hardly ever occurs to vacationers, this has prompted the U.S. State Division to situation a Stage 3 “rethink journey” alert for Jamaica. Nevertheless, 1000’s of individuals go to right here yearly with out situation. For extra info, try our article “Is Jamaica Safe?”.
Puerto Rico is thought to be a secure trip vacation spot. Actually, it’s one of many safest Caribbean islands, with every municipality having its personal Municipal Police Pressure and personal properties (resembling bars and motels) that includes their very own safety. Nevertheless, crime does happen. Most crime that impacts vacationers is petty theft.
No matter which island you select, make sure you observe widespread sense security precautions, and take note of the climate if touring throughout hurricane season.
The Verdict: Which Is Higher, Jamaica or Puerto Rico?
Jamaica and Puerto Rico are two of the highest locations within the Caribbean for good motive. You’ll discover tons of fantastic issues to do, lovely seashores, nice meals, and a relaxed tradition on each of those beautiful islands.
This determination to go to Jamaica or Puerto Rico can be a matter of private desire. Tell us which one you select! And if you happen to’d like assist planning your journey, be happy to achieve out to one in all our expert travel advisors!
