Are you making an attempt to decide on between Jamaica or Cuba in your subsequent Caribbean trip? It may be powerful to determine, as each are fabulous locations with quite a bit to supply.
Earlier than you make your choice, you’ll wish to get the small print on each of those nice trip spots. Try this comparability that will help you determine whether or not to go to Jamaica or Cuba.
Jamaica or Cuba Fast Take
Whereas each are beautiful islands with beautiful seashores, wealthy tradition, welcoming folks, and scrumptious meals, Jamaica is much more developed than Cuba and affords many extra resorts and actions.
Is Cuba Even an Choice for Individuals?
The quick reply is sure! Cuba is a potential journey vacation spot for Individuals, but it surely does require slightly further planning. Primarily based on the historical past between the U.S. and Cuba, there are some restrictions on the subject of touring to this island nation.
There are 12 totally different journey classes that enable U.S. residents to journey to Cuba:
- Household visits
- Official U.S. authorities enterprise
- Journalism
- Skilled analysis and/or conferences
- Academic actions
- Spiritual actions
- Public actions
- Assist of the Cuban folks
- Humanitarian initiatives
- Actions by means of non-public foundations
- Transmission of knowledge
- Licensed export transactions
The ins and outs of every class could be overwhelming, however there’s one class that makes it pretty simple to journey to Cuba: in assist of the Cuban folks (#8 on the checklist). You’ll have to fill out particular paperwork to be able to do that, and hold your receipts and information of the locations you go to and any cash you spend.
Which means whereas in Cuba, you’ll be able to solely go to privately owned companies. On a visit like this you’re going to get extra of the native expertise and might immerse your self within the Cuban tradition. Nevertheless it’s essential to notice that because of authorized restrictions, U.S. residents can’t use credit score or financial institution playing cards whereas in Cuba, so you have to carry sufficient money in your go to.
Jamaica or Cuba: Overview
Jamaica is among the largest and most visited islands within the Caribbean, with tons of direct flights from the U.S. There’s a huge variety of activities accessible, together with snorkeling and scuba diving, mountain climbing, ziplining, river rafting, crusing, procuring, and exploring historic websites and native cities. There are a number of distinct vacationer areas, every with its personal character, together with Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios.
Jamaica affords loads of nightlife choices and all kinds of eating places from informal seaside shacks to upscale connoisseur. It additionally has a various vary of lodging from cheap inns to trip leases to luxurious resorts. The island is particularly identified for its many all-inclusive resorts, which vary from inexpensive family choices to romantic adults-only retreats.
Cuba is a small island nation nearly 100 miles off the coast of Florida on the closest level. The nation of Cuba is made up of over 4100 islands and cays that encompass the principle island. A rustic with a wealthy historical past and far to see, Cuba is house to 9 UNESCO websites prepared for exploration.
There are just a few airways that provide flights to Cuba from the U.S. Vacationers who go to Cuba come for the colourful tradition and scrumptious meals in addition to the unbelievable surroundings and the pleasant folks. Nonetheless, the native financial system is in tough form so a go to right here could be very totally different from different forms of Caribbean trip.
Jamaica or Cuba: Seashores
Each Jamaica and Cuba have unbelievable seashores, however the seashores in Jamaica are usually extra developed.
Jamaica Seashores
With over 635 miles of shoreline, Jamaica has some beautiful and well-known beaches, similar to Frenchman’s Cove, Physician’s Cove Seaside, and Seven Mile Seaside (typically thought-about probably the most stunning seaside in all of Jamaica). These seashores are very vacationer pleasant and supply tons of facilities, so you’ll be able to keep all day. They’re additionally typically crowded.
Cuba Seashores
Cuba, like Jamaica, is an island and due to this fact has many various seashores. Additionally like Jamaica, they’re beautiful white-sand seashores lining the nice and cozy, vividly coloured Caribbean Sea. The seashores in Cuba are pristine and fewer developed than these in Jamaica, nonetheless. A few of the greatest seashores in Cuba embody Varadero in Matanzas, Cayo Jutias close to Vinales, Playa Pilar within the Northern Cays, and Cayo Coco.
Jamaica or Cuba: Price
Each Jamaica and Cuba are generally known as among the cheapest islands in the Caribbean, however Cuba is cheaper than Jamaica. The cost of a trip to Jamaica could be cheap or expensive relying on if you go, what you do, and the place you keep.
Flights from Jamaica vary relying on the time of 12 months and departure metropolis, however could be as little as $200 or $300. Lodging additionally vary from cheap inns and guesthouses to mid-range motels to luxurious resorts. To economize, it may be useful to talk to a travel agent, as they typically have entry to particular offers and reductions. Yow will discover all kinds of eating choices in Jamaica, from low-cost seaside shacks to connoisseur eating places.
Attending to Cuba from most main cities within the U.S. is fairly inexpensive. The ultimate price will depend on plenty of elements–departure metropolis, vacation spot in Cuba, and so on.–however the common price for a flight is between $300 and $400. Typically you’ll find offers to make the price even decrease.
Lodging are usually very inexpensive, but it surely will depend on what sort you’re searching for and the place in Cuba. Yow will discover AirBnB choices as little as $25-$30 an evening. In bigger, extra metropolitan areas of the island, you’ll find resort and resort stays beginning round $115 or $120 an evening. The each day meals price is actually low as effectively. Should you eat each meal out and about, you’ll be able to count on to spend about $40 on meals per day, per individual. Plus, the meals is unbelievable!
Jamaica or Cuba: Climate
Jamaica and Cuba are each discovered within the Caribbean and will not be that far aside. This implies they expertise very related climate patterns and seasons. Temperatures are heat all 12 months and there’s a dry season and a wet season. Each islands are prone to hurricanes, so when you’re touring throughout hurricane season (June by means of November) make sure you take note of the forecast and get journey insurance coverage.
Jamaica Climate
The most effective time to go to Jamaica is in the course of the dry season, which runs from mid-December to mid-April and affords tons of solar. Nonetheless, that is additionally the excessive season, so it may be costlier. Jamaica’s wet season is between Might and November. August, September, and October are when Jamaica experiences its highest risk of hurricanes.
Cuba Climate
The most effective time of 12 months to go to Cuba is between November and April. The island temperatures common between 78 and 85 levels, so it’s not too sizzling. That is additionally the time that almost all vacationers go to the island, so be ready for some greater crowds.
The remainder of the 12 months, Might by means of October, is Cuba’s moist season. These months see extra rainfall, so it may be extra of a problem to plan actions. It’s additionally hurricane season from June to early November, with the best likelihood of a storm from August by means of October.
Jamaica or Cuba: Resorts
Jamaica and Cuba each supply quite a lot of lodging, however Jamaica has way more of a range. It’s additionally essential to notice that U.S. residents could not keep in any property that’s partially or fully owned by the Cuban authorities or army, which many motels are. There’s a “prohibited checklist” that you need to examine. If you wish to be fully secure, keep at “casa particulares,” that are non-public guesthouses that work like AirBnBs.
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 ready on a shocking seaside and thoughtfully designed for the last word in romantic honeymoons or {couples}’ escapes. They function an enormous number of complimentary watersports together with snorkeling and scuba diving; land actions similar to tennis and golf; a number of wonderful swimming pools; a health middle and a spa; and a variety of eating places and bars.
You’ll additionally discover a rare array of fantastic lodging, a lot of which function upscale facilities like outsized soaking tubs for 2, non-public plunge swimming pools, and butler service. Honeymooners love the dreamy overwater bungalows. That will help you select one of the 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 resort, Half Moon Resort options one thing for everybody, particularly {couples}.
Foodies will love the contemporary, regionally sourced substances, used to create conventional Jamaican meals and different scrumptious choices at 4 eating places. The romantic Sugar Mill Restaurant is among the prime eating places on the island.
Select from rooms, suites, or giant villas with non-public swimming pools and butler service. Get pleasure from 5 bars, a number of swimming pools, watersports, golf, tennis, horseback using, a health middle, a playground, and a spa.
Cuba Resorts
Paradisus Rio de Oro Resort and Spa
Paradisus Rio de Oro Resort and Spa is an adult-only, all-inclusive resort identified for its unbelievable environment. The resort is located between the mountains and the Playa Esmeralda. The fantastic thing about the pure environment permits guests to expertise each the mountains and the seaside.
Paradisus Rio de Oro affords an intimate and personal expertise with an emphasis on ecotourism. There may be additionally lots to do in and across the resort. There may be an in depth menu of unbelievable meals, the Yhi Spa, and a wide selection of actions.
Starfish Cayo Santa Maria
Starfish Cayo Santa Maria is all about journey. Surrounded by picturesque white sand seashores and unbelievable flora, this all-inclusive resort is the proper place for a tropical trip.
Visitors of Starfish Cayo Santa Maria can take pleasure in round the clock meals service that includes culinary masterpieces and dozens of various excursions across the space. Plus, the resort has a theater, swimming swimming pools, and a sports activities membership for each customer to take pleasure in.
Jamaica or Cuba: Issues to Do
Whereas a day or two on the seaside is all the time a good way to spend some trip time, there are many different actions to take pleasure in in each Jamaica and Cuba. Yow will discover nearly every thing from cultural actions to watersports to historic websites to out of doors excursions. And all of it’s loved whereas being surrounded by among the most stunning surroundings within the Caribbean.
Jamaica Actions
Jamaica has a ton of actions accessible and multiple interesting areas to visit. You’ll be able to go bamboo rafting on the Martha Brae, do journey sports activities like ziplining and ATV excursions, go snorkeling and scuba diving, discover historic websites and native cities, and luxuriate in sundown catamaran cruises.
Many individuals spend lots of their time in Jamaica on the seaside. It is a nice option to cross the time, but it surely’s not all simply sunbathing and stress-free. Water sports activities are fashionable because of the stunningly clear and calm waters.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are glorious right here. You’ll be able to snorkel proper off the seaside in Montego Bay alongside thriving coral reefs which are simply offshore. Or go to the Montego Bay Marine Park, which permits snorkeling and scuba diving in its protected waters which are house to all kinds of marine life.
Jamaica additionally affords 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 plentiful wildlife. It’s also possible to go ziplining by means of the rainforest. Within the night, there’s loads of vibrant nightlife to take pleasure in, particularly in Montego Bay.
Cuba Actions
A preferred exercise in Cuba is exploring Previous Havana. This historic a part of Havana is stuffed with charming structure and unbelievable historical past. Yow will discover lots to do to fill your days right here, together with bars and eating places with dwell music, artwork galleries, and loads of museums cataloging the historical past of the realm.
Take time to discover among the UNESCO World Heritage websites. The nation has 9 totally different websites, however Valle de Vinales tops the checklist. This naturally occurring karstic melancholy in Cuba is house to some beautiful flora that it’s a must to see to consider.
You gained’t wish to miss the Previous Sq.. Formally generally known as Plaza Nueva, it is a fashionable vacation spot for vacationers to expertise a few of Cuba’s unbelievable historical past. Previous Sq. is the unique website of executions, processions, and bullfights of outdated. Now guests can expertise a style of Cuban tradition with road dancing, dwell music, retailers, and nice eating places. The sq. is crammed with loads of nice choices, and the outdated buildings showcase among the greatest structure in Cuba.
Take a drive down the El Malecon, an oceanside stretch of the island that’s plagued by historical past. El Malecon is an outdated seawall initially constructed in the course of the U.S. occupation after the Spanish-American Struggle. Immediately it’s house to dozens of resorts, in addition to nice fishing, procuring, and historical past.
Plan a night on the Gavrica De Arte Cubano. This artwork manufacturing facility is house to a nightly presentation of various artists. You’ll be able to take pleasure in every thing from theater, jazz, dance, live shows, DJs, and totally different exhibitions. Take within the sights and experiences with some road meals and a glass of wine.
Jamaica or Cuba: Security
Lately, many international locations have issued new journey advisories and warnings for folks touring to Jamaica. There was a rise in violent crime throughout the island, which may make journey there extra harmful. Each the U.S. and Canada have issued “rethink” journey warnings for these planning on taking journeys to Jamaica. Should you journey to Jamaica, it’s a good suggestion to examine any journey advisories and cling to plain security tips (extra particulars in our “Is Jamaica Safe?” article).
The identical recommendation goes for Cuba. There was an increase in petty crime across the island, particularly theft, and a few international locations have issued journey advisories. The present U.S. State Division journey advisory is a Degree 2: Train Elevated Warning. Should you go to Cuba, they advocate not carrying valuables or sporting costly jewellery or watches, taking note of your environment, and never resisting any theft makes an attempt.
The Verdict: Which Is Higher, Jamaica or Cuba?
So, which is the higher vacation spot, Jamaica or Cuba? The reality is there are lots of similarities, however there are some key variations as effectively. Both Jamaica or Cuba is greater than price a go to; it simply will depend on what you’re searching for.
Now that you just’ve learn this breakdown, which one would you choose? Tell us within the feedback! And when you’d like assist planning your journey, contact considered one of our expert travel advisors!
