Need help if you've been to Puerto Rico or Jamaica - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Amano · 03-06-2006, 09:16 AM

I'm planning a trip for the end of this month, but haven't yet decided on a destination. I've narrowed it down to either Puerto Rico or Jamaica and would like some help with estimating costs. Hotel and flights I've figured out, but what I really need help with is budgeting for activities, and more importantly, food.

In Puerto Rico, I'm planning on staying in either the Condado beach area or the Isla Verde beach area of San Juan. I'm only staying for a few days, so most of the food and activities would be confined to around that area. First, for two budget travellers, how much should we expect to pay per person per meal? Are prices pretty much US city prices? Or are they a bit cheaper? Also, for activities like water sports, (snorkeling, kayak rentals, jet skii, parasailing), or trips to Old San Juan, the Bacardi distillery, how much do things like that run.

For Jamaica, I'm thinking of either staying in the Negril Beach area, or the Montego Bay area, near the "hip strip." Again, how much should we expect to pay for food? Are prices jacked up because it's a big tourist center?

Thanks for any help you can give.

n0nsensical · 03-31-2006, 09:33 PM

Not sure if this is still of any use to you.. but food prices in the tourist areas of Jamaica.. yes, US city prices.. and the food is worse.

kielvsworld · 04-03-2006, 12:50 AM

I've been to San Juan twice for business, I'm very fortunent in that respect but didn't do much in terms of touristy stuff. The last trip was a year ago this month.

Taxi's from the Airport to old town were fixed at $25. Most of the food was reasonable for a tourist destination, 8-9 a plate or more depending on what we ate. Almost everything reminded me of Florida (prices, shops, culture)...pretty good food though. Everyone speaks spanish too, although 90%+ of the island can speak english almost everyone understands it, everyday communication is in spanish... Parts of the city can be unsafe and there is alot of gang and drug culture centered in San Juan, but that shouldn't affect you much.

If you do go do PR, prepare to be drunk...I couldn't stay sober for more than a few hours after work, and well into the night, the drinks are pricey but if you get long islands for example, they have more than enough alcohol to get you going.

Eh, now, if you goto Jamaca, prepare to be, well, stoned, if that's you thing. My friend had is honey moon there and said people we're peddling it to him all the time (along with some other types of drugs :/).

quadro2000 · 04-03-2006, 06:58 AM

We went to Jamaica and stayed in Montego Bay, off of the "hip strip," which wasn't very hip at all. Honestly, the only way I'd go back was if I stayed at an all-inclusive resort where I could essentially take in all of the weather with none of the locals. We literally could not walk on any main roads for more than 5 feet before we were hassled by the locals - drugs, souvenirs, money, fruit, the whole thing. Who wants to go on a vacation where you don't feel comfortable walking down even a small stretch of street?

The food was unremarkable (even the chain restaurants, like Margaritaville, sucked) and it was difficult to travel really anywhere, like I said, without being hassled. However, the weather and the beach was spectacular. If you can do it and go to a Sandals or another all-inclusive, go for it. Otherwise, head elsewhere.

barenakedladies · 04-03-2006, 07:14 AM

jamaica is cheaper but PR is 500% nicer and you will have a better time

streak_56 · 04-17-2006, 05:27 PM

Peurto Rico, is definately a nice place. I would suggest staying in the Radison in San Juan because it's a short walk to the beach plus, theres a nice pizza place right accross the street which is amazing... and the food is great too. Plus, theres a "rain" forest as the locals call it a short drive away.

There's hikes, watersports, touristy stuff.... I would recommend going to the Ben and Jerrys there, they have a triple caramel ice cream that it awesome. The historical buildings are alright.... people seem to like them.... I got a few pictures on me in some of the towers. There is a ton to do there. I don't know about Jamaica but my choice would be Peurto Rico. Plus I thought that the cabs were a lot cheaper than the other islands in the carribean that I've been to.

03-06-2006, 09:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Amano Insane	Need help if you've been to Puerto Rico or Jamaica I'm planning a trip for the end of this month, but haven't yet decided on a destination. I've narrowed it down to either Puerto Rico or Jamaica and would like some help with estimating costs. Hotel and flights I've figured out, but what I really need help with is budgeting for activities, and more importantly, food. In Puerto Rico, I'm planning on staying in either the Condado beach area or the Isla Verde beach area of San Juan. I'm only staying for a few days, so most of the food and activities would be confined to around that area. First, for two budget travellers, how much should we expect to pay per person per meal? Are prices pretty much US city prices? Or are they a bit cheaper? Also, for activities like water sports, (snorkeling, kayak rentals, jet skii, parasailing), or trips to Old San Juan, the Bacardi distillery, how much do things like that run. For Jamaica, I'm thinking of either staying in the Negril Beach area, or the Montego Bay area, near the "hip strip." Again, how much should we expect to pay for food? Are prices jacked up because it's a big tourist center? Thanks for any help you can give.

03-31-2006, 09:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
n0nsensical Junkie Location: San Francisco	Not sure if this is still of any use to you.. but food prices in the tourist areas of Jamaica.. yes, US city prices.. and the food is worse. __________________ "Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." --Abraham Lincoln

04-03-2006, 12:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
kielvsworld Upright	Puerto Rico I've been to San Juan twice for business, I'm very fortunent in that respect but didn't do much in terms of touristy stuff. The last trip was a year ago this month. Taxi's from the Airport to old town were fixed at $25. Most of the food was reasonable for a tourist destination, 8-9 a plate or more depending on what we ate. Almost everything reminded me of Florida (prices, shops, culture)...pretty good food though. Everyone speaks spanish too, although 90%+ of the island can speak english almost everyone understands it, everyday communication is in spanish... Parts of the city can be unsafe and there is alot of gang and drug culture centered in San Juan, but that shouldn't affect you much. If you do go do PR, prepare to be drunk...I couldn't stay sober for more than a few hours after work, and well into the night, the drinks are pricey but if you get long islands for example, they have more than enough alcohol to get you going. Eh, now, if you goto Jamaca, prepare to be, well, stoned, if that's you thing. My friend had is honey moon there and said people we're peddling it to him all the time (along with some other types of drugs :/).

04-03-2006, 06:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
quadro2000 All Possibility, Made Of Custard Location: New York, NY	We went to Jamaica and stayed in Montego Bay, off of the "hip strip," which wasn't very hip at all. Honestly, the only way I'd go back was if I stayed at an all-inclusive resort where I could essentially take in all of the weather with none of the locals. We literally could not walk on any main roads for more than 5 feet before we were hassled by the locals - drugs, souvenirs, money, fruit, the whole thing. Who wants to go on a vacation where you don't feel comfortable walking down even a small stretch of street? The food was unremarkable (even the chain restaurants, like Margaritaville, sucked) and it was difficult to travel really anywhere, like I said, without being hassled. However, the weather and the beach was spectacular. If you can do it and go to a Sandals or another all-inclusive, go for it. Otherwise, head elsewhere. __________________ You have to laugh at yourself...because you'd cry your eyes out if you didn't. - Emily Saliers

04-03-2006, 07:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
barenakedladies Crazy Location: anytown, USA	jamaica is cheaper but PR is 500% nicer and you will have a better time __________________ signature smignature

04-17-2006, 05:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
streak_56 who ever said streaking was a bad thing? Location: Calgary	Peurto Rico, is definately a nice place. I would suggest staying in the Radison in San Juan because it's a short walk to the beach plus, theres a nice pizza place right accross the street which is amazing... and the food is great too. Plus, theres a "rain" forest as the locals call it a short drive away. There's hikes, watersports, touristy stuff.... I would recommend going to the Ben and Jerrys there, they have a triple caramel ice cream that it awesome. The historical buildings are alright.... people seem to like them.... I got a few pictures on me in some of the towers. There is a ton to do there. I don't know about Jamaica but my choice would be Peurto Rico. Plus I thought that the cabs were a lot cheaper than the other islands in the carribean that I've been to.