My husband and I are going on a Jamaica vacation with our son who will be 2 1/2 at the time. We're looking for opinions of people who have been there before with similar aged children. I'm looking for recommendations of resorts that are fun for everyone (there are actually going to be 6 adults and our toddler with our group).
For clarification: My parents are taking the family. The group consists of my mom & dad, my husband, my son and myself, my sister and a friend of hers. This is a family trip and we are definitely taking our son. Leaving him behind would defeat the point of a family vacation.
It completely depends on whether you're going to a resort or are staying in country. Jamaica is a *wonderful* country, but one should know that many Jamaicans emigrate to the most dangerous parts of NYC, because they are sooooo much safer than the areas they had been living before. In parts of Jamaica it's normal to see 7 & 8yos walking around with AK47s. In other parts you could let your toddler run free. It REALLY depends on the area.
My husband and I took our at the time barely 3 year old son, our 8 yr old and our 9 yr old to visit their older sister. she was sent to a behavior modification program at the time. We stayed at a place called point villages. Its an all inclusive resort. It was wonderful. We loved every minute of the trip. Our son was just potty trained before we left (we did take a pull up for each night) the resort had a lot going on. It also had a great child care option. we took advantage of it once to go out to dinner with another couple. and once for just our youngest son while we went on a tour to climb a waterfall. He had a great time at the hotel. He slept most of the plane trip there. the only fear we had was that the hotel / condo at the resort had the bedrooms upstairs and we were afraid of him falling. other than that no worries it was great.
Hi,
Do your parents already have the accomadations or whatnot booked? if not we HIGHLY recommenr the Franklin D Roosevelt resort in runaway bay Jamaica.
http://www.fdrholidays.com/
pleanty of adult fun and plenty of fun for your toddler.
~p
Mom, this serioiusly sounds like it needs to be a grown up trip only. Could a grandparent watch your son for the trip? Your friends will want to do adult things and not necessarily things that are appropriate and fun for a 2 yr old. Jamaica is a very beautiful and fun place but not sure that the group you are going with will appreciate your bringing a young child. As a mom I would rethink this plan and go to Disney World later with your husband and child, to the trip with your husband only. THere are some nice all-inclusive places but they are geared to families or adults only. I personally would not want my young child to be in child care at the resort/hotel with strangers caring for him, I could not relax in this situation and your son may not be too happy either. Hope this helps Mom
We swear by the Beaches chain if there are children involved. Our favorite is Beaches Turks & Caicos, but they have Beaches Negril and Beaches Boscobel in Jamaica. They have an exclusive partnership with Sesame Street. My daughter was 2-1/2 on her first Caribbean vacation. She loved every minute. We had a cool bungalow right on the beach and she called it her "big sandbox." Ocho Rios is on the other side of the island, not that close to the airport, but now that the highway is completed, I hear the drive is not so bad. It took forever the times we went, but my daughter slept through most of it anyway.
If the other adults are family members, great! If they are all couples/friends/neighbors, I kind of agree with the woman below that it may not be the best plan to have just one toddler there.
Bring a stroller and your carseat and his lovie. You can pile your carryon bags on the stroller, it makes it easy to get through the airport(s), and you can gatecheck it. The stroller and carseat will be familiar to your child and he will most likely be able to sleep during the travel portion. Plus, the resorts are often large and unless you want to carry him around in the evenings when he is tired, it is helpful to have your own stroller. Have fun!
We stop in Jamaica on one of our 5 cruises. It is beautiful, but the only Island we were asked to take a guided tour, because of crime. When you do go you will want to stay mainly at the resort. Find one with plenty to do.
The resort guides will get you were else you want to go. You just can't jump in a cab or bus. We take our kids on all our Tropical vacations. There isn't one you can't take a 2 year old. They love swimming, sand, and sun. I want to take my kids on vacation not leave them. Have fun!!!
