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Jamaica or Dominican Republic?
Where Will Your Next Vacation Be?
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by Sheree-Anita Shearer | Associate Writer
Jamaica and the Dominican Republic have a few things in common. They are both islands in the Caribbean, both in the Greater Antilles and two of the most visited islands in the region.
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But what if you were to choose between them for your next vacation? Where should you go?
Let’s look at the benefits and exciting adventures that both islands can provide.
Language
While it shouldn’t be a make or break rule when travelling, something is comforting in knowing you speak the language that the visiting country speaks as well. Communicating is just so much easier, am I right?
Well, English speakers would have that advantage in Jamaica, while Spanish speakers would have the same in the Dominican Republic. Noticed I said advantage. For this reason, both countries have resorts that hire English or Spanish speakers.
But if you plan to venture outside your hotel, it might give you some security if you know the language.
Getting There
Jamaica is a smaller island by comparison and so we have two major airports, Norman Manley and Donald Sangster’s International. Sangster’s International is most often the airport of choice making it one of the busiest in the region.
It is in closer proximity to Negril, Ocho Rios, Falmouth and of course Montego Bay so it makes more sense to arrive there. Longer flights, especially from European countries will most likely be to this airport as well.
The Norman Manley International Airport is in Kingston, our capital, to the east of the island. If your vacation takes you to St. Mary, Portland, Manchester or Kingston then it's very easy to get there from this airport.
There are also the Tinson Pen Aerodrome (Kingston), The Negril Aerodrome, Ken Jones Aerodrome (Port Antonio) and the Ian Fleming International Airport which is set to take on more commercial flights in short order.
While travel across the island doesn’t take very long (it only takes approximately 5 continuous hours of travel to get from one end of the island to the next), it might be a little more tedious after a long flight to then drive to your resort which might also be a good distance away from the airport.
The Dominican Republic being a much larger island has 4 major airports, Punta Cana International Airport is the most popular and has the best overseas connections there. But many people fly into Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, or Santiago De Los Caballeros as well.
Travel to these airports should be virtually hassle-free as both countries are both well travelled by vacationers from all over the globe.
Sites and Activities
The beaches in both countries are a sight to behold, Negril and Punta Cana are two of the best places in the world for sun, sand and sea. Both countries offer exciting motorised and non-motorised sports such as parasailing, scuba diving and water skiing. The beaches of the Dominican Republic are better for surfing than Jamaica.
But there is obviously more to each island than just the beach. The mountains of Jamaica are just as thrilling and there are many ways to experience this. You can zipline, about the trees, take an ATV through the forest or raft down the rivers. Maybe even climb a waterfall or two. You can visit many historical sites across the island as well.
The Dominican Republic is home to the oldest town in the Caribbean, Santo Domingo. Take some time to stroll around the town and wander around the narrow streets. You can also visit the hills and the over 20 hidden pools.
Resorts and Prices
Both countries have great all-inclusive resorts. Jamaica has many types of accommodation; luxury, budget and eco-friendly just to name a few. When it comes to luxury offerings, the Dominican Republic has more affordable prices.
Food
Food in the Caribbean in general is always a treat. The local fare on each island does not disappoint. Both islands are generally the same price, there is only a $10 difference between the average cost of each country in favour of Jamaica.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Jamaica is very lively and quite diverse as well. Jamaica has the obvious Reggae and Dancehall live events but there are also Jazz bars and casinos as well.
Is the Dominican Republic near Jamaica?
The Dominican Republic is only 2 hours away from Jamaica.
Is the Dominican Republic or Jamaica safer?
Both countries are the same when it comes to safety. The same general rules when in a new location apply, just be mindful of your surroundings.
Why is the Dominican Republic so popular?
The Dominican Republic is very popular because of its proximity to America and its affordable prices, beaches, sites and adventures.
What is the easiest Caribbean island to fly to?
The Caribbean is quite easy to get to and Jamaican and the Dominican Republic are two of the easiest islands to fly to.
Which countries visit the Dominican Republic the most?
As in Jamaica, people from the United States are the most frequent visitors to the Dominican Republic. Americans make up a considerable chunk of the visitors to both islands. Similarly to Jamaica, there are many visitors from Canada, France, Germany and other European countries.
Why is Punta Cana famous?
Punta Cana is famous for its white sandy beaches and is a popular tourist destination in the summer months.
What is the best month to visit the Dominican Republic?
May is touted as the best month to visit the Dominican Republic in terms of affordability, weather and crowd.
Is Jamaica cheaper than the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican Republic does offer some more affordable accommodations but outside of that, there isn’t much difference in the prices on the island.
Is Jamaica worth visiting?
Jamaica is definitely worth visiting. There are warm and friendly people, sumptuous food, delicious food, pulsating music - especially Reggae and Dancehall, majestic sites, white-sand beaches, refreshing waterfalls, and so much more to enjoy on the island.
Which is better for family vacations?
Both countries have all the fixings for a great family vacation. The warm weather, beach water parks and many kid-friendly activities mean your children will never be bored for the entire trip.
Jamaican vs the Dominican Republic? You have quite a difficult task ahead of you. Whichever you choose, you will have a vacation filled with great memories.
In my very biased opinion, I think you should visit Jamaica first.
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Return to Caribbean Islands from Jamaica or Dominican Republic
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References & Sources For Jamaica or Dominican Republic
- En.wikipedia.org. 2022. Tourism in the Dominican Republic - Wikipedia. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 September 2022].
- En.wikipedia.org. 2022. Tourism in the Dominican Republic - Wikipedia. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 September 2022].
- Exploringo. 2022. Easiest Caribbean Islands To Travel To - Exploringo. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 September 2022].
- Journeying The Globe. 2022. Jamaica or Dominican Republic: Which Caribbean Island is Better? [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 September 2022].
- Mylifeelsewhere.com. 2022. Jamaica compared to Dominican Republic. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 September 2022].
- Sands, R., 2022. Jamaica Tops The List Of Preferred Travel Destinations. [online] Forbes. Available at: [Accessed 28 September 2022].
- Statista. 2022. Top countries for tourism in Dominican Republic 2020 | Statista. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 September 2022].
Jamaica or Dominican Republic | Written: September 27, 2022
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