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Jamaica Vs Puerto Rico
Is Puerto Rico or Jamaica Better?

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puerto_rico_san_juanJamaica Vs Puerto Rico | San Juan, Puerto Rico (Photo: jtgtravel.com)
rose hall great houseRose Hall Great House | Montego Bay

by Sheree-Anita Shearer | Associate Writer

Jamaica and Puerto Rico are the two smallest islands in the Greater Antilles. Both are popular tourist destinations, but how do you choose between them both? Is Puerto Rico or Jamaica better for a vacation?

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Are Jamaica and Puerto Rico the same?

No, and Jamaica is not in Puerto Rico either. Jamaica is an independent country and Puerto Rico is an unincorporated U.S. territory in the Caribbean. Jamaicans are predominantly of Subsaharan African descent, with minor ethnicities being European and various Asian and Middle Eastern groups.

Puerto Ricans are predominantly mixed-race individuals, with many having multiple ethnicities including Spanish, Black and indigenous Taíno and Carib Indian races.

Language

The official language of Puerto Rico is Spanish while the official language of Jamaica is English. A Spanish speaker may feel more comfortable communicating in rural areas similar to an English speaker in Jamaica.

This does not mean however that visiting either country would be difficult for either speaker. While the average Jamaican know very limited Spanish, the hotels are usually keen on hiring multilingual persons to facilitate ease of communication between the guest and the employees.

Puerto Rico is even better at speaking both languages; many Puerto Ricans are bilingual or multilingual.

Getting There

Jamaica has two major airports, Norman Manley and 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.

Puerto Rico also has two major airports, Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (San Juan International) is the most frequented of the two. The other is the Rafael Hernandez (Aguadilla Airport).

San Juan International is actually located just 8 miles away from the capital and is perfect if you are staying on the northeastern end o the island. Most international flights will come through San Juan.

Aguadilla Airport is located on the northeastern end of the island. The flights coming into this airport are sometimes cheaper so that might help if you are planning a trip on a budget.
In addition to these airports, there is the José Aponte Hernández Airport located in Ceiba, Puerto Rico which offers flights to the offshore Peurto Rican territories Vieques, Culebra as well as some of the British Virgin Islands.

The Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport is located in Culebra and the Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport is in Vieques. Both airports can only be flown into from mainland Puerto Rico.

All tourists need passports to visit Jamaica and for the most part, one is needed to visit Puerto Rico too. However, American citizens can fly to Puerto Rico without a passport.

Currently, Jamaica and Puerto Rico have no flights between both countries. Travelling from one to the other requires a connecting flight.

Sites and Activities

chukka_zipline_over_dunns_river_falls.jpgJamaica vs Puerto Rico | Zipline at Dunn's River (chukka.com)

Puerto Rico and Jamaica both have stunning, white sand beaches. However, Puerto Rico is more Americanised. In the highly developed areas, you will see plenty of American businesses and chains.

However, if you venture a little you will see the rainforests and reserves, museums and the observatory in Puerto Rico. Also with Peurto Rico, you will visit more than one island on the same trip if you wish as they have neighbouring municipalities with hotels and attractions similar to the mainland.

Some of the attractions in both countries are similar even rare ones. For example, Jamaica and Puerto Rico are two of the three countries in the world where you can find a bioluminescent bay. Puerto Rico has three: Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Laguna Grande in the northeast in Fajardo, and La Parguera in the southwest in Lajas. Jamaica’s only bioluminescent bay is located in Trelawny, the Luminous Lagoon.

Both islands are also great for water activities.

While Jamaica does not have many rainforests, we have many beautiful mountains that are an amazing escape from the ordinary seaside escapades. Here you can zip line and ride ATVs, camp or hike, whichever you choose.

In Jamaica, our Rastafarian villages are an authentic and exciting look into the history of the religion on our island. There are also culinary tours, museums, culture tours, reggae tours, waterfalls and animal safaris to explore.

Resorts and Prices

Jamaica has a more well-rounded offering of hotels, Airbnbs, Villas and other accommodations, especially all-inclusive resorts for an affordable cost.

Most of Puerto Rico’s all-inclusive hotels are removed from the town and require a lot of travel. They do however have Airbnb and smaller accommodations in Isla Verde, Condado, or the Old San Juan.

Food

The food is influenced by the culture of both islands, expect to be immersed in the best of both islands' gastronomic delights.

The Old San Juan area is a deep dive into Puerto Rico’s history and strong Latin culture. Here you will find the most authentic dishes, stores and Puerto Rican Rum. You will get to have a Pina Colada from the hands of the inventors, yes it was first made by the Puerto Ricans.

Visit the 500-year-old Fortaleza while you are there.

Jamaican rum is very well known just the same, take advantage of the more affordably priced Appleton Estate, Wray and Nephew or whichever Jamaican rum is your favourite.

Jamaican cuisine is easily found all over the island and if you venture far enough you will get it in its most authentic form.

Nightlife

Puerto Rican nightlife is equally influenced by their Latin and American cultures. There are many nightclubs there as well, however, a good deal of them require patrons to be over 21 to enter although the drinking age is 18.

Jamaica has a super active nightlife, influenced by Dancehall, Reggae and Hip Hop. You will also find Jazz bars and casinos in the larger towns and cities such as Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Kingston.

Is Puerto Rico richer than Jamaica?

Puerto Ricans do benefit from a better economy than Jamaicans.

What currency do Puerto Ricans use?

Being a US overseas territory, the island's official currency is the US dollar. Bear in mind that the US currency can be legally tendered in Jamaica.

Attractions in Puerto Rico

Beaches

  • Flamenco
  • Luquillo
  • Boquerón
  • Isla Verde

Rainforest & Parks

  • El Yunque rainforest
  • Camuy Cave Park
  • Bayamón Science Park
  • Toro Verde Urban Park
  • Arecibo Observatory

Jamaican Attractions

  • Dunn’s River Falls
  • Mayfield Falls
  • Frenchman’s Cove
  • Blue Lagoon
  • YS Falls
  • Black River Safari
  • Negril’s Seven Mile Beach
  • Martha Brae River

Puerto Rico vs Jamaica? Why not choose both?

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References & Sources For Jamaica vs Puerto Rico

  1. Cityorcity.com. 2022. Jamaica Or Puerto Rico: Which Is Better For A Vacation? | City Or City. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 September 2022].
  2. James, D., 2022. Jamaica vs Puerto Rico: Which Is Worth Your Time?. [online] Layer Culture. Available at: [Accessed 28 September 2022].
  3. Journeying The Globe. 2022. Jamaica Vs Puerto Rico: Choose Between Two Caribbean Isles. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 September 2022].
  4. Puerto Rico Travel Guide. 2022. Puerto Rico Tourism 2022 - Travel Guide - Best of the Islands. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 September 2022].
  5. Vacationselector.com. 2022. JAMAICA VS. PUERTO RICO. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 September 2022].

Jamaica vs Puerto Rico | Written: September 28, 2022

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