You might be able to see Cuba from Jamaica, but it’s not a sight you get to witness every day or everywhere. On a sunny day, you may get to see the outline of Cuba from a far distance and in order to grab this view, travellers must climb up Jamaica’s longest mountain range – Blue Mountain.
How Far Apart Are Cuba And Jamaica?
Jamaica is an island nation belonging to the Caribbean, located 240 miles (386 km) south of Cuba. Cuba and Jamaica share much climatic mutuality with their tropical atmosphere.
If you’re travelling by plane, it would take around 1 hour to get to Cuba. If you’re going by boat, you’d have to set sail from Montego Bay; the distance will be about 150 miles (240 km), and it could take more than 5 hours to reach Cuba.
How To Travel Between Cuba And Jamaica?
You can travel between Jamaica and Cuba via air – the most accepted method, or water – the most preferred method. There are only a few direct flights from Kingston to Havana, while many travellers looking for an exquisite experience omit the flight trips.
Instead, they choose cruise lines. Travelling by flight is quick. It would take around one hour to reach one destination. However, cruises take days to arrive.
If you’re on a budget, travelling by plane is the most ideal option. Caribbean cruises offer a much more wholesome experience travelling between Cuba and Jamaica.
If you do have some extra money to spare, you can go on a cruise holiday whilst also exploring the vivid culture and cuisines of both nations.
You might also be interested in this related article: Can you see Cuba from Florida?
What Is The Best Time To Visit Jamaica?
Jamaica being a tropical destination has only two seasons that make way.
The hurricane and rainy season usually starts in June and go on until November. This period is the off-season.
Flying in during August or the off-season could be the cheapest as travellers rarely visit during this time, hence flight rates and hotel fares are much more affordable.
If you’re looking for a better experience with a relatively lower budget, flying in during November could be a good option as the rainy season gradually withdraws, and travelling around becomes much easier.
The peak season usually starts mid-December and goes up until April.
During this period, the weather is amiable and not too dry. Travelling during the peak season can be expensive and famous sites get overcrowded.
If you want to witness Cuba from the Blue Mountains, January till April would be the ideal time as the days are warm and clear.
How Many Days Will I Need To Explore Jamaica And Cuba?
You would need about 1 to 2 weeks to explore Jamaica, enjoying the sun, sea, and sand. There are many sites that you can visit within a fewer number of days as the island itself is quite small.
If you’re heading to Cuba, you would need at least three weeks or a month to explore the entire country, its culture, architecture and other experiences such as adventures and the lively nightlife.
Are There Luxury Hotels In Jamaica?
The Caribbean island of Jamaica is one of the best-known resort destinations in the world. Especially a favourite amongst North Americans.
Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Treasure Beach, and a few other resort towns attract thousands of tourists annually. Mostly families, students and solo travellers.
Given the number and types of visitors, it’s apparent that Jamaica houses luxury hotels and inns.
Some of these include The Sandals in Negril, The Caves, Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall and more.
Is Cuba A Honeymoon Destination?
Cuba is undoubtedly one of the best places to stay during your honeymoon. It’s out of the norm, and it’s sure to be a memorable experience. The old city of Havana is reputed for its charming cultural setback and vintage ambience.
You’d find buildings belonging to the mid-1900s as well as opulent architectural castles of the medieval age.
The beaches of Havana are also just breathtaking, and the atmosphere all around is filled with classical music and chic vibes. You can set out on a night journey on a convertible, head over to a pub and sway away to the music.
And Cuba is a relatively safe country as well. You will come across scammers, but they are quite common in any tourist destination, so just be alert.
If you do decide to visit Cuba for your holiday, there are a few rules and codes you may have to abide by, such as clothing preferences; but it doesn’t affect the experience in any way.
Which Destination Is Better, Cuba Or Jamaica?
The answer to this question is somewhat of a complicated one, as some people prefer certain aspects of travel over others. For instance, culture is the fine line that mostly sets Cuba and Jamaica apart. However, not every traveller looks for culture.
In addition to culture, other important aspects to consider would be beaches, sightseeing, atmosphere, food and expenses.
If we are to take all these into consideration, we feel Jamaica would be a much better holiday destination. That being said, it doesn’t make Cuba any less worthwhile but could be as enthralling as Jamaica.
Why do we think Jamaica could be better?
Jamaica is smaller than Cuba in size, which makes it easier to travel around and explore a larger number of sites in a shorter time period. Also, even though Cuba is home to beautiful beaches, Negril In Jamaica offers the same but with lesser crowds.
Those looking for a resort experience would surely enjoy the Caribbean tropical ambience in Jamaica, and the food is much spicier and more flavorful compared to the food in Cuba.
You would even find the fruits to be sweeter in Jamaica.
However, when it comes to expenses, Cuba is generally considered to be cheaper, so if budget is one of your main concerns, Cuba is your destination.
Afrah is a writer/editor with over 7 years of hands-on experience working in the travel sector. Her love for adventures dates back to her childhood days, and it took flight when she joined the travel industry where she learned and discovered the nitty gritties of holidays and holiday-making.
She believes that a fulfilling journey is not about the destination, but the experiences we gain from the things that go right and wrong. When it comes to travel, there's no perfect itinerary. YOU make it perfect.