In many ways backpackers pride themselves on their ability to live horribly. We chose to eat food that might make us sick, we sleep on beds that might be home to bugs that bite, and we travel, well, any way possible to get to the next destination all in the name of saving money. However, when a backpacker is dropped into the lap of luxury, it does funny things to them.
luxury JamaicaI suppose you can describe my trip to the resorts in Jamaica a couple months back like a kid who has lived under an overbearing thumb of parental control and then been given a free day in a candy and toy store. Normally restricted to self imposed tight budgets and bragging rights, the backpacker can hardly control him/herself from over-indulging and yelling things out to strangers staying at the resort like “you can have as much of this as you want!” and “I’ll see you at the bar, drinks are on me today!!!”
But there really is a bit of a love hate relationship between many backpackers and all-inclusive resorts isn’t it? Call it resent or call it pride but many backpackers would never set foot in a luxury resort, and if they did they would likely act as if they hated every minute of it. Personally, I believe it is what you make of it. You can have fun with a cardboard box if you cut a hole in the top, draw doors on it and act like your driving around.
JamaicaHowever, why would anyone want to have to make their own fun in a cardboard box when the lap of luxury and fun is set in front of you in the form of the Caribbean. Truthfully, I would be very hard pressed to think of a place in the world I’d rather spend more time. The Caribbean really is one of the lost destinations to backpackers. It offers as much as nearly anywhere on the planet. While in Jamaica I went cliff jumping in Negril, I snorkeled with massive sting rays, I raced a dune buggy through the jungle and so much more. If you’re not looking for an adventure there is more than enough sun, rum and relaxation to leave you wondering how you’ll ever go back to backpacking.
So to my dearest backpackers, if you find your self in a luxury resort, put that bathrobe on, wrap a towel around the top of your head, wear your cheapest pair of flip flops, pour a glass of the included scotch and enjoy yourself. Instead of being bummed about staying in a potentially “boring” resort, bring the backpacker adventure to the hotel. Just because you’re in a five-star hotel doesn’t mean there aren’t people that want to play beer pong, swim with sharks and make some poor decisions.
This post has been sponsored by The Turquoise Holiday Company, so please contact them now for a handpicked selection of luxury escapes to the Caribbean and other luxurious and exotic locations around the world.