All cabs in St. Lucia are multi-passenger vans, so you're not going to avoid the van thing if you book your own transfer. I see you reason to pay $75 per person for an airport transfer when it's included in your already-paid lodging costs.

Now if you wanted to take a helicopter (reducing the time of the transfer to perhaps 10 minutes from 90, that would be a good---though high---investment). You then take a taxi from the heliport.

So, what about the stories of many being crammed into vans for the long drive to Sandals? Apparently I have heard that west jeeps whatever only books for 2, no?

Oh..I forgot..and they are supposed to be 80 bucks for two.

I don't know this company, so I"m afraid I can't help you, but there are a lot of people on these boards with experience in St. Lucia. Anyone?

Both of our trips to St Lucia we took the helicopter in and the Sandal's shuttle back to the airport. I didn't think the shuttle was bad at all. This was in 2003 and 2004. I don't remember it being crowded. The public taxi's on St Thomas to get to St John are worse.

Well, I know the helicopter will not be taken...I have emailed Sandals and they said their vans hold 14 people..must be larger than a normal van then. I've got a couple nights to decide as to got with it or do the cab company recommended on tripadvisor..for 80.00 one way for the two of us..if anyone else has experience with Sandals and their shuttle services in St. Lucia,i.e., if they are really that bad, let me know...Thanks

Your package does include the roundtrip airport transfers. Their representative leads you to the shuttle bus that then takes you to the resort. Personally, we found it to be the worst of any shuttle we'd ever been on. REALLY crazy drivers and they stop and talk to their friends whenever they see them for as long as they want. If I were to do this trip again (which we won't be!) I would take the helicopter - no matter what. It has to be a better deal.

Knowing..this is the kind of biased info I want to help me make up my mind..be it good or bad! It has been recommended that I book with a cab company..they have vehicles with AC and we would be the only 2 in the vehicle. It is called "west jeep" or something like that. I have emailed them and they have emailed me back..80.00 for 2 is not that bad considering what could happen. Sandals has told me directly that their shuttles(it operates out of the airport, so not Sandal's specifically) hold 14 people but they never put more than 8 in at a time because of the luggage.

horatio,
I would never intentionally mislead you. We personally did not have a bad experience. That said, it was a few years ago. In addition to that, we are pretty low maintenance with the more public means of transportation. My worst taxi ride was sitting next to a very sweaty, odoriferous gentleman on the way to the airport on St Thomas. My DH later asked me why I kept inching closer to him.

Brenandg,
Thanks..for Canadians it is March break..so it may be more crowded, I don't know. Just keeping all the bases covered.

It also depends on what time your flight lands and how many people on that flight are actually going to Sandals. When we went, our flight landed around 7pm. We were the only people scheduled to go to Sandals at that time, so we got a cab to ourselves.

If it's that important to you to have a vechicle to yourselves and are willing to pay extra for it, then by all means do it.

You are better off, if possible, to fly into the small airport right in Castries and then you are just maybe 15 minutes from any Sandals resort. American Airlines, connecting in Puerto Rico to American Eagle, can get you to this airport. It is so worth it in the time you will save! Check it out.

Hi Horatio,
"Spice Travel", based in Castries, can provide a new 3 litre Toyota Land Cruiser with A/C, leather interior, ice box and a driver who will go at whatever speed you like. Very comfortable per couple but I don't know the price as it was included in our package.

Thanks a lot..I actually have a website...something like "west coast Jeeps"..and they want 80.00 one way for the 2 of us..which is okay, really. We will hash it out in the next day or two and decide which way to go!

FYI for those heading there in the future.There is really no need to book a cab. We ended up booking one(last week) for the way there and taking the shuttle on the way back. The roads were all paved last year so things are in good shape..Live and learn!