St. Lucia

PS. we are planning on going December 3- 8. Is that enough time, too much time, weather?

There are litterally hundrds of things to do and see in St. lucia. Do a google search for "St Lucis things to do" and you'll find lots of links with very detailed information.

You can find general weather data for St. Lucia here: www.weatherbase.com. If you want more details go to: www.wunderground.com Click on the "Trip Planner" link at the top left of the tool bar, type in your planned dates of travel and the airport code for St. Lucia in the appropriate spaces. You'll then get detailed statistics showing what the weather has been for every day during that period for the last 10 years. After reading the material you'll know more about the weather in St. lucia than most locals.

We are also headed to St Lucia on December 10th and are also looking at doing some island excursions privately. Can't recommend any one or company since this is my first visit there, but I have been n contact with a Carol at Serenity Vacations & Tour down there and they have been very friendly and professional in answering my questions so far. Perhaps you can find them useful in helping you with your plans, The have a toll free number that makes it easy to get to them. 866 766 0794 www.serenitytvl.com/Serenity_Island_Tour.html. I am booked on the couples private island tour from Coconut Bay on December 12th. This seem to be the tour I read most about on these message forums.

Coconut Bay offer ATV and Horseback riding at reasonable be cost compared to other operators I have contacted, so I'll just stick with them for these.

thank you babyboy and Roams

You'll need a taxi. We used Phillip Tours. It's a father son operation with Jackson and Martis. Our flight was delayed almost 12 hours and they still were there to transport us to our hotel. Very competent, friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended. you won't be disappointed. They'll suggest tours and places to go to.

I suggest you contact serenitytvl.com for information on tours for you and your mom they are a laid back company and come up with plan activites for all types of vacationeers. They can be reach tol free 1866-766-0794. Been very useful to me in the past what I love most of all is their ambassador service that is being offered to everyone. You feel like home the minute you are in any of the staff company. Hope you have a swell time in St. Lucia been there on a number of occassions and will continue to return.

is Cap Maison Resort and Spa
as nice as it looks on line?
was trying to compare it to
Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa,to see
which may be best suited if we extend our trip another week.
thanks

We stayed at Windjammer landing. Perfect vacation - we had a 3 bedroom villa, gorgeous views, excellent restaurants to suit every taste on site, water sports on site, close to town, decent beach. What are you looking for?

jonijam -
looking for an island vacation without the city atmosphere - laid back and casual. we're not interested in fine dining or shopping, more interested in beach bars and snorkling. Tortola seems to fit well for our needs, trying to find other options more similar to Tortola. thanks

joester - windjammer landing wouldn't fit that vacation. St. john is always a safe bet for laid back atmosphere and good snorkeling,maybe honeymoon or caneel bay or how about the cliffs in negril, Jamaica. On St. lucia, there is a great spot for snorkeling, great beach bar, but expensive accomodations at Anse chastenet, near town of soufriere near the pitons.

any highlights that my parents and I should not miss????

Ladera restaurant, just for the amazing views and Anse chastenet for snorkeling, water fall near soufriere was pretty, set in beautiful gardens, short trail. we also took an excursion on a sailboat - gorgeous and so relaxing. I've heard Pigeon Island is worthwhile, but we didn't get there. The volcano was different. Not a must see in my mind.

Thank You-

I am so excited- I really want to see and do everyting- any resturant rec? for lunch and or dinner? what is their specilty

Re: restaurant recommendations -- where are yuou staying, the southhern part of the island or the northern part?

We are staying in the north east

If you really love dinning and winding I suggest the northern part of the island. For tours and excursations in the southern part of the island which can be arrange by a tour operator. I suggest Serenitytvl.com since they have such amazing ambassador service. It's guarantee for excellency and effeciency.

At Cap Estate at the very northern part of the island, I like Tao (at the LeSport hotel) and the Great House. In Rodney Bay, I like Memories of Hong Kong and Big Chef Steak House. In Castries, I like the Coal Pot. In Marigot Bay, about 15 minutes drive south of Castries, I like Rainforest Hideaway. There's a pretty good pizza place in Rodney Bay called Pizza Pizza. Key Largo, just across the main road from the Rodney Bay Marina, also has pretty good Pizza. Sunday brunch on the beach at the Windjammer Landing hotel is pretty good (I think that it's $35/person.) Sunday brunch at the Landings Resort is also pretty good, but more expensive.

thank you progress and dominick...

any other suggestions... we are going for one week... i want to see the real island... not the tourist?

If you are renting a car, I'd spend a day driving down the west coast of the island to Soufriere. The views along the way are really nice. Stop in Castries and go to the market (it's kind of touristy, but you'll get better deals on crafts and things than you will at your hotel; you can also stock up on fresh fruit), stop at "La Place Cassav" on the main road just south of Anse La Raye(I'm not sure how it's spelled) and get fresh cassava bread, and maybe have lunch at the restaurant at Ladera (spectacular view). Friday night fish night in Anse La Raye is a lot of fun and gives you local "flavor," or you could try the Friday night jump-up in Gros Islet. If you are staying somewhere with a kitchen and you want to cook for yourself, there's a "fishermen's cooperative" market in Castries where they sell fresh fish. Very often the fisherman will set up tables on the side of the road outside the cooperative where they sell fish that they caught a few hours before. You can buy fresh tuna for a few dollars a pound (they'll clean the fish for you for a few dollars more).

does anyone know about reduit beach? and the surrounding area?

Driving is perfectly safe in St. Lucia. We rented a car for 4 days during our visit. You will have to get a temporary St. Lucia Drivers License for a few Dollars. If memory serves me correct it was $20.00. Toured the Island on our own and had a BLAST!!!. Saw the Pinton's stopped at all of the small markets along the way, went to the Soufriere's Estate. Beautiful Gardens & butterflies.

There was also a National park there that was not worth going to. They advertised hot natural pools for bathing. I would not even put by big toe in them. I expected the sulfur smell but not the polluted waters. There was so much to just see....the breathtaking scenery is worth the drive.

IMO Castries is the place to go if you love Church's. Remember ladies must have covered shoulders to enter.

While organized tours are great. We enjoyed the freedom of a car rental.