Pason

I need some reassurance here and though it may be too late, I would like to think we can enjoy the anticipation up to our trip with some travellers feedback.

We just recently booked a vacation to St. Kitts though our hearts were set on Aruba where we went last year. We kept checking on prices to go back to Aruba and found that we just couldn't afford the same accomodations that we were able to find in St. Kitts. We booked St. Kitts and put it behind us.

I have recently found that the price for our last year's resort has come down and I am devistated. In retrospect, we could have gone cheaper to Aruba and had a sure thing. We are however, bound to our decision now.

I was hoping to get feedback from anyone who may have visited both Islands that can offer a pros and cons comparison. We just loved Aruba and where we stayed (La Cabana). What can we expect in St. Kitts.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

Carib_Ian

First of all, please do not go to St. Kitts with Aruba on your brain. If you do that, you won't enjoy your holiday.

You didn't mention where you were staying in St.Kitts so I can't offer a full comparison but here are some things to keep in mind.

1. St. Kitts offers a traditional West-Indian island experience. It has beautiful scenery and has a slower pace of life than Aruba.
2. St. Kitts is not known for manicured sugar white sand, turquoise water beaches. But the beaches it does have are peaceful, undeveloped and uncrowded.
3. Generally, food and booze is less expensive on St. Kitts.
4. Consider taking a day trip to Nevis, and you will be able to see another island paradise.
5. Chill out, relax and enjoy the holiday. It will give you a better sense of what the Caribbean is all about.

Pason

Hi Ian,

You have a valid point, I need to realize they are different and not be thinking or comparing to Aruba I just hope that St. Kitts can offer elements that are different from Aruba that make it a positive experience in it's own right. And I am curious as to what will be similar if anything to Aruba. We have travelled quite a bit in the Caribbean so I'm sure it will be similar in some ways to many Islands we've seen.

I am aware that the beaches will not be the same but I can get over that. We do plan to try the Nevis excursion and it is exciting to be able to see another Island on the same trip.

We will be at the Ocean Terrace Inn. It's not directly on the beach but appears to have a gorgeous pool.

Any other pointers you can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Maureen

We have traveled to Aruba many times and love it. However, sometimes we just like to try something different and discover new islands--last year it was Tortola--other years it was St. Martin, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos etc. We never had a bad trip but there certainly are some islands we favor over others.
It's so hard to choose an island because most people only take that one yearly trip to the Caribbean. You will probably love your vacation in St. Kitts and Nevis. We have Nevis on our list as a future trip.
Hey, you're going to be vacationing in a beautiful Caribbean island and when you are relaxing on that beach you will think what was I worried about! Have a great trip.

Pason

Thanks Maureen,

I know it sounds spoiled that we are travelling to a beautiful Island and I'm concerned about it not measuring up. I am certain that once there we will be basking in the sun without a care in the world.

I'm still interested in anyone's feedback that has visited both Aruba and St. Kitts, however, I'm much less concerned now just looking for insight.

capri767

If you are concerned about something not measuring up to Aruba, stop worrying.I havent been to St. Kitts but I have been to lots of places in the Caribbean and ,frankly, Aruba is fairly close to last. I find it to be VERY run-of-the-mill ...good dining options but little island flavor/character.

Carib_Ian

Definitely rent a car. Although driving is on the left, the roads are good. You can easily drive around the island in day, stopping at the Romney Manor, Brimstone Fort, visit the Plantation Inns such as Rawlins, Golden Lemon or Ottley's for a real slice of old style living. And then another day, drive along the southern peninsula and visit all the great beaches (Friars, Turtle, Banana Bay are some suggestions). There is the Turtle Bar at the very end of the peninsula. If you like driving, this is a driver's dream. Take a day sail on the Spirit of St. Kitts. Do a rainforest hike. Have lunch at Balahoo's and watch the town go by on "The Circus". Definitely go to Nevis and have a Killer Bee at Sunshines even if you do nothing else. At night, if you want action, go to the St. Kitts Marriott and go the casino.

I have been to both St.Kitts and Aruba twice. So there is a lot to enjoy.

Pason

I guess when you put it that way I see where you are coming from. In hindsight, Aruba is a bit on the barren side and we didn't experience any of the steel drum band type of music we enjoyed in Antigua the previous year.

What we did like about Aruba was the actual beaches and the food was very good. We also liked having certain ammenities that we are used to here but then again, vacationing is intended to offer a taste of new things.

A few of the other Islands we've been to are: Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, St. Maarten, Jamaica and Dominican. Each of the above had a certain unique appeal. I tend to fall in love with the last Island I've been to and swear nothing will ever replace it for me but then the inevitable happens: we can't go back to the last Island for one reason or another and we end up falling in love with the new Island we go to. Probably my favorite part about Aruba last year was that we travelled with another family and our kids all gelled so well on vacation so the overall enjoyment was heightened. Add great food and waterslides (our resort was very kid friendly) and it all remains so perfect in my memory.

Anyone else out there that likes St. Kitts better than Aruba I'm interested to know why.

Thanks!

Pason

Just for clarity, the post I just put on is in response to Capri, CaribIan, I just read yours and appreciate your suggestions!

Out of curiosity, you went to both Islands twice, any preference, which one would you go to again if you could only choose one.

Thanks!

Mellyz

I agree with Capri767. Aruba - except for great windsurfing, is the least favorite off all the islands I've been too. I have very good friends who traveled to St Kitts last Feb and LOVED it. They visited Aruba on a cruise the previous year and for scenery, ambience and utter relaxation, said St Kitts was their new favorie - next to St John. Aruba couldn't even compare. Yes Aruba has good restaurants and a nice (if not crowded) beach, but so does Miami.

Pason

Mellyz,

I'm happy I asked! I thought I'd get alot of posts in favour of Aruba and while I still have fond memories of our previous trip I feel better that I am off to an Island that will offer a different flavour.

Glad to hear your friends just loved St. Kitts. It will be interesting to go and see what we think!

Carib_Ian

Pason, just an experience to share. Four years ago I had planned a great trip to the BVI as I had been there before and it was my "favourite". Then my plans changed with the airline I booked with went bankrupt and so I had to "settle" for St. Kitts. I had been lukewarm about it and was unenthusiastic but as it turned out I fell in love with the island and mostly the people.

To answer your question about Aruba, yes it's nice but it gets old afer awhile. I don't think I would rush back. Did not like the crowds.

Pason

Carib_Ian,

Glad your trip went better than expected particularly because it was St. Kitts that gave you the pleasant surprize. Even better is the fact that you love the Island (I have a funny feeling after reading some of these responses I will wind up loving it too).

I think that because we went off season to Aruba we didn't experience the same crowds that so many speak of. Our resort was pretty quite on the whole and we loved that. It might have been very different had it been the same time of year we're travelling this time (Jan).

As far as the rest goes, the Ocean Terrace Inn is home to two restaurants that have had quite positive feedback Fisherman's Wharf and Waterfalls. Given that, I expect that we will enjoy the food as much as we did in Aruba. I'm keeping a positive attitude going in and I feel ten times better now that other travellers have given some of their experiences.