We are lanning a March vacation for 5 nights with the family (kids 5 and 8). Considering St. Lucia's Coconut Bay Resort for the water slides and pool as the youngest is still too little for most of the excursions. Anyone been recently? How are the insects? I am worried given how young our kids are and the remote location to substantial medical facilities. Our vacation requirements are nonstop flight from NYC, nice pools, beach, no rental car needed, restaurant on-site and must have suite/connecting rooms. All inclusive resorts not preferred, kids club not necessary but some kid friendly activities/sites are a must. Past enjoyable vacations were in Bermuda, Bahamas and Captiva, FL.

Just how "substantial" do you need those medical facilities to be? Do you or your children have serious on going medical issues that require access to the same modern medical facilities and care you get back in NYC? If so, you might want to rethink your plans for a Caribbean vacation. Medical care on most Caribbean islands is lacking and most Ex-pats and many of the well-to-do locals go to the US mainland or Europe for any medical care other than treatments for colds, flu or minor ailments. I live on a Caribbean island and get off the island as fast as I can whenever I need medical assistant.

Now, there is a medical college on St. Lucia which isn't too far from Coconut Bay so if you are comfortable with that type of facility you'll be OK.

St. Lucia is a lush tropical island so there will be insects of all kinds.How prolific they will be during the 5 days you visit next March is something only Mother Nature can tell you. Suffice to say you should be prepare to bring an insect repellant.