sailor

Oops! It does get a bit hard to remember which towns upnorth are which, but since there is considerable differences in these two towns. I would like to clarify that Royal St.Lucian is in Rodney Bay on Reduit Beach.

Donna

Lizzie518

Thanks HeatherV for your trip report. It has made me realize that St. Lucia is probably not the right spot for us at this point in our lives. Maybe later on when we can take the time to fully appreciate its own nuances.

Jen68

Although I'm not a fan of driving in St. Lucia (take cabs!) I've been there three times and absolutely love it. It's a gorgeous island with wonderful people. And very refreshing and non-North American feeling. I would personally recommend the Reduit beach area which is stunning/lots to do. And the Friday night street party (in Gros Islet) is not to be missed. One of life's very cool experiences. Windjammer is a lovely hotel so the traveler going there (can't remember your name sorry) will have a great trip, I'm sure.
Jen

givemeaticket

We actually can hardly wait to return to St. Lucia next year - Anse Chastanet again. While it is too bad that Heather had a bad trip, it only underlines the fact that you have to do your research to get what YOU expect from a vacation. First clue is to stay away from "newly remodelled hotels" and "adventure" does not mean driving a scooter in Bermuda. Please, Heather, don't blame St. Lucia and your lack of research for a holiday gone wrong. The carribbean is expensive because everything has to be imported - you want cheap and safe, go to Florida!

LLindaC

I visited St Lucia about 6 yrs ago. We stayed at the Windjammer and really liked it..the views, the beach barbecues, the paddleboats. Did lots of hiking and exploring. We could walk to the end of the road and catch the local bus to the north end of the island (Gros Islet) and Pidgeon Point. That was cheap and safe. After the drive from the airport, we knew we didn't want to drive or even take a cab! We enjoyed the Pitons and Soufriere by boat....the BEST way to get around! I would go to the Windjammer again, but in my opinion after having traveled to many islands, I prefer the British Virgin Islands to anyplace in the Caribbean. We felt totally safe there; it's beautiful and has lots of diversity. We visited all the islands and just fell in love with them.

HeatherV

I agree with LLindaC - water taxis are the way to go and we also had the best experience at Windjammer! And now you've got me curious about BVI. Also, givemeaticket, everybody's definition of adventure could be different - while a scooter was adventurous enough for me, washed out roads where you could lose your transmission was a little too adventurous. And I'm far from cheap. I've enjoyed hotels and intimate villas and paid the price, but got back what I perceived as a good value. The next trip I'm researching is the Ritz in Grand Cayman. I wasn't convinced fr. what I saw of the resorts I visited in St. Lucia including the Hilton, AC, and Ladera that they had a good value in return for the high prices. If you're a St. Lucia fan and that works for you, great. I don't want to sour anybody on my experience (we had some great highlights as I also mentioned in the post) but simply to avoid the pitfalls I encountered. Never blamed St. Lucia for any of it. I now know however that where you go prepared to visit a big city like New York or Rome with that city mode state of mind because of the high energy and the pace, I don't want to wear that head set on an island. I want to be able to go unhassled, relax, and not feel "stuck" at my resort.

requestaword

I?ve been back from St. Lucia almost two weeks and this is the first chance I?ve had to post a report. All went well and I would like to go back (I really only had 3 full days ? I never count the travel days). First let me say ? there are snakes ? but mainly in the rainforest areas and a few outlying areas where I would never venture even if there weren?t any. On the half day jeep safari tour the guide stopped to show us how bananas are formed and cultivated ? but he cautioned he had to be careful due to snakes. Then he makes a stop where fresh cut fruit is sold and while everyone is milling around (I stayed on the jeep) he reaches behind a table (and out of the corner of my eye I see the tail) of a 10 foot boa constrictor! I?d like to report one man jumped back into the jeep (and left his bride standing there with her mouth open). The rest of the trip was uneventful but I was hyper vigilant in case a snake came down out of the trees! Enough hysteria ? the weather was perfect ? the water was calm (despite hearing the warnings of the various hurricanes). Windjammer was a marvelous hotel ? but the steps are a bit much after lazing around on the beach all day. Now I know which villas to ask for that are on the direct path of the shuttle buses. I only had time for an evening sunset cruise which was nice (they had a live steel band) and when it rained we were treated to gorgeous rainbow. I didn?t have the opportunity to visit other hotels (Windjammer is isolated) and the only contact I had with the St. Lucian?s were the hotel workers and taxi drivers. So all in all, as I mentioned before, I would go back and stay to get a more authentic feel of the island.

Havi2000

Would anyone be able to compare/contrast STL with say, Dominica?
After reading through the many posts regarding STL, I'm thinking they may be very similar destinations?? Am I getting a correct picture here?

jimdobs

Heather, sorry about your trip. You mentioned you have been to St.John. Just wondering what you thought of this island. We are considering going to St.John next year and would love to get your impressions. Thanks.

faithie

For Havi 2000 , I have not been to either , have just done tons of research . Perhaps similar in the very dramatic , lush landscape with rainforest , mountains , volcanic origin etc. I believe Dominica has much less in the way of accomodations , tourists , no big airport , restaurants , etc. Which is a super thing for the right kind of tourist !!It is considered the nature island , and I think it looks incredible , St.Lucia would be a bit easier to get to . Both seem like great choices to me ! Faith

ScubaMom

We first visited St. Lucia with another couple during a marathon cruise ship trip in 1987 and hit about 6 islands.

Hubby and I immediately fell in love with St. Lucia's tropical beauty and surroundings, however, the other couple detested our day there. Chris still calls it the "voodoo island" and was not comfortable at all with the people or what she saw (both are very outdoor type people too, more so than us).

We saw many more islands and some we did not like for various reasons (St. Barts at the time was snobby to those who did not speak French and seemed too "European"; St. Martin was too touristy, etc.)

Since that time I've been on the internet since it was text only and we used Apple GSs and 2400 baud modems to dial up! Over the years and reading umpteen zillion forum discussions, it appeared that others felt the same way as the four of us. Half LOVE St. Lucia and the other half never want to go back. Probably one could say that about many islands in the Caribbean for various reasons.

It sounds to me that you want the "island experience" that is not bordering on third world situations. In that case, take a look at the BVI - lots of islands and resorts there. Also parts of St. Vincent and the Grenadines if you want something a little more "laid back Caribbean".

Oddly enough, on that cruise, those were the two areas that we immediately thought were truly "paradise" (plus Grenada which we were going to visit again finally this December, but alas may have to wait another year) and we've been visiting the BVI and St. Vincent and the Grenadines ever since.

We've been to other islands and enjoyed those too, but still like these two areas the best for our own vacation expectations which is a great getaway, not too touristy, but somewhat developed with few beggers and no drugs bartered on the beach.

Please return to the Caribbean - there are probably many places very suited to what you are looking for.

chessiegirl

Everyone has their opinions, let me add another (as if you need). I've been to St.Lucia (which I did like) and alot of other islands--touristy and non. Let me strongly suggest Costa Rica next time. You can stay at a luxury hotel or a moderate clean hotel but still venture out during the day to the rain forests, volcanos, nature parks, and waterfalls that put St. Lucia to shame. You can rent a vehicle if you want or have a travel guide. It is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. It has tons of local charm everywhere and the people are the friendliest I have ever encountered. The beaches are not pristine white and if you stay at on the Pacific side which is where most of the nicer hotels are, then it won't be crystal clear blue water. The cost is much less than St.Lucia also. You don't have to go to a completely touristy locale to get a little pampered yet experience another culture/county and beauty. Best of luck!

beanie0300

Heather sounds like you and I have the same attitude. If I have to have 'commercialized and soulless' in order to avoid crime and harassment from local so be it. Bermuda is my favorite island and I didn't see it as soulless at all. Cayman is commercialized but do u think this bothered me when I was snorkeling and diving? A great reef is a great reef whether its surrounding island is commercial or 'raw'. I dont like poverty; I dont want to see it smell it or encounter criminals that result from it. I dont want to be harrassed or begged for $. This is why I choose to live on the east side of manhattan vs. 145th street.

Im curious to see st. lucia but sounds like I wouldnt be happy there. I hate islands where it's hard to get around and most people stay on the resort. I like to get out and see everything! If I went I'd prob. stay at Hilton and just do a 5 nite stay vs. my normal 7 and I'd go with the understanding that the main draw is the rainforest and the Pitons, not the water and beaches.

croix

Beanie0300, I have been to Cayman 3x and StLucia for two weeks last year. I love both but they are very different. You will encounter poverty and beggers in StLucia; however, the island and people are unbelievable. Time stands still---you can hire a driver and he is with you as long as you like for the flat fee. The beach and snorkeling is very good at the Hilton and I thought as good as Cayman in some respects. I wouldn't hesitate to book a week there; however, it is quiet at night and not a big singles spot. But staying near the Pitons is highly recomended rather than the north in Castries. Let me know if I can tell you more. I don't live in NYC---a barrier island in the southern USA so I enjoy being on a remote island.

kfusto

Amen, Diana. Well said and I concur totally.

JeffandTrina

Different strokes for different folks; that's why I always do my research.

The only thing I found surprising about Heather's post is that she didn't think the rooms at Ladera were worth the money. I think they are probably the biggest bargain in the world. It is hard for me to put a price on waking up to a wide open view of the Pitons every morning, or having hummingbirds flitting around my room. If views aren't important to you, why would you ever go to Ladera?

BrendaJ1955

We've just booked at Coco Kreole and so I was doing some research on this forum. I have to weigh in not on St Lucia as it's our first time there - but on some of the comments that you have to go to the Caymans (read "Americanised&quot or St Barts (upscale) to avoid having your nose rubbed in abject poverty or to avoid constant hassles. We have been to Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, St Kitts, St Maarten and have had a lovely but very different time in all of them (some as independent travelers, some on package air and hotel). And we know what being hassled is like as we've traveled extensively in parts of the world where this happens. We were never hassled anywhere we have stayed in the Caribbean and we have mostly used public buses or mini buses. We rented a car on Anguilla, Bonaire Curacao and St Kitts. I agree it pays to do research - which is what we always do - but it's also important to reserve some judgment until you get there. I am from the US originally and I have also had to disabuse people of their anti American prejudices here in the UK - i.e. that the so-called "Americanised" islands (such as Aruba and the Caymans) have no charm and nothing to offer except fast food.

grob

Just returned from St. Lucia---would not return. Stayed atBay Gardens Resort which was good value--but the beaches are mediocre, the shopping mediocre the food mediocre and expensive, the airport exit experience brought groans and complaints from everyone---rude people who rip apart your luggage while you live in fear of something getting stolen by them, after that's done you walk ten steps and they do it all over again...been to many islands and the beaches, shopping and values are better---the roads are a nightmare and whats worse is the absence of good signage...