my friend and i are planning a trip to the caribbean and have narrowed it down to either the sunshine suites in grand cayman or the royal st. lucian in st. lucian. we were starting to lean towards st. lucia, but have been noticing a lot of mixed reviews on this site. the tropical rainforests, waterfalls, and volcano all intrigued us. but we want a decent beach as well. are the st. lucian beaches really not very good. it seems like grand cayman has wonderful beaches, but not as much variety to offer. we have both been to aruba in the past and oved it. it had beautiful beaches, but with a desert climate. we were thinking st. lucia would be something different for us, but are now worried. should we go for grand cayman instead? please help.

Grand Cayman's beaches are mind blowing. So is the diving and snorkeling. But boy oh boy is it expensive. Ridiculously so. St Lucia is very safe and yes diverse in terrain. But the beaches are smaller, not as white, and the water is not all that blue. If you have money and just want beach life, do Grand Cayman. If you want a true island experience, go St Lucia

Simple: <BR><BR>St. Lucia = SLUMMY and DOWNTRODDEN<BR>Grand Cayman = NOT SLUMMY or DOWNTRODDEN<BR><BR>Now, which would YOU prefer?!?

Carmeli,<BR>Sam did a great job of giving you a good picture of the differences.<BR>I've been to St. Lucia twice and really loved it.<BR>I liked GC too, but would not go back unless it was just to dive.<BR>I really enjoy a true island experience, and GC - while very clean and the beaches are really nice - does not offer that.<BR>Whichever one you chose, I'm sure you'll have a great time.<BR>

Go to GC. We have been to both and would have been satisfied saving our money and just looking at pictures of St. Lucia. The food is much better in GC, it is a safer island and the beaches are way superior. The bus system is easy, reliable and cheap to use. Neither island has a lot of nightlife, but GC's exists. You just need to dig a little deeper.

I have traveled a fair amt in the Carib...been to GC - not St. Lucia...so I can give you a few insights - and it does depend on what you like. GC is VERY expensive. Highlights to me: StingRay City - yes it is a tourist trap - but it is cool. Also did the submarine ride - also cool. 7 mile beach is nice. BAD news - I really felt like it was not a heck of a lot different than South Fla. While I was glad I went - I doubt I will ever return. Too built up for me. I like the quieter less developed islands. But - lots of people love this place. I thought Turks/Caicos was better.

The underground volcano in St. Lucia was nothing spectacular. I wouldn't waste my time, even if I were there. And I agree with everybody else's critiques. Even Greg's to an extent.

I've never been to St. Lucia. I always thought that the pitons would be great to see, but Grand Cayman is easier for me to get there. I've been many times, and you can't beat the great beaches and resturants. I love Grand Cayman.

St. Lucia smells(but nice to look at).<BR>Love that Grand Cayman.

Carmeli, the comparison is like 'apples/oranges.'<BR><BR>Grand Cayman's best spot is 7 Mile Beach. It has white sand with a deep blue ocean; the divers love 'the walls' (I don't dive or snorkel so I can't give you the full extent of this, other than they are underwater paradise spots that go deep). It is a pretty flat island, and not a rainforest/lush waterfall place. There are 'blow holes' on the south of Grand Cayman that are intriguing, like natural geysers when high tide is in. It is very rough beach area but neat to visit.<BR><BR>St. Lucia is a mountainous, volcanic island, the sand is golden and even black in some spots. The water is aquamarine, warm, clear and depending on where you're staying in the island, can be a little rougher. For example, in the south, the Caribbean sea makes the water calmer, whereas northern St. Lucia (where WE love to stay) it's a combo of the Atlantic and Caribbean, so you can swim but at high tide it can get rough, and red flags are posted.<BR><BR>My hubby is a diver and LOVES the Caymans for the dives. However, he LOVES St. Lucia too, and will snorkel there, in the area of Cap Estate. Where we stay is a private beach, where most of St. Lucia is public.<BR><BR>We DO like Caymans, altho very Americanized and altho expensive; and like St. Lucia very much, altho it takes a little longer to travel to.<BR><BR>Where ever you decide, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.<BR><BR>Hope this helps.

Hey all,<BR>my new wife and i are heading to Palm Island in the grenadines for 7 days and to st. lucia for 6 days.... we're staying at Rendezvous near Castries.. Does anyone have any good suggestions on good beaches? spots to visit and eat at? and for some good old fashion culture?:.. and good Snorkeling areas? and any fun day trips? thanks.<BR>DM

Thanks for your very informative and accurate post, GM. Carmeli, St. Lucia is not for everyone, but it is a great island for those who really enjoy exploring the natural beauty of an island's rainforest, waterfalls and, of course, the unique and magnificent Pitons. True, the beaches are not quite as spectacular as places such as St. John of Grand Cayman, but they are very nice (especially at Jalousie) and you will enjoy the total island experience much more than just laying on the beach the whole time. But some people might just want to veg out at the beach for their whole honeymoon or vacation. St. Lucia is probably not for persons who have that in mind. Don't let the ridiculous bashers and name callers who don't know what they are talking about (like stinky) lead you astray.

For poster &quot;Dave&quot; that just got married.<BR><BR>Congratualations! All the best to you and your new bride.<BR><BR>You will love Palm Island; it's been rennovated in 2000, and the beach is just gorgeous.<BR><BR>If not too late, I recommend that you change the 2nd leg of your trip from Rendezvous to LeSport (a sister resort, 1/2 hr. north of Rendezvous). Rendezvous is not for newlyweds, and we absolutely hated it. LeSport has a private beach (vs. public at Rendezvous), is RIGHT NEAR the Vigie Airport and next door to the U.S. Naval outpost. LeSport has GORGEOUS rooms (vs. needing MAJOR rennovations at Rendezvous) 3 pools, all inclusive like Rendezvous except that LeSport INCLUDES 2x daily spa treatments for each of you. Your new wife will LOVE the spa aspects here, I know. Snorkeling is there, and there's PADI instruction if you folks want to get diver certified. Have your travel agent advise LeSport that you are newlweds, and you get some bubbly and a fruit platter upon arrival. It'll be like going from heaven in Palm Island to Hell in Rendezvous. LeSport is the continuation of heaven, believe me. I'm partial to the resort, yes, but so is TRAVEL+LEISURE and Conde'Nast TRAVELLER magazine, voting the resort in the top 10 of the 100 best resorts in the world.<BR><BR>Hope this helps.

Thanks GM<BR>I will ask my travel agent to check into LeSport.<BR>I appreciate your help.

Dave,<BR>I would second GM's recommendation on changing to Le Sport (or Ladera or Anse Chastanet) for your stay on St. Lucia.<BR>I stayed at Rendevous (it was Couples at the time), and there are much nicer places to stay on St. Lucia.

If you're like us you will have fun wherever you go if there is sun and sand. We too have been to Aruba and it is our favorite so far. We just visited Grand Cayman a month ago. Never been to St Lucia, although we would like to go. I dont mind blowing money when I'm on vacation, afer all, I'm on vacation, but there is no extra benefit for the extra cost at GC. It is very similar to south FL. Cayman lovers continuously cite how safe it is in GC but in visiting 6 other carib islands we have never felt unsafe. Of course we go to bed by midnight. GC lovers like to cite that it is safe enough to drive around at 3 in the morning. Why they drive around at 3am is a mystery. GC water is crystal clear, great for diving and snorkeling. So if you are a diver then GC is the place. although the water in Aruba was just as clear, but I guess the dive sites dont compare to GC. The GC stingrays are a truly unique experience that I'm glad we had. But other than that, there is nothing at GC that you can't do on any other island for 2/3 of the cost. GC has no caribbean flavor, does not celebrate Carnaval, and 90% of the wait staff are college students from Canada. If you go you will hear repeatedly that it is the fifth largest financial district in the world(if I wanted to visit a financial district I would go to NYC). Just my opinion but there are too many other islands with unique histories, cultures, and dialects, and people to repeat visit an island that charges 150% for south FL with a canadian twist. Good luck whichever you choose.

GM, I was very surprised to see that you wrote St. Lucia has &quot;aquamarine&quot; waters but said nothing about the water at the Caymans. OVERALL, the sea at Grand Cayman has MUCH better colors and is MUCH prettier than the sea at St. Lucia. This may be important criteria to the poster and I feel it's important to give accurate information.

I'll argue the other side.<BR><BR>I started a stay on STL at LeSport and moved over to Rendezvous. The beach is larger and nicer at Rendezvous....when I was at LeSport it was all old folks and families. Rendezvous was primarily young to middle aged couples with lots of honeymooners...in fact there were probably two weddings each day that we were staying there.<BR><BR>I would pick Rendezvous anyday over LeSport......but there are much nicer places as has been stated above....with much larger price tags.<BR><BR>

I think trying to compare St Lucia with GC is like comparing chalk with cheese. They are quite far apart in terms of what they have to offer. CG is known for its calm blue waters, seven mile beach, great scuba diving and snorkeling but not much else, in my humble opinion. I can't even think of a resturant that stands out in GC for memorable food and service. To me it is lovely enough, very clean and pristine but not somewhere I would rush to visit again - in my books, it typical Florida town, with a higher price tag for virtually everything. My brother lived and worked there for 2 years, had a choice to stay on but did'nt even though he was doing very well there. The place lacks soul!<BR><BR>St Lucia is one of my favourite islands for r&amp;r. I usually visit for the annual Jazz Festival in May and enjoy the local food, the music,the people, the atmosphere, everything! I usually stay on the north coast close to the action, usually at Bay Gardens Hotel - agreed, it is not on a beach but it is in the vicinity of Rodney Bay and is great value for money - the rooms are huge and beautiful. You can do the beaches (agreed not as many as GC) or you can enjoy the wonders of nature on this island. The rainforests are worth a visit - Barre de L'isle trail through the rain forest is not to be missed. There is also a waterfall called Tortaille which is outside Soufriere and is very pretty; moreso than Diamond Falls IMHO. Wondering off the beaten path has its payoffs on this island. Don't be afraid to do just that. Overall, St Lucia has much more of a Caribbean feel than GC so if that is what you are looking for then St Lucia is a good choice. And if you do go, don't miss Gross Islet lime on Friday night - its their famous street party with some of the best BBQ in a very casual party atmosphere.

Don't let Keeping It Real lead you astray. She defends St. Lucia all the time. What you need to know before you go is that posters like Greg, Michelle and Mary have also been there and have valid comments. St. Lucia is way over-rated.