Help! We are staying at Anse Chastanet in June. Trying to decide if we will need a car to see the island during the day and to try different restaurants at night. Thanks for any help.

Yes, unless you want to experience the local buses, which are really vans. This is fun once and they are very cheap, but I wouldn't do it repeatedly. They squish as many people in as they can including any animals they happen to have with them. Small econ. car will cost you about $40US per day.Not sure that there's a variety of restaurants around Anse Chast. that you couldn't walk to anyways. You really wouldn't want to drive those roads thru the mountains (on the left side of the road) in the pitch black to another town for dinner either.

We don't rent a car in St. Lucia. We usually stay North of you, and have a reliable driver (with his own van) who is excellent and provides transportation where we stay. We've also used a taxi service the Concierge recommended and got drop-off/pick-up service with a clean car and knowledgable driver. We like to help out the economy of St. Lucia.<BR><BR>I remember a Letticia's Taxi service from Castries that had a nice van with good A/C, clean, and knowledgable as well.<BR><BR>Have a great time in St. Lucia - the beach at the Anse is very good and is Ok for snorkeling.

There's a lot to see in St. Lucia so I would recommend renting a car unless you are intimidated by driving on the left. It takes a little getting used to. If, like GM, you want to help the local economy, there are some rental car companies that are owned by locals. There's one right near Vigie Airport but, unfortunately, I can't remember the name.

Chris, my recommendation would be to wait until you see the roads in St. Lucia and Anse Chastenet.You will be able to decide then. 4 wheel drive a must. The rental car company will deliver to the resort after you arrive. I say this because the road into Anse Chastenet is one of the most difficult. Many people have stated that they would not atemp it at night. Taxi's are always available water and land taxi's, though it does get expensive, plan ahead for $$.

I wholeheartedly agree with Donna's advice. Driving in the south part of the island (which is where you'll be) is more treacherous than the north part. You'll have to see it for yourself. I've been there twice and stayed in both areas. While I have always trusted our taxi drivers in both areas, I wouldn't be comfortable driving ourselves in the south - not only because of the roads but because it seemed difficult to figure out directions with lack of road signs, etc. The north part of the island is more developed and slightly flatter. There I would rent a car and just hope I got use to driving on the opposite side of the road.<BR><BR>There are not many restaurants on the south side of the island and those there are somewhat close to AC. Personnally, I'd take a taxi, especially in the dark. It's gets VERY dark.

I thought there was quite a few to pick from in the area. Although you will have to taxi to all. Dasheene at Ladera,the Jalousie Hilton has three to pick from, also &quot;Bang&quot; attached to the Jalousie. The Humming Bird, La Haut Plantation, Mango Tree at Stonefield, Mago Estate Hotel Restaurant and Bar, The Still Beach Resort, The Old Court House, La Mirage.<BR>Pick up &quot;Tropical Traveller&quot; ad paper at airport, it lists the nightly entertainment at the various resorts and restaurants.

Chris, I forgot to mention that I did notice the activities director from Anse Chastanet had a group at &quot;Bang&quot; on Wedesday night for there jump-up party. They may offer different outings to places. The fish fry at Anse La Raye is also popular.

Just returned from St. Lucia two days ago.We hired a car and found ourselves slightly stranded until we did. Eating out is one of the things we concentrate most on whilst away.<BR>We stayed in Rodney Bay and ate at Dasheene one night.I drew the short straw and had to drive back.It was 35 miles and took nearly two hours.Parts of the road were very isolated and large areas were unlit.The lighting on our rental car was not as wide as I am used to with the consequence that taking hairpin bends meant that you had to lean forward and peer sideways through the windscreen to see the bend open up in front of you.I am trying to compare to a car where the beam is so wide that you can see through your side window which way a hairpin takes after the bend- does this make any sense?<BR>Having got to Dasheene I was a little concerned about driving back even though driving generally doesn't concern me at all.<BR>I didn't mention the potholes did I?<BR>So what am I saying in answer to your question-well this.Yes you need a car to see the island but I would not aim to do the road out of Soufriere(to the North) at night.<BR>Don't even think about alcohol if you are driving.!

Hi Chris~ Actually, driving somewhere like Rome or Tokyo is a lot greater challenge than St. Lucia because there are so few cars on the road. Yes, the pot holes, poor lighting, road wash outs in storms and mud slides are incredible so a 4 wheel is a must. My husband and I got caught in a big storm and we ended up having to go all the way around to get back to Ladera one time. The road to AC is terrible, one could lose a kidney. But, the South end of the Island is more beautiful and very remote. You will feel cabin fever I think without a car. I did not like the North as much, way too &quot;normal resort&quot; style one could get anywhere and Castries is a true port town. <BR>By the way, can anyone tell me the name of the locals restaurant in Soufriere that is on the main street and upstairs? It was a lady's name and simply wonderful food. Cheers, Kelly