Amy

Help!! I'm trying to plan a caribbean get-a-way for my boyfriend and I, and I can't decide where to go. Last year we rented a beautiful villa on Tortola and really enjoyed ourselves, but we want to go somewhere we've never been this year. We aren't party animals, we enjoy exploring and sight seeing, and just taking it easy. I've always thought that St. Lucia sounded interesting, but I don't know anyone first hand who has been. I would love to hear some opinions about the island.<BR>Thanks for you help!<BR>Amy

abc

If you are not worried about a nightlife but enjoy exploring definatly look into St. Lucia. The island is very quiet but incredible to explore! We took a safari to a rainforest, went horse back riding to the infamous &quot;drive in&quot; volcano, which also included a trip to Sulfur Springs which is a natural spa formed by the volcano. It was so relaxing I didn't want to leave.<BR><BR>Are you looking into any specific place to stay?

qqq

You sound like perfect St Kitts/Nevis travelers to me.<BR>These are great Islands to explore either by your self or by hiring a taxi.<BR>Safe, beautiful, laid back, friendly, unspoiled.<BR>Wonderful Plantations or low key resorts to stay at.......<BR>The Islands are separated by only two miles of water with a a couple of ferries running between them several times a day.<BR>Visit two Islands easily on one vacation.<BR>They are both under the same Government, so there isn't any Customs<BR>procedure to deal with.<BR>The beaches are golden brown to black as these islands are volcanic in origin.<BR>Sort of like the land that time forgot.

Barbara

My husband and I don't recommend St. Lucia. Try the Bahama's or GC. We were there last year and had a great time hand-feeding the stingrays and snorkeling in turquoise colored water. Also, have you thought about the U.S.VI., Playa Del Carmen or St. Maarten?

leanne

What didn't you like about St. Lucia? I am planning a honeymoon there this spring. We want a true &quot;island&quot; experience and are looking forward to tropical surroundings and our own plunge pool-plus we want more than just a nice beach. Please explain why you would NOT recommend St. Lucia. I would appreciate the insight!

Mary

I wouldn't recommend St. Lucia for the beaches, the beggars (mostly in the south), and the food (lack of good restaurants). The poverty is a given. Other than that, it does have beautiful scenery.

Amy

Thanks for all of the insight. I'm starting to think that maybe St. Lucia isn't what I'm looking for. I really don't want to have to deal with people begging for money, etc, and I am a bit worried about the beaches there. I haven't heard too many positives about them. <BR>Thanks again!<BR>Amy

Barbara

Leeann, <BR>My husband and I love to snorkel and enjoy all types of water sports. The beach was unreal - just really bad. My husband who never complains had plenty to say about the food - none was good. There is no nightlife, although if you will be there on your honeymoon, you may not care. It's the only place we've ever been to that we'll never go back to.

xxxa

To Leeann - ok, I admit I am being grumpy but, girl, a 'plunge pool' is not part of a 'true island experience'. <BR><BR>For that, you stay in a self-catered house or apartment in a small fishing village, you help the locals bring in the daily catch, you pick your own fruit from your own trees and share with your neighbours, you go to the local jump-ups and to the parish church (opposite sides of the same coin!). <BR><BR>What you are describing is a 'resort' experience and, while possibly great, it sure ain't the true Caribbean. And yes, I am being grumpy.<BR><BR>To Amy - I am afraid Barbaraandhusband have put you right off St. Lucia which is too bad. You should reread abc who has it right, IMHO ! I stayed in a house in the Rodney Bay area and loved the beach, the island tours, and the local restaurants (not gourmet, but good). I did not see beggars, but did see a few very polite vendors trying to scratch a living. We also sampled a bit of the nightlife - a Friday night street party in Gros Islet was great fun.<BR><BR>Good luck, whatever you choose.<BR><BR>

johnno

You say that you are worried about the beaches because you haven't heard too many positives about them. It depends on what you are looking for. If you want long stretches of powdery white sand and pale blue water, St. Lucia is not the place for you since it is a mountainous island that is volcanic in origin. However, you shouldn't get the idea that there are no nice beaches. There are plenty. In my opinion, St. Lucia is a beautiful island, but it isn't for everyone. Before you write it off because you read a couple of general statements like &quot;the food was awful&quot; or &quot;the beach was really bad,&quot; you should do more research. You might conclude, as some people do, that it is paradise or you might conclude, as others do, that it's not a place that you would want to spend your money/time.

johnno

By the way, if you thought that the beaches in Tortola were nice, you will think that the beaches in St. Lucia are fine. The islands are very similar in topography/geogreaphy.

boone

Amy,<BR><BR>My wife and I went to St. Lucia on our honeymoon and had a fanastic time. The beggars in SF are worse than St. Lucia, a polite no thank you does the trick. The beaches are fine no not crystal clear like I've heard of some other islands but if you love to hike and love the tropics St. Lucia is wonderful. It's not for everyone, usually I have found a lot of people on these posts are looking for a Sandals type resort where they are pampered. Do your research and search these type of sites then make your own decision. You know what they say &quot;opinions are like as*****s everyone has one&quot;. If you would like I will send you an email about how my honeymoon went in St. Lucia.

Donna

Amy, I would suggest you not give up yet on looking into St.Lucia. It is a great place to explore and just kick back. Check out The Jalousie Hilton and Ladera. The beach is beautiful. It is a difficult island to get around on due to the mountainous curvy roads, but this gives it, its charm. Don't be put off by statements of beggers, we spent most of are time in the Southwestern area and for the week only ran into one poor man asking for a dollar. Yes these people live a different culture, then we are accustom to, this may frighten some. The people in the villages spend a lot of time outside there houses,sitting/cooking/socializing in the streets, this can overwhelm some. We ran into NO venders at the Jalousie or Anse Chastenet beaches. These are somewhat secluded from the general public. Even in Marigot Bay there were a few vendors, but they where actually a lot of fun to talk to. Else where maybe someone might ask if you would like them to climb a coconut tree to get you down a freash one. I thought it was great. But this is the difference in people and what they want to experience in a vacation. Our vacation was hassle free. Poor/poverty, what exactly does this mean. Are they starving, I don't think so. They fish from the sea, can grab a piece of fruit from a tree just about anywhere, have a small garden, and maybe a pig, cow, or chicken.Yes its different.

Mary

I guess we were unlucky and that the majority of beggars did not accept simple &quot;no thank yous.&quot; One even stalked us through the town for of Souffriere that we had to leave and go back to the hotel. I agree that if you basically stay at your resort you will not be affected by this. It became very unnevering after a while. They also like to hang out at the popular tourist areas/points of interest. However, I did not find any beggars in the north part of the island, even when venturing off the resort. Strange but true. While I did not hate the island, two visits are plenty for us. And for the record, we enjoyed our stay in the north part of the island the first time around much better than our stay in the south part. Contrary to most other people's opinions.

Which Island

Congratulations. We loved Bermuda and also St. John, USVI. <BR><BR>We stayed at the Reefs in Bermuda which is located on a cliff overlooking the beautiful ocean. Bermuda and St. John are very beautiful, clean and safe. However, the tropical feel was more evident on St. John. <BR><BR> On St. John, we rented a villa and loved that experience and now are very spoiled. It's the only way for us from now on. St. John was not as expensive as Bermuda and had everything we were looking for. Absolutely stunning beaches, great town for shopping and eating, if one chooses to eat out all the time. If you rent a villa, you won't want to leave in the evenings.<BR><BR>Best wishes and look into Bermuda or St. John (St. John would be our first choice).<BR><BR>