Anyone been to Aruba or St Lucia

SixTwoSix · 19 Oct 2023 at 08:22

Long shot but has anyone here been to Aruba or St Lucia and can give me a run down of their experiences.

I can get surprisingly well priced flights for May next year (equivalent to most of southern Europe for same dates) to either destination and am considering going with family - i've done the usual looking at guides online but would appreciate first hand knowledge for anyone here.

The time we're travelling is excellent weather wise for Aruba not so much for St Lucia, so leaning towards the former - however i've done some of the Caribbean a few times in May so know the storms are short and sweet, occasionally a few days where you might get a total washout.

Criteria - likely to stay at either AirBnb/Vrbo accommodation or small resorts, don't mind a few beach days but would rather be active and doing/seeing things across either island.

Bear · 19 Oct 2023 at 10:01

Been to Aruba and going to St Lucia in March (Serenity at Coconut Bay). Really enjoyed Aruba, the weather is pretty much guaranteed most of the year as it avoids the all of the hurricanes. We stayed on Eagle beach if I recall correctly and was very close to the main stretch where there were loads of eating options. Went on a submarine ride which was interesting, one of the very few commercial submarines to operate around the world. Only issue I had with Aruba is you got two or so days where you are swarmed with cruise ship people descending on the place like a plague of locusts and there werent a private beach where we stayed so you were chilling out one minute and the next you were swarmed. Oranjestad is quite a scenic little town worth strolling around.

Other than that I cant remember much more as it was about 9 years ago. Oh and Smoky Joe's Island Grill was pretty awesome

SixTwoSix · 19 Oct 2023 at 11:24

@Bear thanks. The cruise part puts me off a little, however I would assume there are more secluded areas where the cruise crowd won't go to? We had cruise ships arriving every other day in Cozumel this year and it's horrid when they hit.

Nice to know about the weather though and chances of rainy days seem to be very slim.

Did you happen to do much snorkelling and could comment on the reef quality as that's something very important to me, normally spend hours in the water.

Bear · 19 Oct 2023 at 12:36

SixTwoSix said:
@Bear thanks. The cruise part puts me off a little, however I would assume there are more secluded areas where the cruise crowd won't go to? We had cruise ships arriving every other day in Cozumel this year and it's horrid when they hit.

Did you happen to do much snorkelling and could comment on the reef quality as that's something very important to me, normally spend hours in the water.

Yeah, we stayed in the north part of the island which isnt far from Oranjestad which is where they dock. Eagle beach is one of the best beaches on Aruba so you would expect the cruise crowd to visit (we didnt know at the time). I would expect the southern parts of the island to be pretty clear of cruise people.

I love snorkelling but I hate boats, so snorkelling in Aruba was a no from me (get really sea sick) so I cant give you any pointers on that one, although I think the good snorkelling sites are at the far north of the island in the main.

If you love snorkelling, try and make it over to the Galapagos Islands some time, the sea life you see is incredible

weringo · 19 Oct 2023 at 18:20

We spent 6 nights in St Lucia. It's not your typical carribbean island as there's not many beaches. Of the beaches it's got, only one (sugar beach) has white sand which is imported from another island, and is a faff to visit unless your staying at the sugar beach resort which is £lol expensive.

We however loved our time there as there is other stuff to do meaning you're not sat on a beach all day. Zip lining through the forests and hiking gros piton were the highlights.

Whilst it doesn't have many beaches, they were quiet even in peak season when we visited. Snorkeling on Anse Cochon beach was fantastic.

We stayed in the Margot Bay area which I would recommend - fairly lively with lots of restaurants, plus fantastic views over the bay if you pick the right hotel (we stayed at Marigot Palms Luxury Caribbean Apartment Suites).

May will be a good time to visit I think. Hotel prices will have calmed down after peak season but it will still be pretty dry.

We combined the trip with a week in Bequia, the carribbean's hidden gem. If there's still direct flights running from St Lucia to Bequia it's worth looking into that, as its quite a challenging place to visit due to limited connections otherwise.

SixTwoSix · 20 Oct 2023 at 08:06

Bear said:
If you love snorkelling, try and make it over to the Galapagos Islands some time, the sea life you see is incredible

That's a bucket list destination for sure - not doable next year sadly. Best snorkelling i've had so far is Komodo National Park in Indonesia, crystal clear pristine water.

weringo said:
We spent 6 nights in St Lucia. It's not your typical carribbean island as there's not many beaches. Of the beaches it's got, only one (sugar beach) has white sand which is imported from another island, and is a faff to visit unless your staying at the sugar beach resort which is £lol expensive.

We however loved our time there as there is other stuff to do meaning you're not sat on a beach all day. Zip lining through the forests and hiking gros piton were the highlights.

Whilst it doesn't have many beaches, they were quiet even in peak season when we visited. Snorkeling on Anse Cochon beach was fantastic.

We stayed in the Margot Bay area which I would recommend - fairly lively with lots of restaurants, plus fantastic views over the bay if you pick the right hotel (we stayed at Marigot Palms Luxury Caribbean Apartment Suites).

May will be a good time to visit I think. Hotel prices will have calmed down after peak season but it will still be pretty dry.

We combined the trip with a week in Bequia, the carribbean's hidden gem. If there's still direct flights running from St Lucia to Bequia it's worth looking into that, as its quite a challenging place to visit due to limited connections otherwise.

Thanks - I had noticed not a lot of beach info for SL which is fine by us, we're not the sort to spend all day by beach/pool unless completely wiped by the previous days activities. It does look as though SL has plenty to offer for those who want more activity.

I've had a brief look at Bequia and it certainly has grabbed my attention, flights are comparable to SL in price (only 10% more with a brief 1.25hr stopover in Barbados) so could be a contender - i'll look a lot more into it over the weekend.

Pooh · 4 Nov 2023 at 18:32

Haven't been to Aruba but have been to St Lucia a couple of time, one a good few years ago and also a couple of years ago.

It's OK but I much prefer Antigua. Much more chilled out, lots to do and not so busy

Pooh · 4 Nov 2023 at 18:33

... Also might want to have a look at Grenada. more basic but some wonderfully quiet beaches and great for exploring

SixTwoSix · 6 Nov 2023 at 08:15

Been looking at quite a bit the past few weeks, short list is Aruba, Antigua, St Lucia - potentially Curacao. We're tied into school timings and certain flight dates so it's heavily flight price influenced.

We did want to go to Exuma in Bahamas but flights are essentially double the price as any of the above due firstly initial flight to Nassau and then a flight connection to Exuma.

Pooh said:
... Also might want to have a look at Grenada. more basic but some wonderfully quiet beaches and great for exploring

This was also on the shortlist but the dates we can go have skewed the flight prices out of being achievable sadly.

Pooh · 7 Nov 2023 at 06:46

Double post

Pooh · 7 Nov 2023 at 06:47

SixTwoSix said:
Been looking at quite a bit the past few weeks, short list is Aruba, Antigua, St Lucia - potentially Curacao. We're tied into school timings and certain flight dates so it's heavily flight price influenced.

We did want to go to Exuma in Bahamas but flights are essentially double the price as any of the above due firstly initial flight to Nassau and then a flight connection to Exuma.

This was also on the shortlist but the dates we can go have skewed the flight prices out of being achievable sadly.

Of the many problems people post on these forums this is a nice one to have.

Hope you have a great time whichever island you go to.

SixTwoSix · 7 Nov 2023 at 07:33

Pooh said:
Of the many problems people post on these forums this is a nice one to have.

Yeah, considering how the last few years back been for me, it's a nice dilemma for a change, 2nd holiday in 8 years, nice to have something to look forward to.

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 7 Nov 2023 at 08:27

St Lucia, been 6 times now.
Love the island and the people

A few things you can do, some already mentioned. Zip lining in the rain forest (middle of the island is a large rainforest), visit the volcano* (mud baths supposed to be healing etc) Soufries area (middle left of island) , the capital is niceish and where the cruise ships come in (top left of island)
As mentioned hiking either/both of the pitons (small is harder as its less done), visit a school and read a book (take the book from the UK), they do some authentic cooking courses for half/full day experience.
The old fort at the very top left of the Island.

The island changed hands between the french and british so its got culture and history from both

So TLDr the main attractions are mid/top left of the Island. (Cricket ground is kind of top middle if your into cricket), so if you think you may want to do activities its easier to stay that side. Its also the Caribbean sea side so warmer waters.
The airport is bottom right, so you will have a minivan journey of 1-1.5 hours across the island (through the central rainforest typically)

Friday nights is jump up (or was pre covid, it wasn't on when we last went end of 21), its the island party night. BBQs, street food at rum shacks etc.

*tends to be a speedboat day trip for most. Little shopping in Soufries, volcano, drunk on rum on the boat, snorkelling in a cove, food at a locals place (not in that order

)

SixTwoSix · 8 Nov 2023 at 08:00

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
St Lucia, been 6 times now.
Love the island and the people

A few things you can do, some already mentioned. Zip lining in the rain forest (middle of the island is a large rainforest), visit the volcano* (mud baths supposed to be healing etc) Soufries area (middle left of island) , the capital is niceish and where the cruise ships come in (top left of island)
As mentioned hiking either/both of the pitons (small is harder as its less done), visit a school and read a book (take the book from the UK), they do some authentic cooking courses for half/full day experience.
The old fort at the very top left of the Island.

The island changed hands between the french and british so its got culture and history from both

So TLDr the main attractions are mid/top left of the Island. (Cricket ground is kind of top middle if your into cricket), so if you think you may want to do activities its easier to stay that side. Its also the Caribbean sea side so warmer waters.
The airport is bottom right, so you will have a minivan journey of 1-1.5 hours across the island (through the central rainforest typically)

Friday nights is jump up (or was pre covid, it wasn't on when we last went end of 21), its the island party night. BBQs, street food at rum shacks etc.

*tends to be a speedboat day trip for most. Little shopping in Soufries, volcano, drunk on rum on the boat, snorkelling in a cove, food at a locals place (not in that order )

Thanks for the write up, seems like plenty to keep us occupied for 10/14 days. Our 6 year old - well, he'll be 7 - he prefers to be active and seeing/doing things, little interest in playing on a beach all day and a bit of a mini daredevil

Did you do any driving?

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 8 Nov 2023 at 08:17

SixTwoSix said:
Thanks for the write up, seems like plenty to keep us occupied for 10/14 days. Our 6 year old - well, he'll be 7 - he prefers to be active and seeing/doing things, little interest in playing on a beach all day and a bit of a mini daredevil

Did you do any driving?

Quick google threw this up, realised I had missed most of the boat/snorkling type stuff. I dont like boats so tend to avoid them and hence miss them. Quite a lot of water based stuff to be honest.
https://www.islandroutes.com/caribb...eyword=tours in st lucia&adposition=&adgroup={adgroup]&utm_term=tours%20in%20st%20lucia&utm_campaign=StLucia&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Search&hsa_acc=1842592481&hsa_cam=15417477563&hsa_grp=130399852476&hsa_ad=565253627017&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-308150874671&hsa_kw=tours%20in%20st%20lucia&hsa_mt=p&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgK2qBhCHARIsAGACuzka8Nw5n_SlrnrvCba41VqKKEDTxDSjQSftifw5zF6XDAtXNgcXwo8aAli-EALw_wcB

The piton stuff is much cheaper from http://www.grospiton.com/

Nah didnt drive.
The roads are interesting. There is one small part of dual near Castries but the rest of the island is single.
The roads are well made, (apart from when a hurricane wiped loads out just before we went one year).
They seem to drive well to be honest, and on the correct side of the road. But we never really wanted to drive, when we went out and about we tend to use taxis (resorts will also help depending what transport they have)
Will get very busy at times, friday afternoon etc