St Lucia (or Antiga) on a shoestring

Hi,

My girlfriend recently obtained some free flights from Virgin, so we
were thinking of going to St Lucia this summer for a week to ten
days.

Since we have the flights, we're not looking for a full package;
almost every posting I've seen refers to Sandals, or other holiday
operators. Rather than all-inclusive deals or luxury accomodation, we
prefer planning our own way, taking basic but comfortable
accomodation, and then choosing how to explore, where we eat and what
we do, as we go.

It does seem that most of St Lucia consists of luxury resorts and
probably private beaches, but I'm hoping there's still some quieter
areas of the island (I spent a kayaking holiday in Les Saints a few
years back, and that was perfect!). Has anyone got any advice on this
approach, and/or suitable places to consider?

Also - has anyone any comment on the weather there in mid-August? (I
have an idea of the Hurricane risk!)

Finally... I guess we could just fly to St Lucia, and then take a boat
to a neighbouring island to stay there; or the same from Antiga. Are
one of the surrounding islands to these to even better suited to this
kind of holiday (but at least as spectacular?)

Thanks!



Damian

Have you checked out any of the Bed and Breakfasts? Many of them seem to
have pretty good rates, in comparison to the hotels. (ie: $35-50/night
includes brekkie)

"Damian Skeeles" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

My girlfriend recently obtained some free flights from Virgin, so we
were thinking of going to St Lucia this summer for a week to ten
days.

Since we have the flights, we're not looking for a full package;
almost every posting I've seen refers to Sandals, or other holiday
operators. Rather than all-inclusive deals or luxury accomodation, we
prefer planning our own way, taking basic but comfortable
accomodation, and then choosing how to explore, where we eat and what
we do, as we go.

It does seem that most of St Lucia consists of luxury resorts and
probably private beaches, but I'm hoping there's still some quieter
areas of the island (I spent a kayaking holiday in Les Saints a few
years back, and that was perfect!). Has anyone got any advice on this
approach, and/or suitable places to consider?

Also - has anyone any comment on the weather there in mid-August? (I
have an idea of the Hurricane risk!)

Finally... I guess we could just fly to St Lucia, and then take a boat
to a neighbouring island to stay there; or the same from Antiga. Are
one of the surrounding islands to these to even better suited to this
kind of holiday (but at least as spectacular?)

Thanks!



Damian

On 7 Jun 2004 15:50:57 -0700, (Damian Skeeles) wrote:

Since we have the flights, we're not looking for a full package;
almost every posting I've seen refers to Sandals, or other holiday
operators. Rather than all-inclusive deals or luxury accomodation, we
prefer planning our own way, taking basic but comfortable
accomodation, and then choosing how to explore, where we eat and what
we do, as we go.

That's what I do. I have stayed at two guest houses there. You can find a
picture of the first he http://donwiss.com/pictures/SLU-1999/
And a discussion of the second he http://donwiss.com/carib2001.txt

To visit an island cheaply you really should buy a Lonely Planet guide
book. In this case you would want the Eastern Caribbean one.

I will also e-mail you some notes I assembled from answering questions for
someone else also desiring to visit cheaply.

It does seem that most of St Lucia consists of luxury resorts and
probably private beaches,

Nope. No beaches on St. Lucia are private. You can walk onto any of the
beaches in front of the luxury hotels, though you may not use any of their
facilities.

Finally... I guess we could just fly to St Lucia, and then take a boat
to a neighbouring island to stay there; or the same from Antiga. Are
one of the surrounding islands to these to even better suited to this
kind of holiday (but at least as spectacular?)

The ferry takes a good part of the day. Stick with St. Lucia.

Don donwiss at panix.com.

Don Wiss wrote in message . ..
On 7 Jun 2004 15:50:57 -0700, (Damian Skeeles) wrote:

That's what I do. I have stayed at two guest houses there. You can find a
picture of the first he http://donwiss.com/pictures/SLU-1999/
And a discussion of the second he http://donwiss.com/carib2001.txt

To visit an island cheaply you really should buy a Lonely Planet guide
book. In this case you would want the Eastern Caribbean one.

I will also e-mail you some notes I assembled from answering questions for
someone else also desiring to visit cheaply.


The ferry takes a good part of the day. Stick with St. Lucia.

Don donwiss at panix.com.

Don,

Thanks a bunch for this; it's good to hear that it is definitely
do-able. We've already got the Lonely Planet guide on the shopping
list.


Damian

Don Wiss wrote:

That's what I do. I have stayed at two guest houses there. You can
find a picture of the first he
http://donwiss.com/pictures/SLU-1999/ And a discussion of the second
he http://donwiss.com/carib2001.txt

Nice photos, thanks.

Becca

I lived in St. Lucia for 1 year.

There are cheap hotels in most cities in the world. I suggest either
the *South American Handbook* by Footprint or *Let's Go*.

Both will provide the names of inexpensive places to stay.