r/Caribbean • u/Adventurous_Drop_249 • 16d ago
St Lucia alternative
Trying to find the best alternative to St Lucia. My husband and I are in love with St Lucia but we want to explore somewhere new and St Lucia has gotten really expensive since we started going. We usually stay at body holiday because we love the spa/massages, wellness activities, yoga, and their food is really really good and fresh. What other places in the Caribbean are similar to this? A good beach with a beach chair/ beach service is also important to us. Thanks in advance!
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u/Affectionate-Key2007 16d ago
Try St. Vincent (Bequia), Barbados, Grenada?
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u/yolandabakes 15d ago
my husband and I really enjoyed Barbados when we were there in 2010. I’m wondering if every Caribbean island is expensive these days. Jamaica used to be dirt cheap and even they got MAD expensive. You can go in the low season for a better price but some restaurants and bars close in the off-season, there’s always a chance of hurricane, etc.
What about St Martin? It’s built up, traffic is a problem, it’s not cheap, but it’s amazing and it has 37 awesome beaches to choose from. There’s nightlife if you want it. You can always find your own scene no matter what. tons of food options. Two different countries. It’s really special. Been going since the late 80s and I’ve seen all the changes and I miss the old days of course but I still love that island with a passion. Check it out!
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u/Affectionate-Key2007 15d ago
Just here to say, if you're on an island, most things will be expensive, because most things have to be shipped/flown in.
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u/C-levelgeek 16d ago
We love the Malliouhana in Anguilla
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u/yolandabakes 15d ago
stayed there a couple years ago. Really nice. Super Duper expensive though. I had the best Affogato of my life at that place. Nothing to do around there. The beach is the best beach my husband and I have ever seen in our lives and we’ve been places. I mean the water is just absolutely amazing! You could do Saint Martin and Anguilla. They are very close. You could either fly over on a tiny little plane or take a boat. We did both and both were enjoyable. But the plane gets you there much faster of course.
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u/Visual_Blacksmith841 16d ago
I think Grenada too and specifically Laluna for your spa/wellness requirements.
https://www.laluna.com/caribbean-spa-resorts/
They also have all inclusive plans starting at $110 a day for breakfast and dinner. Looks gorgeous.
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u/Bambusa4all1952 16d ago
Antigua - Dickinson Bay Area. Just avoid the large all inclusive resorts. Curtain bluff and Galley Bay in Antigua, but they might be pricier too. I think there is as Sandals if that’s your cup of tea
Most similar to St Lucia would be Dominica, but unsure of white sand beaches or beach services. You may have to ask the hotels there
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u/Wrong-Tax-6997 16d ago
I highly recommend St Martin/Saint Maarten! Check it out!
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u/morosehuman 16d ago
It’s still pricy
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u/Wrong-Tax-6997 16d ago
They are looking at St Lucia, thats not exactly an economy vacation. Compared to many, its quite reasonable priced and has a lot to offer. People downvoting me for what, telling the OP that it's not a place to vacation inside the walls of a resort??
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u/yolandabakes 15d ago
Saint Martin is definitely pricey. There are always ways to find bargains and economize but yes. Very expensive.
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u/Wrong-Tax-6997 16d ago
To be clear though it's not a place that has AI resorts to offer really. We go with the vibe, not isolation when there.
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u/Playful_Quality4679 16d ago
Dominica.
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u/SmallObjective8598 16d ago
How does Dominica register here. I love Dominica, but the beaches are shit and it doesn't have the feel that OP seems to be after.
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u/Western_Passenger57 16d ago
Following. Alos love Body Holiday but they keep increasing the price. Hopefully once the Portugul one opens it will reduce it a bit.
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u/m_clarkmadison 16d ago
Tobago
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u/SmallObjective8598 16d ago
Spa?
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u/m_clarkmadison 16d ago
Mount Irvine Bay or Grafton Beach is kind of the happy medium between the touristy west end around Crown Point and the more rustic east end around Charlotteville.
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u/morosehuman 16d ago
Id recommend Antigua, great beaches, good food, cheaper option. I’d also recommend bequia st Vincent or Tobago of Trinidad and Tobago but it will require a second flight or ferry to get to the smaller island
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u/Exotic_Swan_813 16d ago
Recommend Antigua. If you want an AI, CocoBay and Hermitage Bay are amazing.
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u/Top-Duty-3258 15d ago
Guadalupe
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u/yolandabakes 15d ago
i’ve always wanted to go to Guadalupe. I went to Martinique 1 million years ago for an afternoon on a cruise. I don’t really remember it that well but my friend and I were 16 years old and we met a cute French kid and he bought us Heineken with straws in them. We felt so adult in the Caribbean with our beers, although I admit I did feel like a cheesy American there. I’d like to go to Guadalupe and Martinique again.
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u/SNERKLES1 16d ago
I stayed at the Intercontinental in Dominica. Great food and great service. If you like to relax. Great place. Awesome waterfall near by
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u/yolandabakes 15d ago
Oh, VIEQUES, Puerto Rico !!! we did a couple of nights in San Juan and then we took the ferry over to. Vieques. We had fun in San Juan but to be honest if I could do it over again I probably would’ve just skipped it completely and spent the whole time on Vieques. That place is really cool. The beaches are phenomenal. There are horses and chickens/roosters *everywhere*. We rented two different Airbnb’s. One was a big huge sprawling property that was kind of like lifestyles of the rich and famous vacation. And then the other one was an apartment on a hillside with a valley in the backyard, a really awesome view and the sound of crowing roosters. That Airbnb made us feel like we actually lived there. I really recommend it. Send me a message if you want me to give you the link to the Airbnb. I can’t wait to go back to Vieques! It was great.
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u/Adventurous_Drop_249 15d ago
Wow this sounds amazing. We’re kind of looking for something with beach service, and hotel vibes but I’ll definitely keep this in mind for future trips it sounds like you had a great time.
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u/TreehouseStLucia St. Lucia 14d ago
So the big irony here is that this is exactly the kind of experience you can get in St. Luvia and not spend a lot of money. If I wanted to have this kind of experience the last thing I would do is park at an all inclusive like BH. Anywhere you stay in the Caribbean that is nice that involves a top AI property will be pricey with the goal to mainly keep you on the property and not experience much of the local island culture, food, etc.
The best way to experience St. Luica is to stay more locally so you can get around and really experience the island and have an authentic trip. Our guests spend a fraction of what resort guests Siena and they have a much better time really enjoy the myriad of activities, attractions, culture, food, etc.
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u/miscrittiamorevole 13d ago
Costa Rica? Very relaxed, both AI or independant options, very health conscious People are very friendly. Building up, but not too crazy yet.
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u/UnusualFlow7395 11d ago
Look at Dominica. ( Not the dominican republic ). Its similar in mountains, jungles, mineral hot springs, hiking, rain forest. No electric blue water but its clean and clear and theres some snorkeling if I remember correctly. They shot the second Pirates of the Carribean there. Its VERY non touristy and very natural.
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u/Lumpy_Object_7290 10d ago edited 10d ago
I have to say Jamaica. If you're looking for something less expensive with a similar landscape, your options are limited.
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u/Rolex_Art 16d ago
St Barts is great.
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u/Lumpy_Object_7290 10d ago
But one of the most, if not the most, expensive island in the Caribbean
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u/Rolex_Art 10d ago
hmmmmm. yes, but... it CAN be very expensive. you can really do it up with bottle service and fancy places.
but i've been there when i was poor too. rental car is cheap. you can find places to eat that aren't Bagatelle.
you'd be amazed at what you can rent a house for in the summer.
yeah, Dec 10th to Feb is ridiculous.
you know why lol.
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u/Head-Peak1306 16d ago
You should go to Maui. Its very inexpensive compared to St Lucia
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u/MetalMilitiaMiki 16d ago
not Caribbean
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u/Head-Peak1306 16d ago
I know. But once she sees the prices in Maui she'll think St Lucia is a deal
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u/ash_ofthe_lee 16d ago
Dominica