St Kitts

[jfpii]

I would love to have a crash course/comments regarding costs for a week on the Island staying at the Marriott Vacation club. I know the exchange rate is somewhat favorable but anyone with recent experience regarding taxis, costs, meals and any areas to avoid would be appreciated. We lucked into a 3 bedroom at the marriott for our 1 bdrm MSE (must have been a lucky day).

thanks

 

[jancurious]

Great trade! Congratulations!

Jan

 

[Steamboat Bill]

What week did you get?

 

[JudyS]

I would love to have a crash course/comments regarding costs for a week on the Island staying at the Marriott Vacation club. I know the exchange rate is somewhat favorable but anyone with recent experience regarding taxis, costs, meals and any areas to avoid would be appreciated. We lucked into a 3 bedroom at the marriott for our 1 bdrm MSE (must have been a lucky day).

thanks

I was there for just a day in March -- we were on a cruise that stopped there. I loved the island. I took a tour of the island with Royston of Royston Island Tours SKB (roystontours@hotmail.com) and he did a great job. His jeep was really old, but it had 4-wheel drive and could go a lot of places. His price for a 6 hour tour was extremely reasonable; I think we gave him $80 with tip.

We had dinner at Ballahoo Restaurant in the main town; it was very good and cost under $50 for the two of us. (We didn't eat dessert or drink alcohol, however.)

The Shiggity Shack on Frigate Beach is famous, although we didn't have time to go there. It's like $8 for dinner. (And I'm sure it really is a shack, as the name implies.)

St. Kitts is rather odd economically as the main part of the island has a rather low standard of living, but then there are all these mansions going up on the Southern Peninsula (which was uninhabited until a few years ago.) I have no idea what the Marriott charges for food, but the places the locals go are very inexpensive.

While you are there, I'd suggest taking the ferry to Nevis. The beaches on St. Kitts and Nevis are public, and there is a very nice beach at the Four Seasons on Nevis.

I felt pretty safe anywhere on the island during the day. Not as sure about at night -- most of the Caribbean is relatively high crime, but St. Kitts and Nevis are certainly safer than many Caribbean islands.

There is at least one forum devoted just to St. Kitts and Nevis; see http://myislands.myeyez.net There are a bunch of forums available about multiple Caribbean islands, too.

You got a great exchange!

 

[jfpii]

Answers

Thanks for the info. To answer the questions posed to me we got August 4 thru 11. A bit short notice but worth it.

 

[tatmtr7]

We spent a week at the Marriott before the timeshare was announced. Food is expensive though the shack refered to earlier was good but a drive from the Marriott. The lobster and barbeque was relatively cheap, but the other restaurants were not. The island is not up to some of the other carribbean islands, but drive around and you will find some lovely views and beaches. There are a couple of relatively inexpenisve places walking or a short drive from the hotel. I can't remember the direction but drive over the hills or up the mountain not near the plantation places there is a great beach and smallish hotel. Do take the ferry to Nevis and have lunch at the 4 Seasons. It is quite lovely. Both of the islands are relatively poor though and that makes it a little bit less enchanting for me.