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I'm pregnant and want to get in one last hurrah before the baby comes in August. We will be traveling to St. John's in June w/our 7 yr. old daughter and staying at the Westin (I think that would be the best place to entertain our daughter) I am concerned about getting tired too easily. I hear there are such nice hikes and good snorkeling. What would be a nice, easy hike for me to take? Are the mosquitos bad there? And how is the drinking water? Living so close to Mexico we hear of Montezuma's revenge getting tourists. Anything like that in St. John's? Thank you! M
We've stayed at the Westin twice...never a problem anywhere on the island with the water. Believe the Westin desalinates for fresh water but not 100% sure.
Not much of a hiker, but check the trial carefully, St. John is mountainous and many of the hikes have significant uphills.
We've not had any mosquito problems, but have not been there in June...I would guess if the rainy season hasn't started yet you'll be okay. But, watch out for the no-see-um's. Seem to get your legs on the beach late in the afternoons...bring some repellant from home and some cortisone cream. If you're on the beach late in the day use the repellant...remember you can't see-um - you won't know they got you 'til you're scratching holes in your leg later that nite.
FWIW
BB
My husband and I stayed on St. John June 2000 and June 2001. The mosquitoes, no see ums, etc., were pretty bad both times. My husband came back covered in bites from our first trip there. We were much better prepared the second time but he still got some bites. Off! is typically NOT strong enough. We bought some repellant there that was much better. Also, Burt's Bees works pretty well and is all-natural. Benadryl spray works great on bug bites.
The summer tends to be more humid and rainy which also means more mosquitoes.
We were there July 2000 and didn't see a single bug except one lone fly. August of 2001 the no see 'ums attacked but only once. Guess we haven't truely experienced the complete island magic as of yet.
My wife (5 mos then) & I were on STJ in Jan. She did *no* hiking, and I'd be suprised if you will want to that far along. Hip joints can get pretty sore around 6 months. But everyone is a bit different. We had a great time, though. I'd suggest you visit easy-access north shore beaches, like Hawksnest, Cinnamon, Maho, and Francis. Relax & enjoy.
Bugs are usually a problem late afternoon/early evening, worse when there's no breeze. But some folks are more sensitive than others. My wife & toddler used Burt's Bees citronella oil and had a few bites. I also used DEET (Off) and had even fewer. But bugs rarely bother me. I've heard Avon skin-so-soft is good against no-see-um's, but we didn't take it, so I can't speak from experience. Folks talk a lot about bugs on STJ, but we didn't think they were bad, and have seen much worse elsewhere. I think the magnititude of the perceived problem depends a lot on weather and individual sensitivity.
7 months is pretty ambitious. I hope everything works out well for you.
My family is going to St John in July for 1st time, so I can't help re: hikes etc. I'm not sure if you want/can use bug spray when pregnant. If you do, I can highly recommend Off Skintastic spray, the kids strength. I am a mosquito magnet (15-20 bites on my feet, everyone else 1-2!) and this stuff is great. In upstate NY in the Heldeberg Mtns we have terrible black flies & my son & I get chewed up (they're similar in nastiness to no-see-ums). Off skintastic is the only thing I found that actually works very well against them. We tried everything else. The kids strength is sufficient. They also make a stronger concentration. Hope this helps!
