It depends on what class of places you eat at. 1 week isn't enough for me.

I agree with Waterguy that one week is not enough. I've been going for two weeks at a time for many years and I still have a list of things to do. Of course, one important thing to do on St. Thomas is absolutely nothing but sit on the beach and relax. Then you get hot and go into the water for a while. Then you feel water-logged and go sit on the beach again....until it gets too hot and you go back into the water. Oh, yes, lots of vacation time is spent doing all this. Boring? Never!!! Even with all that sitting and dunking there's still so much to do on St. Thomas.

I also agree with him that where you will be eating and how many meals you will be eating will have an impact on your costs. In addition, the amount you drink with meals will be a consideration. Every level of dining can be found on St. Thomas from fast food to upscale fine dining, with lots of choices inbetween. Will you be having three meals a day? Does your resort/villa have kitchen facilities that will allow you to eat in for some of your meals, like breakfast and/or lunch? Folks on a budget can eat very well on St. Thomas, as can those for whom dining costs are not important. It's very difficult to estimate what one's food costs will be without knowing some of the above factors.

I always figured $100 per person per day for all cash needed on that day but I have raised my figure to $125 per day which includes dinner, tips, etc. I usually come home with $$$ since the last day is pretty much just a lunch.

Poohwear's algorithm for 2 works for us.

Always better to have a little more than a little less

We go as often as we can.

If it is a low budget trip what we do is play hard on the beach until 2 or 3 and then have a heavy late lunch with just tapa size dish later on in the evening (8ish).

Definitely save some cash and no lines at 3.

We are not big night life folks so some good cheese a bottle of wine and balcony is about perfect for me.

Is there an eastend (Red Hook) location for tapas?

1. Stay at a beach resort one that you don't need to be mountain goat to get to the beach

2. figure that yiu want to do town for a day

3. go to magen's and stop at utter delight. Also go to mountain top the same day

4. go to St. John or take a day sail.

5. go to the beach and veg out

Make your reservation EARLY if you want Feb. It books up quickly. My units are boaking up now.

100/day is not a bad average. Here are a few $ saving tips.

1. Go to Shipwreck on Fridays. 1/2 pound hamburger is 5.50

2. Go toJohnny Mango's for Lunch or dinner. Figure on 15/person.

3. Go to Caribbean Saloon. They have nachoes, winds, sticks, shrimp for about 5-6 bucks. Welll drinks are 2 as well as beers.

4. Go to Ansles at the Elisian. Meals are about 12-15 each.

6. Do a late lunch at Duffys.

This is what I tell $ minded gustes.

billd

Almason:

Welcome.

If the cost of meals concerns you I suggest that you look into renting a condo. Then you can prepare your breakfast and lunches (for trips to the beach) and just concern yourself with the cost of dinners. There are several supermarkets on STT and the prices are about the same as Metropolitan New York City. Of course liquor is less expensive.

We stay at the Point Pleasant Resort (we own there). There are several other condo resorts to chose from on STT, also.

A week will not be enough time to see everything. We spent 2-1/2 months there this year and were never bored. Remember, you have STT, STJ and the BVI's to explore.

As for restaurants.....there are several that I would classify as inexpensive.....you just need to do your homework before and during your stay to find them. IMHO some inexpensive places are: (on the East End) Fungi's, Molly Malones, Island Time (Pizza), Duffy's, Caribbean Saloon, Latitude 18 (locals place), Iggies (Bolongo Bay), Green House (In Town), Kokopeli (Cinema Shopping Center), Picaso's Coffee Shop (East End), .....more expensive places: (East End) Agave, East End Cafe, Robert's, Off the Hook, etc.

Also, RENT A CAR! Taxis are very expensive.

Hope this helps.

F.I.

stthomas: The Cellar in Red Hook (next door to East End Cafe) has tapas.

almason: Why do your friends say you would be bored? Are you high maintenance people? 😉

A week is not enough considering you have one day going down there and one day coming back, so you're basically left with 6 full days on the island. There is ALOT to do on STT and you can take the ferry very easily over to STJ.

I had used tapa in the general sense, and that is to say we may have an appetiser size dinner if we are out. Especially if we are in STT.
If we are staying STJ we usally go to the villa and doing something very simple. The Starfish Market has some great pre-made type stuff. For example you grab a couple shishkobos (boy that is spelled wrong) which are already made up throw on the grill, fresh mango sliced, little bit of cheese, and a bottle of wine or a pitcher of your favorite frozen delight. You got dinner and the stars and the departing cruise ships from STT provide the entertainment. And if you got a full moon too... Well ... Life is very good those nights

Thank you all so much for the info...it's greatly appreciated. As far as the place to stay - my friend is letting us use her timeshare, so we feel like we can't turn it down especially since we are getting it so cheap. We will most likely eat some meals there, but the majority will be eaten out at reasonable priced places. I just wanted to make sure I am realistic on how much to save for this trip. Don't want to run out of money! =]

And by the way ...we are not high maintenance people! 😎 Our main objectives are to relax on the beach, a little sight seeing and some shopping. I don't know why they say we would get bored....i am ready to go now and I could stay for much longer than a week. I think the hubby and i can both use the relaxation!

Thanks again for the information!

So which time share?

So a ferry ticket cost $4
Happy hour at woody's is from 3-6
All bar drinks = $1
We are saving money already!

My wife and I have been going to St Thomas every year since 2000. We quickly moved up to going for 2 weeks. Last year we went twice. This year we are going for 3 months and perhaps returning for a second go at it later. We always rent a place that has a kitchen and easy access to the beach. We eat in and prepare our meals for all of our trips and explorations. We also purchase a Coupon Book from the Rotary Club which gives you a ton of places to eat with 2 for 1 deals. Try the Blue Moon Cafe while you are there.

Well it looks like all the good resorts are on St. Croix. From the websites I am not too impressed with the ones on St Thmas that we can use for the timeshare. They are: Elysian Beach resort, Bluebeards, and Magens Bay. For St. Croix we can use: Carambola, Chenay Bay, Club St. Croix and Divi Carina. Does anyone have any review on these?

Can anyone tell me which of the 2 would be the better island to stay on? And if we stay on St. Croix how easy is to to ferry over to STT for the day?

Sorry so many questions....just trying to do my research so we can have the best possible trip.

Thanks!

The differences between STX and STT are many - both have their own uniqueness. Briefly, though, "ferrying over" between STX and STT for one day isn't much of an option, particuarly when you have only seven days here. There is an off again on again water ferry or you can fly back and forth for a price - they're much further apart from each other than are St John and St Thomas and, for that matter, St. Thomas/St John and the British Virgin Islands.

Hopefully you'll get plenty of response from visitors familiar with your optons on STX but what turns you off about the timeshare options on STT? Just curious. Cheers!

Hands down Elysian Beach on STT
Great Location
Close to Red Hook
Right on a nice beach (Cowpet)
Great Restaurant onsite
We have stayed there and the property very well maintained.

Have not stayed a Bluebeard's but there are multiple locations. The beach club is a great location, and we went over there to take a look
but did not impress me.

Have stayed at Magens Bay properities.
Not so good of a location if night life
MUST have a car, but I would recommend a car for all of them.
Indigo was a great restaurant onsite, but under new management - see other thread
The resort really is not on Magens Bay - It is on a hill above the bay
A long way from anything else but Magens Bay

STX I will deffer to other folks.

My pick is STT - Elysian

I too, would go with STT for the reasons mentioned by STT resident! Many more places to go, see and do! Margyz visits STX as well as STT, I'll see if she is around to help with your questions!

If you go to STX, Carambola is the most tropical of the resorts on your list. Be aware that STX is for a relaxing vacation, a time to unwind. It doesn't have the hustle and bustle of STT. The island has a small town feel to it. One week will not be enough time to do and see everything so you'll probably end up going back like most of us. Read up on STX on this site and www.gotostcroix.com to get a list of things you might want to do and see.

On St Thomas, I agree with the Elysian. Two restaurants-Robert's and Ainsley's- are both on site. Right on the beach, close to Red Hook and the St John ferry (which is $5 per person one way.) Compared to many places, we are pretty low key, but a nice get-away! 😉