4-12 business days if you use Priority Mail or Express [use Priority]
Weeks if you use anything other cheaper class

If you do this, allow yourself PLENTY of extra time. The post office will tell you 3-5 day for priority - Don't believe them.

I work at a hotel on STX. It is not unusual for our guests to wait their entire vacation for boxes that don't come until they've gone. Ship early. Most hotels/rental agencies will hold your boxes for you if they get there before you do.

I would reconsider this if you are going to be down here for a week or so. Since most hotels don't have frigs or cooking that would limit you to things like chips, snacks, etc. If you want cereal then you need plates and such.. The problem is that you can buy almost anything here but it costs more, about 50%.

So as they say think about your costs, then do what you feel is the right thing to do.

billd

The flat rate Priority boxes are apparently the best but I do have to agree with others who advise to ship early. I've sometimes waited over three weeks for a Priority package to reach. How about just bringing a carry-on?

We also travel with young children ( who happen to have nut allergies), and we ship boxes ahead of time- we use the largest Flat rate box ( $14). It has always arrived within a week ( we ship from the Boston area). We usually ship one box full of food, and one full of sunblock, shampoo, etc.. It ends up saving us money, as you pay per checked bag now on most airlines, and those liquids can add a lot of weight quickly.... Plus- traveling with children, it it MUCH easier to travel as lightly as possible. I advise shipping anything ahead of time that you don't need to bring back with you.

We are also traveling from the Boston area- good to know about the largest flat rate box & timing! Thank you!!

I just shipped 2 flat rate boxes, we are there for a month so some was condiments, pool floats, flashlights, sun screen, shampoo etc. This will really help in packing to go down and I'm pretty sure I won't need to worry about the return trip. I also paid and printed out labels from my home, left a note in my mail box for the mail man....and off they went. I also will tip the lady who has to lug my stuff up 2 flights of stairs! The clerk at the post office said I couldn't use the flat rate boxes since I was shipping out of the country, he needs to go back for more training! Happy travels!!

I would recommend using the Grocery Goddess...you give her a lilst of what you want and it's waiting at your hotel/villa when you get there.
Grocery Goddess