seagull,

As with most places, if you eat and drink around the touristy areas in the harbours etc, things are a little pricey. If you go a few streets back and eat with the locals, prices are pretty reasonable. Depending on where you are staying, you may not have much of a choice to eat out as some hotels are remote. If you stay somewhere like Rodney Bay, you have a few choices. I went AI staying in Rodney Bay and we went out to local restaurants and bars when we fancied so we had the best of both worlds.

Darren

I'm going to St Lucia in February as part of a three-island trip. I'm all inclusive in St Lucia and Antigua, but room only in Barbados. The idea behind that was to make the very comparison you are asking about. So I'll let you know how it pans out when I get back.

I've only been to the Caribbean twice before, and went AI on both occasions. I just tend to think it gives you the option. I do still go out and look for nice places to eat and drink, but safe in the knowledge that I have the hotel to fall back on if I find nothing suitable.

Mind you, I only do that on two or three nights. Otherwise there is no point in paying the extra in the first place.

Thanks both, that's usefull info.

We have recently returned from Tobago and was really suprised about prices in both restaurants and supermarkets.......of course the value of £ didn't help!

We think we will be looking for AL that is just for food, drink and a bit of evening entertainment, we are not interested in spas or sports.

Jay,where are you staying? be good to here how you get on please.

Dave

If you don't mid me asking, where did you stay in Tobago? It might give an idea of what you are looking for in St Lucia. The Rodney Bay VIllage area has lots of local bars and places to eat. If you pay in local currency (St Luica , ECdollars) you will get better value in my own experience.