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More 1st timer questions
More 1st timer questions
So thanks to all the results I got from my last post we rented a car. Smart choice! Anyways here comes round two. How much money do people spend in 10 nights and 11 days on St John? I know everyone is different but I would appreciate any comments on this. Also since we rented a car can we leave our valuable's in our car(c.c., cash, phones, cameras, etc)? Hidden of course or is it more safe to keep them with us on the beach and what not? Also to anyone that has stayed at Concordia, did you like it there? Was it safe? Do they have locks or something on the doors? I know they have safes for valuables, but what about just our stuff we can't fit in the safe? It will be my husbands 40th birthday and also our 5th anniversary, where should we have dinner? Also we would like to go fishing or on a sunset cruise or something but would like to share a excursion with some people to reduce the cost, any ideas? We will be in St John from April 20th-30th 2012. Thanks again folks!
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Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: Slightly left of center
Never leave valuables in the jeep! even locked and hidden.
I have not stayed at Concordia so I can not answer about securing things but do not leave them in the jeep. No matter where you are. Not that there is a ton of theft but what would happen if you did have your jeep broken into.
Spending money, well that is a harder one. We eat breakfast at the villa. Normally bring snacks and drinks to the beach with us, 1 or 2 days we pick up lunch but normally we make our own. Dinner is out 3 or 4 nights and at the villa the rest. We like to have a few cocktails too, so anywhere from as little as $40 bucks a day to $200. It is hard to say since everyone travels differently.
I know there are tons of shared excursions, but I will be honest that I really don't have suggestions as we always book private charters.
We will be on island and in Coral Bay from 4/21 - 4/29, Maybe we will run into each other!
I have not stayed at Concordia so I can not answer about securing things but do not leave them in the jeep. No matter where you are. Not that there is a ton of theft but what would happen if you did have your jeep broken into.
Spending money, well that is a harder one. We eat breakfast at the villa. Normally bring snacks and drinks to the beach with us, 1 or 2 days we pick up lunch but normally we make our own. Dinner is out 3 or 4 nights and at the villa the rest. We like to have a few cocktails too, so anywhere from as little as $40 bucks a day to $200. It is hard to say since everyone travels differently.
I know there are tons of shared excursions, but I will be honest that I really don't have suggestions as we always book private charters.
We will be on island and in Coral Bay from 4/21 - 4/29, Maybe we will run into each other!
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wisnowflake
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:24 pm
- Location: SW Wisconsin
I am so jealous as we do not have reservations this year. We have been to St john six times, always renting a villa for the week. I am glad you are renting a car as concordia is a long way and up and down hills. We have always had our lunches out to keep our costs down and so we could enjoy some evening cocktails without having to drive on the roads under any influence. We hit the store on arrival, often before the villa. I plan easy meals as we are on Holiday. We hit all the favorite eateries mentioned here and do eat out one evening meal in Cruz Bay. We generally spend about 50 to 60 dollars a day for food, all meals. Because of you husbands allergies besides the inhalers, I would have benedryl along.
I usually plan about 100 a day...but most of the time we dont spend that much. I try to bring snacks and what I can from home..and we make a stop at the market. We try to eat breakfast most mornings where we are staying and grab a sandwich for lunch..and usually dinner out most evenings...so we usually have money left at the end of the day..as far a valuables we only bring what we need...I do not even take my engagement ring or wedding band, only a silver band we bought at Freebird a few yrs back...we have underwater cameras as most here do so no problem taking them in the water..and we have a waterproof wallet/ box type thing at walmart made by outdoor products for about 5 bucks and thats what we carry our cash cards and keys in..again no problem we just carry it in the water.. We usually only bring 1 phone and last time bought a go phone, I dont usually bring a lap top and wont bring my tablet either...Ive read on some posts people buy these pacs and lock things to the bars under the seats in their jeeps..But again...we bring only the minimum with us...less to worry about..
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http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_r ... tail&id=18
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As you can see everyone is different about spending money. We have this $40 a day cash thing. My wife an I each grab a $20 bill for the day and see if we can make it on the cash alone. Sometimes we have to go for the card. We usually have breakfast at the villa, bring snacks to the beach and have a late lunch and light salad most evenings. We will go out for dinner two or three times in two weeks.
Out on the east end where you will be staying I would recommend Sweet Plantains for your celebration. I think their food is excellent.
I have never stayed at Concordia or Maho Bay its' sister resort but I think they both attract a clientele that values the resorts' eco-consciousness. As far as how secure the place is, I can never say that I have ever seen any mention on this or other boards about insecurity there. Also, I am sure you will be able to find people there to share an excursion with and I am sure the management will be more than glad to help you also.
Out on the east end where you will be staying I would recommend Sweet Plantains for your celebration. I think their food is excellent.
I have never stayed at Concordia or Maho Bay its' sister resort but I think they both attract a clientele that values the resorts' eco-consciousness. As far as how secure the place is, I can never say that I have ever seen any mention on this or other boards about insecurity there. Also, I am sure you will be able to find people there to share an excursion with and I am sure the management will be more than glad to help you also.
everyone is giving you great advice--- but (and i only skimmed...it's late) i don't think anyone addressed your concordia question-- so i will. I have stayed there numerous times -- i have NEVER had an issue with theft or anything else there-- you are able to lock up the tent (if someone REALLY wanted to , yes, i guess they could slash the sides and get in-- but really???? -- the staff there are super and you will be very , very happy there-- (as long as you aren't expecting the Westin....)
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
We stayed in a Studio at Concordia, not the tents, so we had a locking door. We loved it there, and will stay again on a future trip. Our unit was very basic, had a full kitchen and a wonderful wrap-around porch. We ate breakfast there every morning, enjoying the view. It was mostly very peaceful there. Be sure to go to the top of the hill in the tent area, where there is a bench for star watching. With little light polution, the stars were awesome.
Cafe Concordia had not been built yet the year we stayed there, but on our last trip, we ate dinner there and enjoyed it. Went early to enjoy the view.
We ate at Sweet Plantains and loved it. The menu has a lot of curries. I had west indian and my husband had east indian. We had a view out of an open window and there was a full moon rising. Very nice evening.
Love Shipwreck, which isn't too far from Concordia.
We spend $75 - $200 per day for 2 of us, depending upon how often we eat out. Just stopping at the smoothie stand is a chunk of change.
For shared charters, we went with Long Diatance (Rick and Robin) on our last trip and had a great time. There were 6 of us on the trip. They are off island when we come down this year. Its definitely cheaper to go on a shared charter, rather than private. We are going on White Wing with Capt Clark this year.
Have a wonderful trip and happy planning.
Cafe Concordia had not been built yet the year we stayed there, but on our last trip, we ate dinner there and enjoyed it. Went early to enjoy the view.
We ate at Sweet Plantains and loved it. The menu has a lot of curries. I had west indian and my husband had east indian. We had a view out of an open window and there was a full moon rising. Very nice evening.
Love Shipwreck, which isn't too far from Concordia.
We spend $75 - $200 per day for 2 of us, depending upon how often we eat out. Just stopping at the smoothie stand is a chunk of change.
For shared charters, we went with Long Diatance (Rick and Robin) on our last trip and had a great time. There were 6 of us on the trip. They are off island when we come down this year. Its definitely cheaper to go on a shared charter, rather than private. We are going on White Wing with Capt Clark this year.
Have a wonderful trip and happy planning.
I'm so glad you rented a car, you won't be sorry!
For 10 days, we'd make sure and plan on at least 1,000 spending money and that doesn't include a sunset sail. We usually eat at least one meal in the villa each day.
We have done the sunset sail with Calypso twice, both times in May. Once it was just our group of 6 which was wonderful and the other time it was our group of 8 plus another couple. We enjoyed it very much both times.
I hope your anniversary celebration is wonderful!
For 10 days, we'd make sure and plan on at least 1,000 spending money and that doesn't include a sunset sail. We usually eat at least one meal in the villa each day.
We have done the sunset sail with Calypso twice, both times in May. Once it was just our group of 6 which was wonderful and the other time it was our group of 8 plus another couple. We enjoyed it very much both times.
I hope your anniversary celebration is wonderful!
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GraysonDave
- Posts: 479
- Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:41 am
- Location: Georgia
The money thing can vary widely. My wife (and me too I have to admit) fell in love with Bushwackers. At $10 each after tip if you have a couple of those with lunch then a couple more after your afternoon beach time, you're up to $80/day per couple just for those. And you still haven't eaten anything.
On the other hand if you can drink mass produced American swill, I mean beer, and you can wait til 3:00 to start, they're only $1 each at Woody's or across the street at Iguana Grill. And that's cheaper than diet coke.
Where's that epic drinking thread from a few years ago? Somebody should bump that again.
On the other hand if you can drink mass produced American swill, I mean beer, and you can wait til 3:00 to start, they're only $1 each at Woody's or across the street at Iguana Grill. And that's cheaper than diet coke.
Where's that epic drinking thread from a few years ago? Somebody should bump that again.
I was thinking the same thing about the booze juice!GraysonDave wrote:The money thing can vary widely. My wife (and me too I have to admit) fell in love with Bushwackers. At $10 each after tip if you have a couple of those with lunch then a couple more after your afternoon beach time, you're up to $80/day per couple just for those. And you still haven't eaten anything.
On the other hand if you can drink mass produced American swill, I mean beer, and you can wait til 3:00 to start, they're only $1 each at Woody's or across the street at Iguana Grill. And that's cheaper than diet coke.
Where's that epic drinking thread from a few years ago? Somebody should bump that again.
When we are on vacation, If I want that second (or third or fourth....
) rum punch, I have it. Same with food. Therefore, we probably spend much more than average on away-from-the-villa drinking and eating. For our family of three, $200 a day spending money is the plan, it goes higher when we go to the nicer restaurants. If you are more of the one beer (or no alcohol), no appetizer, split an entree type of eater/drinker, you could get by on much,much less.
You will be VERY happy that you rented a vehicle. I would never leave anything of value in the vehicle, nor would I leave it on the beach. Even though it might be perfectly safe, why take that chance of putting a damper on your vacation in case it comes up missing?
You can buy a small waterproof case for keys, credit card and cash for about $10 that can go around your neck, wrist etc. I would recommend an Otter Box for phone and camera. I leave my diamond and other jewelry at home and put my wedding band in the safe when I snorkel.
You can buy a small waterproof case for keys, credit card and cash for about $10 that can go around your neck, wrist etc. I would recommend an Otter Box for phone and camera. I leave my diamond and other jewelry at home and put my wedding band in the safe when I snorkel.