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JetBlue began flying nonstop between JFK and St. Lucia’s Hewanorra airport in October 2009. The original starting fares were well under $300 round-trip, including taxes. That nifty promotional fare certainly piqued the interest of many, but it didn’t last long. Right now, $424 is the starting fare for the nonstop round-trip itinerary on JetBlue. New Yorkers willing to change planes en route may be able to save a few dollars off this fare, though round-trip fares below $400 are unusual. 

Of course, a cheap flight is meaningless if there are no inexpensive places to stay. Happily, within a short distance of the Saint Lucia’s Hewanorra airport—not to be confused with George F. L. Charles Airport on the other side of the island, which serves regional destinations only—there are several guesthouses with low rates. The southern tip of St. Lucia runs counter to the tourism profile of better-visited hotel clusters, like Rodney Bay, to the north.

We are fans of two of these spots in particular: Villa Caribbean Dream and The Reef Huts.

About a half-hour away from the beach by foot (and just a few minutes by car) is Villa Caribbean Dream, a quiet little property with four rooms and two little cottages. Hidden amid tropical trees and foliage, the inn is run by a German expat named Brigitte. Single rooms at Villa Caribbean Dream start at $45 and doubles at $55 in high season ($40 and $50, respectively, in low season).

The Reef Huts, located directly on the beach and with windsurfing facilities and a restaurant, is a lively spot. Full of windsurfing guests, its nightly rates start at $60 for a double room and $50 for a single room.

Up the price chain somewhat is the delightful Balenbouche Estate, also located on St. Lucia’s southern coast. The least expensive cottage at Balenbouche goes for $80 per night in the off-season. With the ten percent discount on weeklong stays, that works out to $504 per week per couple. 

The Budget-Friendly Scenario: Four Steps

So here’s the scenario. You and your friend have a week to play and $850 to spend. You want lots and lots of beach time and little else. Here’s how you can have your week in the sun on St. Lucia without breaking your budget.

1. Book in the off-season at least two weeks ahead of time to snag a nonstop airfare on JetBlue from New York for $424. (Alternately, you can save in the neighborhood of $10 to $20 on an airfare with a layover. If you choose to go this route, check out fares on American Airlines.)

2. Reserve a room at one of Vieux Fort’s less expensive guesthouses. Two people traveling together should be able to grab a room at Villa Caribbean Dream ($50 per night in the off-season) or The Reef ($60 per night in the off-season). That works out to between $175 and $210 per person for accommodations for the week.

3. You’re in the $600-$635 range, with up to $250 for other expenses for the week. $30 per day is a reasonable amount of money to spend on grub. Breakfasts and snacking food can be purchased at local supermarkets in Vieux Fort, and meals in the $10-$15 range can be enjoyed at The Reef’s cute little snack bar.  

4. If you've maintained your budget, you've got $40 left, which should be enough for a taxi to the airport, some random souvenirs, a few extra cocktails—or maybe, if you pool your cash and coordinate with some other budgeteers, a tour of the island.

We realize that this is tight, and there may indeed be other less expensive islands where you'd rather spend your hard-earned cash. Still, there is something exciting about sneaking onto a pricey island like St. Lucia, staying in a corner of the island that hasn’t yet been taken over by big resort developments, and hanging out with a mix of locals and travelers on the beach for a week.