From some of the reviews I'm reading the San Luis sounds like a real dive. Is this true? Drug dealers and prostitutes outside of it? Also people have said that toilets are backing up and all kinds of other nasty things. The island photos look really pretty so I'm confused on what to think at this point. I'm a real naturist in terms of appreciating things "unspoiled" by humans, like the sea and the water life. In my research San Andre looks great because it's a protected UNESCO site for its water life and reefs but from what I'm reading the human factor is questionnable as it pertains to hotels and poverty on the island.
Is this being exaggerated by others? We stayed at the Aquarium last year and never heard anything like you are speaking of. It is a small island with a lot of people trying to make a living. There are drugs on the island as there are almost everywhere and I am sure the oldest profession is there as well. The San Luis is in a very busy part of the island with the main road running right in front of it. It is an island with limited treatment facilities. If all of the visitors would respect their rules and requests it will all be better.
There is no doubt there is poverty on this island but it is not as poor as other caribbean nations. It is beautiful and we hope to return some day. For a wonderful out look on the island and it's treasures google bigjuicesanandres and check out that forum. I have never once seen a prostitute on the island. The locals who hang out outside of the San Luis at night are mostly rastas since there is a rasta bar on the beach across form the hotel..
Some people are instantly scared of them because of their appearance, religion and lifestyle. They assume that the rastas are selling drugs or are dangerous. This is not true. The locals are extremely friendly and very happy to chat with the tourists. They are not pushing drugs to the tourists. Some friends of mine came back form the island last month and said that the day they were at the San Luis, it was filled with 90 year old with canes and walkers! Ha - that does not sound like drug dealers to me.
During the day, the cab drivers and some local vendors are outside the hotel. Again they are all friendly and not pushy at all.
