Puerto Rico v St Lucia

Hello everyone,

I've had a look around the forum and seen lots of really helpful answers so am hoping some of you can help me.

We're a British couple finishing working on a boat in Antigua in March 2012. We have 6 days as a holiday before going home. We don't want to stay in Antigua but go somewhere else, possibly 2 islands if easy to get between them. We are interested in hiking, snorkelling, places a bit off the beaten track so not overcrowded, a nice beach or two (but this wouldn't be the main focus of our holiday), a bit of culture/history, somewhere not too expensive and reasonable accomodation at a moderate price. We don't want a family focussed destination. We have previously been to Dominica, St Kitts, Nevis, Saba and Montserrat. They were all really good. We're currently considering Puerto Rico and St Lucia.

Pretty much the cheapest and quickest flights are to Puerto Rico but this island is a lot bigger than any we've been to before. I've been reading guidebooks and articles on the internet and am in two minds about the place. Some articles leave me with the impression that it is quite expensive, particularly as a car would be required to really get anywhere, the accomodation is either expensive or a bit run down, and that the island can be very crowded and not particularly safe. Other items I've read make it sound as though there would be lots of interesting 'natural' places to see if we avoided the towns and the accomodation is of a high standard. Which of these views is closest to the 'real' Puerto Rico?

An alternative would be St Lucia. We've been there for a few hours but not seen much. I understand this island has lots of great outdoors type things to do which would suit us. However, as a popular cruise destination does the island get swamped by cruise passengers or do they tend to stick to a couple of well known sites? Is this island particularly expensive or is it still possible to find accomodation that is reasonably priced? Is it possible to get by without a car here?

Other suggestions welcome but I may just become even more confused!

Thank you.