A lush volcanic island in the Caribbean, St Lucia has all of the beaches but much less of the bustle of some of its other neighbors. Good food, rum and music and plenty of dancing characterize the festivals; that’s if all the windsurfing, diving and sailing hasn’t already worn you out.
What is it?: Saint Lucia is a stunning Caribbean island known for its dramatic landscapes, including volcanic mountains, lush rainforests, and beautiful beaches. The island offers a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers, beach enthusiasts, and couples.
Affordability: Saint Lucia can be moderately expensive, particularly in luxury resorts and high-end dining areas. However, there are plenty of budget-friendly options available, especially in local guesthouses, and local food and transportation are reasonably priced.
Safety: Saint Lucia is generally safe for tourists, with low crime rates in major tourist areas. However, like any destination, it is important to stay aware of your surroundings, particularly in more isolated areas or during the night, to avoid petty theft.
Popularity: Saint Lucia is a popular destination for honeymooners, couples, and nature lovers, known for its luxury resorts, beautiful beaches, and natural beauty. The island also attracts visitors for its hiking trails, such as the Pitons, and events like the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival.
Tourist Infrastructure: The island has good infrastructure for tourism, particularly in areas like Castries, Soufrière, and Gros Islet, offering a wide range of accommodations, restaurants, and activities. Transportation options are available, including taxis, rental cars, and boat trips, though public transportation is limited.
Weather: Tropical climate, with warm temperatures year-round. The best time to visit is from December to April, during the dry season, when the weather is most pleasant for outdoor activities and beach relaxation. The rainy season runs from May to November, with a risk of hurricanes, although rain showers are usually brief.
Best Time to Go: December–April for the best weather, ideal for exploring the island’s natural beauty, enjoying the beaches, and experiencing events like the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival. The rainy season (May–November) brings higher humidity and the potential for hurricanes, but it is also less crowded.
Known For: Castries, Pitons, Sulphur Springs, volcanic beaches, rainforests, luxury resorts, hiking trails, and vibrant Caribbean culture.
Top Destinations: Castries • Soufrière • Pitons • Sulphur Springs • Gros Islet • Anse Chastanet Beach • Diamond Falls
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Nature Buffs: Saint Lucia offers a rich variety of natural landscapes, including the famous Pitons, volcanic beaches, rainforests, and the Sulphur Springs, making it a paradise for hikers, birdwatchers, and eco-tourism enthusiasts.
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History Buffs: Saint Lucia offers a mix of colonial history and Caribbean heritage, with historical sites like Castries‘s colonial architecture, the Old Mill Cultural Centre, and the island’s fortresses, though history isn’t the primary draw.
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Beach Bunnies: Saint Lucia boasts beautiful beaches such as Anse Chastanet Beach, Reduit Beach, and Sugar Beach, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities in a more serene, tropical environment.
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Digital Nomads: Castries and Gros Islet offer reliable internet and a laid-back atmosphere, making Saint Lucia a good base for digital nomads. The cost of living can be higher than other Caribbean islands, but the lifestyle is relaxed and conducive for remote work.
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Families: Saint Lucia is great for family vacations, with plenty of activities like visiting the Sulphur Springs, exploring the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, enjoying beaches, and participating in kid-friendly excursions that blend nature and culture.
The warm waters of the picturesque Malgretout Waterfall are an excellent place to swim and have a picnic away from the usual beach scene, and Marigot Bay is somewhat of a yachter’s paradise. If you are traveling to Anse La Raye, be sure to arrive on a Friday to enjoy the legendary weekly barbecue.
What’s Cool
Local rum, the annual jazz festival, the warm waters of Malgretout Waterfall, sitting on the beach at Anse La Raye, sailing.
What’s Not
Hurricanes, humidity, banana ketchup, Bounty Rum hangovers, attacks on guests’ hotel rooms, hair-raising driving.
Highlights
Castries: the market is one of the busiest and most lively areas of the capital and the best place to take in the view of the wide bay and surrounding hills.
Malgretout Waterfall: you’ll find the waters here warm and perfect for bathing, and the beach quiet and untouched by the usual developments.
Marigot Bay: if you’re into yachts, this secluded bay, ringed in palm trees, is the place for you.
Anse La Raye: watch locals craft boats from gum trees, then sit down with them on Friday night for the Friday Night Fish Fry BBQ – a legend on the island.
Soufrière: this West Indian style village springs out of the jungle and is located at the base of two extinct volcanoes on the shores of a deep water port.
Pigeon Island National Park: take in the coastal views and the shade of the banyan trees while visiting ruins and rusting cannons.
December and January are the coolest times of an otherwise hot and humid, tropical year. Unfortunately, that’s when everyone else in North America will be escaping the winter, too.
Festivals & Events
Good food, rum and music as well as dancing in the street are common features of celebrations in St Lucia.
May: at St Lucia Jazz Festival, the whole island dances while jazz fills the air.
June: Carnivale sees steel drum bands play in the streets, people caper to Calypso in colorful costume and the whole island coming alive for a week-long party.
July: at Parade of the Bands, revellers take to the streets while bands compete for the title Band of the Year.
November: St Lucia Food and Rum Festival promotes Caribbean rum while attracting international chefs to St Lucia.
Windsurfing: the abundance of trade winds makes St Lucia an excellent place to try windsurfing, with the southern shore being the best place.
Fishing: there are plenty of game fish in the waters around St Lucia.
Golfing: there are two courses on the island. Neither is exceptional, but they will give you a break from constant sunbathing.
Diving: the most popular dive sites off St Lucia feature reef walls, shipwrecks and excellent visibility.
Sailing: many hotels offer small dinghies and speedboats for rent, and you can also borrow small yachts and 60 foot crafts in Marigot Bay.
There are two international airports on the island, although most visitors fly into Vigie Airport near Castries. Most flights from other Caribbean locations also use this airport. There is an express catamaran between Castries and Fort-de-France in Martinique. Most people get around the island by taxi or minibus. Both are good options except after dark and on Sundays when vehicles are almost impossible to find. Renting a car in St Lucia is easy, particularly in the main resort areas and at the airport.
As a whole, St Lucia is a fairly safe island with few risks or concerns for tourists, particularly if you visit outside the hurricane season. Sunburn and dehydration are the most common health risks tourists encounter. There is a small risk of dengue fever from mosquito bites. There have been a few incidents of thieves making attacks on guests’ hotel rooms. There are several good quality hospitals on the island although if you don’t have insurance, they tend to be rather costly.