Welcome to St. Lucia Blessed by nature, St Lucia has geographic and cultural riches enough to embarrass far bigger nations. With its striking, signature pointy-green peaks known as the Pitons, the island of St. Lucia is one of the most […]
Welcome to St. Lucia
Blessed by nature, St Lucia has geographic and cultural riches enough to embarrass far bigger nations. With its striking, signature pointy-green peaks known as the Pitons, the island of St. Lucia is one of the most glamorous (and photo-worthy) vacation destinations in the Caribbean. From beautiful white-sand beaches framed by a calm, turquoise sea to a wild interior forged by volcanic eruptions, where you’ll find hikes through the jungle to thundering waterfalls, St. Lucia has plenty of beautiful places. More scenic opportunities abound underwater in the colourful coral reefs.
Highlights of St. Lucia
Rodney Bay
Rodney Bay is a popular town for tourists- known as St. Lucia’s entertainment and recreation center. It consists of dozens of hotels and rentals to choose from along with the island’s two largest shopping malls and the Treasure Bay Casino. It is also known for its variety of food served at the restaurants and cafes.
Soufrière
The surrounding landscape is a little short of breathtaking. Its attractions include a slew of breathtaking colonial-era edifices scattered amid brightly painted storefronts and a bustling seafront. St. Lucia’s iconic landmarks are the sky scrapping towers of rock known as the pitons standing guard over the town. Jutting from the sea, covered in vegetation and ending in a summit that looks otherworldly.
Marigot Bay
One of St Lucia’s most photographic vistas, gorgeous Marigot Bay makes a wonderful picture – it is filled with moored yachts and sailboats juxtaposed against a deep blue sea. For the best views, head to a vista point on the road running parallel to the main coastal route but closer to the bay.
Sulphur Springs Park
St. Lucia is home to the Lesser Antilles most active geothermal area, Sulphur Springs Park. It is considered a “drive-through” volcano because the road traverses the 274-meter crater that once was Mount Soufriere. Although the volcano hasn’t erupted in more than 40,000 years, there are still boiling-hot pools of sulphur water scattered about. You can soak in some of these springs.
Pastel-coloured buildings in Castries
Castries is St. Lucia’s capital city, although really it is more village-like. You’ll find gingerbread, colonial-era, pastel-hued buildings like the ones pictured here. Castries is also a harbor, and cruise ships dock here. Head to the harbor’s easternmost edge to check out the Castries market. You can buy everything from baskets of spices to local fruits and veggies and a variety of handicrafts.
Fairyland
St. Lucia is home to a number of excellent dive spots, where you’ll usually have great visibility and plenty of colorful fish and coral to swim amid and photograph. Fairyland is one such spot. Head to the wall for drift diving or stay in the shallow water for an opportunity to possibly see turtles.
Fort Rodney, Pigeon Island
The ruins of Fort Rodney on Pigeon Island are pictured. In the 18th-century, it served as a British fort. Today, it is a national landmark that preserves the original cannons and ruins on the hilltop. The views from up here are also stellar.
Weather & Best time to visit St Lucia
St Lucia has a typically tropical Caribbean climate, with lots of sun and maximum daily average temperatures ranging from 29°C to 31°C throughout the year.
High Season: The dry season runs from December to March and is the busiest time of year, when humidity and rainfall are at their lowest.
Shoulder Season: April-early June as the best time to go to Saint Lucia. You’ll miss the winter crowds and high prices – but also sneak in just before the heavy rains arrive.
Low Season: The wet season from June to November often has heavy showers and sometimes thunderstorms, which help give the island its lush interior. Despite the wetter weather in the second half of the year, the risk of hurricanes remains relatively low and there’s a daily average of 7 to 8 hours of sunshine year-round.
Fast Facts
Capital: Castries
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar
Language: Official language is English. French-based Creole is also widely spoken in Saint Lucia
Recommendations: Rodney island, Pitons, Paradise Beach