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Why go? St Lucia is famous for its dramatic and beautiful scenery - it's lush and exotic with spectacular mountains, tropical rainforests, and acres of banana, coconut and spice plantations. For beach lovers there's a glorious mix of golden and black sand beaches; for divers translucent waters shelter reefs with tropical fish. The most oustanding feature of St Lucia is the Pitons, twin volcanic peaks which rise to over 2,500 ft on the island's southwest coast. Here, we've found some wonderfully romantic mountain hideaways with some of the most stunning views in the Caribbean. Although St Lucia is becoming an increasingly popular destination, much of the island remains unspoilt. It's relaxed, informal and incredibly friendly, with little of the jaded hustle found in the more established Caribbean destinations. Direct flights from the UK and year round warm weather make it an ideal destination for a winter break. Any downsides? As with most of the Caribbean, holidaying here is not cheap - hotels, car hire and eating out are often more expensive than in Europe. The roads are pretty ropey, so journeys are often slow and bumpy. Be prepared for rain showers (especially May-November) - that's why it's so green. If large resort hotels and busy beaches are not your bag, avoid the more developed tourist hotspots in the northwest. Current weather/time: St Lucia:  |
Activities *Hiking: with trails, waterfalls and exotic plants, birds and wildlife, St Lucia’s southern rainforests and the Pitons provide excellent hiking opportunities. *Beaches: all the west coast beaches have good swimming. Around Soufriere in the southwest the beaches are mainly black volcanic sand; the majority of golden beaches are in the north (along with the bulk of tourists). The east coast has plenty of isolated beaches but with a dangerous surf. *Mountain Biking: a great way to explore the island's rain forests and mountains is on two wheels. Island Bike Hikes offers vehicle supported tours, and Bike St Lucia provides 'jungle biking' on custom built tracks. *Scuba diving + snorkelling: Anse Chastanet near the Pitons in the southwest has the best dive centre (suitable for all levels), good snorkelling and dive sites including a stunning coral wall. Water clarity is variable. *Sailing: with plenty of small harbours and inlets, St Lucia is popular with sailors. St Vincent and the Grenadines, one of the most popular yachting spots in the Caribbean, are just a day's sail to the south. Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay in the west are centres for bareboat or crewed yacht charters. Hobbycats and dinghies can be hired at the beach resorts. *Other watersports: larger resort hotels on the west coast offer windsurfing, kayaking, waterskiing and deep-sea fishing. Advanced and intermediate windsurfers will be challenged by the waves at Cas en Bas in the north and Anse de Sable near Vieux Fort in the south. The calmer waters of the west coast are best for beginners. *Sightseeing: in the southwest visit the "drive-in volcano", Sulphur Springs, and the Diamond Botanical Gardens and Mineral Baths. *Shopping: batik and silk-screened clothing, wooden boxes and carvings, pottery, straw hats and baskets, cocoa, coffee and spices. Castries in the north hosts the island's main market on Saturdays. *Culture - Carnival (July) in Castries is St Lucia’s biggest event when the streets are filled with colourful bands and costumed processions. The week long Jazz Festival in May is St Lucia’s fastest-growing event. |
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