St. Lucia trip planner

St. Lucia Holiday Planning Guide

The island of St. Lucia is hailed for its scenic landscape of tall mountains, forested hills, and fertile valleys sprinkled with banana plantations. The island's dramatic scenery is most renowned for the Pitons, two volcanic spires that rise from the ocean floor. Whether you're visiting the island as part of a cruise, a romantic honeymoon, or looking for adventure, a St. Lucia vacation offers something for everyone. Discover the island's hidden beaches and coves, go climbing or hiking, and enjoy the picturesque views and tropical weather.

Places to Visit in St. Lucia

Regions of St. Lucia

Gros Islet Quarter: A hotspot for outdoor activities, the northernmost part of St. Lucia is also home to a dramatic coastline, pristine beaches, and a great party vibe.

Soufriere Quarter: Home to two volcanic peaks that form a World Heritage Site, this region boasts picturesque plantations and a colorful town with interesting museums and botanical gardens.

Castries Quarter: Adding this area, home of the island's capital, to your St. Lucia itinerary allows you to see the best of the country's colonial-era architecture.

Vieux Fort Quarter: The southernmost section of St. Lucia is home to the country's only international airport and second-largest town.

Cities in St. Lucia

Soufriere: Home to some of the country's iconic buildings and natural beauty, this city provides a glimpse into St. Lucia's colonial past.

Castries: The island's largest city, Castries is known for its charming architecture, pristine beaches, and abundance of cultural sites.

Gros Islet: The island's major tourist hub offers vacationers plenty of things to do in St. Lucia, including visiting a national park sheltering diverse local wildlife.

Dennery: Add Dennery to your St. Lucia itinerary to discover an area renowned for its fishing trade, as well as its lima bean and tropical fruit cultivation.

Vieux Fort: A place of legend once used by the infamous pirate Blackbeard, Vieux Fort contains the island's international airport.

Popular St. Lucia Tourist Attractions

Sulphur Springs: The world's only drive-in volcano, this one-of-a-kind attraction in St. Lucia treats you to mineral-rich mud baths that leave your skin feeling rejuvenated and smooth.

Gros Islet Street Party: Every week, locals and tourists alike fill the city streets to create a bustling party atmosphere, complete with music, dancing, and a great array of local flavors.

Treetop Adventure Park: This activity center takes you on one of the Caribbean's best zipline experiences--you can also explore the rainforest floor, where a rich selection of plant and animal life await discovery.

Pitons: A World Heritage-listed landmark, these two towering volcanoes are among the top places to visit in St. Lucia.

Pigeon Island National Park: A landmark tourist attraction in St. Lucia boasting a rich history, this park includes remnants many military structures.

Diamond Botanical Gardens: The island's oldest botanical garden provides visitors with a tranquil experience surrounded by lush vegetation and the sound of singing birds.

Tet Paul Nature Trail: Knowledgeable guides can take you through the island's lush countryside--following this trail allows you to learn about the country's culture, nature, and wildlife.

Rodney Bay: The bay's main attraction is a sand beach--nearby, you'll find lots of hotels and restaurants.

Morne Coubaril Estate: Providing a glimpse into St. Lucia's cultural heritage, this working plantation provides you with a hands-on educational experience about coffee, cocoa, and sugarcane production.

Dining and Shopping on Holiday in St. Lucia

Cuisine of St. Lucia

Exploring the local cooking tradition is a worthy addition to any St. Lucia itinerary. The country's cuisine is a rich mixture of French, British, and East Indian dishes.

Some of the most popular eats include saltfish and green figs (considered the national dish), rustic stews made with a pig's tail or some other exotic animal part, and lambi (sea snails).

Many professional chefs and amateur cooks increasingly use lionfish, which yields tender meat and serves as an eco-friendly alternative to eating other fish species.

St. Lucia still produces some of the world's most sought-after chocolate. Head to Morne Coubaril Estate to embark on a guided tour of the cocoa production, part of the country's culinary heritage. You'll have the opportunity to taste some delicious sweet treats at the end of your visit.

Shopping in St. Lucia

Home to the country's biggest concentration of stores selling all sorts of goods, with many at duty-free prices, Castries should be part of every shopaholics St. Lucia itinerary.

Head to Castries Market for an authentic St. Lucian shopping experience. Over 300 vendors set up shop there, selling locally sourced products, including herbs and spices, produce, and souvenirs.

Know Before You Go on a Trip to St. Lucia

Interesting Facts About St. Lucia

● St. Lucia has produced two Nobel Prize winners, the second-highest ratio of any nation in the world--Arthur Lewis won a Nobel Prize in Economics. and Derek Walcott in Literature

● The country changed hands between France and England 14 times, as the two nations bargained over which would solely control the island during the 17th and 18th centuries

● The island had its largest ever Olympic team--six athletes--during the Atlanta Games in 1996

Things You Should NOT Do in St. Lucia

Avoid using sarcasm during your tour of St. Lucia, as it remains a largely unrecognized style of communication in the country. Also, don't be shocked if a local refers to you in a seemingly racist fashion. Phrases like "hey white man/woman" often stem from curiosity and not racial intent--St. Lucians don't often pay attention to racial sensitivities.

Too much direct eye contact can be perceived as rude, so avoid staring or holding someone's gaze for too long.

Avoid conversations about physical disabilities, HIV/AIDS, and the theory of evolution. They're considered taboo topics in St. Lucia.

Holidays & Festivals in St. Lucia

Festivals provide plenty of culturally enriching things to do in St. Lucia.

Independence Day is among the country's most important happenings, taking place in February and involving kite flying tournaments and parades.

In April, Holy Week includes Masses and other Catholic rituals held throughout the island. St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, something completely different, occurs during the second half of the same month.

Celebrating the playful spirit of the island, St. Lucia Carnival is perhaps the country's most iconic festival. The June event highlights the island's vibrant culture with plenty of dancers parading in colorful costumes.

St. Lucia Billfish Tournament is held at the end of October at Rodney Bay Marina. A seafood lover's dream come true, the event includes fishing competitions and lots of tasty treats.

Useful St. Lucia Travel Tips

Common Greetings in St. Lucia

Expect local residents to be both laidback and mindful of their personal space during your tour of St. Lucia. St Lucians greet each other based on occasion and level of familiarity. Personal space is also respected based on the level of familiarity, with those who know each other better standing closer together than they otherwise would.

Men often greet each other with fist bumps during casual gatherings, and handshakes in more formal settings.

Women often greet one another with a kiss or a hug, depending on the level of familiarity.

Fist bumps are the most common greeting between men and women, though hugs are not uncommon if there's a higher level of familiarity.

Though English is the official language of St. Lucia, Creole is also often spoken. The language is based on French, so phrases such as "bonjour" for "hello" and "merci" for "thank you" are common.

Climate of St. Lucia

Expect a tropical climate during your St. Lucia holiday, with an average of 29 C (84 F) during the day, and 18 C (64 F) at night.

As with many other Caribbean vacation destinations, the winter remains the best time for a visit. The driest period is between December and March, with very little wind and lots of sunshine.

The hurricane season covers June through October--expect rain and an occasional storm during this time of year.

Transportation in St. Lucia

Minibuses and land and water taxis remain primary forms of transport in St. Lucia.

Minibuses do not follow an official timetable, as everything runs on "island time"--this means your transportation can come earlier or later than expect each day.

Both land and water taxis can be found at designated ports. You can also reserve a seat in advance to ensure pickup or dropoff at a certain time.

Tipping in St. Lucia

Though 10 percent of the total bill is usually the average when rewarding restaurant staff and taxi drivers, tipping is often left to the customer's discretion.

It's common practice to leave the equivalent of 1 USD for bellhops, room service, and cleaning staff in hotels. Keep in mind, though, that some all-inclusive resorts and hotels prohibit their staff from accepting gratuity.