Discover St. Lucia: Caribbean’s Hidden Paradise
Honeymooners love her, and retired cruisers adore her too. Those who live for the sea and nature cannot help but visit them. The island of Saint Lucia, of volcanic origin, is located in the Caribbean—to be precise, in the archipelago of the Lesser Antilles—and is a true paradise for holidays in the tropics.
About 178,000 people live there on a permanent basis, while many tourists populate it throughout the year, especially during the high season.
Saint Lucia is a rapidly increasing tourist attraction, although with the exception of few locations, particularly in the north-east, it is not yet overpriced. Even as the number of hotels under construction increases and clings to the hills and small protected beaches, the island retains some of its primeval allure.
History
Arawakans first settled on the island at least 3,000 years ago. Around the 9th century AD, the Caribs subdued them and settled in the area. The introduction of Europeans, particularly the Spanish, began in the early 16th century.
The locals also withstood the English attempt at invasion, but surrendered to the French in the mid-eighteenth century. As was often the case, battles for control of the island erupted; the British and French waged war repeatedly, trading wins and failures on both sides.
Only in 1814 did British sovereignty over St. Lucia become permanent, with English becoming the official language.
Only in 1979 did the small Caribbean country win independence while remaining a member of the Commonwealth.
Since then, Saint Lucia has continued to rely on fishing and agriculture, but it has also developed itself as a tourist destination and tax haven in recent years.
What to see and do in Saint Lucia
The west coast, which overlooks the Caribbean Sea, is the most developed and visited. Castries, the capital, is located in the north-west and is normally the point of arrival for cruise passengers and those arriving by plane from other adjacent islands. A visit to the city helps you to get a sense of the mood that reigns in Saint-Lucia, and it is also where you will find all of the main services and where you can go shopping. Many people, however, quickly relocate to adjacent Choc Bay and, especially, a little further north to Rodney Bay and Gros Islet, the most touristic areas on the island, full of resorts, hotels, stores, and magnificently outfitted beaches.
The little Pigeon Island National Park, located at the northern end of the peninsula that confines Rodney Bay, also features what remains of Fort Rodney, a historic French military fortification that has now been converted into a belvedere from which to view the shoreline.
Those driving solo on the western side of Saint Lucia might also stop at Anse La Raye to get a sense of the local reality: it is a little fishing community. The town comes alive on Friday evenings, when street vendors provide fresh fish fried instantly, followed by booze and music, swiftly lighting up the evening.
Continuing south along the coast, we eventually arrive in Soufrière, which is famous not only for its sulfur springs (Sulhpur Springs) and thermal waters, but also for two impressive conical shapes covered in rainforest that emerge from water and are also depicted on the national flag. We’re obviously referring to the Pitons, the jagged volcanic rock formations that have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and tower over the harbor.
Excursions on foot (the classic being the hike to the summit of Gros Piton) or inland to view cocoa and coconut farms are also possible in this area.
The territory of Soufrière is also known for having some of the most magnificent beaches and diving locations in Saint Lucia, but we discuss this in the part dedicated to beaches.
Continuing south, we arrive to Vieux Fort, the island’s southernmost point. It is Saint Lucia’s second-largest city, not particularly attractive, but famous for its international airport, which receives flights from Europe and the rest of the world. The Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean in this area, and the resulting winds and waves are particularly loved by windsurfing and kitesurfing aficionados, who find this a great location for practicing water sports.
Continuing the island’s coastal course counterclockwise, so beginning the rise to the north, the eastern coast looks to travelers to be radically different from the western one. Except in a few cases, the Atlantic does not allow for wonderful sandy beaches, but you may enjoy the grandeur of nature by viewing the cliffs beaten by the waves or stopping in one of the little fishing villages overlooking the ocean. Dennery and Micoud are two of the most distinctive of these.
Those who enjoy nature can also go on a trip to the Tille Waterfalls, which are accessible through a small walk in the center of the bush, or to the Mamiku Gardens.
There are certain environmental reserves in Saint Lucia’s hinterland, such as the Quilesse Forest Reserve, that are virgin lands that are rarely visited by tourists. However, some professional operators accompany travelers on guided trips on foot, mountain bike, or quad to discover the interior’s attractions, while those seeking a more lighthearted element can enjoy treetop climbing at the Treetop Adventure Park.
The beaches of Saint Lucia
It goes without saying that the majority of tourists visit St. Lucia to relax on its lovely beaches. Rodney Bay’s in the north-west are the most popular.
The most well-known is Reduit Beach, with its white sand facing the bay and all the required amenities (resorts, bars, umbrellas, loungers, and entertainment). There is no better spot for folks who enjoy these kind of vacations.
Smugglers Cove, located further north, is a beach situated in a small inlet at Cap Estate.
Those looking to remain close to the capital, Castries, have numerous options: Choc Beach, Labrellotte Bay, and Vigie Beach are all directly north of the city, while La Toc Beach is south of the harbor.
Other truly wonderful beaches can be found in the Soufrière area. Anse Mamin and Anse Chastanet, both north of the city, have all the characteristics to appear in tour operator catalogs: white sand fringed by palm trees and a crystalline sea that is truly excellent for snorkeling, while Malgretoute Beach, with dark sand, and Sugar Beach, with soft white imported sand, are to the south of Soufrière, in the bay nestled between the Pitons. Snorkeling is also a requirement here.
For those interested in diving, various resorts in the Soufrière area provide excursions to the locations of Coral Garden, Anse Chastanet Reef, Fairyland, and The Key Holes Pinnacles.
Sandy Beach, near Vieux Fort, is the most well-known beach in Saint Lucia’s south. It is a truly gorgeous beach that is mostly visited by locals and people who enjoy kitesurfing and windsurfing due to the strong currents and winds.
On the rocky eastern coast, you can occasionally locate a small hidden beach amid the various bays, but they are usually not particularly accessible, and the intensity of the water discourages swimming.
One of the few sites in the far northeast where you may perhaps spend the day is just minutes from Rodney Bay but on the Atlantic coast. Donkey Beach is a remote location that was included in a concept to turn the Cap Estate region into a golf course years ago. The project failed after damaging the scenery, and it is now only a tiny strip of sand between the hills. There are no services or amenities, and as a result, it has more appeal.
Climate. When should I leave?
There is no single optimum time to visit St. Lucia; the island offers exciting travel opportunities throughout the year. Of course, being in the Caribbean, summer and fall are the rainiest seasons, with hurricanes and tropical storms more frequent. On the other hand, it is during these seasons that the waterfalls (Diamond and Tille) are at their most stunning, and the jungle is at its most enticing. Furthermore, the vibrant carnival is held between June and July, when the cities are packed with colors, rhythms, dances, and traditional costumes.
However, for those looking for a sun and sea vacation, the days are dry and sunny from December to May.
Temperatures remain pleasant throughout the year, with summer highs of 30-32 °C and winter lows of 27-28 °C.
Travel tips and useful information
Saint Lucia’s currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (EC$), but US dollars are accepted practically everywhere. The time difference between the island and Italy is -5 hours (or -6 if we apply daylight saving time).
For stays of less than 90 days, Italian (and Swiss) citizens are not required to get a visa.
The residency visa is printed on the forms provided by airlines. To enter St. Lucia, you must show your passport as well as your return or onward travel ticket from another country.
Finally, keep in mind that driving in the Commonwealth countries is on the left.
What is the best way to get there?
The island is served by major European airlines via Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt.
Several businesses instead provide regional flights in the Caribbean region; in this regard, we highlight the two airports, which are located in the capital, Castries (for regional flights) and Vieux Fort (for intercontinental flights).
Many visitors arrive in Saint Lucia on cruise ships, although there are also daily ferry links to adjacent Martinique and, during certain times of year, Guadeloupe.
Once on the island, you can get around by renting a car or taking a taxi, bus, or minivan between the country’s major cities.