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Guide to St Lucia, Saint Lucia
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Click to go to Flight Prices for St Lucia
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St LuciaSt. Lucia, one of the most sought after islands in the Caribbean for yachters, it is a land of twin volcanic peaks populated more so by tall trees in its rainforest than by humans in its cities and plantations. It's different here than elsewhere, too. The rush that is generally equated with city life is almost nonexistent in the islands busiest areas. Traffic is never an issue, and youre more likely to be greeted with a friendly smile than to get snubbed off when asking for directions. St. Lucia is an island of big cultural events, where the ethnic majority is African (90%), and where, from just about anywhere along its coast, youre just a short distance from one of its beautiful, secluded coves. Though tourism has picked up quite a bit in the past few years in St. Lucia, youll find that the countrys biggest money-maker, the banana, still has the largest grip on economic matters. Visit St. Lucia and youre bound for a Caribbean experience youll never forget!
When to go:
Temperatures in St. Lucia rarely fluctuate throughout the year; youre more likely to come across a shower or two between summer and autumn, but monsoon conditions are highly unlikely. Nevertheless, if you wish to enjoy an undisturbed stay, visit during spring, when youll get long days, warm breezes, and gentle sunshine. In summertime particularly in July youll get the chance to experience the islands celebrations during Carnival. Get to St. Lucia soon, before the streets are crowded with more tourists than locals!
Getting there and around:
Hewanorra International Airport receives flights from all over the globe, albeit not quite every day from each connecting city, or even every week. The most frequent arrivals come from overseas locations such as New York and London, and more connections are constantly being added. The airport is located in the town of Vieux Fort on the countrys southern tip, and while a ride to the capital city may take quite some time, ride over the beautiful, hilly terrain will surely take your mind off things and make time fly by. Buses and taxis are available to take you wherever you desire to go in St. Lucia.
Most people ride buses around the island, but if you happen to pass by the car rental agencies in the airports terminal (inevitably so), we highly recommend going through the trouble of obtaining a temporary driving permit. With a rented vehicle, youll be able to see the island at your pace and on your timetable. Of course, you do risk getting lost, but an islander is bound to help you find your way in no time.
Attractions:
Most people who are in Castries, the capital city of St. Lucia, are locals; businessmen, workers, etc. But, beyond the commercial centre it is so well known as, youll see the a town of diversity and wondrous cuisine - of course, that is due in large part to the fact that the Castries Market boasts the greatest selection of both locally cultivated and imported produce. The majority of the hubbub that keeps the city active for all of daytime is centered around the citys busy port, and if youre looking for a few extra dollars, a short stint as a deckhand on a docked ship is bound to bring you some cash (or it can simply be an exciting experience, whichever way youd like to view it!)
A great nature preserve that stands more as memorial ground than a place for outdoor enthusiasts, the Pigeon Island National Park is a great place to view some historical sites. There are numerous ruins around the park, some dating back more than two centuries, and highlights of the preserve are a fortress and barracks. This area shows that the island, before its purpose as farming center, was used by the French and then the US during WWII.
For access to the hills around and leading up to the St. Lucias volcanic peaks, you can visit the town of Soufriere. The rainforest is just a few miles inland from the bay.
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