Saint Lucia Travel Guide

Enjoy an unhurried pace of life on this scenically spectacular tropical gem.

An island of extraordinary natural beauty, St Lucia's dramatic twin coastal pitons soar sheer from the sea swathed in a carpet of brilliant emerald, her steep coastlines and unspoilt reefs perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving in the crystal clear waters. St Lucia is a beautiful natural paradise, her spectacular underwater reefs home to rainbow-hued tropical fish, huge barrel sponges, soft corals and sunken ships. In the magnificent rainforests of the interior the air trills to the call of brilliantly plumed tropical birds including the rare St Lucian parrot, the Jacquot. All this natural unspoilt scenery is fiercely protected with access to the rainforest and all offshore reefs strictly controlled by permit.

Most of St Lucia's hotels lie on the north western tip of the island where tiny bays and coves open out to long expanses of soft white sand. The beautiful white sands of Reduit Beach are fringed with tropical greenery and stretch around Gros Islet right up to Pigeon Island National Park. Labrelotte Bay and Choc Bay are also excellent white sand beaches whilst darker sand beaches are more common towards the south, one of the best being Anse Chastenet, also renowned for its excellent snorkelling and diving.

Spend some time in the charming little capital of Castries, its bustling market a melee of luscious fruits, exotic vegetables, pungent spices, colourful crafts and woven baskets. Visit one of the island's most picturesque spots at the yacht haven of Marigot Bay or drive right around the rim of the smoking, sulphur encrusted caldera of Mt Soufriere. The steaming volcanic waters cascade down into tropical botanic gardens where you can bathe in the hot pools that are said to have therapeutic properties.

Village life is a delicious mix of French Creole, colonial English, Carib Indian and African. These influences are best reflected in the island's cuisine - spiciness tempered by style - with tantalising roti curries, pepperpot stews, catch of the day fish and shellfish and refreshing tropical rum punch.

Pretty Rodney Bay is St Lucia's most fashionable spot for nightlife with plenty of international restaurants bars, nightclubs and partying although elsewhere most nightlife centres on the hotels with beachside barbecues and buffets, calypso, steel pan bands, limbo dancing and fire eating cabarets. For local colour don't miss the Friday Night Street Party in the fishing village of Gros Islet - a fun filled carnival of pulsating music, dancing in the streets and vendors selling mouthwatering barbecued chicken, fresh conch and the ubiquitous local rum punch. 

Back to nature adventures are quite breathtaking. The rainforest preserve is perfect for hiking with treks up the forested peaks of Morne la Combe or Morne Le Blanc, waterfall bike hikes and all terrain vehicle explorations. Many hotels provide scuba diving facilities and snorkelling equipment with a variety of scuba courses and dives available from a number of independent PADI dive centres.

• Anse La Raye
• Canaries
• Castries
• Dennery

• Gros Islet
• Marigot Bay
• Soufriere
• Vieux Fort