The Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia is renowned for its beautiful beaches, luxury hotels and scenic green mountains. St. Lucia is a fashionable tropical vacation destination for honeymooners with many activities available from diving and windsurfing to duty-free shopping, and from trekking and horseback riding to tennis and golf. The two green peaks of the Pitons are the island’s famous scenic landmark.
Tear-shaped volcanic island of Saint Lucia located in the Caribbean Sea between St Vincent and Martinique is part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago. The mountainous island is surrounded by few small islands and islets. The local culture in St. Lucia is a mix of African, French and English influences. The local population is mainly of African descent, but there are also many inhabitants of mixed and Indian descent. Many St Lucians have migrated overseas to USA and Great Britain, but many North Americans in turn have bought holiday homes on the island. Tourism on St Lucia is an important part of the economy and the island attracts approximately 350,000 visitors annually.
The capital city Castries, where one third of the population of St Lucia lives hosts a popular market and a duty free shopping mall catering for the many cruise ship visitors. There is also a beautiful Catholic cathedral, built in 1897, and a hilltop fort in Castries. Several beautiful beaches close to the St Lucian capital include Vigie, Malabar and Choc Beaches.
The Rodney Bay area in the north of Saint Lucia offers more lovely beaches, as well as a popular Friday night street party that has become a major tourist attraction. The area consists of a local town of Gros Islet, Pigeon Island National Park with its historic fortress, and a large Rodney Bay resort area with a marina, shopping malls, restaurants and nightclubs. South of the capital, Marigot Bay is a scenic small place where many rich celebrities have their second homes.
Soufriere is the former capital of St Lucia and home of the twin Pitons, cone-shaped peaks that are a World Heritage Site and one of the scenic highlights of the Caribbean. Soufriere also hosts a volcanic crater with sulphur hot springs, beautiful coral reefs and impressive botanical gardens. The mountainous, forested interior of the island offers some excellent trekking on St. Lucia. There is also a large annual carnival on Saint Lucia in Mid-July and an international jazz festival in May.
Traveling to Saint Lucia can be done by air or by sea. The island has two airports with flights to St Lucia from the US, Canada, Great Britain and several Caribbean countries. There is also a frequent ferry to Saint Lucia from the neighboring island of Martinique.
Tear-shaped volcanic island of Saint Lucia located in the Caribbean Sea between St Vincent and Martinique is part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago. The mountainous island is surrounded by few small islands and islets. The local culture in St. Lucia is a mix of African, French and English influences. The local population is mainly of African descent, but there are also many inhabitants of mixed and Indian descent. Many St Lucians have migrated overseas to USA and Great Britain, but many North Americans in turn have bought holiday homes on the island. Tourism on St Lucia is an important part of the economy and the island attracts approximately 350,000 visitors annually.
Sights and activities on Saint Lucia: diving, trekking, shopping and historical attractions
Saint Lucia offers natural settings of a tropical paradise and a good range of sights and activities. The island is home to some excellent beaches and great possibilities for water sports. Snorkeling and diving in Saint Lucia are popular with colorful coral reefs and spectacular underwater scenery. Sailing and windsurfing in Saint Lucia are other popular activities. There is also a golf course on St. Lucia and tennis and squash courts. The West coast of the island hosts most tourism activity on St Lucia.The capital city Castries, where one third of the population of St Lucia lives hosts a popular market and a duty free shopping mall catering for the many cruise ship visitors. There is also a beautiful Catholic cathedral, built in 1897, and a hilltop fort in Castries. Several beautiful beaches close to the St Lucian capital include Vigie, Malabar and Choc Beaches.
The Rodney Bay area in the north of Saint Lucia offers more lovely beaches, as well as a popular Friday night street party that has become a major tourist attraction. The area consists of a local town of Gros Islet, Pigeon Island National Park with its historic fortress, and a large Rodney Bay resort area with a marina, shopping malls, restaurants and nightclubs. South of the capital, Marigot Bay is a scenic small place where many rich celebrities have their second homes.
Soufriere is the former capital of St Lucia and home of the twin Pitons, cone-shaped peaks that are a World Heritage Site and one of the scenic highlights of the Caribbean. Soufriere also hosts a volcanic crater with sulphur hot springs, beautiful coral reefs and impressive botanical gardens. The mountainous, forested interior of the island offers some excellent trekking on St. Lucia. There is also a large annual carnival on Saint Lucia in Mid-July and an international jazz festival in May.
Saint Lucia travel information and practical tips
Saint Lucia enjoys a tropical marine climate that is moderated by northeast trade winds. Temperatures on St Lucia remain fairly constant and the island receives some rain throughout the year, although there is a dry season approximately from January to April and a rainy season on St. Lucia from May to August. The mountainous interior of St Lucia receives more rain than the coastal areas. There is a hurricane season in Eastern Caribbean from June to late October with high humidity and occasional devastating hurricanes.Traveling to Saint Lucia can be done by air or by sea. The island has two airports with flights to St Lucia from the US, Canada, Great Britain and several Caribbean countries. There is also a frequent ferry to Saint Lucia from the neighboring island of Martinique.
Photo: lyng883, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Many visitors come to the island on cruise ships that dock in the island’s capital Castries. You can also travel to Saint Lucia by your own yacht.
Once on St Lucia, the local transportation is handled mainly by minivan buses, taxis and water taxis. Taxis are plentiful at the airports as well as in Castries and the main beach tourism destinations of St Lucia, and many water taxis can be found in Soufriere. Catamaran tours from Soufriere to Rodney Bay and a helicopter taxi between the two airports are also available. Car rental on Saint Lucia is available at both airports.
Variety of services. There are many hotels on Saint Lucia, ranging from mid-range hotels, vacation villas and holiday apartments to pricey luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts. Relatively inexpensive guesthouses can also be found in Rodney Bay area. Restaurants in St. Lucia offer mainly local Caribbean, North American, European and Indian cuisine. All the towns and popular beach resort areas have restaurants available, and local weekend parties also offer good chances for tasting St Lucian delicacies. There are nightlife possibilities available mainly in Rodney Bay area. English is spoken by all islanders, although the local accent might be hard to follow.
Safety. Saint Lucia has some problems with crime and although you are unlikely to be affected, it is a good idea to take good care of your belongings while on the beach, visiting the Castries Market or attending the weekend street parties. Unfortunately, violent crime has been on the increase on St. Lucia in recent years, including cases of armed robbery and rape, and the local police have been unable to investigate these crimes properly. Avoid walking in dimly lit places at night and always lock doors of your hotel room at night.
Short history of Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia was first settled by Arawak people coming from South America between 1000 and 500 BC. Migrating Carib tribes conquered the island in the 800s. The island was first sighted by Spanish during the 1500s, and English colonists tried to settle it in 1600s but they were driven away by Caribs. France laid claim to St Lucia after this and made a treaty with Caribs. The town of Soufriere was founded in 1746 and sugar plantations were developed. The British and French fought over St Lucia for a long time in the 1700s and early 1800s until the island was finally formally given to Great Britain in the treaty of Paris in 1814. French customs, language and place names can still be found in Saint Lucia. Slavery was abolished in 1834 and the island gained internal autonomy in 1967. In 1979, Saint Lucia became an independent member of the British Commonwealth.hint See also these nearby destinations: Martinique, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica
