Highlights
The Pitons
Two steep volcanic spires, Gros Piton and Petit Piton, rising from the sea near Soufrière, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes the reef between them. Gros Piton can be climbed with a local guide.
Sulphur Springs
Often called the world's only drive-in volcano, a steaming area of hot springs and bubbling mud near Soufrière where visitors can bathe in warm mineral pools.
Soufrière
The island's former French capital, with brightly painted buildings below the Pitons. Diamond Botanical Gardens and their waterfall, old plantation estates and cocoa farms are nearby.
Marigot Bay
A deep, sheltered inlet surrounded by forested hills and lined with yachts, considered one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean.
Pigeon Island National Landmark
A former island, now joined to the mainland by a causeway, with the ruins of a British fort and views from the top of Signal Peak over Rodney Bay and towards Martinique.
Gros Islet and Rodney Bay
The north is the island's most developed area, with beaches, a marina and restaurants. The Friday night street party in Gros Islet has music, grilled fish and dancing.
Rainforest trails
Protected rainforest covers the mountainous interior. Guided walks such as the Edmund Forest trail or the Enbas Saut waterfall trail offer a chance to spot the endemic Saint Lucia parrot.
Castries Market
The capital's central market has stalls of spices, fruit, cocoa sticks, local crafts and food, and is busiest on Saturday mornings.
Interesting facts about Saint Lucia
- Saint Lucia has produced two Nobel laureates: the economist Sir Arthur Lewis and the poet Derek Walcott, a remarkable number for a country of its size.
- It is often described as the only country named after a woman, Saint Lucy of Syracuse; National Day is held on 13 December, her feast day.
- Britain and France fought over the island so often that it changed hands many times and was called the 'Helen of the West Indies'.
- Saint Lucian Kwéyòl, a French-based Creole, is widely spoken alongside English, the official language.
- The Saint Lucia parrot, Amazona versicolor, lives only on the island and is its national bird.
Best time to visit
December to April is the dry season, with plenty of sun and the busiest period for visitors. May is often a good month, with fewer crowds and the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival. June to November is the wetter season and the Atlantic hurricane season, peaking from August to October; showers are usually short, and the island is green and quieter. July brings Carnival, Saint Lucia's biggest street festival.
Practical information
| Capital | Castries |
|---|---|
| Currency | East Caribbean dollar (XCD); US dollars are widely accepted |
| Languages | English |
| Plugs | Type G |
| Voltage | 240 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 911 (999 also works) |
| Driving | On the left |
| Tipping | A service charge of around 10% is often added in hotels and restaurants. Otherwise tip around 10–15%, and tip guides and drivers. |
Getting around
The island's main road winds along the coasts and over the mountains, and journeys are slower than distances suggest. Hewanorra International Airport is in the far south, around an hour and a half from the northern resorts. Taxis are widely used and have set fares between common points; agree the price before setting off. Minibuses link towns cheaply. Renting a car requires a local driving permit, and roads are steep and narrow. Water taxis connect Castries, Marigot Bay and Soufrière.
Staying connected in Saint Lucia
Mobile coverage is good in Castries, Rodney Bay, Soufrière and along most main roads, with 4G in towns. Signal can drop in the rainforest, on hiking trails and in some sheltered bays below steep hills. Wi-Fi is available in hotels, resorts and many restaurants. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so you have data on the long drive from the airport.
See Saint Lucia eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Saint Lucia
- Google Maps: Download the island offline before hikes; the coast road has gaps in coverage.
- WhatsApp: Commonly used to arrange taxis, tours and boat trips.
- XE Currency: Converts between East Caribbean and US dollars.