St Lucia Travel Guide

St Lucia Travel Guide

St LuciaSt Lucia is indeed a Caribbean dream: a small, lush tropical gem of an island that is still relatively unknown and undeveloped, although it does offer a good variety of accommodation for tourists, including a few discreet resorts. St Lucia is one of the Windward isles of the Lesser Antilles, situated midway down the Eastern Caribbean chain between Martinique and St Vincent, just north of Barbados. It is tiny - only 27 miles (43km) long and 14 miles (23km) wide - and shaped a bit like an avocado.The volcanic island's main landmarks are the Pitons, two soaring peaks on its southern coast that rise up from the sea and shelter a magnificently dense rain forest, where wild orchids grow and brilliantly-plumed tropical birds abound. The Creole people of the island are as warm as the tropical climate, and visitors are treated to plenty of smiles as they make the most of the island's natural beauty and secluded golden beaches, where coral reefs beckon snorkellers and scuba divers.Most visitors are day-trippers who arrive on cruise liners at the island's main port, Castries, and generally do little more than shop for souvenirs. Those who have time to explore, however, are enchanted by the walks, cycling trails and natural beauty spots on the island, including the fascinating Soufriere volcano, with its bubbling sulphur springs.The island has been left with a distinct French flavour, although its earliest colonists in the 17th century were British. The colonial history of the island, first settled by Arawak Indians around 200 AD, is a long saga of battles for control between the French and British. Britain eventually won the war in 1814, and granted independence under the Commonwealth to St Lucia in 1979.
St Lucia Travel Guide

Need To Know

Money:
The unit of currency in Saint Lucia is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), which is tied to the US Dollar. The EC$ is divided into 100 cents. US dollars are also accepted at most tourist establishments and ensure a better exchange rate. ATMs are available in Castries, Rodney Bay, Soufriere and Vieux Fort. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 2pm, some are open till 5pm. Major credit cards are accepted at all large hotels, shops and restaurants. Most hotels will exchange foreign currency, and there are change bureaux in Castries.
Time:
Local time is GMT -4.
Electricity:
240 volts, 50Hz. Three square-pin plugs are standard.
Language:
English is the official language, but St Lucian Creole is widely spoken.
Health:
There are few health risks associated with travel to St Lucia, although the mosquito-carried dengue fever is a risk throughout the island. HIV/AIDS is prevalent and precautions are always advised. Bilharzia is endemic. No vaccinations are required, however a yellow fever certificate is necessary for travellers arriving from infected areas. Health care costs are high on the island and health insurance is recommended, which should cover medical evacuation. EHIC card holders are entitled to emergency medical treatment in the case of evacuation to Martinique, on the same terms as Martinique nationals, of which 70 percent of the costs can be reclaimed.
Tipping:
A service charge is not automatically added to bills and about 10% of the bill is expected. Taxi drivers, porters and chambermaids also expect small tips.
Safety:
Most visits to St Lucia are trouble-free, but visitors should take common-sense precautions against robbery and theft. Isolated areas, such as beaches, should be avoided after dark. Hurricane season is generally from June to November.
Customs:
It is an offence for anyone to dress in camouflage clothing. Homosexuality is illegal.
Business:
Due to its popularity as an offshore banking location, business dress in St Lucia requires a level of formality. Handshakes for both men and women are the common form of greeting at the beginning and end of meetings, and business cards are usually exchanged. Business hours are generally 8am to 4.30pm throughout the week and 8.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays.
Duty Free:
Travellers to St Lucia may bring in 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco, and 1 litre wine or spirits without paying customs duty.
Communications:
The international access code for St Lucia is +1 758. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom); the outgoing code is not needed for calls to Canada and the US. City/area codes are not in use. Pay phones accept coins and pre-paid cards, available at shops throughout the island. AT&T calling cards can be used for cheaper international calls. Mobile phone operators provide good GSM 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 network coverage of the island. Email and Internet access is available at Internet cafes throughout the island.
St Lucia Travel Guide

St Lucia Attractions

Derek Walcott Square
Description:
The spacious Derek Walcott Square is the central point of Castries, named for the town's famed son who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1992. The town's only architectural points of interest are to be found on the square, particularly the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, its interior ablaze with golden light, flowers and candles. Shading the Cathedral is a huge samaan tree, thought to be about 400 years old. South of the square are some French buildings dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, made of wood and featuring old fretwork balconies. Near the square is the feverish Castries central market where vendors sell Indian spices, local crafts, fruit (particularly delicious varieties of bananas) and souvenirs. Colourful countrywomen are dressed in their traditional clothing and cotton headdresses.
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Micoud Street and Bourbon Street
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Morne Fortune
Description:
On the outskirts of the city, to the south of Castries and accessed via Bridge Street, stands the hill of Morne Fortune, the 'Hill of Good Luck', where some violent battles were waged between the French and British in the 18th and 19th centuries in their quest to control the island. The view from the lookout on the hilltop is magnificent. The hill is also the site of Government House, the palatial Victorian edifice that is the official residence of the governor general of the island, with its lovely private gardens. Visitors can explore the military cemetery, an old battery and powder museum, and a small museum exhibiting relics from the island's colonial days.
Address:
South of Castries, via Bridge Street.
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Telephone:
(758) 452 5005
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Website:
www.slunatrust.org

Marigot Bay
Description:
A perfect spot for a picnic, Marigot Bay, about eight miles (13km) south of Castries, is one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean. It was used in the movie Dr Doolittle, and has long been a favourite stopping point for recreational yachting and boating. The beach is lined with palm trees and remains largely unspoilt and natural.
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www.marigotbay.com

Folk Research Centre
Description:
In the hills east of Castries at the village of Morne Pleasant is St Lucia's Folk Research Centre, housed in an old manor house that was originally owned by the Deveaux family. The centre includes a small but comprehensive museum. Among the exhibits, dedicated to preserving the language and culture of St Lucia's Creole population, is a reproduction of a traditional ti-kayhut and indigenous musical instruments. The centre also contains a research library with a collection of books, papers and photographs detailing St Lucia' folklore and history.
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(758) 452 2279
Email:
frc@candw.lc
Website:
www.stluciafolk.org

Gros Islet
Description:
North of Castries lies the small, rather unremarkable fishing village of Gros Islet, a collection of dilapidated wooden homes lining narrow streets and a rather grubby beach. But come Friday night this unprepossessing town is the place to be for everyone on St Lucia, local or visitor. The renowned Friday night 'jump-up' starts at around 10pm when the streets are blocked off, scores of vendors arrive with delicious snacks and cold beers, bars open their doors and speakers are set up on street corners. The party goes on most of the night.
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Pigeon Island
Description:
Pigeon Island, north of Castries, is St Lucia's first national park, reached from the mainland across a causeway. The islet has a romantic past, having been the hide-out of Jambe de Bois, the much-feared peg-leg pirate who preyed on Spanish galleons. It was also from here that Admiral Rodney set sail in 1782 to destroy the French fleet in one of the most decisive sea battles in European history. Pigeon Island features two white sandy beaches and an interpretation centre, where a multimedia display explains the local history. The centre includes the Captain's Cellar Olde English Pub, a re-creation of an 18th century English pub. The island is ideal for nature walks and has numerous marked trails which bypass historical sites, like the remains of an 18th century British fort.
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The St Lucia National Trust: (758) 452 5005
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www.slunatrust.org

Soufriere
Description:
Soufriere in the south is the oldest settlement on the island, having served as the French capital in the 18th century. The deep-water port stands at the base of St Lucia's main landmarks, the two towering extinct volcanoes known as the Pitons, rising to 2,619 feet (798m) above sea level. The town itself is pretty, with a cluster of colourfully-painted arcaded buildings against a background of dense jungle. Most visitors, however, are drawn by the nearby attraction of the 'drive-in' volcano, Mount Soufriere, where it is possible to enter by car into an ancient volcanic crater filled with sulphur springs and steam geysers. Also at Soufriere are the Diamond Mineral Baths, the Diamond Waterfall and the Diamond Botanical Gardens.
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Vieux Fort
Description:
St Lucia's second largest town is on the south coast, adjacent to the island's busy Hewanorra International Airport on the southernmost tip of the island. At St Lucia's most southerly point just outside the town is the Cape Moule, a Chique Lighthouse, which offers one of the best panoramic views of the island. The town has a beach called Anse de Sables which is popular for windsurfers. Near the beach is the Maria Islands Interpretive Centre, which contains a small natural history museum and an office where visitors can book trips to the Maria Islands about half a mile offshore.
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Beaches
Description:
St Lucia may not have coral reefs, but it does have perfectly clear emerald waters and brightly coloured tropical fish, perfect for snorkelling and other aquatic activities. All of St Lucia's beaches are public and travellers can pop onto any of the island's most famous stretches of sand. Some of St Lucia's best beaches include Anse Cochon or the solitary beaches on Anse Comerette. Anse Louvet is one of the best beaches for snorkelling, while the sheltered bay at Anse Chastanet is great for younger and more inexperienced swimmers.
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Jungle Biking
Description:
Although St Lucia's mountain bike trails may not be the easiest in the world, they are definitely some of the most beautiful. An attraction geared more towards the older children, jungle biking is a great way to see the island and get outdoors with the family for a fun-filled day. Bikers will ride past the ruins of an 18th century French-colonial sugar mill, an old church, and a reservoir. Children's bikes and helmets are available to rent.
Address:
Anse Chastanet Resort, Anse Mamin
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Telephone:
(758) 457 1400
Email:
bikestlucia@candw.lc
Website:
www.bikestlucia.com

International Riding Stables
Description:
Children as young as two years old can enjoy riding at the International Riding Stables with trained guides, while older children can enjoy riding ahead, depending on their level of experience. Children will also love the riding tour with a beach picnic at Cas en Bas, a scenic ride through the countryside and a stop on the beach for swimming and cantering through the lapping waves.
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Gros Islet
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(758) 452 8139
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Caribbean Pirates Extravaganza
Description:
Children will go mad for this exciting tour aboard the Brig Unicorn, the actual boat from the Disney Pirates of the Caribbeanmovies. The 140-foot (42-metre) replica of a 19th-century tall ship takes passengers from St Vigie Cove sailing south towards Soufriere into the open waters to explore the mystical Caribbean Sea, where lucky sailors will even get to experience the ship's cannon being fired, walk the plank or swing into the sea from the ship's ropes. The ship drops anchor at Pigeon Island, where old ruins can be explored. Lunch and drinks are served on the cruise back to St Lucia. Booking is essential.
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Telephone:
758 458 0123
Email:
info@seaspraycruises.com
Website:
www.seaspraycruises.com

Diamond Waterfall
Description:
Located in the Diamond Botanical Gardens, the Diamond Waterfall is a popular attraction and a great walk for the whole family. This waterfall is created by the water from the bubbling sulfur springs of the Diamond Mineral Baths and changes colours a few times a day, from yellow to black, then green and finally grey.
Address:
Diamond Botanical Gardens, Soufriere Estate, Soufriere
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Telephone:
758 459 7565
Email:
soufestate@candw.lc
Website:
www.diamondstlucia.com

Castries Central Market
Description:
For cruise passengers to St Lucia, the Castries Central Market will be one of their first experiences of the Caribbean island - a famous first port of call for passengers looking to stretch their legs, do some shopping and take in some local culture. This wonderful fresh goods and produce market provides a great introduction to the vibrancy and colour of St Lucia, as well as a tasty introduction to its incredible range of fresh fruits and vegetables. There are also numerous food stalls in the Castries Market, selling local favourites such as freshly-prepared curries and jerk dishes. Across the road from the Central Market is the Vendor's Arcade, which is probably the best place to shop on the island for crafts, curios and souvenirs. Visitors looking to take advantage of duty-free deals should head to Pointe Seraphine (located on the northern end of Castries' harbour), where a modern mall offers discounted prices on items such as liquor (especially local rum), perfumes and jewellery.
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Sulphur Springs
Description:
Known as the 'world's only drive-in volcano', Sulphur Springs - located near the gorgeous town of Soufriere - is a popular tourist attraction for visitors to St Lucia. Sulphur Springs is a dormant volcano (some scientists say that it is due to erupt within the next 100 years), and the on-going physical and chemical processes at the site are at once thrilling and deeply interesting to experience. The first thing you'll notice as you approach Sulphur Springs is the overwhelming smell of sulphur in the air - in fact, the presence of sulphur is so strong in the area that you shouldn't wear any silver jewellery in case it gets discoloured. Once inside, from the safe confines of a boardwalk tourists can gawk at seething, bubbling mud pots and their 50-foot steam vents rising from the volcanic crater, and admire the strange orange, purple and green streaks left on the surrounding rock by mineral deposits. The highlight of the visit is the chance to take a hot bath in the sulphur-enriched mud - which supposedly does wonders for your sinuses. A unique and exciting attraction, budget at least two hours to take it all in.
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Near the town of Soufriere
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The Pitons
Description:
The Pitons - two volcanic plugs that stand like sentinels on the headland outside the St Lucian town of Soufriere - are not only UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but provide active visitors with a glorious opportunity to do some hiking in what are uniquely picturesque surrounds. Gros Piton, with an elevation of about 2,500 feet (770m), is the more popular to climb, as it is not as steep at Petit Piton, and boasts a richer variety of plant and animal life as well as superior views from its summit. The trail that leads up Gros Piton begins at an elevation of about 600 feet (180m), and ascends quite sharply through dense tropical vegetation, broken here and there by cool caves and rocky outcrops that provide outstanding views of Petit Piton rising from the expanse of the Caribbean Sea below. The climb takes about four or five hours in all, and can be undertaken by fit visitors with little or no mountaineering experience. Local guides, trained in emergency medical procedures, are available for hire and will enrich your hike by pointing out interesting flora and fauna along the way.
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