Saint Lucia is one of the dreamiest destinations on Earth – a slice of heaven embraced by the Caribbean Sea. Raw and unadulterated magic is expecting you there.
Prepare for extraordinary peaks and rain forests, mesmerizing sandy beaches and natural harbours. Meet the iconic Pitons and let yourself be surprised by this volcanic, mountainous island and its dense vegetation and extensive, fruitful valleys.
The unique thing about this beautiful gem is that it managed to keep its authenticity and local charm. Still untouched by the mass tourism despite the fact that there are giant cruise ships often visiting its territory. Although a lot of people set a foot on the island it somehow succeeded to stay true to itself and keep its culture alive. The people here are genuinely friendly and usually, they don’t try to scam you into something.
St. Lucia is mainly a honeymooners destination choice and I completely understand why. A great island for a romantic getaway and creating an unforgettable couple’s experience.
GENERAL INFORMATION
A volcanic island formed during periods of intense volcanic activity. It has more mountains than most of the other Caribbean Islands. If you read my blog post about Barbados, here it is the opposite – St. Lucia is everything but flat.
Location: Saint Lucia is an Eastern Caribbean Island of the West Indies, part of the insular group known as the Windward Islands.
Size: 639 km2; 43.5 km long and 22.5 km wide
Capital: Castries is the capital and major port of the island
Population: According to the latest data 183,629
Official languages: English, but their vernacular language is Saint Lucian Creole known locally as Patwa (French-based Creole).
Influences: St. Lucia has both British and French influences, but it was finally colonized by the British. As one of the last European colonies to declare independence in 1979, the island remains a member of the British Commonwealth.
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar. For reference: 1 EC = 0.33 EUR; 1 EC = 0.37 USD
Best time to visit: December to May. January is just the beginning of the dry season and you can enjoy average temperatures of 26C and still have remaining the lush greeneries of the rainy / hurricane season.
In January you might have short rainfalls so if you want similar weather, but with less rain, February is one of the driest and least humid months of the year. Coming closer to the hurricane season in May you could enjoy better room rates and wonderful weather.
The worst time to visit: Note that the hurricane season officially starts from July to November with the worst months - September and October.
What to pack: We all know about the importance of good sunscreen especially in the Caribbean, but trust me having a good insect repellent here is as important – mosquitoes and fleas are everywhere and often they don’t mind even the bug spray.
Of course, pack your swimwear, cover-ups, hats, sunglasses, sandals and some more comfortable hiking shoes if you go for some of the famous hikes.
Also, if you go to experience the St. Lucian famous Sulphur mud baths prepare a swimsuit that you would be ready to say goodbye to. Mine survived but you never know.
How to get around:
1. Rent a car or a scooter if you plan to move around a lot. What you have to know before that though is that not all roads are in good condition, there are a lot of curves/ hill roads/, and driving is on the left side of the road. you need a temporary driving license, which can be obtained at the car rental agency. You can book your car online, at the airport, in Soufriere, Castries, Gros Islet and Rodney Bay.
2. Another option is to take a taxi which is quite pricey. Always fix the fare before hiring the taxi. We found the best prices while searching online here: QuikKab | St. Lucia’s Day and Night Taxicab
3. The third and cheapest, but not always the most reliable option is privately run minibuses which are the main ground transportation on the island. Their fares range from $1 to $3, but most of them don’t operate on Sundays. Note that those minibuses have a green number plate with an M prefix.
COVID-19: Covid-19 restrictions and entry requirements are continuously changing. Make sure to always check the official website of the country you go to.
For St. Lucia, this is: COVID-19 | Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (stlucia.org)
WHERE TO STAY
HOTEL CHOCOLAT | The Rabot Estate
Hotel Chocolat is one of those places that literally take your breath away. After the first few steps to the check-in desk and open bar-restaurant area, I forgot my name because in front of me the Petit Piton was standing in all its majesty. A landscape crowned by the most outer-worldly view. Petit Piton is also reflected in Hotel Chocolat’s infinity pool waters which made me speechless. We were lucky enough to have a floating breakfast (on-demand) in the pool and this for me is the ultimate description of breakfast goals.
The cuisine in the hotel is super elaborated and most of their dishes are cacao infused – from tuna and different kinds of meat to burgers and pasta, their local sourced cacao nibs are used in everything and give a unique taste to the food. A place thoughtful about vegans and all other dietary restrictions.
In Hotel Chocolat you can choose from 25 eco-lodges divided into two types of accommodation – Eco Lodges and Luxe Eco Lodges. We stayed in a Luxe Eco Lodge and had the most incredible view of Petit Piton. Ah, and let’s not forget mentioning their beautiful SPA if you need to pamper yourself a bit more.
Part of the Rabot Estate is also Project Chocolat where they grow cacao trees and produce all sorts of beauty cosmetics, chocolate etc. You could also craft your own chocolate and see the process from Tree to Bar, or Bean to Bar, but I will speak more in detail about it towards the end of my blog post.
Instagram: @hotelchocolatstlucia
Book here: Hotel Chocolat - The Rabot Estate
Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel
Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel is a small boutique hotel giving you another perspective of the Pitons. From there you can admire striking views of both Petit and Gros Piton. The hotel is overlooking the ocean and opens a rare scenery of its quirky installations – the most dreamy and iconic for St. Lucia panorama.
After hearing the interesting story of this place, hurry to check-in in one of their six beautiful suites and prepare for a dip into their stunning infinity pool.
All suites are uniquely designed and decorated with hand-selected special antiques and furnishings from Afghanistan, India, China and the US. We stayed at the Bouganvilla Suite where a private dunking pool is waiting for more personal moments.
Don’t forget to also try The Pavilion Restaurant and use their free shuttle to Anse Chastanet and Anse Mamin Beach.
Instagram: @cailleblancvilla
Book here: Caille Blanc Villa
POINTS OF INTEREST
PETIT AND GROS PITON
Located on the southwestern coast of St. Lucia, near the towns of Soufriere (Gros Piton) and Choiseul (Petit Piton). Those volcanic plugs are formed from an extreme volcanic activity when magma hardens within a vent or lava dome on an active volcano. Most probably they date back to 200,000 - 300,000 years ago.
The Pitons are one of the 10 most famous and beautiful mountains in the world. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, their mystique and magnificent views are always evocative and call for an adventure or a romantic mind-blowing encounter from afar.
Did you know that you can climb the Pitons? Did you pack the hiking boots already, or do I need to repeat? Yes, you can climb them, but we didn’t do it, because apparently, the ‘’hikes’’ are quite challenging. Most of the people go on excursions to climb the wider of the Pitons – Gros Piton. On contrary, it is not highly recommended to climb Petit Piton, especially during rainy weather and to do so special permissions and guides are required. However, if this is your passion and you are an experienced hiker, this could be yours once in a lifetime occasion. Tick it off the box and look at the world from above the awe-inspiring Pitons.
Other ways to admire that signature for the island landmarks are from the sea (boat, catamaran), from another nature trail which I will write about below, or from the air during a helicopter tour.
Fun fact: The Windward and Leeward Brewery operating on the island named a beer after the Pitons – Piton beer. My boyfriend liked it a lot but I don’t drink beer so I am not a good reference.
TET PAUL NATURE TRAIL
If you are not into big tiring climbs, then this is your hike. Tet Paul Nature Trail is of easy to moderate difficulty and could be completed within 45 minutes. There is an entry fee of $10 per person. This fee is including a guide who will be telling you about the history, the culture and the immersive landscapes. On the way up you will find traditional medicinal plants and several exotic fruit trees like avocado, guava, and soursop trees.
Learn about, and maybe practice yourself, the Cassava production in their Kaye Kassav (Cassava House). Along the trail, you will also visit a Traditional House which will help you better understand and dive deeper into the cultural history of the first people who came to St. Lucia.
From this trail, you can be fond of the view over this extraordinary island, watch the spectacular Pitons and even spot in the distance other Caribbean Islands – Martinique and St. Vincent.
SULPHUR SPRINGS
They promised us to look 12 years younger and we simply had to try that. Do we look in our 20’s now? If not, I’d like a refund for false promises, lol. Joke aside, you can test the features of this dormant volcano yourself. Apply, dry, detoxify. Entering the mud bath pools helps heal sunburns, eczema, sore joints, arthritis and so on. Don’t worry there are showers and changing cabins once you are finished and reborn.
Prepare for rejuvenating, steam and boiling mud experience, followed by a refreshing 15m tall waterfall natural massage (depending on how much you want to spend). On their official website, you will find different tours with different duration and prices ranging from $100 - $165. However, don’t fall for that if you just want to enter and have a mud bath – we paid roughly $15 per person for that. Well, we were not allowed to walk wherever we want as we didn’t pay for the guided tours, but I honestly believe that this is enough. We also didn’t go to the waterfall I’ve mentioned above, but I would recommend you another one which I believe is a better option as this place was overcrowded and I could only imagine the number of people queueing to go under the waterfall after the mud baths.
TORAILLE WATERFALL
Easily reachable, Toraille Waterfalls are snuggled in the flora just a few steps away from the entrance. Please note that you have to pay a small entrance fee of $3. Feel free to go for a dip in the refreshing waters and enjoy a back and neck massage if the force of the falls is not too strong.
ANSE CHASTANET & ANSE MAMIN BEACH
Those two pristine beaches are part of a marine reserve protecting colourful coral reefs. The perfect spot for scuba diving and snorkelling is right there by the shore. They are located inside of the homonymous resort – Anse Chastanet but don’t worry everyone is allowed to enter. You can park your vehicle in the resort’s free parking lot.
Anse Chastanet’s black sand is the darkest sand you could see in St. Lucia and most of the guests of the resort seem to prefer to stay on the Anse Chastanet.
I am not gonna lie – we liked more the atmosphere of Anse Mamin Beach – it is laid back, feels more secluded, authentic and unique with its rock formations. A short coastal path is connecting the two beaches so make sure to visit both of them even if it’s only out of curiosity.
Btw, you have to try the famous burgers at the Jungle Grill and Bar at the Anse Mamin Beach. And yeah, they also have a delicious vegan burger, otherwise, I wouldn’t have mentioned it.
Other beaches you could add to your itinerary: Reduit, Jalousie (Sugar Beach), Grand Anse Beach.
MARIGOT BAY
Marigot Bay is located on the west coast of St. Lucia and it’s the deepest natural harbour of the Eastern Caribbean. It is divided into two by the La Bas beach spit. The inner part of the bay forms a ‘’ hurricane hole’’ which once and to date serves as a protection from hurricanes. This makes it one of the safest natural harbours of the Caribbean.
The deep blue waters are dotted with sailboats surrounded on the three sides by steep hills of flourishing tropical forest.
PIGEON ISLAND NATIONAL PARK
Pigeon Island was connected to the mainland in 1972. Located on the northern side of St. Lucia, this reserve and national landmark has two magnificent sun-toasted beaches with crystal-clear waters for visitors to enjoy.
A desire for mesmerizing views and exploration of historical ruins? Then prepare for a hike to the top of Fort Rodney.
You could also learn more about the island’s colonial history in the nearby located Pigeon Island Museum and Interpretive Centre.
RODNEY BAY
Rodney Bay is a town and bay located in the Gros Islet District. With its beautiful marina, plenty of tours, activities, hotels and the famous amongst locals and tourists Reduit Beach, Rodney Bay attracts a lot of tourists each year.
DIAMOND FALLS BOTANICAL GARDENS
Located in Soufriere, along the west coast of the island, those falls and mineral baths are often referred to as one of the natural wonders of St. Lucia. They are an award-winning tourism site and impress with their rich flora and fauna. Enjoy the sound of the chirping birds hidden in the verdant plant kingdom. A place to step into another peaceful universe and feel the spell-working of nature. Open all your senses - enjoy the sounds and the essence of the living world and the healing touch of the hot mineral springs.
Entrance fee: $7; children – half price
Private baths: $7
PROJECT CHOCOLAT TREE TO BAR/ OR BEAN TO BAR EXPERIENCE
Let’s finish my selection of the top ‘’to-do/visit’’ in St. Lucia with something sweet – chocolate making. Just close your eyes and open them again to feel the teleportation to cacao farm in Jurassic Park reminding rainforest. Time to discover the secret of making this magic potion that always brings our serotonin up and makes us happy.
Project Chocolat is snuggled between thriving greeneries of a UNESCO World Heritage Site from the chocolatier and cacao grower Hotel Chocolat at Rabot Estate. You can select from two different tours Tree to Bar, or Bean to Bar. I highly recommend you to choose Tree to Bar and do the entire experience which lasts approximately 2,5 hours. Beginning from the ‘’farm’’ where you will graft a tree and give it a name, continuing through the cacao groves in the rainforest and finishing by making your own chocolate starting from the bean. Yeah, you have to deserve this bar before eating it. It’s not as easy as it seems as the consistency is very important and you have to smash the beans as fine as possible. It’s super interesting and entertaining plus you will get rewarded. By the way, I didn’t stop eating the cacao nibs while working hard on my chocolate. The cacao nibs are not sweet, but I loved the taste and the texture so much. Note that in the Tree to Bar option you also have lunch included.
In Bean to Bar, you will taste a cacao pulp from a freshly-cut pod and you will also craft chocolate on your own, but you won’t witness the growth process or walk between the cacao trees in the rainforest. This tour lasts about an hour. Whatever your choice is, remember the mantra of the Rabot Estate ‘’More Cocoa, Less Sugar’’.
Instagram: @projectchocolatsaintlucia
More about Project Chocolat: Project Chocolat
I’ve been dreaming and manifesting this getaway to St. Lucia for a very long time and it finally happened. For me, it was the ultimate bucket list destination mainly because of those extraterrestrial sceneries – the Pitons. To be honest, this is truly the most wonderful treasure of the island, but after I’ve been here I could say that St. Lucia is not only about the Pitons – as their motto says it is about ‘’The Land, The People, The Light’’. It is embracing the island life, meeting hospitable and genuinely kind people, it is a warm welcome and a difficult heartfelt goodbye.