St Lucia Island – Travel Guide
St Lucia, a breathtaking Caribbean island, is famous for its lush rainforests, stunning beaches, and the iconic Pitons—two volcanic peaks rising from the sea. Visitors can explore Sulphur Springs, the world`s only drive-in volcano, and relax in its natural hot springs. The island offers adventure activities like hiking, snorkeling, and sailing, along with luxury resorts and romantic getaways. St Lucia is a paradise for travelers.
All about St Lucia Island
Getting around St Lucia Island
By Car
For rental cars, a temporary driving license is required for visitors and may be obtained with a valid driving license upon arrival at the airport, at the police station in Castries or at the car rental offices. Rental cars or scooters can be booked at the airports, hotels or car rental companies. Rates average about $50 per day.
Drivers in St Lucia drive on the left side of the road. You’ll find there are some hairpin turns on the roads here, drive carefully and honk your horn while going around the turns.
By Minibuses
Privately run minibuses serve as the main ground transportation for much of the island for local residence. The routes form a big loop around the island and stop between the main towns along the way. Buses run on varied times depending on the route, but most run until around 7pm (except for the busy Castries-Gos Islet corridor where they run until after 10pm). Buses do not operate on Sundays. Fares range from $1 to $3. Minibuses have a green number plate with an M prefix.
In urban areas buses are only permitted to stop at designated bus stops. In rural areas, if there’s no bus stop nearby, you can wave buses down anywhere on the route as long as there’s space for the bus to pull over. When you want to get off, announce your intention by calling out ‘stopping driver’ well in advance of your stop.
By Taxi
Taxis in St Lucia have a blue number plate with a “TX” prefix. Before you hire a taxi, confirm the fare. Taxis can be very expensive with cross island trips costing about $80 to $90. Fares are about $70 from the airport to Marigot Bay. Rates do vary by destination, the number of people, amount of luggage and the company. Note that on longer journeys prices are somewhat negotiable. Some of the major taxi services on the island include Saint Lucia Taxi Service, Saint Lucia Airport Transfers, Saint Lucia Executive, Saint Lucia Airport Shuttle, Real Saint Lucia Tours, and many more.
By Bicycle
St Lucia is not the easiest place to cycle in. Many roads are narrow, poorly lit and lack sizable shoulders. Furthermore motorists are not used to seeing cyclists on the road and don’t always leave enough space.
By Boat
Water taxis can be hired to travel to virtually anywhere on the west side of the island, with the most popular routes running between Rodney Bay in the north and Marigot Bay or Soufrière in the south.
St Lucia Island FAQ
What is St Lucia known for?
Superb St. Lucia is known for its lush mountainous interiors, picturesque beaches, luxurious resort accommodations, wondrous wildlife, a fascinating culture, vibrant coral reefs, and incredibly varied landscapes. The iconic twin towering Pitons are two volcanic peaks formed in the heart of the island, boasting hiking trails that weave through the lush verdant rainforest up the soaring peaks to unparalleled views over the magnificent island. Mount Soufriere is another massive volcano on the island, Diamond Falls section of the Soufrière Estate boasts natural hot pools and bubbling mud baths due to the volcanic geography and geothermal activity. The adventures here are endless with ziplining over the jungle canopy`s at Morne Coubaril Estate, hiking the mighty Pitons, diving and snorkeling in the transparent waters of Anse Chastanet, lounging on the palm-fringed beaches of Marigot Bay and Rodney Bay, spotting the national bird Saint Lucian Parrot, horseback riding on the perfect white sand beaches and soaking up the colorful island life are just a few of the things to enjoy in the paradise known as St Lucia.
What are the best places to visit in St Lucia?
St Lucia is a beautiful Caribbean oasis, located in the West Indies in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with some of the best weather and luxurious vegetation in the world. Crescent-shaped beaches, small fishing villages, rainforests, reefs, waterfalls, geothermal attractions, and lush mountains are just some of St. Lucia`s many attractions. The island is heavily influenced by both the English and the French and a proper, yet colorful and exciting way of life is the result.
When is the best time to visit St Lucia?
The weather in Saint Lucia is tropical with hot temperatures around 86 degrees. Springtime mid-April-June is said to be the best time to visit the island when enviable daily temperatures hover between 70-80 degrees with clear blue skies. This time of year is less crowded and it is the best time to grab enviable room rates across the island. The St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival is held in early May at Pigeon Island National Landmark, a great time for music lovers. Leatherback turtles nest ashore in the springtime, and humpback whales migrate past the island from January-April. The busiest and most expensive time of year to visit Saint Lucia is from mid-December to mid-April, which is a crowded time on the island with a lack of availability at accommodations. The island has higher rainfall than most Caribbean islands due to its mountainous scenery, creating lush verdant vegetation, a haven for birds, and a welcoming cool shower for visitors.
How many days should I spend in St Lucia?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel, and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
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What is the best way to get around St Lucia?
The best way to get around St. Lucia is by renting a car, this allows you your own vehicle to experience the island’s hidden treasures. There are several internationally named rental car companies found at the airport and in Soufriere, Castries, Rodney Bay and Gros Islet. The island is quite small, 238 square miles and it can be traveled in about 2 ½ hours from north to south, or 3.5 hours to circumnavigate the main coastal road. A rental car can be more affordable than relying on taxis or other forms of transport, driving is quite simple on the island, they drive on the left-hand side and a temporary driving license (which can be obtained upon arrival with a valid drivers license) is required.
What is the currency of St Lucia?
The official currency in St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$). US dollars are widely accepted in the service industry. There are ATMs found at airports, and banks throughout the main cities and towns.
Do people speak English in St Lucia?
The official language spoken in St. Lucia is English, a large amount of local St. Lucian’s speak French-creole. Many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. Most of the island’s inhabitants have a good comprehension of the English language.
Top Attractions
Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens & Mineral Baths
Former plantation-turned-park with many ornamental plants, a waterfall & geothermal mineral baths.
Tet Paul Nature Trail
Hillside nature trail offering a picturesque viewpoint of the water & mountains, plus guided tours.
Gros Piton
This 798-m. mountain offers panoramic views from its summit, which can be reached by hiking.
Marigot Bay
Charming harbor featured in the 1967 film `Dr. Dolittle,` with resorts, restaurants & kayaking.
Unique Experiences
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Sulphur Springs Drive-In Volcano
Immerse yourself in the world’s only drive-in volcano, where you can bathe in warm, mineral-rich volcanic mud for a unique rejuvenating spa experience.
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St. Lucia Aerial Tram Tour at Rainforest Adventures
Board an 8-person open-air gondola and glide among the treetops, learning about local flora and watching for endangered jacquot parrots soaring alongside you as you go.
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What to expect while traveling
