Best places to visit in SAINT LUCIA
Planning a trip to and wondering what are the best places to visit in Saint Lucia? It is an island country which lies between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean. The closest islands to St. Lucia are Martinique and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Besides rich traditions and heritage, Saint Lucia offers amazingly beautiful nature. It is home to dramatic mountains, volcanic beaches, reef-diving sites, luxury resorts and small fishing villages. There are many scenic hiking trails in the mountains and rainforest that lead to beautiful viewpoints.
Sounds nice? Then you should pack your bags and head to Saint Lucia!
Check out our list of the best places to visit in Saint Lucia before planning your perfect itinerary!
7 best places to visit in Saint Lucia
The Pitons & and the surroundings
The Pitons are two volcanic mountains located near the town of Soufrière.
Gros Piton is 798.25 m high, and the second mountain, Petit Piton, is 743 m high. Both mountains are linked by the Piton Mitan ridge.
The Pitons are well-known as hiking destination. Though the Gros Piton peak is more popular because it is easier to climb.
Tet Paul Nature Trail is another hiking option in the area. It offers magnificent views of both of the Pitons. This hillside nature trail is one of St. Lucia’s top hiking trails.
Make sure you explore the surroundings too.
Explore the waterfalls of the area: Toraille Waterfall, Piton Falls, Spyke Falls, Sapphire Falls, Superman Waterfall etc. There are also sulphur springs nearby.
Relax on Anse de Pitons. It is a man-made beach with pristine sand located between the two Pitons.
Snorkelling is one of the most popular activities in Anse de Pitons, and snorkelling at the foot of St. Lucia’s Pitons is one of the best things to do in Saint Lucia.
Soufrière & Diamond Botanical Gardens
Soufrière is a town on the West Coast of Saint Lucia, located just some 10 km north of Gros Piton.
With a backdrop of the Pitons and the rainforest, it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in St. Lucia.
Soufrière is known for being laid-back and relatively undeveloped.
An absolute must-see, in the town of Soufrière, is Diamond Botanical Gardens. It’s a park with many ornamental plants and geothermal mineral baths. It’s also home to Diamond Falls — one of the most famous waterfalls on the island.
Do not miss Anse Chastanet Beach. It’s another great spot for snorkelling on the island. This beach is known for Anse Chastanet Reef which is located near the shore.
Marigot Bay
Marigot Bay is a charming harbour on the western coast of Saint Lucia, not far from the capital, Castries.
Surrounded by the hills, with anchored boats bobbing in the waters and white sand beaches, it’s easy to see why this place is and one of the best places to visit in Saint Lucia.
This idyllic and picturesque bay was described as “the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean” by the famous American novelist James A Michener.
Marigot Bay also was featured in the 1967 film “Dr. Dolittle”.
Castries
Castries is the capital of St. Lucia.
It’s famous for palm-lined Vigie Beach, its cruise ship port and duty-free shopping near the harbour.
Apart from all of that, Castries is known for its lively market, Castries Central Market. It is the largest open-air market in St. Lucia. The market sells handwoven baskets, clothes, bags, souvenirs, and, of course, food, tropical fruits and veggies. The market is open every day except for Sunday.
Definitely do not miss Pink Plantation House if you are travelling to Castries! Boasting beautiful views, this restaurant serves traditional Creole food. They also have a few rooms for rent.
Pigeon Island National Park
Pigeon Island National Park is one of the most important landmarks in St. Lucia.
It is a national park located in the northern part of St. Lucia and one of the best places to visit in Saint Lucia.
Pigeon Island National Park comprises a lush tropical forest with remains of historical military ruins, including Fort Rodney, a historic hilltop fort with old cannons.
The national park offers beautiful hiking options.
Hike to the top of Fort Rodney and Signal Peak which boast panoramic views of the area. After the trek, head to Pigeon Island Beach where you can relax and snorkel.
St. Lucia Rain Forest
This magnificently lush rainforest offers various activities that are centered around nature.
Enjoy gondola and zipline rides over a dense tropical forest, as well as hiking and birdwatching tours.
Treetop Adventure Park
Treetop Adventure Park is a fun activity course set in a beautiful forest featuring various challenging obstacles such as a network of zip lines, suspended rope bridges, cargo nets, Tarzan swings and other elements.
This family-friendly attraction takes its visitors on a rapid tour of the treetops and offers loads of opportunities to enjoy gorgeous views over St. Lucia.
Saint Lucia travel tips
- Most probably you don’t need a visa to travel to Saint Lucia. Only citizens of a few countries need to obtain a visa in advance in order to travel to this island country.
- The best time to visit Saint Lucia is during the dry season which falls between January to April / May.
- The rainy season in St. Lucia runs from June to November. Try to avoid the island during the hurricane season which is July to November with the peak between August and September.
- Rent a car. It’s the best way to explore the island. Remember, you’ll be driving on the left-hand side of the road (with a steering wheel on the right).
- If you don’t want to rent a car, you can travel around St. Lucia on a minibus. Minibuses are the most popular means of transportation for locals. Minibus tickets are cheap.
- Camouflage clothing is not allowed in Saint Lucia! You can’t wear anything that has camouflage patterns — it is illegal!
