Our Highlights on St. Lucia
The unique combination of pristine nature, pure Creole joie de vivre, and the comforts of stylish hotels that blend seamlessly into the landscape makes Saint Lucia one of the dream islands of the Caribbean.
Particularly fascinating is St. Lucia's landmark — the twin volcanic peaks that are visible from far away. Gros Piton and Petit Piton reach heights of nearly 800 meters.
Our personal highlight is, of course, the drive-in volcano — the only one in the world! The beaches are wonderfully varied too, ranging from white to black sand.
St. Lucia is also home to an endemic parrot species called the Jacquot, found only in the mountainous rainforest.
The island is truly tropical and simply stunning. Across its 620 km², tropical rainforest, mountains over 950 m, fertile lowlands, gorgeous sandy beaches and countless bays all come together. Among the Windward Islands, it is the most densely populated and most developed island. You definitely won't get bored here — and St. Lucia is a year-round destination.
Weather, Climate Data & Best Time to Visit St. Lucia
The tropical climate makes St. Lucia a year-round destination. It rains throughout the year, with every month getting some rainfall. However, the main rainy season runs from roughly July to November — this is also hurricane season on St. Lucia. Historically, St. Lucia has been luckier than many of its neighboring islands.
From June to October, the rainy season can bring heavier downpours, which makes visiting the rainforest all the more magical as waterfalls and rivers swell.
The ideal time to visit St. Lucia is outside the rainy season, from December (or rather January) through April — though prices rise considerably during this period.
The average minimum temperature on St. Lucia is 21 °C, with highs reaching up to 31 °C.
Entry Requirements, Vaccinations and Other Information for St. Lucia
Since St. Lucia is a member of the British Commonwealth, there are no special entry requirements. However, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
Typhoid can occur; polio does not. A typhoid vaccination is only recommended for backpackers and long-term visitors.
The tap water is chlorinated and may cause slight stomach discomfort. We drank it without issues, but if you have a sensitive stomach, it's best to stick with bottled water.
Getting There & Transportation
The official language is English and they drive on the left.
The Hewanorra International Airport is St. Lucia's main international airport, located north of the town of Vieux Fort in the south. A second airport, George F. L. Charles Airport, is situated north of the capital Castries.
A Chance to Grow
It's not the turbulent past but rather the singular beauty that draws visitors from around the world. St. Lucia is brimming with densely forested mountains, deep valleys, banana plantations, expansive beaches, rugged volcanic peaks, towering canopy trees, and wild orchids.
Immigration and tourism are in a controlled but steady growth, and some industrial development is supporting the new economy.
70% of bananas are grown for export. Cocoa, coconuts, dairy products, and fishing form the economic backbone.
Castries — The Capital
St. Lucia's rather unspectacular capital sits snugly in a bay, backed by steep, densely forested hills. This bay is actually an old, flooded crater of an extinct volcano.
Around 1760, Castries was founded by French settlers, but unfortunately burned down several times. After the devastating fires of 1948 and 1951, the buildings were replaced with concrete and steel structures that sadly bear no resemblance to the French or British architecture of the past.
Castries is a popular cruise port, with one dock right in town and a modern terminal — Pointe Seraphine — directly across the harbor, offering plenty of shopping.
From Pointe Seraphine, it's about a 15-minute walk to the city center.
The market is always bustling in the morning, filled with farmers and workers selling their goods: tropical fruits like breadfruit, bananas, and fresh cloves.
The fish market is a small cluster of local fishermen with their boats, offering fresh catch for trade or sale right in the harbor area.
Where Is the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia?
The Caribbean island of St. Lucia lies between St. Vincent (to the south), Barbados (to the east) and Martinique (to the north) and belongs to the Lesser Antilles. St. Lucia is also counted among the Windward Islands. The cruise port is located in Castries, the capital.
The History of St. Lucia
- On his fourth voyage — on St. Lucy's Day (December 13, 1502) — Columbus spotted the island but did not land. French sailors were also shipwrecked here around the same time. Early 16th-century maps show the island under the name Sainte Alouise. A Vatican globe from 1520 labels it Santa Lucia, and a Spanish map from 1529 lists it as S. Luzia.
- The first European to settle here was François Le Clerc, also known as Jambe de Bois or Wooden Leg. He was a pirate who claimed Pigeon Island and attacked passing Spanish ships from there.
- Apparently Le Clerc managed to evade the Caribs, who destroyed two British settlements before the French finally established a lasting presence in 1651.
- Over the past 300 years, St. Lucia was like a ping-pong ball between England and France, who fought for control of the island for centuries. St. Lucia changed hands between the French and British 14 times before the English finally held on for good.
- The Treaty of Paris in 1814 permanently assigned the island to Great Britain.
- St. Lucia has been independent since February 22, 1979, and is a member of the British Commonwealth.
French-sounding place names and the local dialect are reminders of the alternating French and British rule during the colonial era.
