Attractions
Soufrière and the South
Soufrière is the second largest town on the island. The deep sea port is located at the foothills of two extinct volcanoes, the Pitons. They are St. Lucia’s most famous attraction and rise to 798 m. The site is a cluster of colorful arcaded houses on the edge of the jungle, with small fishing boats moored on the beach in front. Its coastline is said to be a newly discovered surfer’s paradise.
The road from Soufriere to Fond St. Jacques runs east through dense rainforest and leads to the spectacular Diamond Falls, Botanical Gardens, sulfur springs and the Drive-in Volcano, which can be visited from the inside. The pretty villages Choiseul and Laborie are surrounded by lush vegetation.
Boat trips
Boat trips with catamarans, yachts and brigs offer visitors a pleasant diversion. You can explore the island from the water side and drop anchor somewhere for a picnic.
Castries and the North
Surrounded by hills, Castries is one of the most beautifully situated Caribbean cities. The busy port is a major destination for the cruise ships that anchor at Pointe Seraphine. The tropical foliage of the large Derek Walcott Square provides shade and gospel songs are still sung in the 19th-century Catholic Cathedral. The market is great for browsing. Also worth seeing is the renovated Government House.
The fortress from which Castries was defended is situated on Morne Fortune and offers a magnificent view of Castries and the surrounding area.
In Gros Islet there is a street party every Friday on the north west coast. At nearby Pigeon Point, a small museum documents the island’s history. From here, the English admiral Rodney set sail in 1782 and destroyed the French fleet in a decisive naval battle. This end of the island is now a popular holiday area and offers a fantastic view that extends to Martinique on a clear day.
South of Castries on the west coast is the picturesque fishing village of Anse La Raye. Locals build boats out of rubber trees with sails made out of chicken feathers. Also on the west coast is Marigot Bay, a paradise for sailors. Above Marigot Bay lies Cul de Sac with three large banana plantations.
Dennery and Micoud in the east of the island are also worth seeing.
Shopping
Overview
Beautiful souvenirs include the unique tie-dyes and screen-printed motifs on dresses, sports shirts, table mats, cocktail napkins and tote bags, made in a workshop between Castries and La Toc. Bowls, straw hats, glass beads, jute shirts, sisal carpets, bags, sandals and wooden carvings are also popular souvenirs. At Pointe Seraphine Freeport in Castries there are numerous duty free shops, bars and restaurants on a piazza. Another duty-free shopping center in Castries is La Place Carenage, which mainly sells clothing, jewelery and cosmetics. Visitors can shop duty-free at both malls upon presentation of their passport and return ticket. A visit to the Castries market is worthwhile as it is always bustling with activity and has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful markets in the world. In addition to fresh fruits such as bananas, coconuts, lemons and pineapples, you will also find fragrant spices, hand-woven baskets and other handicrafts, some of which are made directly on the market. At the edge of the market there are a few small restaurants where you can try local specialties. Art lovers are drawn to Cap Estate, where the well-known artist Llewellyn Xavier, whose colorful paintings can be admired in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the National Gallery in Jamaica, has his studio.
Opening hours
Mon-Fri 08.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.00, Sat 08.00-12.00. Malls: Mon-Sat 9am-9pm.
Nightlife
Introduction
The nightlife on St. Lucia takes place mainly in the hotels. There are a few nightclubs and bars on the island, most of which are in Rodney Bay with a few in Castries. The island’s best-known clubs include Indies and The Late Lime, both of which offer live entertainment. St. Lucia’s nightlife tends to be quiet in the summer, but resorts regularly host music and dancing in the winter. One of the best-known events is the legendary Jump Up, which takes place every Friday evening in the town of Gros Islet in the north of the island. This outdoor party always attracts locals and tourists from all over the country. On the streets people dance to brisk rhythms until sunrise and there are small stands selling typical delicacies everywhere. In Anse La Raye, the residents of the small fishing village do their favorite pastime at the Friday Night Fish Fry BBQ: they grill fish and seafood. Every Friday from 6.30 p.m. the main thoroughfare of the town is closed to vehicles of all kinds and the festival begins. Live music is often offered as well. A similar spectacle takes place on Saturday nights in the east of the island: The Dennery Fish Fry attracts mostly younger islanders and the music is a bit louder than in Anse La Raye. You rarely meet tourists here, but as a visitor you get an authentic impression of the life of the villagers.
Culinary
Overview
The local cuisine is made up of Creole, West Indian and French influences. The hotel restaurants complement the wide range of options in the larger cities. International restaurants can be found primarily in tourist towns such as Rodney Bay. Fresh fish and seafood are prepared in a variety of ways. Local vegetables like yams, taro, and sweet potatoes feature in many dishes. Fruits such as bananas, coconuts, guavas, papayas, passion fruit, pineapples or soursops are often served for dessert.
Regional specialities
Langouste (native lobster). Lambi (snail shells). Pepper pot (beef and pork stew with cassava). Fried plantains, breadfruit and other vegetables. Accra (fried cod fishcakes, often served with hot sauces). Callaloo (taro leaf stew)
Useful information
At the market there is usually a small additional fee for cleaning fresh fish, as well as the plastic bag; you should agree on a price with the dealer before buying.
Tip
A tip of 10-15% is appropriate in the restaurant. Taxi drivers also expect a tip.
Regional drinks
Local rum is often offered as a punch or in cocktails. There are also numerous imported spirits. Caribbean beers include Piton and Heineken. Fresh fruit juices are also recommended. Green Apple is a soft drink made from unripe apples and sugar.
Minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages
In St. Lucia you can drink alcohol from the age of 18.
Accommodation
Hotels
St. Lucia offers hotels and accommodation of all classes. Package holidays are available in numerous hotels. Most hotels offer evening entertainment such as calypso and limbo dancing. 8% tax and 10-15% service will be added to the bills. A price list for all accommodation types is available from the Hotel Association: St Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association, PO Box 545, Castries. Tel: 452 59 78.Categories: Most hotels offer different nightly rates.American Plan (AP): Room with three meals.Modified American Plan (MAP): Room, breakfast and dinner, in some hotels also afternoon tea.Continental Plan (CP ): Bed and Breakfast.European Plan (EP): Room only.
Culture
Religion
Roman Catholic (90%) and various Protestant denominations (7%).
Social Rules of Conduct
General: The islanders are hospitable and welcome visitors to adjust to the peaceful, leisurely lifestyle. Invitations to private houses are still rather rare. Manners: The usual polite formulas should be observed. They shake hands to greet each other. Dress code: smart casual attire is accepted, although some hotels require smarter attire for mealtimes. Camouflage clothing should not be worn. Madras and foulards are rarely seen in everyday life, these traditional garments are mainly worn at festivals. Swimwear belongs on the beach. Sunbathing without a bikini top and changing clothes on the beach are seen as a public nuisance and are prohibited. This also applies to children. Photographing: People should be asked before photographing them. Photography is often allowed in churches and museums, but you should ask beforehand. Smoking: Smoking is generally allowed everywhere. However, some hotels divide into smoking and non-smoking rooms. Non-smoking zones should be observed. Safety: Like anywhere else in the world, St. Lucia is prone to pickpockets. Valuable jewelry and large amounts of cash should therefore not be boasted about, valuables should not be left unattended on the beach and rental cars should be locked. Important documents such as flight tickets,
Climate
Best travel time
Hot tropical climate tempered by trade winds. The dry season with cooler temperatures lasts from December to May. In summer and at the end of the year, the precipitation rate is higher. Average annual temperature: approx. 30°C.
Country data
Phone prefix
+1 758
Area (sq km)
619
Population
183,627 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
266
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
911
