A bit of history, some trivia and tips for how to spend a week in this Caribbean paradise.

St Lucia is one of the smaller Caribbean islands and is located not far from Venezuela. It was my first time in the region and I really was not sure what to expect. I had seen photos of sandy beaches and dreamt of mouthwatering fish with rum cocktails, but I could not have imagined what the island held.

The scenery on St Lucia is stunning. The Piton Mountains in the south of the island are home to lush greenery and the golden sand and clear water make the coastal towns a true natural beauty. It’s also remarkably un-americanised. Rodney Bay is slightly more “western” than other towns, but part of what I loved about St Lucia was that it didn’t feel as if it had succumb to monolithic global culture . There were a couple of KFC, Subway and Dominos outlets but no Starbucks or McDonalds.

St Lucia is not perfect of course. There are no tunnels or trains so crossing the island takes a long time, but this (and the sickness the roads induce) are a small price to pay for a relatively unspoilt island.

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History of St Lucia

St Lucia has been colonised by both the French and the British. The two nations fought over who owned St Lucia fourteen times. As a result the food, culture and language brings elements of both together and blends it with traditional island culture.

The national language in St Lucia is English. Interestingly, Creole (the native language) is not taught in schools. The towns in St Lucia mainly have French names. We spoke to a few locals who said they learned Creole from their grandparents. This was so they understood how and when they were being told off!

St Lucia is considered to be one of the less “developed” (I hate that phrase) Caribbean islands. We also met a lot of people very dissatisfied with the government and how foreign investment has skewed the country. Tourism is the main industry on St Lucia but this is not without issues. There are many restaurants that have opened and are far too expensive for locals. Housing on the island has also been snapped up by overseas investors to be used as a business investment. This means locals cannot afford housing which has made many of the problems on the island worse. Locals also told us about how frustrated they got with government priorities. For example you will drive along roads that are half way through being developed because the project was cancelled by the government. We found the gratitude for tourism was balanced by resentment as it had left St Lucia divided.

Things to know before you visit St Lucia

The plugs they use in St Lucia

The first and most important thing for any traveller. The plugs. In St Lucia, the plug sockets are British three-pin ones. Mainly. There are some US plugs but mainly in areas which a lot of US tourists visit. The best bet is an adaptor like this to cover yourself.*

The currency you use in St Lucia

The currency is East Caribbean Dollar (ECD) but everywhere takes USD. As a tourist, some places will quote you in USD to start with, but it’s worth offering to pay in ECD. The locals prefer if you pay in their currency (shocker) and you can sometimes get a better price if you do. In terms of the cash we took with us, we took about 2/3 of it in ECD and 1/3 in USD.

Getting around St Lucia

There is not much public transport infrastructure or not much by western standards. There is no train network, buses run regularly but not frequently and they wait to be full to leave, so the 9am bus won’t leave until 9.40 if it is not full. If you have the time to wait for a bus (and for it to get full so it leaves) it’s a cheap option, but taxi or hire car is best.

Things open 8-4, not 9-5. On a Sunday, many things close by 2.30 if they open at all. It is a very Catholic country, so Sunday is still respected as a day of rest.

St Lucia is expensive

St Lucia doesn’t have much agricultural land. This means that all the meat consumed on the island is imported. They also have to import all energy (even though as a volcanic country there is potential for geothermal) and even store oil for other Caribbean countries who sell it back to St Lucia. Taxis are expensive because the roads are so bad that even a simple trip takes a long time. This means you end up paying for a day of someone’s time as they can only do your job. Equally, as tourism is a major industry the prices are high as this is how people make their money.

The people are patient

We had a taxi pick up where the other guests at our hotel were 40 minutes late. I know this as we sat in the taxi waiting for them (it could have been even longer, I had lost all patience by the time they arrived). If this was a place with less patient people (like London) they’d have been left stranded.

Sales assistants and tour reps are not pushy: seriously. It almost is like they don’t want you to buy from them.

Our trip

Random Trivia

Most of this won’t be helpful to you, but I found it interesting when locals told us it…

Car license plates are very functional:

• M= minibus
• TX = taxi
• P= private
• GSL = government car
• H = hire car

St Lucia is home to the world’s smallest snake.

Kalabash is the national tree

Bamboo is the national plant

Movies filmed in St Lucia

St. Lucia has served as the backdrop for several films. The original Dr. Dolittle was filmed in Marigold Bay. If you are a fan of Superman, you might recognize the waterfall from the movie.

What we did in St Lucia

Castries

Castries is the capital of St Lucia and is a tiny but beautiful harbour city. It has less tourist infrastructure than Rodney Bay but it is perfect for a day trip. It is a cruise ship stop so the town is well set up for day-trips. At least one of the shopping malls has an exit which takes you directly to your cruise ship. This probably tells you what you need to know about how big of an impact they have on the local economy.

The Minor Basilica Catholic Cathedral

The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic Cathedral located in the centre of Castries opposite Derek Walcott Square. It has to be one of the most spectacular churches I have ever seen, and I am comparing this to the baroque marble you find in Central Europe. The photo below cannot do justice to the exquisite way in which the church was painted. For example the detail behind the flowers on pews was just perfect.

The Castries market

The Castries market is THE place to go for your souvenirs. It is packed stalls that sell locally made ornaments, t-shirts, sauces and fabulous works of art. The market is centrally located and is a brilliant place to lose yourself for an hour or so. It also has WiFi which is rare on St Lucia.

Pigeon Island

Pigeon Island is one of St Lucia’s national parks. It is a national landmark and boasts a history lesson, a good hike and stunning sandy beaches.

The island offers a fascinating glimpse into the island’s past. It was originally separated from the mainland, but in the 1970s a causeway was built to connect Pigeon Island to St Lucia. The island played a pivotal role in the battles between the French and the British for control of St. Lucia. Fort Rodney, named after the British Admiral George Rodney, was built in the late 18th century. It served as a strategic military base. The fort’s remnants, including cannons and lookout points, still stand today. Now I was disappointed that it was not acceptable to climb on these cannons, but the views of the sea and Martinique made up for it.

During both World War I and World War II, Pigeon Island once again found itself at the center of military strategy and it played a critical role in the defence of the Caribbean. During World War I, the island served as a communication and lookout post. Workers helped to monitor and protect the region’s shipping lanes. Pigeon Island’s strategic location meant it was easy to detect enemy ships and submarines. This meant it became an essential part of the Allied defense network in the Caribbean.

In World War II, Pigeon Island’s significance grew even further. The British and American forces used it as a naval base, taking advantage of its vantage points and natural harbor. The island’s fortifications were reinforced, and it was a key location for monitoring German U-boat activity in the Atlantic. The intelligence and surveillance gathered from Pigeon Island were crucial in securing the maritime routes that were vital for transporting troops, supplies, and resources across the Atlantic.

Today, you can explore the ruins which include old bunkers and military installations, offering a poignant reminder of the island’s significant role in global conflicts.

COSTS: You will likely need to get a taxi to Pigeon Island, and the entrance fee for tourists is $10 (USD).

Tip: we ate at Joe’s Grill and Chill which is just outside the park and it was exceptional. HOWEVER, as you will get used to in St Lucia, the food does not come quickly. You need to allow at least an hour even for a snack.

Rodney Bay

Rodney Bay is the epicenter of St. Lucia’s nightlife and a hub of daily activity. It is located on the northwest coast of St Lucia and is a bustling area known for stunning beaches. Rodney Bay is lined with palm trees and has calm, clear waters that are perfect for swimming and water sports.

In the day there is a good selection of shops, the closest to a coffee franchise you’ll find on the island and watersports a-plenty at the beach. The marina is home to high-end restaurants and shops, all aimed at tourists.

Friday night is party night

The famous Friday night street party in Gros Islet is a must-experience for anyone visiting St. Lucia. As the sun sets, the music is turned up. The streets fill with food and drink stalls where you can sample more variations of rum than you ever thought possible. Wonderful food, especially barbequed fish fills the air. The party seems to take place in two phases: the tourists go until about 11pm. After this the locals turn up and see it through until dawn. Or so I have heard, I was of course in bed before midnight!

The Pitons

The Pitons are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of St. Lucia’s most iconic landmarks. These majestic twin peaks can be seen from Soufrière and are a must-see for any visitor to the island. At the base of the Pitons, you’ll find remnants of the island’s first settlers, including ancient inscriptions. The nearby volcano is the world’s only drive-through volcano, and while the last eruption caused the crater to collapse to ground level, you can still witness the sulphuric activity and even enjoy a mud bath.

The Botanical Gardens

The Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens really are a must-see in St Lucia. They are located near Soufrière and whilst they are not large, they have a really stunning selection of plants and some pretty cool birds too. They also have an absolutely lovely mineral bath area which will leave you feeling relaxed.

Hotel Chocolat

If you’re a chocolate lover, a visit to Hotel Chocolat is a must. It is located near the Pitons, and the site contains a luxury hotel and plantation experience. It offers a unique experience where you can learn about the chocolate-making process including how cocoa plants are grown. If you decide to visit Hotel Chocolat, then it is best to book a tour, specifically one with a meal included, because the food is probably the best part.

The tour is interesting, but it was clearly put on for tourists as there is not a working plantation on the site. It is more a showcase of what it takes to make chocolate. Making your own bar of chocolate is another highlight of the experience – it’s much harder than we thought!

You can book the tours through Viator*, they are not cheap (think £40 for the short tour and £90 for the longer one). As with a lot in St. Lucia, you will likely need to factor in the cost of a taxi into this day out too. If you’d prefer to just have a taste of Hotel Chocolat from home, then this is a great selection.*

Save St Lucia for later

• Denotes an affiliate link, which means if you book through it, I earn a little commission. I only recommend experiences I have done myself and enjoyed.