Where to Stay in Saint Lucia

Our Favorite Saint Lucia Hotels

5-Star Hotel: Jade Mountain
• Ένα μπουτίκ ξενοδοχείο: Σπίτι Plantation Ροζ
• A budget-friendly option is the ” Tropical Breeze” in St. Lucia.
• Hotel Jägerhaus • Hotel contact number: +49 711 370330
• Adults-Only: Tet Rouge
• All-Inclusive: Serenity at Coconut Bay
• Best Swimming Facility: Harbor Club
• Near the airport: A beachfront hotel

a beach filled with palm trees and palm trees

The Best Area to Stay in Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is the most sentimental of all Caribbean islands, a quintessential tropical paradise that possesses gorgeous beaches, a mountainous, rainforest-covered hinterland and an easygoing culture that blends indigenous, African, French, and British influences. Towering over it all, and making St Lucia truly one of a kind, are the majestic peaks of the Pitons – two cone-shaped spires, well over 2,000 ft high, that seem to rise directly out of the sea.

Saint Lucia was originally inhabited by the Caribs, but the French began colonizing the island in 1660 – Britain and France fought for control over years thereafter, with Britain ultimately prevailing in 1814. And although St Lucia has been fully independent since 1979, King Charles III remains the nominal head of state. The island is relatively small – 27 miles (43km) long by 14 miles (23km) wide – and your primary accommodations choices in terms of where to stay are relatively straightforward: the north or the southwest.

The northern section of the island – which essentially refers to the booming towns of Gros Islet/Rodney Bay in the northwest – is where more conventional beach resorts and hotels are typically found, situated along an extensive sandy coastline with plenty of nightlife and dining options nearby.

In the southwest of the island, the beaches tend to be secluded coves nestled in the shadow of the Pitons mountain peaks. Hotels and resorts are more intimate here, often situated in spectacular locations that take advantage of the steep slopes and sensational scenery. Staying in the southwest provides a more peaceful experience – and you`ll primarily dine and drink at your hotel (or one nearby).

Saint Lucia’s funds and most important metro area is Castries. Despite it’s the governmental, business, and cultural heart of the island, there are few lodging accessible here, and most guests only visit it on day excursions. The second greatest metro is pretty Soufrière, the atmospheric old French colonial funds – like in Castries, there are few place stay stay here, but it’s an easy travel from the southern retreats.

The southernmost point of the island is home to the international airport and the community of Vieux Fort – some affordable lodging alternatives can be found here, well away from the tourist-frequented areas. Lastly, there is St Lucia’s rugged inland region, extremely mountainous and densely wooded. It is worth taking a day or two off the beach to explore its trails and peaks, even if spending the night here is not truly an option.

Saint Lucia Travel Tips

  • Regrettably, Saint Lucia’s primary airport is not found near the capital or the northern resorts but is instead situated at the southern tip of the island. Hewanorra International Airport is troublesome to travel to and from the north coast resorts, though not as inconvenient if you’re remaining in the south (plan a taxi in both circumstances). The capital town of Castries has George F. L. Charles Airport, but this exclusively accommodates small planes, hopping briefly to close by islands.
  • Saint Lucia uses the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), pegged to the US dollar at US$1=EC$2.70. As a result, US dollars are accepted widely by businesses on the island, though you’ll get change in EC$, and the exchange rate used can differ significantly (it will always be rounded up). Bringing US dollars cash is an option, but make sure the bills are only US$20 or smaller denominations, and that they are in good condition without creases or damage – locals will not accept worn notes. The best plan is to withdraw a small amount of local currency from an ATM upon arrival and use your credit card as frequently as possible (accepted in all but the smallest local businesses). You are unlikely to be able to use other international currencies on Saint Lucia.
  • Taxis can be very expensive for transportation around St Lucia – going from the southern to northern side of the island may easily take over an hour and cost over US$100; merely shuttling between Rodney Bay and Castries will be at least US$20. That said, if you intend to primarily remain in one location, there’s no necessity to rent a vehicle. And on the bright side, St Lucia taxi drivers increasingly provide complimentary in-vehicle wi-fi.
  • If exploring the island, even for a day, hiring a car makes sense; most major companies have offices at the international airport or in Rodney Bay, and all hotels can arrange this for you. It takes about 1–1.5 hours to travel from north to south in Saint Lucia by car. The main roads are in reasonable condition, but are very winding. Note that St Lucia drives on the left, akin to the UK and Australia.
  • It is possible to travel St. Lucia`s main routes by local minibus – single rides range from EC$2.5 to $8 depending on the distance traveled. For short trips it can be enjoyable (you`ll definitely get to meet the locals), but exploring the entire island is not a convenient option this way.
  • English is the official language of St Lucia, but the local Creole dialect known as “kwéyòl” is commonly spoken. Visitors will find that everyone can understand and speak English.

The Best Places to Stay in St Lucia

Best Places in St Lucia for…

  • Best Area for Beaches: North Saint Lucia or Soufrière (West St Lucia)
    Most visitors to the island of St. Lucia opt to lodge in hotels located either at the livelier northern region or the mountainous, more secluded southwest sector. Both zones offer excellent beaches for relaxation. In the north, a major attraction is Reduit Beach in Rodney Bay, the primary stretch of sand backing the island`s dominant commercial strip – it accommodates many guests through provision of amenities, water sports, and nightlife options. Despite the activity there, the beach is sufficiently expansive for dispersing the tourist population, continually providing private sections for enjoyment of the shoreline. Nearby are the two idyllic soft sand beaches on Pigeon Island along with the more rugged Atlantic coast beach Cas-en-Bas, a popular spot for kiteboarding and windsurfing enthusiasts. Also situated on the latter is the well-known local eatery Marjorie’s directly adjoining the ocean waves.

    In West Saint Lucia things operate somewhat differently: the beaches are smaller and a bit harder to access, but much more scenic. Soufrière doesn’t have any good beaches, but just to the south, Jalousie Plantation Beach (aka Sugar Beach) is one of the most picturesque in the Caribbean, framed by the imposing Pitons. Though half the beach is possessed by the Sugar Beach Resort, there’s a section at the northern end accessible to the public. Further north, the charcoal-colored beaches of Anse Chastanet and Anse Mamin (connected by coastal footpath) are technically part of Anse Chastanet Resort, but both are open to the public (you can park in the resort’s complimentary parking lot). The snorkeling off Anse Chastanet is especially favorable, with the shallow reef attracting turtles and loads of tropical fish.

  • Most Romantic Destination: Soufrière (West St Lucia)

    Stretching north from Glasgow`s downtown train station, this urban environment could be split mentally into eastern and western parts. The calmer western half contains shops and bars around the railway giving way to upmarket offices and underground drinking spots on Bath Street. Additionally located here are the Glasgow School of Art plus Mackintosh at the Willow tearoom, as well as some of the city`s premiere hotels. Nightlife fueled by Glasgow`s largest student population within the City Centre is concentrated along Bath and Sauchiehall Streets spanning the area from east to west. On the eastern side shopping occurs along W Nile Street and dining is found off it at numerous restaurants whilst cultural venues like the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall are situated here too

  • Best Place for Nightlife: Gros Islet/Rodney Bay (Northern Saint Lucia)
    Rodney Bay Village is considered to be St Lucia’s main nightlife center, with some of the best dining establishments and various late night bars and clubs that attract locals as well as visitors. Spinnakers Beach Bar has a perfect location right on the sand for sunset drinks, while Cafe 758 is inside the JQ Rodney Bay Mall. The simple Boardwalk Bar overlooks the marina while the Ultra Lounge is a relaxed spot serving food and drinks on Reduit Beach Avenue Road

    Over in Gros Islet there’s the regular Friday night street social gathering, one of Saint Lucia’s most iconic “jump-ups”, featuring outdoor stalls and bars serving local cuisine, rum punch, and beer. Excellent local bars in Gros Islet include Castro’s Pub and the Irie Bar and Duke’s Place on Bay Street.

    Be sure to sample Chairman’s Reserve, St Lucia’s popular domestically-created rum, and Piton, the local pilsner beer.

  • .

    • The majority of travels to Castries usually start with exploring the Central Market, where locals visit to buy fresh fruits and produce but also features handicrafts and gifts. On the opposite side of the road lies the “Vendor`s Arcade”, an extension to the market that is crammed with all sorts of stalls run by locals, cafes, and massage parlors. Popular items include colorful wood carvings (pioneered by Soufrière-based craftsmen Zaka, also known as Simon Gajadhar), handmade pottery, locally made cocoa sticks (produced from ground, fermented cocoa nibs), hot sauces made from fiery Scotch Bonnet peppers, rum, native honey, batik textiles, wood carvings, coconut oil, and locally designed jewelry. The usual range of duty-free items and luxury goods can be discovered nearby in air-conditioned La Place Carenage, including Colombian emeralds. Across the bay at the cruise dock, Pointe Seraphine Shopping Centre has several duty-free jewelry stores and electronics shops, a dedicated Rum Shop, fashion boutiques, and gift shops. It’s also worth walking around the streets of Downtown Castries where you’ll find independent stores run by locals selling local fashions at bargain prices.

  • Top Location for Diving: Soufrière (West Saint Lucia)
    The island of Saint Lucia officially boasts twenty-two principal scuba diving sites, all situated on its calmer Caribbean or western coast. While many quality locations for diving can be found further to the north around Gros Islet and Rodney Bay, the stretch of shore surrounding Soufrière accommodates seasoned divers with some of the richest underwater attractions. Appropriately named Turtle Reef is one of the most popular destinations; the resident turtle grass beds frequently play host to sightings of hawksbill and green sea turtles browsing. Another noteworthy spot contains pillar corals and barrel sponges clustered upon its reef. Deemed “Fairyland,” this vivid area stands out for its pristine corals and sponges kept immaculate by the currents—but divers also encounter turtles and various marine life there. The enigmatic Four Volcanic Vents, protruding within feet of the surface, lure a diverse array of fish such as grouper, jack, and moray eels. Termed “Superman’s Flight,” one enthralling drift dive allows divers to lazily course over the reef scenery as an assortment of fish, fluorescent sponges, and massive gorgonians waft past in the pull of the currents. Piton Wall clings near the base of Petit Piton, a thrilling drop plunging hundreds of feet. Quite farther to the north in Anse Cochon Bay, two notable shipwrecks attract explorers—a 167-foot freighter sunken in 1986 dubbed the Lesleen M, along with a Japanese dredger named the Daini Koyomaru sent to the depths in 1996 to form an artificial reef.

    • Even if accommodations are chosen in North St Lucia, local diving schools and tour operators will typically offer trips to these southern diving sites – the journey time to get there simply needs to be accounted for.

  • Safety in Saint Lucia
    St Lucia is usually quite safe for visitors, though the standard precautions should be taken at night. Minor theft and street crimes do occur; never leave anything valuable in your automobile or on the beach unattended.

The 5 Best Places in Saint Lucia for Tourists

1. Castries

Castries is the capital city of Saint Lucia, a (relatively) busy port and urban center set around a picturesque harbor on the northwest side of the island. Nearly a third of the residents of St Lucia live here; while very few visitors remain in Castries for their whole trip, it’s the best place to absorb its complex history and cultural blend, and it’s also the top shopping destination on the island. If you’re lodging in North St Lucia the city is a relatively straightforward minibus or taxi ride away; from the south it’s preferable to get there via rental vehicle or guided excursion.

The downtown area of Castries, the capital city of Saint Lucia, is small and compact, making it easy to explore on foot. At the heart of the city lies Derek Walcott Square, a pleasant green space named after the famous Saint Lucian poet Sir Derek Walcott, who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992. In the square stands a bronze bust honoring the poet. Fans may want to visit Walcott Place on Chaussee Road, Walcott`s childhood home which will serve as a museum in the future. Also located on the square is the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, St Lucia`s Catholic cathedral reported to be the largest church in the Caribbean region. Inside the stunning interior, the chief artistic attractions are the murals by Saint Lucian artist Dunstan St. Omer. On the other side of the square is the distinctive red and white Central Library, completed in 1924 using funds from the Andrew Carnegie Trust. On the harbor itself is Castries Central Market, a fun place to visit filled with local handicraft, fruit and vegetable stalls. (It is busiest on Fridays and Saturdays.) Opposite is Vendor`s Arcade with more local stalls and services. Castries offers good shopping in general. La Place Carenage is a small duty-free mall further along the waterfront, and indie shops can be found scattered around Downtown. Pointe Seraphine is the major cruise ship shopping mall, located on the other side of the harbor. To view the city, consider heading to the Vigie Lighthouse on the other side of Castries airport, or up to Fort Charlotte on Morne Fortune, 3 miles south of the city center. Nearby, the Howelton Estate 1896 is another popular stop, a historic plantation house now home to local gift shops, lush gardens, artisanal studios, and a pleasant café.

• Castries is not truly a beach town; the closest suitable stretch of sand is La Toc Beach, 2 miles/3km from Downtown (and home to Sandals Regency La Toc).

• Dining choices are restricted in Downtown Castries; proposed restaurants include Indulge (Chisel St, at High St), Aunties Place (on Darling Rd), and the Sabay Sabaw Filipino restaurant (Monigiraud St, at Micoud St), which is highly authentic (many cruise ships have Filipino crews). Le Restaurant De Romantique at 9 Mary Ann Street is a great local spot.

• Note that when cruise ships dock, Castries (particularly the market and malls) can get crowded with visitors.

2. North Saint Lucia (Gros Islet/Rodney Bay)

North Saint Lucia represents the primary hub of the island`s tourism sector, with the twin towns of Gros Islet and Rodney Bay situated around the bay and an artificially constructed marina. Rodney Bay lies on the south side of the marina, and this is where most of the hotels and resorts are placed. The main attraction is Reduit Beach, considered one of St Lucia`s best stretches of sand, offering all the related water activities. Splash Island Water Park sits at the northern end of the beach, an inflatable water park within the bay that`s wildly popular with children. Rodney Bay Village is the area`s nightlife center and home to the Treasure Bay Casino in Baywalk Shopping Mall, and the JQ Charles Rodney Bay Mall, plus a complete lineup of services, restaurants and tour providers. Island Mix is one of our favorite spots here, an art gallery hosting a laid-back café.

On the northern flank of the harbor area, Gros Islet is a more functional settlement with its own small coastline, a scattering of low-key lodging houses and lots of eateries and relaxed bars. This is where the famous Friday Night Street Social takes place each week, including food stalls and live entertainment. At the furthest northern tip of the bay lies Pigeon Island National Park, joined to the mainland by causeway in 1972. The park is one of St Lucia’s highlights, offering a half-day or full day out, with two beaches, the 18th-century ruins of British and French forts, a restaurant, pub, and spectacular views from Signal Peak. The park Interpretation Centre tells the story of the British naval triumph over the French at the Battle of the Saints in 1782. Beyond here, the Cap Estate neighborhood encompasses the northernmost point of St Lucia, with a handful of more intimate resorts and tranquil holiday rentals, as well as the Greg Norman-designed Sandals St. Lucia Golf and Country Club (https://www.sandals.com/golf/st-lucia). Finally, over on the wilder Atlantic side of the island, Cas-en-Bas Beach and the surrounding bluffs and capes is well off the tourist trail, more popular with surfers, kiteboarders and windsurfers.

You will find some quality restaurants in the area at the top of the island. Establishments well worth considering are Spinnakers, directly by the seaside, Buzz Restaurant,Jacques Waterfront Dining,Big Chef Steak House, Lucian Cuisine for local fare (near Baywalk Shopping Mall), and numerous others.

• The splendid beach plus the convenience of this area accounts for its popularity – it can be a long and expensive taxi ride from the main airport, but once here, there’s no reason to leave.

— North St Lucia offers several excellent diving locations; Berger Rock, La Roche (The Stone), and Saline Point among them. Contact Eastern Caribbean Diving or Scuba Steve’s to arrange an excursion.

• The Saint Lucia Jazz Festival typically occurs every May in and around Gros Islet. Recently it has been canceled due to COVID, but is returning in 2023. St Lucia’s annual Carnival happens in July and was revived in 2022, while other fests primarily taking place in North St Lucia include the Saint Lucia Roots & Soul Festival (August) and the Saint Lucia Food & Rum Festival (September).

3. Soufrière and the Pitons (West St Lucia)

The area of West St Lucia around Soufrière was the other major tourist hub on the island (alongside North St Lucia), though the atmosphere here was totally different. Dominated by the spectacular twin peaks of the Pitons, the mountains of the interior tumbled into the coast here, with small, isolated coves and beaches backed by steep cliffs and slopes. The resorts and hotels were spread out along the shore and high in the hills, offering a far more tranquil experience. Your dining and drinking options would be limited to the resorts however, and you’ll need a rental car if you wanted to explore further afield.

The hub of the region is Soufrière, a small, beautiful little bay town below the Pitons, which served as the original French capital of the island. Unless there is a cruise ship docked, it’s a sleepy place that is well worth exploring for its handful of local shops, bakeries, and colonial and gingerbread architecture. Most organized tours swiftly visit a series of attractions surrounding the town, but you will get more out of these with your own transportation: Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens & Mineral Baths, set on the old Soufrière Estate granted to the Devaux family by King Louis XIV of France in 1713; the bubbling Sulphur Springs, aka the “Soufrière Drive In Volcano”; the chocolate-making tours at the Fond Doux Resort and Rabot Estate; the zip line and adventure park at the Morne Coubaril Estate; and numerous waterfalls.

The densely forested peaks of Petit Piton (2,350 feet/743 meters) and Gros Piton (2,540 feet/798 meters) offer a magnificent backdrop to everything; reasonably fit hikers can walk to the summit of the latter via the Gros Piton Nature Trail. (Petit Piton requires rock climbing.) Soufrière itself doesn`t really have a beach. The best spots nearby are the tiny Jalousie Plantation Beach (also known as Sugar Beach, to the south) and Anse Chastanet Beach (to the northwest), especially renowned for easy snorkeling right offshore (where there is a shallow reef). A brief walk north along a coastal pathway gets you to Anse Mamin, a rare black sand beach which sees very few visitors – you`ll often have it all to yourself, though there is a restaurant and the beach is technically part of Anse Chastanet Resort (non-guests can access the beach freely but not the hotel amenities).

4. South St Lucia

Very few travelers end up in the southern region of Saint Lucia, even though it is easily accessible from the international airport, and offers a secluded experience similar to the resorts located more to the west. There isn`t much to see in Vieux Fort, the main settlement in the area, but the spectacular view from the Cap Moule à Chique Lighthouse (730ft/223m) at the southernmost tip of the island is worth the brief drive. Nearby is Anse Des Sables Beach and Sandy Beach, both of which are significantly wilder and more extensive than most beaches on the island – this side of St Lucia faces the Atlantic Ocean, so it tends to be windier and more popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers. Just offshore lies the Maria Islands Nature Reserve, home to the rare kouwés snake and many migratory birds (tours are by appointment only, see website). Further north along the west coast, Laborie Beach is one of the island’s most attractive and less visited inlets of sand, while the Balenbouche Estate is an historic plantation providing accommodation but also tours for non-guests of its 18th-century sugar mill, plantation house, grounds, and beaches.

5. Central Saint Lucia

The central part of the island is mainly covered with forest-covered mountains, most of which remains untamed wilderness. Only one road crosses St Lucia and much of the interior is only accessible by hiking trails. The primary attractions here are the forest reserves that protect various types of flora and fauna (such as the St Lucia parrot), interlaced with waterfalls, jagged peaks, and challenging paths. Edmund Forest Reserve is one of the more popular destinations, though it is difficult to reach, requiring a 4-hour hike each way (plus about an hour`s drive by 4WD to arrive at the starting point of the trail). From the reserve there is a trail to the island`s highest point, Mount Gimie (3,117ft/950m), but this hike is quite tough and is only suggested with a government-approved guide. You can also arrange for park rangers to continue to the Quilesse Forest Reserve and the Des Cartiers Rainforest Trail (an easy2.5 mile/4kmloop).

If you don’t enjoy hiking, there are still other options to experience the interior that require less physical exertion. The Treetop Adventure Park run by Adventure Tours St Lucia provides ziplining and canopy tours through the rainforest, while Rainforest Adventures St. Lucia offers a similar assortment of activities in Chassin (Babonneau). You can also drive up to the Millet Bird Sanctuary and Nature Trail from the Roseau Valley (though arranging a guide to tour the sanctuary is advisable). With a car, the wilder east coast is another possibility, where Mamiku Botanical Gardens spans the former French de Micoud plantation that continues generating bananas, cocoa, tropical flowers, and fruits.

• It’s difficult to find hotels or even short-term rentals in central Saint Lucia – it`s much simpler to plan day trips from your coast accommodations, either via organized tour or independently with a rental vehicle (preferably 4WD).

Other Saint Lucia Neighborhoods

We`ve covered our favorite areas to explore and reside in more depth above, but with additional time (or on your second trip), it`s worthwhile thinking about Marigot Bay. It`s a bit off the main tourist path, some 7 miles (11km) south of Castries, but owing to its marina, acts as a big center for yachts and is home to some excellent restaurants for example Roots Beach Bar. The scenic harbor, with steep slopes on either side is the key focal point here, though St Lucia Distillers is only a brief drive away, creating premium quality rums and the Marigot Bay range of liqueurs. The harbor is flanked by some fairly luxurious lodging; our favorites are the all-inclusive Zoetry, the cheaper Marigot Beach Club & Dive Resort, and the Oasis Marigot villa rentals.

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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