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Canaries, a small village on the west coast of Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia your way

Tailor-made Saint Lucia holidays shaped around your passions

The outline of two jungle-clad volcanic peaks standing sentinel on Saint Lucia’s coastline are synonymous with this Caribbean island. Beyond the Pitons, as the peaks are known, St Lucia stands out for its long arcs of sandy shores, protected reefs where sea turtles swim, a lush rainforest interior, and vibrant music and food scenes.

Our Caribbean specialists have journeyed across the island to find not only its best beaches but also to help you gain an authentic insight into this multicultural nation during your own travels. On a trip to Saint Lucia, you can explore the island’s Kwéyòl culture at the Folk Research Centre, tour the British-built Fort Rodney, and join the locals at a famed Friday-night fish fry.

Hiking Gros Piton — the larger yet tamer of two Piton peaks, thanks to its wide, well-managed trails – will give you a bird’s eye view of island. Heading inland, you can explore rainforest reserves, walk along nature trails that wind past guava trees, and splash in the cool pools that form under waterfalls. Birdwatchers can also enjoy a visit to the Millet Bird Sanctuary or the Des Cartier Rainforest Trail, the latter being one of the best places to glimpse the rare St Lucia parrot. You’ll also find rum distilleries and see brightly painted Creole houses along the way.

To the north of Saint Lucia is yacht-filled Rodney Bay and the bright markets of the capital, Castries. On a boat trip around the island, you can look out for spinner dolphins, as well as humpback, sperm, and pilot whales when they make their breeding pilgrimage to Saint Lucia from October to February. Along the west coast, hotels lead onto sugar-soft beaches, while the quieter east shore is lined with farming communities and secluded coves.

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Suggested tours for Saint Lucia

These tours give you a starting point for what your holiday to Saint Lucia could entail. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.

View all Saint Lucia tours

Where to stay in Saint Lucia

We know that where you stay is an important part of your trip. That’s why we’ve hand-picked the best properties in Saint Lucia, from beachside hideaways to activity-filled family resorts.

View all Saint Lucia hotels

Why travel with Audley?

  • 100% tailor-made tours
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Best time to visit

Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Saint Lucia, including information about climate, events and festivals.

Best time to visit Saint Lucia

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Useful information for planning your holiday in Saint Lucia

about experiences & stays getting there & getting around entry requirements & health
What languages are spoken in Saint Lucia?

The official language of Saint Lucia is English, but French Creole, known as Kwéyòl or Patwah, is spoken by 95% of the population. As well as French, Kwéyòl draws on West African and Carib influences.

What's the currency of Saint Lucia?

The currency of Saint Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$ or XCD), which is pegged to the US dollar. You’ll find ATMs in larger towns and major credit cards are accepted at most shops, hotels, and restaurants. US dollars are also widely accepted, but you’ll usually be given change in EC dollars, and at a lower exchange rate.

How much should I tip in Saint Lucia?

A tip of 10-12% is typical in Saint Lucia but you might find a service charge of 10% has been automatically added to your bill in hotels and restaurants, so check first.

Where can I find the latest travel advice for Saint Lucia?

For the latest travel advice for Saint Lucia, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

What food and drink should I try in Saint Lucia?

In Saint Lucia, you should try green figs (boiled green bananas) and saltfish, accras (fish cakes served with hot sauce), and roti (Indian flatbread filled with meat or vegetables). Saint Lucian cuisine mixes Creole, French, and West Indian influences, and is generally quite spicy with fish and seafood being an important ingredient. Callaloo, a green leafy vegetable similar to spinach, is the basis for a variety of soups.

You’ll find rum served all over the island, while Piton is the best-known local beer.

What can I experience in Saint Lucia?

In Saint Lucia, you could hike up a volcanic peak, explore rainforests and waterfalls, go whale watching or birding, visit historic plantations, or enjoy the nightlife at a brightly painted fishing village. Along with secluded beaches lapped by turquoise seas and tropical reefs teeming with fish, Saint Lucia offers plenty for the active visitor.

Whether you wish to explore local culture on a visit to a fishing or farming village, join the celebrations at a communal Friday-night fish fry, or learn about folklore and customs, there are lots of ways to get an insight into life on the island.

Where can I stay in Saint Lucia?

Saint Lucia offers a wide range of places to stay, from boutique hotels and large resorts on the coast to guesthouses on working plantations inland. Dividing your time between two locations gives the best overview of the island, so you could stay in an intimate coastal retreat known for its fine dining and follow it with a few days at a family-run hotel in the heart of the rainforest where you can follow nature trails into the jungle or learn about the work on a cocoa plantation.

Or maybe you’d like a private plunge pool and framed views of the volcanic Pitons at a characterful boutique hotel or a stay at a luxurious adults-only resort with water sports and idyllic views. Take a look at our collection of places to stay in Saint Lucia for some ideas.

Where should I go in Saint Lucia?

Saint Lucia is quite small, and most visitors go to Rodney Bay, Anse La Raye, and Soufrière while here.

To the north of the island is the capital, Castries, and lively Rodney Bay, the island’s most popular visitor hub with its hotels, restaurants, and bars. The west coast of Saint Lucia is fringed by powdery soft beaches and, while here, it’s worth visiting the waterfalls near Anse La Raye or heading further south to Soufrière to visit old plantation estates. The east coast is quieter and offers secluded coves and small farming communities to explore.

How long does it take to fly to Saint Lucia from the UK?

It takes around nine hours to fly from the UK to Saint Lucia.

What's the time zone in Saint Lucia?

The time zone in Saint Lucia is UTC-4 hours. Daylight Savings Time is not observed in Saint Lucia.

What's the best way of getting around in Saint Lucia?

The best way to get around Saint Lucia is to rent a car. Distances between sights are relatively short and you’ll get complete flexibility to travel when you wish. If you’d prefer not to drive, there are plenty of local taxis and a public minibus service that runs between towns and villages.

Alternatively, you could sail around the island on a private yacht visiting little-visited towns, marine parks, and lively marinas. Yacht hire also offers the possibility of combining a trip to Saint Lucia with a visit to Bequia, Tobago Cays, or Martinique.

Do I need a visa to visit Saint Lucia, and what do I need to check with my passport?

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Saint Lucia. Enter where you’re travelling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

Do I need vaccinations to visit Saint Lucia?

Your doctor is best placed to offer vaccine advice for Saint Lucia. You can also check the suggested vaccinations on the Travel Health Pro website. It’s also a good idea to ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations at home.

Saint Lucia in pictures

  • Purple Throated Carib bird, Saint Lucia
    Try a spot of birdwatching on the Des Cartier Rainforest Trail
  • Rainforest in Saint Lucia
    Enjoy Saint Lucia's beautiful rainforest
  • Local Fisherman, Saint Lucia
    Discover the island's Kwéyòl culture
  • Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia
    Explore the archaeological and historic sites on Pigeon Island
  • Turtle, Saint Lucia
    Head to Grande Anse beach to spot turtles
  • Local House, Saint Lucia
    Visit Saint Lucia’s centre and east coast for a traditional way of life
  • Scuba Diving, Saint Lucia
    Snorkel and dive off Saint Lucia's west coast reefs
  • Pitons, Saint Lucia
    Hike to the summit of Gros Piton

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