St Lucia, Carribean.

St Lucia guide

St Lucia is a caribbean Island north of Barbados; it is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide. Gros Islet town is the centre of nightlife on the Island but isn't the best for beaches. Every Friday night Gros islet has a street party belting out Caribbean music from local artists! Or if you don't want to miss out on the catch of the day; Anse-la-Raye holds 'Seafood Friday' and Dennery holds 'Fish Saturday'! Rodney Bay in Gros Islet has many of the local night clubs. Gros Islet and the Castries are popular districts to stay and have by far the most hotels and restaurants available.

The Islands main activities are focused around the water and St Lucia offers a whole host of water sports. With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the calm Caribbean Sea on the other St Lucia has some of the best diving areas in the Caribbean; many hotels will offer excursions. However if you don't fancy going so deep into the water snorkelling is fantastic in the crystal clear waters. Windsurfing, waterskiing, parasailing, deep-sea fishing and yatching are also available.

St Lucia also has 19,000 acres of rainforest full of rare plants, orchids, hummingbirds and parrots. The local craft markets sell baskets made out of climbing foot palms and aralie. There are many trails to explore so make sure you have some walking boots!

St Lucia has previously won the Caribbean Ecotourism award so there is plenty to do if you dont want to spend your whole holiday laying on the beach. There is a campsite if you want to have the full outdoor experience night and day. You can also go hiking and biking, and horse-back riding.

However, if you have come to St Lucia with the intention of laying on the beach all day you have come to the right place. St Lucia is up there with the best sandy-white beaches in the world combined with the warm Caribbean sea caressing the shores you can't ask for anymore more!

Flights to St Lucia Airport

Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) is 40 miles south of Castries.

To and from St Lucia Airport

Activities and sightseeing in St Lucia

Spas and health clubs, scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming, windsufting, waterskiing, parasailing, deep sea fishing and yatching. Rain forest, hiking and biking, camping, horse-back riding, beach and beach games, carnivals and street parties.

Eating and drinking in St Lucia

St Lucian food is usually a combination of International influences and Creole using local produce. Being an Island fresh fish will always be on the menu; it's so popular some places dedicate Friday and Saturday evenings to 'fish'! To mix it up a bit during your stay there will of course be Italian, Chinese and Indian food and steak houses for meat lovers. Caribbean Prirates Restaurant and Bar in the Castries District has great food and harbour views however it usually closes around 6 pm. Oceana Restaurant and Lounge also in the Castries District has a Caribbean Seafood theme and an excellent dining experience with views of the Caribbean Sea whilst you eat. In Gros Islet District Captain's Cellar is an 18th century British Colonial Tavern on Pidgeon Island. It is nestled on the sea-side in a romantic setting.

Gros Islet is the liveliest place to go out. Every Friday there is a street party that belts out Caribbean music from local artists whilst people dance the night away.