Isle of seashores, hills and valleys, Saint Lucia is thought for a lot of issues, together with its world-acclaimed Pitons, dynamic individuals, and iridescent magnificence. Though many travelers can easily choose Saint Lucia out of the sprinkling of Caribbean islands for his or her vacation within the solar, most have a tough time deciding what a part of the island is finest for his or her trip.
Escape to Sandals Grande St. Lucian, tucked on the north aspect of the island, the place calm waters, gorgeous views, and pure leisure set the tone for the right Caribbean getaway.
Though Saint Lucia is among the smaller islands of the Caribbean, there are two very distinct areas of the island vacationers can select from when reserving their keep: the north, and the south. The 2 areas are separated by winding roads, fishing villages, and loads of lush greenery, and every makes an excellent case for itself by way of the place to spend probably the most time.
Within the south, vacationers can expertise a vacation of leisure which is good for individuals who don’t thoughts low key evenings by the resort bar, quiet dinners, and moonlit walks on the seashore to spherical up their day. Within the north, be ready to be on the middle of every little thing, in a brilliant handy zone with eating places, bars, nightclubs, and a number of the island’s finest lodges and all-inclusive resorts. A vacation within the north of Saint Lucia is ideal for vacationers searching for pleasure blended in with understated Caribbean appeal.
All issues thought of although, you’re sure to have a dreamy trip wherever you resolve to remain in Saint Lucia, although tweaking your plans so that you keep within the space that almost all appeals to you is properly well worth the effort.
Saint Lucia, up north: the ‘most taking place’ a part of Saint Lucia
Sandals Regency La Toc is Saint Lucia’s most glamorous adults-only resort. Drinks are on us!
When you arrive to Saint Lucia, you might hear phrases like “up north”, or “down south”. This differentiation is a traditional a part of on a regular basis jargon, and it serves properly to grasp this forward of navigating the island. Areas that fall into the northern class in Saint Lucia embrace Cap Property, Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, Castries, and different communities in that neighborhood (we’ll focus on the south later). Because the capital metropolis, Castries attracts many guests eager to get an genuine really feel of Saint Lucia. Fortuitously for individuals who search, Castries delivers – the often-bustling metropolis middle is crammed with persona, and also you’ll both discover issues in frenetic mode (through the week), or cool and quiet, like on Sundays, and public holidays.
Castries is very standard with cruise ship guests, because the island’s primary cruise ship dock is situated there. Excursions of cruise guests, nonetheless, will not be normally restricted to Castries when within the north; some vacationers head with teams to the outskirts of Castries, the place there are superb views of the Castries harbor and environs, whereas others head additional north, if time permits.
Even outdoors of the town, the north of Saint Lucia is the place all of the motion occurs, which makes it not so shocking that many massive title lodges and all-inclusive luxury resorts in Saint Lucia have properties on this space. Other than selection of lodging, the north presents many sights, together with a number of the finest seashores, plazas and buying malls, eating places, bars and extra. Northbound from the airport, you might spot a few of these sights, which may also help form your notion for what else is in retailer.
Within the excessive north, you’ll discover Rodney Bay Village, which is a small, touristy space splendid for vacationers who need all conveniences in a single place, together with a stupendous seashore. That seashore is called Reduit Seaside, or the Ramp, and it’s the most well-liked seashore within the north of the island. Should you resolve to spend a day on the golden shores of Reduit, you’ll have the ability to take pleasure in numerous watersports, like jet snowboarding, water tubing, water snowboarding, and extra. Meals additionally received’t be too far out should you get hungry, as eating places like Spinnakers are situated proper on the beachfront, with a number of different choices to select from on the Rodney Bay strip.
Sandals Grande St. Lucian is situated on Rodney Bay, recognized to have a number of the calmest waters in Saint Lucia.
Rodney Bay is among the finest elements of Saint Lucia to remain. At evening, the Village lights up with a number of actions, notably on weekends. Bars and golf equipment flip up the music, and folks dance till the wee hours. These seeking to escape the crowds can discover a number of informal and quieter bars in Rodney Bay, in addition to within the close by Rodney Bay Marina the place you’ll discover pizza and sushi spots, and different extremely rated eating places and out of doors/patio setups.
Professional tip: The full of life Sandals Grande St. Lucian is situated in Rodney Bay, proper on a stupendous lengthy stretch of seashore. Drink limitless cocktails and eat as a lot connoisseur meals as you need in one of many 12 eating places on-property. It’s all included in your keep! The most effective half? Visitors of Sandals Grande St. Lucian get free entry to all facilities and eating places of Sandals Regency La Toc and Sandals Halcyon Beach additional down south. Transfers in between these all-inclusive resorts are included!
Nonetheless additional north is Gros Islet, well-known for the Friday Night time Road Get together. Should you’ve by no means been to a Caribbean avenue celebration earlier than, that is undoubtedly an amazing place to start out, and the celebration is bumping each Friday evening. The primary sights in Gros Islet are the music, the meals, and the chance to socialize and revel in ‘liberating up’ Saint Lucian type.
Across the nook from Gros Islet, you’ll discover Pigeon Island, and better up the highway, Cap Property. Pigeon Island is residence to Saint Lucia’s premier nationwide park, which is thought for its pirate and struggle associated historical past, and delightful seashores on the within. Whereas within the park you possibly can discover the naval ruins or trek as much as the fort, which guarantees spectacular views, all the way in which out to Martinique on a superb day. On Pigeon Island, which is related to the mainland by a causeway, you’ll discover extra seashores, eating places and bars, a number of room to discover, and a number of the best resorts on the island, like Sandals Grande St. Lucian Beach Resort & Spa. Love golf? Tee off at Cap Property for a number of the best golf in Saint Lucia!
All of this to say, there’s no going fallacious with selecting to remain within the north of the island throughout your Saint Lucia trip. The comfort of this space makes it among the finest elements of Saint Lucia to remain in for a hassle-free trip, the place all it’s essential to take into consideration is taking advantage of your time in paradise.
Saint Lucia, down south: secluded and near nature
The south of Saint Lucia encompasses areas like Soufriere, Choiseul, Laborie, Micoud, Vieux Fort, and different communities in that neighborhood. Beginning in Vieux Fort (the place most worldwide vacationers land at Hewanorra Worldwide Airport) and heading east or west in direction of the north, you’ll discover that every neighborhood has its personal persona, and issues guests can uncover throughout their keep. Soufriere is the most well-liked vacation spot for vacationers searching for a southern Saint Lucia expertise, a lot attributable to sights like The Pitons, Sulphur Springs, and different standard tour stops. Accommodations and resorts in Soufriere, nonetheless, are usually within the expensive class, which isn’t essentially excellent news for the funds acutely aware. Fortuitously, although, there are different visitor homes or mattress and breakfast kind lodging which might be loved by vacationers watching their pockets.
Honeymooners searching for a extra secluded expertise, will get pleasure from stays within the south of the island, notably on the south western coast, as they’ll actually get away, and sink into their vacation in Saint Lucia, a vacation spot that has acquired quite a few World Honeymoon Vacation spot of the Yr awards. Skilled vacationers too will recognize this space, for its lower than standard alternatives for exploration, and seclusion, if desired.
Searching for a romantic honeymoon in Saint Lucia? Splurge on a romantic butler-suite at one of many Sandals all-inclusive couples-only resorts in Saint Lucia. You received’t be disenchanted!
Seaside clever, apart from the extra standard seashores within the south, like Sandy Seaside, and Anse Chastanet seashore, there are many small and hidden seashores that are price a go to, if you will discover an skilled native information to take you there. The sand at some coves and seashores within the south tends to be a little bit darker, and even silvery, attributable to its volcanic nature. This offers it a novel feel and look and compels most to rub the sand over their pores and skin for a mineral packed exfoliation expertise they’ll boast about!
Nature lovers who go to or keep within the south will love locations like The Diamond Botanical Gardens the place mountain climbing is feasible amid the wildlife, as is dipping right into a refreshing waterfall. Within the south you’ll discover many pure springs, mineral baths, and issues of that nature. You’ll additionally discover a number of the finest dive spots, and different standard sights.
Scuba tip: Visitors of any of the three Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia, dive for free during their stay (max. two tanks a day)! High-of-the-line tools {and professional} workers members—it’s all included in your keep.
North vs South Saint Lucia: which space is finest for me?
Sandals Grande St. Lucian is cradled to the west by Rodney Bay – boasting the calmest waters in all of Saint Lucia.
Regardless of the place you keep in Saint Lucia, you’re sure to have an unimaginable trip; the island is simply so stunning throughout! Relying on the sort of vacation you favor nonetheless, you might be higher off staying within the north, or the south of the island. Repeat guests usually discover themselves selecting to remain within the space they explored much less on earlier journeys.
When it comes all the way down to deciding the perfect a part of Saint Lucia to remain, the south is finest for adventurous and lively vacationers, who need to be near a number of the thrilling pure sights obtainable within the south, together with the well-known Piton climb, waterfall explorations, journeys to therapeutic mineral baths, and extra. After all, you possibly can all the time discover these from the north; it takes about one hour, or an hour and a half to get from north to south in Saint Lucia (relying on whether or not you’re travelling on the east or west coast).
The north of the island is finest for vacationers who need to be a part of the motion; individuals who wish to reconnect with nature through the day, however need to eat out, have a drink, and be a part of the enjoyable at evening. The north is the place to be if being on the middle of all of it in Saint Lucia is a part of your trip aspirations.
In both case although, whether or not you keep within the north or south, you’ll simply have the ability to plan day journeys to different elements of the island, or hop on a catamaran or sailboat, each of which promise superb views of the north and south by sea.
Tip: Whether or not you keep within the north of south, take into account that all seashores in Saint Lucia are open to the general public, even these with resorts close by.
Actions to not miss no matter the place you keep in Saint Lucia
Climbing the Pitons
Positioned: South of Saint Lucia, excursions obtainable from the North.
Life in Soufriere appears to revolve across the Pitons, in a great way. This southern trademark provides an intangible magic to the setting, and as you navigate the primary areas within the city, it appears as if you possibly can spot them from virtually each vantage. The Piton appeal touches the whole neighborhood of Soufriere, and even the close by Choiseul the place Petit Piton might be discovered. Gros Piton is in Soufriere, and climbing excursions can be found frequently. Petit Piton is the steeper of the 2, and skilled guides are extremely really helpful for vacationers serious about taking on this difficult climb.
Trek via Pigeon Island Nationwide Park
Positioned: North of Saint Lucia, excursions obtainable from the South.
Pigeon Island Nationwide Park is the go-to for anybody who loves being out within the sunshine, surrounded by greenery, waves crashing to the melodious rhythm of the Caribbean. All of this added to a historic web site the place you possibly can discover the ruins, and climb forts, and also you’re set for a fairly packed day. A tour of the Nationwide Park is a cool household exercise, although many {couples} select to spend time, and even wed within the park which has nice backdrops for superb wedding ceremony images. To search out out extra about Pigeon Island, learn our put up, Pigeon Island, Saint Lucia: A Gorgeous Slice of History.
Discover the pure wonders of Soufriere
Positioned: South of Saint Lucia, excursions obtainable from the North.
Saint Lucian hospitality is the hallmark of southern communities like Soufriere, although individuals in most elements of the island are pleasant, and very happy to come back throughout guests to the island. Should you go to the city of Soufriere, you’ll want to go to the favored sights and sights, together with the Diamond Falls and Botanical Gardens, New Jerusalem Mineral Baths, Sulphur Springs, and naturally the Pitons.
Deep sea diving
There are various nice areas for scuba diving in Saint Lucia, together with the Soufriere Marine Reserve which options an abundance of colourful reefs and tropical fish, and different dive websites off the northwestern coast of Saint Lucia. Most dive websites might be accessed by boat and from shore, with many individuals reporting extra sightings going by means of the shore. Snorkelers can try seashores like Smugglers Cove, Anse Cochon and Anse Chastanet for excellent shallow water views.
Exploring the Vender’s Arcade in Castries
Positioned: North of Saint Lucia, excursions obtainable from the South.
Add some spice to your life or choose some up on the Vendor’s Arcade – that is your go-to place for all issues native. This implies that you could go to the Arcade if you wish to discover a bottle of that zesty pepper sauce, native cocoa stick, pure coconut oil, souvenirs, and issues of that nature earlier than leaving the island.
Anse Mamin
Positioned: South of Saint Lucia, excursions obtainable from the North.
Anse Mamin is one of many uncommon black sand seashores in Saint Lucia, and it’s an absolute hidden gem with most individuals who’ve been there raving about how clear and quiet the seashore is. There was as soon as a sugar plantation on this space, so when you’re executed taking within the seaside views and having fun with the beachside restaurant, you possibly can spend the remainder of the day exploring the realm which now options trails you possibly can navigate by foot, or by mountain bike.
The Cathedral
Positioned: North of Saint Lucia, excursions obtainable from the South.
The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Castries, also called The Cathedral, is an attraction many individuals make a degree of visiting whereas in Saint Lucia. Most are pleasantly shocked after they get contained in the Cathedral, as the skin seems a bit worn, however the inside, fairly the other. Even when there’s no service underway, you’ll discover locals and vacationers scoping the murals and stained-glass home windows, praying, and in any other case exploring this historic church. The Cathedral is one of many largest church buildings within the Caribbean, and as soon as there, you possibly can find out about Catholicism within the area.
Secret Seashores
Positioned: North of Saint Lucia.
Who doesn’t like discovering a hidden seashore that’s as secluded as it’s breathtaking? Discoveries like this are widespread in Saint Lucia, as there are lots of seashores off the overwhelmed observe which are price visiting. One in every of these is Malabar seashore, a seashore hidden in plain sight, situated close to the Vigie Airport within the north. There’s a lodge close to the seashore, however it’s open to the general public. Anse La Voute, Grand Anse, and Cas En Bas Seaside are different much less populated seashores which are good for a relaxed and quiet seashore day.
Insider tip: Seeking to keep at a resort close to the perfect seashores in Saint Lucia? All three Sandals properties in Saint Lucia together with Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Beach Resort & Spa, Sandals Halcyon Beach and Sandals Regency La Toc boast attractive seashores which are away from the group. Go to one resort, get entry to all three!
Catamaran Tour
One of many finest methods to discover Saint Lucia is by sea; this provides you a renewed perspective, and to not point out a enjoyable day trip. Catamaran excursions normally depart from the Rodney Bay Marina, Marigot Bay, or Castries and you’ll select whether or not you need a full or half day tour, or a romantic sundown cruise.
When is the perfect time to go to St Lucia?
View the enchanting great thing about St Lucia from this adults-only all-inclusive oceanfront suite on the Sandals Halcyon Resort and lay within the solar’s rays with a patio and personal pool!
Now that you just’ve determined the perfect a part of Saint Lucia to remain, the following step is understanding when to go. The most effective time to go to Saint Lucia is between Mid-December to Mid-April. As this additionally occurs to be the excessive season, it’s suggested to guide your journey at the least six months prematurely. Learn our weblog on the Best Time To Visit Saint Lucia to assist plan your journey to the island!
