Known as an award winning honeymoon destination St.Lucia is filled with romance and beauty. There is so much to see and explore here apart from the beautiful beaches, a short weekend trip is just not enough time, I recommend at least 1 week to fully enjoy the island.
Currency
US dollars are widely accepted in St.Lucia (US$1 = EC$ 2.7) along with major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa). If you do want some local currency the best thing to do is pay with US$ in any supermarket, they will give you change in EC$ or use a local bank ATM.
Getting around the island
Taxi’s are very expensive in St. Lucia and there is NO Uber. If you’re up for it rent a car, this is pricey but will cost you less than taking taxis everywhere. Note- they do drive on the left side of the road (opposite of the US) and many roads are windy and small with speedy drivers. If you’re not used to this type of driving renting a car may not be for you. If you do decide to rent a car, a local tourist license will also be needed, your rental car company will bring one for you upon arrival.
Local buses are available from the roadside and will be your most affordable option (most fares are less than US$5) to get around, just walk out to the main road and wave them down. There are set bus stops but you can catch the bus from anywhere on the roadside, when you’re ready to get off just shout “stopping here” and the driver will pull over!
Ask your driver for the rate up front and beware of some drivers over charging (that annoying tourist tax). If you’re unsure of the price just ask a local, they will tell you the real fare. Taking the bus here is safe and you’ll get a chance to chat with locals who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have (St. Lucian’s are known to be very friendly!).
Where to eat in Rodney Bay (North of the island)
If you do stay in Rodney Bay there are quite a few spots to indulge in with a wide variety of foods to please your pallet. Follow The Hungry Pineapple, a local food blogger (my sister!) and try her Lucian Food Tour. This Lucian Food Tour is the only walking tour in Rodney Bay and a great way to taste the local cuisine. Checkout my Lucian Food Tour Reel to see more.
Where to eat in Rodney Bay:
Caribbean Blend is our favorite place to try Trinidadian food on island, order the curry chicken and buss up roti
Elenas Pizza & Gelato ice cream, guaranteed to transport you back to Italy
La Mesa, a Spanish inspired café. My favorite thing on the menu was the burger stacked with Spanish cheese, a fried egg and bacon, it really is as good as they say & looks!
Boardwalk Bar located right on the IGY Marina. You’ll get drink drink deals and stunning sunset views of the bay!
7th Heaven Bakery inside the Harbor Club Hotel. This authentic French bakery will fill your belly with French pastries, baguettes, flaky croissants and fresh coffee. They also have a delicious local lunch menu with St.Lucian style roti – a must have!
Shirley’s Doubles can be a bit hard to find, but she is usually located across from the Dominos Pizza in Rodney Bay until 11am.
For un matched views tucked inside a rocky cove, checkout The Naked Fisherman at Smugglers Cove next to the Cap Maison Hotel (A 5 star hotel option). Come for a sunset drink, spend the day on the beach or have a yummy lunch! Note– to get here you will have to walk down 100 stairs and yes back up the same 100 stairs.
Located on top of Morne Fortune, Pink Plantation House is a beautiful Colonial Mansion with local food, fancy white table cloths, art gallery and a view of Castries all the way to Rodney Bay. It can be a bit hard to find hidden inside a green oasis but any taxi driver will know how to get you here.
Looking for a local lunch? Checkout the food court upstairs the JQ Mall in the heart of Rodney Bay. Here you’ll find chicken, fish, lamb or beef meals with macaroni pie (my favorite), rice and beans. Try the Salt Fish and Green Fig (green bananas) – the national dish of St. Lucia.
While driving around Rodney Bay you’ll see many road side vendors selling fresh coconut water, something you’ll certainly have to try on your visit. Once you’re done drinking this road side ask the vendor to cut it open, you don’t want to miss out on the jelly inside!
It may sound strange but you should try the local KFC, Caribbean KFC is known to be better than the US with many locals refusing to eat KFC in other countries.
Checkout my St. Lucia Food Reel to see all the things we ate on our recent trip back home.
Things to do near Rodney Bay (North of the island)
Pigeon Island National Park
Walk through history, relax on the beach, eat some delicious curry goat at Jam De Bois, all in one place at Pigeon Island National Park. This historic park will give you a peek inside the history of the island as you walk through of military ruins from a time when the English & French fought for the island.
Once you get up to Fort Rodney you’ll enjoy 360 views of the island, you can even see the neighboring island of Martinique on a clear day.
Be sure to have comfortable walking shoes before going up, the hike is only about 15 minutes long. Entrance to the park is US$8 (subject to change) and you do not need a guide. Bring your swimsuit to take a tip once you’re done with the hike, this is also a beautiful place to set up a picnic for lunch or sunset.
Catamaran Boat Tour
No trip to St. Lucia is complete without a Catamaran Boat ride along the beautiful coastline from the Rodney Bay marina down to the UNESCO World Heritage Pitons. Checkout Sea Spray cruises for half day or full day boat tours on a catamaran or private fishing charter.
Visit Marigot Bay
While Marigot Bay isn’t in the North of the island, it’s only about a 40 minute drive from Rodney Bay. Known as “hurricane hole” where boats shelter during hurricanes, you can spend the day here on the beach, swing on a rope from a coconut tree (I did this as a kid!) or have lunch at the Marigot Beach Resort. Fun Fact, I actually lived right on this property until I was about 5 years old! My dad worked at this restaurant and parked his boat in this very marina when he sailed to St. Lucia in the late 1970s.
Things to do in Soufriere (South of the island)
Chocolate Making Tour
I scream, You scream, we all scream for Chocolate! Ok that’s not how the song goes but I’m changing it up for my love of chocolate which you can make at the historic Fond Doux Plantation right here in Soufriere. The entire tour will be just over an hour where you’ll get a chance to mix & wrap and taste your very own chocolate bar with their team of chocolate making experts.
While here, you can also do a tour of this 200 year old plantation or even stay in one of their cute guest houses tucked right into the jungle! A truly off the beaten path experience that will take you away from the hustle and bustle of your every day life.
Soufriere Beach Park
The new Soufriere Beach Park is a quiet spot right on the beach with views of the pitons where you can catch a drink at a local bar, do a little shopping from local vendors (beware of the tourist tax!), or get a massage.
Go for a hike
The easiest and least intense option for catching picture perfect views of the Pitons is Tet Paul Nature Trail, only a 30 minute walk with a local guide who will tell you a bit about the local farm on the property along with the numerous plants & flowers. Get here early to beat the cruise crowds (they open at 9am) and don’t forget your comfy walking shoes.
Hiking Gros Piton or Petit Piton
If you ask any local in Soufriere they will tell you that Petit Piton (the one that looks taller) is dangerous and you shouldn’t hike it, this is NOT TRUE! Over 10 years ago I hiked this mountain for my sisters 16th birthday and it was completely safe (as long as you follow your guide).
Guides can be found at the bottom of the hill on the right side of the road leading to The Sugar Beach Hotel, do not go up Petit Piton without one! The hike will take you over 3 hours each way completely up hill with a few ropes to help you up.
You also have to option to hike Gros Piton, the shorter looking fatter mountain. This will take you about 2 hours each way and can also be a challenging hike. I did this hike on my recent trip home and was surprised how difficult it was! Do not attempt if you don’t consider yourself fit.
Climb Mount Gimie
Are you a professional hiker? Try a rigorous hike through the thick rain forest up Mount Gimie, the tallest mountain on island!
Enjoy A Waterfall
There are so many beautiful waterfalls to explore in St. Lucia, checkout Island Trekkers, a local tour company that can take you to some of the most off the beaten path places.
Some Waterfalls to checkout are:
Most of you may be too young to remember but the original Superman movie was filmed right here at the Diamond Falls! It’s here Superman held Louis Lane in his arms towards the end of the movie (the sad part!). While you can’t swim under these falls be sure to bring your bathing suit to take a dip in the mineral baths after a short walk around the Botanical Gardens.
Another great waterfall to visit on island is Toraille Falls or Latille Falls leading you through short walk through the forest before you get to the falls.
Spa day at Sugar Beach
This activity doesn’t come cheap but expect nothing by luxury from the #1 spa on the island here at The Sugar Beach Resort. Nestled inside a forest and old Sugar Mill, this beautiful spa will let you dive into individual tiki huts complete with a plunge pool all to yourself to enjoy after your spa treatment. It really is an unforgettable experience!
Sulphur Springs & Mud Baths
When you enter you’ll have a chance to buy a ticket to the baths or take a tour through the world’s only drive in volcano (even though you can’t really drive through it anymore). Honestly, it’s not my favorite thing to do (it’s lost its authenticity since I last visited). Arrive in the early morning before the crowds of tourist, this place gets really packed!
Note- the baths are really really hot, even hotter than a Jacuzzi. You will also find a smell similar to rotten eggs, don’t worry this is just the sulfur!
Where to Eat in Soufriere
The town of Soufriere is one of the most expensive places on islands hosting 5 star luxury hotels & accommodations. This also means that eating out here isn’t on the cheap side. If you’ve read my Hotels in St. Lucia blog post you’ll probably remember a few of these, but here they are again!
Note– If you are driving down to Soufriere be sure to stop at Plas Kassav for some freshly baked Cassava bread. There are many flavors to try but my favorite is the chocolate. Checkout my Plas Kassav IGTV post for a little insight into our visit here!
LaDera Resort Lunch or Dinner
We celebrated our 1 year anniversary here at LaDera Resort and it was nothing short of amazing (and expensive!). Being up close to the Pitons was incredible, be sure to make reservations, and ask for a seat closest to the railings!
Jade Mountain Lunch or Dinner
My second favorite view of the Pitons is from the world famous Jade Mountain resort. I think every person that’s seen a photo of St. Lucia has come up to me and said “I want to stay here.” Well..if you cant pay the celebrity price tag like me (Kevin Hart, Kim K and many more have stayed here), the best option is to visit for lunch or dinner! Visit before it gets dark (typically before 6pm) to enjoy the post card views and call to make a reservation.
Sugar Beach Resort Lunch
No visit to Soufriere is complete without an afternoon trip to the Sugar Beach Resort! Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, you can visit and have lunch at one of their many their beautiful restaurants, my favorite being the beach bar right in between the pitons.
Stonefield Resort Lunch or Dinner
One of the few hotels on the cheaper side but still giving you a full frontal view of the pitons is Stonefield Resort. The hotel is nestled in between lush greenery and hosts a beautiful restaurant perfect for an afternoon lunch or dinner with a stunning view.
Want to see more photos & videos from my St. Lucia trip? Checkout my Instagram Stories & IGTV!
