St Lucia Travel Guide

Holidays to St Lucia are certainly bucket-list worthy, with turquoise waters lapping at the coconut-white sands, backdropped by emerald-green peaks. We’ve pulled together everything you need to know before you start planning your getaway, from which currency to take with you to what to pack. 

• Flight time from the UK: Approximately eight hours
• Currency: East Caribbean Dollar
• Language: English, French Creole Patois
• Time difference: GMT -4
• Visas: Not needed

Experience the best of St Lucia’s tropical climate by visiting during the dry season, which lasts from mid-December to mid-April. 

While the hottest month is typically September, the dry period is when the weather is most consistent, settled and not overbearingly hot. Great for that festive getaway or just to escape the onset of the winter blues in the UK! 

However, even the rainy season between June and November brings with it sunny days between the showers and can even cost a little less when it comes to the price of your holiday.

Swimsuits, sandals and sunnies are all essentials on any holiday to the Caribbean, as are lightweight clothing for those daytime strolls outside of the resort. There aren’t any strict dress codes to follow around the island, so just focus on keeping cool and comfortable. 

Some other essentials to pack in your suitcase include:

• Suncream, hat and shades – All designed to protect your eyes and skin from the tropical sun. While it’s all well and good wanting a tan, it’s important to sunbathe safely. 
• Bug spray – Tropical destinations often harbour mosquitoes and other bugs. Keep these pests at bay with insect repellent. 
• Evening wear and closed shoes – As tempting as it may be to lounge around barefoot in your swimsuit, many resorts will not allow you to do so in the restaurants and lounges. A couple of formal but lightweight options are best for these occasions.

While most of your time will likely be spent sunning yourself around the pool, do make sure to explore further afield. Getting around St Lucia is easy even if you don’t want to hire a car, with a number of convenient options available to suit all budgets. Many of the below methods of getting around can be booked at the reception desk of your resort, and staff will happily point you in the right direction. 

Water taxi and ferry

If you’d like to visit St Lucia’s neighbouring islands, why not hop on a ferry for a day trip to the Dominica, Martinique or Guadeloupe? Island hopping is one of our favourite ways of exploring the Caribbean without having to step foot on another plane. Water taxis, on the other hand, are a great choice for those wanting to travel around the west side of the island. 

Bus

By far the most popular and most accessible mode of transport on the island, minibuses are incredibly cheap. They run between the main towns and popular attractions until around 7pm at night, although some run until 10pm in the popular area of Castries-Gros Islet. Route numbers and the main destination are clearly displayed on the buses but do ask the front desk at your resort for advice before you leave if you need assistance. 

Taxi

While taxis are readily available to book, should you want one, private taxis are the more expensive option. With ranks located outside of airports, near the harbour and outside many of the resorts themselves, this option is best for short distances. Rather than going by a meter, there are typically set prices so make sure to discuss this and haggle with the driver before setting off.

St Lucia is full of gorgeous beaches, natural hot spots and lively culture. Here are just a few of our favourites:

• Rodney Bay – Often referred to as one of the prettiest beaches on the island, Rodney Bay combines golden sands, pale blue water and luscious verdant flora-topped mountains. Its prime location, close to both Bay Walk Mall and JQ Mall, means it’s perfect for those who want to spend the morning shopping before lazing around on the powder-soft beach. Head to Rodney Bay on a Friday evening for the weekly Friday Night Jump Up – a lively street party that offers plenty of opportunities to sample authentic St Lucian food, dance to music and get involved with the community.
• Diamond Botanical Gardens – If you think St Lucia is all about beaches, think again! These gorgeous gardens show off the best of the island’s tropical plants, with lush vegetation, beautiful wildlife and vibrant flowers within a six-acre site. There’s also a restaurant and mineral bath. 
• Gros Piton – Like to stay active while on holiday? Then the Gros Piton hiking trail is for you. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this dramatic mountain towers around 2,619 feet above sea level and makes for a lengthy hike. You’ll be rewarded at the top with 360-degree views of St Lucia’s stunning landscape.
• Sulphur Springs – As the world’s only drive-in volcano, Sulphur Springs is an unmissable experience. Enjoy incredible views of the rocky volcanic mountains before diving into the detoxifying natural mud baths and washing off in a gorgeous gushing waterfall. 

For more insider information on St Lucia, check out our other detailed guides on The Edit:

• What to eat and drink in St Lucia
• St Lucia festival guide
• Things to do in St Lucia