Inspiration Caribbean & the Americas
St Lucia
The twin Pitons, rainforest and volcanic springs, with some of the Caribbean's most romantic hotels.
- Flying time
- About 8 hours 45 minutes from Newcastle, usually with a change
- Time
- UK − 4 hours (08:05 there now)
- Currency
- Eastern Caribbean dollar (US dollars widely accepted) · £1 = 3.62 EC dollars today
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- Type G, the same as the UK
- Driving
- On the left
- Best time
- Dec–Apr
Photo by Sara Nichols on Unsplash
St Lucia is one of the most scenic islands in the Caribbean, green and mountainous, with rainforest, waterfalls and beaches framed by the twin peaks of the Pitons. English is the official language and there are direct flights from the UK, which makes it an easy long-haul choice. Hotels gather in two main places: the gentler north around Rodney Bay, and the dramatic south-west near Soufrière.
The island is longer than it looks on a map, and the drive between north and south can take a couple of hours, so where you stay really matters. We help you decide between easy beaches and restaurants in the north, a romantic hillside retreat in the south or a family resort with plenty to do, whether you are planning a honeymoon, a milestone anniversary or a week the whole family will remember.
When to go
December to April is the dry season and the classic time to go. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with August to October the wettest and most unsettled months.
- Best
- Good
- Quieter
- Jan: Best, highs around 27°C, 68 mm of rain
- Feb: Best, highs around 27°C, 44 mm of rain
- Mar: Best, highs around 27°C, 48 mm of rain
- Apr: Best, highs around 28°C, 97 mm of rain
- May: Good, highs around 28°C, 102 mm of rain
- Jun: Good, highs around 29°C, 136 mm of rain
- Jul: Good, highs around 29°C, 154 mm of rain
- Aug: Quieter, highs around 29°C, 179 mm of rain
- Sep: Quieter, highs around 29°C, 182 mm of rain
- Oct: Quieter, highs around 29°C, 189 mm of rain
- Nov: Good, highs around 28°C, 159 mm of rain
- Dec: Best, highs around 28°C, 85 mm of rain
November in St Lucia: highs around 28°C and about 159 mm of rain over the month, on average. Figures under each month are average daytime highs.
Highlights
The Pitons
Two steep, green volcanic spires rising straight out of the sea near Soufrière, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the island's great landmark.
Soufrière and the Sulphur Springs
The old French colonial capital sits beneath the Pitons, close to bubbling volcanic pools, hot springs and rainforest waterfalls.
Pigeon Island
A national landmark in the north, joined to the mainland by a causeway, with old fort ruins, sea views and quiet beaches.
Things to do in St Lucia
- Adventure
Climb Gros Piton
A steep, guided hike through forest to the summit rewards you with sweeping views over the island and out to sea.
- Relax
Soak in the Sulphur Springs
Wade into warm volcanic pools and smooth on a mud mask beside a steaming volcanic crater you can drive right up to.
- Food & drink
Tour a cocoa estate
Hillside plantations near Soufrière show how cocoa is grown and made into chocolate, with tastings along the way.
- Culture
Join the Friday street party
Gros Islet closes its streets on Friday nights for grilled fish, rum punch, music and dancing.
- On the water
Sail the west coast
Catamaran trips glide below the Pitons, with stops to snorkel over reefs and swim from the boat.
- Nature
Walk around the botanical gardens
Diamond Botanical Gardens near Soufrière has tropical flowers, mineral baths and a rainbow-streaked waterfall.
Where to stay
A few of the hotels we book in St Lucia. Tell us what matters to you and we'll find the right one, these or others.
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Val des Pitons, Soufrière Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort Hillside villas and beachfront bungalows in tropical gardens, right between the two Pitons.
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Soufrière, south-west coast
Anse Chastanet
Open-fronted rooms on a forested hill above two beaches, a favourite for divers and snorkellers.
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Cap Estate, north Cap Maison A small, Mediterranean-style hotel on the northern cliffs, with plunge pools and views out to Martinique.
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Gros Islet, north Sandals St Lucia Grand Bay A couples' all-inclusive on a peninsula in the north, with a long beach, big pools and a choice of restaurants.
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Labrador Bay, north-west
Windjammer Landing
Villa-style rooms stepped down a hillside to the sea, with pools and a kids' club to keep everyone busy.
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Vieux Fort, south Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa A lively family all-inclusive with a waterpark and kids' club, close to the island's main airport.
Photo: XeresNelro, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons (Anse Chastanet); Photo: PaulaC27, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons (Windjammer Landing). Other hotel photos from Google.
Ready for St Lucia?
Tell the team what you have in mind and we'll come back with ideas, usually the same day. The team reads every request.
- 01WhereA place, a few ideas, or a hotel you love
- 02WhenA month or exact dates, and how flexible you are
- 03FlightsWhich airport suits you, or none at all
- 04WhoEveryone going, with children's ages
- 05SpendA rough idea for the whole trip
- 06The detailsBoard, hotel rating, facilities, the kind of place
Photos by Sara Nichols, Germine Sealy, Karl Moore and Belinda Fewings on Unsplash.
Weather from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Climate averages from the NASA Langley Research Center POWER Project. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Plugs and driving from Wikidata.