Where To Go On Holiday In Saint Lucia
Sat just north of Barbados and Saint Vincent, Saint Lucia had previously been overlooked in favour of its better known neighbours, but those in the know have been sat on one of the Caribbean’s best kept secrets. Comprising of 11 quarters, there’s plenty to explore too.
The capital of Castries is nestled away in the Castries quarter. The city is built on the similar grid structure to New York, and is home to a staggering third of Saint Lucia’s population. The most cosmopolitan of Saint Lucia’s city offerings, here you can enjoy wide and varied cuisine and indulge in a spot of shopping in one of the many duty free outlets. It therefore comes as no surprise that cruises have cottoned on to Castries charms and dock for exploration.
South of the Castries quarter on the West coast is Anse la Raye, an altogether more subdued quarter which plays home to much of the countries fishing and agricultural livelihood, making the area a fantastic place to escape the hustle and bustle and explore a lesser known part of the island.
Further south again is the quarter of Soufrière which has seen a boost in tourism in recent years owing to its array of tourist attractions such as the Qualibou drive-in volcano and sulphur springs, the UNESCO listed Pitons and its dense and verdant rainforest.
At the south of the island the quarter of Choiseul is the arts and crafts capital of the country, serving as a fantastic place to pick up gifts for all the loved ones back home! The area is also home to a great many attractions too such as the Devil’s Bridge, the Saltibus Waterfall Trial, the Morne Sion Windmills and the staggering beach of Anse l'Ivrogne where you’ll find the 600m deep “black hole”.
Also in the south of the island are the Laborie and Viuex Ford quarters. Whilst not the most bustling areas of Saint Lucia, Viuex Ford is home to a lively market selling fish, spices and fruits of a Friday and Saturday.
The East of the island plays home to the quarters of Micoud, Praslin and Dennery. As with the southern quarters, these areas are not the most happening of parts of Saint Lucia, though offer a chance to enjoy a more relaxed and authentic slice of Saint Lucian life. Dennery boasts the breath-taking Mabouya Valley and the exclusive Frigate Island Nature Reserve, home to a luxury resort and the celebrated Anse Victorin beach.
In the North of the island lies the quarter of Dauphin where you’ll find many an ancient ruin, and the quarter of Gros Islet. Gros Islet is famed for its Friday Night Street Party where locals and tourists alike enjoy the street vendor’s offerings of barbeque chicken, steamed fish and local beer, and dance the night away. Definitely the more lively of all the quarters, the area has a raft full of nightclubs, bustling restaurants and tourist resorts.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet break away soaking up the Caribbean atmosphere, or a lively alternative to some of the other nearby islands, Saint Lucia is sure to have just what you’re looking for.