Do's and Don’ts for Visiting St. Lucia Like a Pro
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St. Lucia. The Caribbean. Most people equate those places with beaches, sun, and an all-around island paradise vibe.
Needless to say, they aren’t wrong. Having just stayed on the island of St. Lucia myself, I can absolutely say that “island paradise” is an understatement.
Heck, the only reason I came home is because my boss stubbornly refuses to pay me while I lounge around on the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. But this isn’t just about MY trip to St. Lucia. I am hoping that the things I learned on my vacation can help you make the most of your stay in St. Lucia.
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Advance Bookings Prevent Headaches
The first piece of advice I have for anyone visiting St. Lucia is book in advance. Book what? Everything. It really does alleviate so much headache. That’s not to say you can’t stop for photos (our cab driver was delighted to do this) or go on spontaneous adventures once you arrive but booking airport transportation and lodging in advance can save you so much headache. And take it from me - when it comes to taxis, do your research.
I was able to get a private taxi from Hewanorra (UVF) International Airport where I landed to my villa in Soufriere at a great price and my driver let me ask every question I could think of. One transportation gem that surprised me - the island’s taxi cabs are not metered. While most companies offer competitive rates, this lack of meters can mean anything from arbitrary pricing to surprise fees when you reach your destination. When I heard that, I knew that booking online had saved my skin.
I was able to get a private taxi from Hewanorra (UVF) International Airport where I landed to my villa in Soufriere at a great price and my driver let me ask every question I could think of. One transportation gem that surprised me - the island’s taxi cabs are not metered. While most companies offer competitive rates, this lack of meters can mean anything from arbitrary pricing to surprise fees when you reach your destination. When I heard that, I knew that booking online had saved my skin.
Best Places to Stay in St. Lucia for First Timers!
As for lodging, St. Lucia has every option you can think of. Whether you want to stay in a hotel, live it up at an all-inclusive resort, or rent a private luxury Airbnb, you will find it here. All three options have their merits, for sure. Hotels are often inexpensive and easily booked for any duration and include things like daily housekeeping but are also impersonal and typically require you to dine out or get takeout for every meal. Resorts on the other hand typically offer all-inclusive packages that get you access to unlimited food, drinks, and fun in the sun.
The downside to resorts for me, as someone not traveling as part of a couple or with children, is that there is so much noise and a line to do even the most basic things. I thought about renting an apartment since I was staying for a while, but I ended up booking an Airbnb in Soufriere, and it was the best choice I have ever made. My villa was the epitome of luxury. We are talking infinity pool, views of the Piton Mountains, views of the water, exquisite stainless appliances, a computer and wi-fi, you name it.
I’ve always wanted to stay in a house so nice it had its own name, and Sargas Villa lived up to my wildest dreams. Put another point in the advance booking column, because there is no way I would have found anything comparable if I had waited until the last minute!
The downside to resorts for me, as someone not traveling as part of a couple or with children, is that there is so much noise and a line to do even the most basic things. I thought about renting an apartment since I was staying for a while, but I ended up booking an Airbnb in Soufriere, and it was the best choice I have ever made. My villa was the epitome of luxury. We are talking infinity pool, views of the Piton Mountains, views of the water, exquisite stainless appliances, a computer and wi-fi, you name it.
I’ve always wanted to stay in a house so nice it had its own name, and Sargas Villa lived up to my wildest dreams. Put another point in the advance booking column, because there is no way I would have found anything comparable if I had waited until the last minute!
Don’t Take the Weather Man to Heart
One thing I feel like visitors to St. Lucia and people thinking about booking a Caribbean getaway really need to know is that weather forecasts can be deceiving. I mean, I looked at the weather for the duration of my trip and my heart sank. The forecast showed rain every day. Living in the southern United States, I saw that and envisioned myself sitting alone in my villa, watching the rain pour against the backdrop of the Pitons that I would not get to climb. Thankfully, the weather in St. Lucia is a little different than it is at home. Sure, the forecast was right that it rained every day of my trip, but in St. Lucia they are often just brief showers that give way to sunny skies within minutes. And on the bright side, the showers help cool the air for a while.
Currency Exchange - Not Mandatory, but Simple and a Real Time-Saver
While many St. Lucians also speak Creole, you will find that English is the predominant language on the island. I was surprised to find that most shops and vendors are happy to accept US Dollars, even though the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC) is the official currency. I did find that I usually got my change in EC, but it is easy enough to exchange at the airport, so I wasn’t too worried about it. I will say that my money went a long way during my trip. This surprised me. You would think that visiting an island paradise and hiking a UNESCO World Heritage Site or bathing in a real volcano would break the bank, but everything about my trip was shockingly affordable.
Trust Me, You Want to Book the Tours and Excursions
Speaking of the volcano bath - if you get the chance, I absolutely recommend that you do it. There’s no risk that the volcano will blow, of course, but the minute you dip down into that hot mud- you’ll never want to leave. I ended up doing the volcano bath as part of an island exploration tour I booked with a great company, Real St. Lucia Tours, which is owned and operated by the owner of my Airbnb. Even though I was hesitant, I am so glad I did it.
One thing you don’t see in the brochures that might catch you off guard is the smell. Sulphur Springs isn’t just called that for fun, there is a definite sulphur smell in the air that, on a clear night, can travel quite a distance. With that said, you get used to it and the hot mud is soothing enough to make you not care.
Being an adventurer at heart, when the owner of Real St. Lucia Tours pointed to Gros Piton and asked me if I was up for a hike the next morning, I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t get just any tour guide, though. I got a man named Janus Gyan, the owner of my Airbnb as well as Real St. Lucia Tours. He is a fantastic guy, and his love for the island just radiated from him.
We took the hike up the mountain easily enough, but I was not prepared for the view from the top. Whatever part of St. Lucia you wanted to see, I was pretty sure I could have seen it at that moment. The expanse of the island, the beautiful beaches, and the stunning waters spread out before me and it took my breath away.
One thing you don’t see in the brochures that might catch you off guard is the smell. Sulphur Springs isn’t just called that for fun, there is a definite sulphur smell in the air that, on a clear night, can travel quite a distance. With that said, you get used to it and the hot mud is soothing enough to make you not care.
Being an adventurer at heart, when the owner of Real St. Lucia Tours pointed to Gros Piton and asked me if I was up for a hike the next morning, I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t get just any tour guide, though. I got a man named Janus Gyan, the owner of my Airbnb as well as Real St. Lucia Tours. He is a fantastic guy, and his love for the island just radiated from him.
We took the hike up the mountain easily enough, but I was not prepared for the view from the top. Whatever part of St. Lucia you wanted to see, I was pretty sure I could have seen it at that moment. The expanse of the island, the beautiful beaches, and the stunning waters spread out before me and it took my breath away.
Save Your Money, Rent a (4x4) Car
Another thing that I want to mention to those of you considering a getaway to St. Lucia- rent a car!!!!! Taxis may be convenient, but the costs can add up quickly- especially if you are like me and want to see the whole island. I mean you can visit a casino, go duty free shopping, and take a zipline through the rain forest all before lunch, but if you are taking taxis everywhere, you may just find that your transportation costs exceed your lodging. Finding a good rental car company can help you save big time. Again, for me, it was Janus to the rescue. His company, Islander Cars, offered a few options that were well below my anticipated budget.
I got a little 4-wheel drive car, which was nicer than the car I have at home, and I will tell you all this- get a 4x4. While the roads in St. Lucia are pretty safe, the terrain can be very uneven- especially if you go out and explore. Another bonus to the taxi I rented from Islander- it came with GPS and even a cell phone I could use if I had questions or got into trouble.
I got a little 4-wheel drive car, which was nicer than the car I have at home, and I will tell you all this- get a 4x4. While the roads in St. Lucia are pretty safe, the terrain can be very uneven- especially if you go out and explore. Another bonus to the taxi I rented from Islander- it came with GPS and even a cell phone I could use if I had questions or got into trouble.
Leaving St. Lucia Was the Hardest Part
In all, my visit to St. Lucia was so much more than I envisioned. At no point did I feel unsafe, and I definitely never felt bored. If you get the chance to visit, I highly recommend a luxury restaurant called Dasheene- the Creole Piton Burger was amazing, and the Ladera Sunrise was so deliciously potent that I nearly missed the last Caribbean sunset of my vacation!
If you get the chance to visit the island, whether you are dropping in as part of a cruise excursion or get the chance to spend a few days in paradise, I highly recommend finding Janus Gyan. From cars and affordable luxury villas to tours that you will absolutely never forget, he has you covered.
My trip to the island was everything I dreamed it would be an so very much more. I think the only part that wasn’t enjoyable was having to get on the plane at Hewanorra to go home. But at least I have more than enough happy memories to tide me over until I can get back!
If you get the chance to visit the island, whether you are dropping in as part of a cruise excursion or get the chance to spend a few days in paradise, I highly recommend finding Janus Gyan. From cars and affordable luxury villas to tours that you will absolutely never forget, he has you covered.
My trip to the island was everything I dreamed it would be an so very much more. I think the only part that wasn’t enjoyable was having to get on the plane at Hewanorra to go home. But at least I have more than enough happy memories to tide me over until I can get back!