The Mini Rough Guide to St. Lucia (Travel Guide eBook)

By Rough Guides

This pocket-sized guide is a convenient, quick-reference companion to discovering what to do, what to see and how to get around St. Lucia. It covers top attractions like The Pitons, Grand Anse, St. Lucia Distillers and Cap Moule á Chique, as well as hidden gems, including Maria Islands Nature Reserve and Edmund Forest Reserve This will save you time, and enhance your exploration of this fascinating country.

This Mini Rough Guide to St. Lucia covers: Castries, Vigie peninsula, The Morne, Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, Pigeon Island, Grand Anse, Marigot Bay, Roseau Valley, Anse La Raye, Soufrière, Anse Chastanet, Rainforest Mountain Reserves, The Pitons, Vieux Fort, Choiseul, Laborie, Cap Moule à Chique, Maria Islands.

In this travel guide you will find:

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER
Experiences selected for every kind of trip to St. Lucia, from cultural explorations in Castries to family activities in child-friendly places, like Sulphur Springs or Grand Anse, or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Rodney Bay or Soufrie`re.

TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS
Covers the destination's top ten attractions not to miss, including The Pitons, Sulphur Springs Park, Pigeon Island National Landmark, Anse Chastenet and a Perfect Day itinerary suggestions.

COMPACT FORMAT
Compact, concise, and packed with essential information, with a sharp design and colour-coded sections, this is the perfect on-the-move companion when you're exploring St. Lucia.

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS
Includes an insightful overview of landscape, history and culture

WHAT TO DO
Detailed description of entertainment, shopping, nightlife, festivals and events, and children's activities

PRACTICAL MAPS
Handy colour maps on the inside cover flaps will help you find your way around

PRACTICAL TRAVEL INFORMATION
Practical information on eating out, including a handy glossary and detailed restaurant listings, as well as a comprehensive A-Z of travel tips on everything from getting around to health and tourist information.

STRIKING PICTURES
Inspirational colour photography throughout.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Insight Guides
• Release date: Oct 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781839058813

Rough Guides

Rough Guides are written by expert authors who are passionate about both writing and travel. They have detailed knowledge of the areas they write about--having either traveled extensively or lived there--and their expertise shines through on every page. It's priceless information, delivered with wit and insight, providing the down-to-earth, honest read that is the hallmark of Rough Guides.

Book preview

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HOW TO USE THIS E-BOOK

Getting Around this e-Book

This Rough Guide Mini e-book is designed to inspire you and help you plan for your visit to St Lucia, and is also the perfect on-the-ground companion for your trip.

The guide begins with our selection of Highlights, plus a Perfect Itinerary feature to help you plan an unforgettable trip. The Introduction and History and Culture chapters give the lowdown on St Lucia, past and present, while the Out and About chapter is a comprehensive guide to all the best sights. You will find ideas for getting active in Things to Do, while the Food and Drink chapter introduces you to the local cuisine and gives listings of our favourite restaurants by area. Travel Essentials offers just that; practical information to help you plan your trip. Finally, Where to Stay provides a special selection of hotels for every budget.

In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

Maps

All key attractions and sights in St Lucia are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map], tap once to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

Images

You’ll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of St Lucia. Simply double-tap an image to see it in full-screen.

About Rough Guides:

Published in 1982, the first Rough Guide – to Greece – was created by Mark Ellingham and a small group of friends who couldn’t find a guidebook to meet their needs. Combining a contemporary, journalistic style with a thoroughly practical approach to travellers’ needs, the immediate success of the book spawned a series that rapidly covered dozens of destinations. These days, Rough Guides include recommendations from budget to luxury and cover more than 120 destinations worldwide, all regularly updated by our team of ever curious, roaming writers. These Rough Guide Minis may be small, but they are packed with information and inspiration and offer amazing value for money.

© 2022 Apa Digital AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd.

Table of Contents

10 Things Not To Miss

A Perfect Day In St Lucia

Overview

Landscape

People and Heritage

Language and Culture

Environment and Wildlife

History and Culture

St Lucia’s First Inhabitants

European Colonization

European Warfare

British Rule

Challenges In The Twenty-First Century

Out and About

Castries and environs

The town centre

Vigie peninsula

The Morne

Rodney Bay and the north

Rodney Bay

Gros Islet

Pigeon Island

The far north

East of Castries

Grand Anse

Marigot Bay and Roseau Valley

Roseau Valley

Marigot Bay

St Lucia Distillers

Anse La Raye

Soufrière and the southwest coast

Soufrière

Anse Chastanet

Diamond Botanical Gardens

Morne Coubaril Estate

Sulphur Springs Park

Rabot Estate

Fond Doux Estate

Rainforest Mountain Reserves

The Pitons

Vieux Fort and the South

Choiseul

Balenbouche Estate

Laborie

Vieux Fort

Cap Moule à Chique

Maria Islands

The east coast

Savannes Bay

Mamiku Gardens

Praslin Bay

Fregate Islands

Dennery

Fond D’Or Bay

Transinsular Road

Things To Do

Sports

Watersports

Land Sports

Shopping

Art

Crafts

St Lucia For Kids

Food and Drink

What To Eat

Fruits

Sweets and pastries

What To Drink

Where To Eat

Castries

Rodney Bay and North

Marigot Bay

Soufrière and Environs

Vieux Fort and South Coast

East Coast

A–Z Travel Tips

A

Accommodation

Airports

B

Bicycle rental

Budgeting for your trip

C

Car hire

Climate

Clothing

Crime and safety

Culture

D

Driving

E

Electricity

Embassies and consulates

Emergencies

G

Getting there

Guides and tours

H

Health and medical care

L

Language

LGBTQ+ travellers

M

Maps

Media

Money

O

Opening times

P

Police

Post offices

Public holidays

T

Telephones

Time zones

Tipping

Toilets

Tourist information

Transport

Travellers with disabilities

V

Visas and entry requirements

W

Websites and internet access

Where To Stay

Castries

North of Castries

Rodney Bay

North Coast

Marigot Bay

Soufrière

Vieux Fort and The South

East Coast

10 THINGS NOT TO MISS

Shutterstock

1. Castries Central Market

Vendors sell a huge variety of island produce – including fruit, vegetables, spices and flowers – in and around the old iron building. For more information, click here.

iStock

2. Pigeon Island National Landmark

Legends abound of pirates and naval exploits; find ruined fortresses and lookouts to explore. For more information, click here.

Getty Images

3. Grand Anse

This huge expanse of sand on the northeast coast is one of the best places for turtle watching. For more information, click here.

Getty Images

4. St Lucia Distillers

The rum distillery showcases traditional and modern methods of producing this iconic Caribbean spirit. For more information, click here.

iStock

5. Anse Chastenet

Snorkel or dive to see the colourful reef in the marine reserve. For more information, click here.

Getty Images

6. Edmund Forest Reserve

Hike and birdwatch with a forest ranger. For more information, click here.

iStock

7. The Pitons

These iconic twin peaks feature on every postcard. For more information, click here.

Corbis

8. Cap Moule à Chique

Climb to the lighthouse for a panoramic view of the island. For more information, click here.

FLPA

9. Maria Islands Nature Reserve

Tiny islands off the southeast coast are home to rare reptiles and nesting migratory birds. For more information, click here.

Shutterstock

10. Diamond Botanical Gardens, Mineral Baths and Waterfall

History, hikes and glorious herb and flower gardens await. For more information, click here.

A PERFECT DAY IN ST LUCIA

7.30am

Breakfast. Start the day with a breakfast of saltfish accras — fried fish cakes made from salted cod and mixed spices. Alternatively, feast on fresh mango, papaya and pineapple, accompanied by passionfruit, guava or soursop juice and cocoa tea.

8.30am

Castries. Kick off an island tour with a stop in the capital, calling by the market to pick up edible souvenirs such as cocoa, spices or hot sauces. Wander around the harbour to see the variety of boats and ships and stroll across Derek Walcott Square to the Cathedral.

10.00am

St Lucia Distillers. Sign up for an exuberant, informative rhythm of rum tour to learn how the punchy spirit has been made for centuries. It rounds off with a tasting of some 20 different rums to the tune of steel pans.

Noon

Plas Kassav. Drive down the west coast, pausing at family-run Plas Kassav to sample some delicious sweet and savoury cassava bread treats. As you continue along this scenic route, photo opportunities emerge around every curve.

1.00pm

Soufrière. Work up an appetite exploring St Lucia’s former French capital, then enjoy lunch at one of Soufrière’s many restaurants. For local flavours and plenty of veggie options, reserve a table at Orlando’s, or head to Boucan at Rabot Hotel for jaw-dropping views of the Pitons and a cacao-centric menu.

2.00pm

Sulphur springs. Swing by Zaka Art Café for top-notch crafts and coffee en route to the bubbling mud and steaming vents of Soufrière’s ‘drive-in’ volcano. Continue down to the south coast, stopping at Choiseul Art Gallery, taking a peek at the fishing village of Laborie, and skirting the airport at Vieux Fort.

4.00pm

Anse de Sables. Stretch your legs with a walk along the sand – or maybe even a dip in the sea – before lingering over a drink at the beach café, where you can admire the view over to the Maria Islands. Then head up the east coast back to Castries.

6.00pm

Sunset cocktails. It’s time for a scenic sundowner at The Coal Pot, which is also a great place for dinner if you’re hungry – think fine French cuisine infused with Caribbean flair, and a wonderful waterside setting.

8.00pm

Dinner. If you’ve held out for food, Rodney Bay is a top spot for dinner. Wander the strip until you find whatever takes your fancy – from creamy coconut curry, to flame-grilled lobster, the choice is wide.

10.00pm

On the town. Roam Rodney Bay ‘s bars to enjoy plenty of live music. Come Friday, fun-seekers will want to hotfoot it to the Gros Islet Friday Night Jump-up, a lively street party that dances to the beat of reggae, soca and calypso.

Overview

Blessed with a bounty of world-class beaches, it’s little wonder that the small-but-spectacular Caribbean island of St Lucia (pronounced Loo-sha) attracts hundreds of thousands of sun-seekers each year. While most visitors may come expecting an archetypal sea, sun and sand kind of trip, many leave having experienced a whole lot more, for St Lucia offers a wealth of activities — from hiking and zip-lining tropical forests, to exploring some of the region’s best reefs along the Caribbean coast.