St LUCIA
Area: St Lucia


Location:
In the far E of the Caribbean, 80 miles SE of Dominica, 21 miles S of Martinique, 100 miles NW of Barbados. International airport 40 miles SE of Castries; smaller airport at Castries.

Telephone code from UK:
1 758

Website:
http://www.stlucia.org

Position:
Midmost of the Windward Islands.

Description:
St Lucia is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide. Dramatic, mountainous scenery often surprises the first-time visitor, combined with tropical forests, banana plantations, quaint, if rather ramshackle, villages and good beaches. The calmer seas are found on the Caribbean side, with the windswept shores on the E coast. There is a distinct French flavour inherited from the 18th century, when the island changed hands between the French and the English 14 times. Historical reminders of this turbulent period are evident in place names, the dialect and the creole food. The lush, verdant scenery results from higher-than-expected rainfall, especially from August to November; although it can be heavy at times, it usually departs as quickly as it arrives. The capital, Castries, can be hot, humid and dirty; the only reason for visiting would be its modest but colourful market. Having been destroyed by fire in 1947, the only surviving building of historical interest is the cathedral. A large yacht marina at Rodney Bay provides all facilities necessary for ocean-going yachts and charters to nearby islands, plus shops, restaurants and banks. The W and NW coasts contain most of the hotels, with the largest cluster being beside Reduit Beach in Rodney Bay.

Suitability:
St Lucia has something for everybody, good beaches, spectacular scenery and quality hotels; several offer special deals for children and have their own children's clubs. Younger groups may be a little disappointed with the nightlife, which generally caters for families and more mature clientele.

Accommodation:
A wide range of prices and properties _ from small guesthouses to international resort hotels _ but the emphasis is definitely on large, upmarket properties. Many of the hotels have an "all-inclusive" policy where meals, drinks and facilities are all included in the rates. Some of the properties are at the end of long, sometimes unmade, tracks, and getting around can be challenging and expensive.

Shopping:
Plenty of street and beach vendors selling local handicrafts, wood carvings, basket work and the usual T-shirts. The most opportunities to be found are around the Rodney Bay area with a modern mall, supermarket and a variety of smaller outlets. A small mall _ Gablewoods _ contains 30_40 shops and some dining options about 2 miles N of Castries. The capital itself offers a local market, especially vibrant on Saturdays, but little else for the tourist. Duty-free is available at the Pointe Seraphine cruise ship centre near Castries, although this is used almost exclusively by boat passengers. The international airport has a small selection of duty-free goods on which to use up the last of the local currency.

Beach:
The best beaches are on the NW side of the island where the major hotel developments are located. There are long stretches intermingled with small coves, but inevitably each has a hotel located at the water's edge. The secluded coves are usually inaccessible by road or set on the Atlantic coast where the sea is rough and suitable only for windsurfing and turtle watches. Close to Soufriere and S of there, the beaches are volcanic sand (flecked with black) and are a surprise to visitors expecting white sandy beaches. The quality differs greatly, with the more accessible ones sometimes being overcrowded and some others being disappointingly dark and narrow. The only white sand you will find is imported from other islands and needs to be replenished frequently.

Entertainments:
Daytime: on the beach, with a variety of water sports and a number of dive centres. Tennis, squash, horse riding, hiking and mountain biking. Exploring the island independently or on a tour. Golf _ one course has views of both the Atlantic and Caribbean. Nightlife: centred on the hotels with local shows, limbo dancing, crab racing and other attractions. The National Cultural Centre and the Lighthouse Theatre offer shows and plays on a regular basis, along with the spring jazz festival. The area around Rodney Bay (including the marina) has numerous restaurants, bars, a pub and disco. Gros Islet is the venue for the Friday night "jump up". This street party has food stalls, makeshift bars and plenty of dancing alongside the locals. Carnival season reaches the island in July.

Eating:
A wide range, from small local cafes to international restaurants, from family owned to multinational chains. The many cuisines include French, Creole, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Indian and seafood. Not to be missed are lobster, king prawns, red snapper, roti (roast joint), curried goat, pepperpot stew, callaboo soup and the myriad of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Public-transport:
Minibuses ply all main roads, not to a schedule or a system, but very cheaply. They are easy to find on the road above Castries. Taxis are more convenient, but tend to be expensive and have no meters so prices must be negotiated prior to the journey. Car hire is available, but a driving licence is necessary and can be obtained at immigration in the airport or from the major hire companies. A couple of hotels arrange airport transfers by helicopter at a charge.

Local-excursions:
Tours to Soufriere, featuring the two majestic peaks of the Piton Mountains, rainforest, botanical gardens and Diamond Falls, plus the walk-in sulphur springs. Plantation tours, rainforest hikes, naturalists' expeditions, climbing expeditions to the Pitons, bird-watching, scuba diving and snorkelling. Shopping tours of local batik and silk-screen cotton printing. Excursions to nearby islands of Dominica, Barbados, Bequia, Mustique and the Grenadines.