Luxury St Lucia Holidays

Time difference: St Lucia is 4 hours behind the UK (GMT -4 hours)

Flight duration: The flight to St Lucia is about 8 hours and 30 minutes long. 

Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (ECD) although US dollars are readily accepted.

Capital: Castries

Language: The official language of St Lucia is English; however, around 95% of the local people speak St Lucian Creole French.

Visa Information: British passport holders do not need a visa to enter St Lucia. 

Voltage: The standard voltage is 240 V. The frequency is 50 Hz. You can use electrical appliances in St Lucia if the standard voltage in your home country is between 220 – 240 V (as it is in the UK).

When is the best time to travel to St Lucia?

If you’re longing for warm weather and sunshine to relax on white sand beaches and rejuvenate in swimming pools and tropical gardens, St Lucia is to visit any month of the year, with average temperatures for St Lucia hitting the high 70s all year round. 

We recommend the best time to visit St Lucia as February through to May, when temperatures are likely to be in the high 70s to 80s and the weather is dry. Peak season typically covers December and January, which is when the island is busiest. Music lovers should definitely consider visiting in early May to attend the St Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, which is held annually at Pigeon Island National Landmark.

September, October and November are the rainiest months of the year, with up to 19 days of rainfall during both September and October.

With sun shining on this island all year round, St Lucia is the perfect place to visit for adventures in the Caribbean waters and on land. You can soak up St Lucia's iconic coastal views of turquoise waters, stroll around lush gardens, enjoy thrilling watersports and indulge in a romantic dinner over the Caribbean sunset. 

St Lucia is known for its natural beauty, with a lush rainforest interior. It's landmark Pitons are a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the two volcanic peaks offer scenic walks with fabulous views over the coast and sapphire waters. Keep an eye out for wildlife and tropical birds as you wander the trails. For more adventure, St Lucia has a popular zipline park that whizzes you through the treetops. 

With its crystal-clear waters, you should also visit St Lucia if you have a love for snorkelling adventures or diving - there are some excellent spots from which you can explore the off-shore coral reef. 

St Lucia is also famed for its chocolate, being the home of Hotel Chocolat. If you're a chocolate lover, you won't resist taking a tour the cacao farm to taste the fine confectionary it creates. Be sure to stock up on a few chocolate bars to take home with you!

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing couple's getaway or a memorable adventure to share with your children, St Lucia has activities to keep you entertained. Here are our top picks for the best things to do during your inclusive holiday to St Lucia:

Explore Castries Market

Established in 1891, St Lucia’s biggest open-air market is ideally situated at the centre of the island’s capital. This colourful affair is your one-stop destination for spices, locally produced arts and crafts and delicious locally grown fruits and vegetables. Breathe in the sights, sounds and smells of local life at the market before taking a well-earned rest to enjoy some local street food delights.

Fill up at the Friday Night Fish Fry

Check out the quaint fishing village of Anse La Raye on a Friday night – you’ll find the whole main street lined with local people cooking up a storm. Enjoy crayfish, lobster or grilled fish accompanied by roasted bakes and corn. Live music and a steady flow of drinks add to the energy of this traditional St Lucian evening out.

Take a soak in the sulphur springs

Visitors to St Lucia can enjoy a natural mud bath experience at the hot springs in Soufriére's drive in volcano. Slather your body in the warm grey mud, rinse off in the thermal spring pool before cooling down underneath a natural waterfall. Best of all, the waters of sulphur springs are packed full of minerals which are believed to offer bathers a number of healing benefits.

Charter a sailboat

If setting sail on the Caribbean is on your bucket list (and why wouldn’t it be!), board a sailboat or powerboat from Marigot Bay or Rodney Bay. Sailing offers a wonderful way to explore St Lucia’s many welcoming bays and coves, and you can choose to travel with or without a crew. If you fancy a longer journey, why not venture through the nearby Grenadines?

Visit Marigot Bay

Lying just five miles south of Castries, Marigot Bay is famed for being one of the most beautiful natural harbours on the Caribbean. Spend a little time admiring the yachts and sailboats at Capella Marina, indulge in a delicious waterside lunch or take the small ferry across the bay to the tiny beach and indulge in some rest and relaxation.

St Lucian cuisine combines Creole, French, Indian and British delicacies. There are many flavours to enjoy  either during a buffet lunch, romantic dinner or at your all-inclusive resort. 

The fertile soil of the island helps to produce food that is both attractive and delicious in equal measure, so St Lucian chefs love to place a high emphasis on the presentation of their food.

Packed with spices, natural flavours and the freshest seafood, you’ll find a dish to suit every palate here, whether you prefer casual street food fare or the elegance of a fine dining experience.

Popular St Lucian dishes include:

• Green Figs and Saltfish, a national speciality that is usually made using kippered herring or salted codfish and served with green figs (unripe bananas).
• An array of St Lucia Lobster. Choose from a variety of options from lobster ceviche and steamed lobster tails to langouste (spiny lobster) sushi.
• Pepper Pots, a traditional St Lucian stew made using whatever vegetables, fish or meat are available.
• St Lucia Lambi, a popular weekend dish that’s often enjoyed at St Lucian street parties. Conch shellfish is cooked in a sauce made with plenty of spices and seasoning.
• Fried Plantain. Plantains are a non-sweet variety of banana that must be cooked before eating. Many of the local St Lucian restaurants fry plantains in coconut oil before seasoning and serving them with a dash of spicy sauce.

There is always a party going on somewhere in St Lucia, with everything from lively music festivals and local cultural celebrations to weekly fish fries and buzzing street parties.

Here’s the lowdown on some of the island’s most popular annual events:

January

Nobel Laureate Week – a celebration of the achievements of St Lucia’s Nobel Laureates, Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott. Workshops, exhibitions and discussions take place throughout the week to commemorate their achievements.

February

Independence Day – A colourful and lively annual celebration of St Lucia’s independence anniversary.

May

St Lucia Jazz - Regarded as the best jazz festival in the Caribbean, the St Lucia Jazz Festival produced in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Centre sees the biggest names in modern jazz showcasing their talents at a whole host of venues across the island.

June

Fishermen’s Feast (Fete Peche) - St Lucian Fishermen take part in this annual thanksgiving celebration on the last Sunday in June.

June – July

St Lucia Carnival - The St Lucia Carnival celebrates Caribbean culture, history and creativity. It features a range of competitions, community events and a seemingly endless calendar of fetes and parties. The event finale is an energetic, fun-packed two-day street parade featuring live bands and DJ’s, colourful carnival costumes and the joyful merriment that’s typical of the Caribbean culture.

September

Food and Rum Festival - Designed to attract the very best chefs, food critics, wine lovers and rum connoisseurs from across the globe, this unique festival showcases St Lucian and other Caribbean restaurants, chefs, rums and food/drink products. Epicureans will delight in the many cookery demonstrations, tastings and culinary experiences, all complemented by music and other cultural performances.