St. Lucia Itinerary Ultimate Travel Guide for 2024
Are you looking for a St. Lucia Itinerary for your next Caribbean island vacation?
There is so much to do and see in Saint Lucia that planning an itinerary without missing anything can be overwhelming.
I spent some time in Saint Lucia with friends during a 7-night Caribbean Cruise. We disembarked at the Point Seraphine Cruise Port in Castries and taxied to Soufrière.
We got a glimpse of the countryside, saw the Grand Pitons, and hiked to a botanical garden waterfall. I even saw Marigot Bay where they filmed a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean!
When I researched the port of call in Saint Lucia, I made a huge list of what I wanted to do. If I had more time on the island, this is the itinerary I would follow.
Below, I describe each of the main cities with their highlights of things to do in St. Lucia, followed by a sample 7-day itinerary.
This list can help you plan your vacation whether you’re looking for a day’s inspiration or a week-long St Lucia travel guide.
Hewanorra
You will start your vacation by flying into Hewanorra International Airport if traveling by plane, or in Castries if traveling by cruise ship.
The gem of St Lucia is the Grand Pitons in Soufriere about an hour away, but there are still some things to do in Hewanorra before moving on to the next stop on your St Lucian itinerary.
Vieux Fort
Vieux Fort, the town adjacent to the airport, boasts several beaches and resorts, along with transportation options to other cities on the island.
The Moule a Chique Lighthouse is one of the tallest in the world and offers a panoramic view of St Lucia and the Caribbean Sea.
Anse de Sables beach has a long stretch of shoreline to enjoy. A reef helps enclose this shallow bay area, creating a calm water spot perfect for snorkeling.
The Vieux Fort Market is perfect for souvenir shopping and trying local food.
It’s tempting to stay at one of the many resorts in Vieux Fort, but I encourage you to spend just one night here before moving on to my favorite city in Saint Lucia: Soufriere.
Soufriere
Soufriere is home to the Gros Piton and Petit Piton, two mountains that are so impressive that they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Soufriere is where you can drive through a dormant volcano, hike to beautiful waterfalls, take a mud bath, and enjoy the natural hot springs.
On my Caribbean cruise, instead of staying in Castries, I took a taxi to Soufriere to see the Pitons and more of St. Lucia’s scenery.
Grand Piton
The Pitons are some of the world’s largest volcanic plugs. They are hardened magma that formed in the vent of a now dormant volcano.
There is a large volcanic plug and one smaller one, just like the names Gros Piton and Petit Piton suggest.
The Gros Piton hike is popular but has a hard difficulty level. The trail is only 2.9 mi (4.6 km) out and back, but it’s 1,833 ft (558 m) in elevation.
The steep trail features tall steps to scramble up after reaching the halfway way station. Hike early to finish before the heat of the day, and to bring enough water to avoid issues from the heat.
Saint Lucia Sulphur Springs and Volcano
Sulphur Springs is the world’s only drive-in volcano.
Before you start imagining driving your car into some bubbling red-hot lava, think again. The Qualibou volcano on St Lucia is dormant, so it doesn’t look like a kid’s baking soda science project.
You will see bubbling mud and steam rising through the ground. The volcanic mud is too hot to go in, but sulphur hot springs and mud baths are partitioned off, perfect for locals and tourists to enjoy.
Have you taken a mud bath? It’s a unique spa experience I recommend to anyone. While in the muddy water, you use your hands to cake the mud onto your skin.
Step out of the water to let it dry, then rinse off the mud with clean water. Mud drying on your skin is a strange feeling, but it leaves your skin feeling so smooth!
Waterfalls and Hikes
Some other things to do in St Lucia include exploring nature trails and waterfalls.
Tet Paul Nature Trail is an easier hike than the Gros Piton Trail and offers amazing views of the island.
Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens is a simple walk through a garden of vibrant, tropical flowers. The waterfall is beautiful and surrounded by trees and vines.
I thought of Diamond Falls as a tropical oasis and worth the taxi ride from Castries. If you like botanical gardens, check out the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve in the Bahamas.
Looking for more waterfalls in Soufriere?
You can swim in the Piton Falls’ warm water or the refreshingly cool water from the Toraille Waterfall. Both waterfalls require a small entrance fee and are great options after the sulphur springs mud bath!
Beach Day Near Soufriere
A lot of people like going to Jamaica for island beach days and snorkeling, but the beaches in Saint Lucia are also stunning.
Soufriere is where to find the best snorkeling beaches in St Lucia.
Sugar Beach is part of Viceroy Resort and offers calm waters in a protected marine preserve. Anse Chastanet Beach is more popular for its snorkeling and is part of the Anse Chastanet Resort.
Anse Chastanet is also the location of SCUBA St Lucia if you prefer diving to snorkeling.
Both beaches are also perfect for sunbathing, and ocean swimming beach days.
Castries
Castries is the capital of Saint Lucia and the location of the island’s cruise terminal.
Are you looking for St Lucian itinerary ideas for a cruise stop? Castries is where you will need to start. I recommend booking your tours through the cruise line directly so you have more security in returning before the ship leaves port.
The George F. L. Charles Airport in Castries is the second airport in St Lucia and is for domestic flights. Chances are you will be flying into the international airport in Hewanorra instead.
Castries Central Market
Stop by the Castries Central Market when in the city. This market is the go-to spot for locals to buy fresh tropical fruits and vegetables and Caribbean spices.
They also have vendors selling souvenirs to tourists, but be ready to haggle. The cruise ship port being nearby increases the price tags of everything.
I am terrible at haggling. If you’re also not used to haggling for a lower price, check out the local market for a price reference.
You can also check the cost of things on the cruise ship or hotel gift shop before buying something like a magnet at a tourist-centered market.
Historical Landmarks
If you like these historical forts in San Juan, you’ll love these ideas of things to do in St. Lucia.
The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Cathedral in the Caribbean.
The outside of this Cathedral may not be as impressive as cathedrals in Europe, but there are stained glass windows and beautiful imagery inside.
The Cathedral is the perfect addition to a Caribbean island vacation if you’re religious, like history, or appreciate art and architecture.
La Toc Battery is part of an old preserved fort. A historical battery refers to a grouping of canons at a military fort or a temporary place of battle.
It’s pretty cool seeing real cannons soldiers used in history. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that these old forts were functional at one point.
Rainforest Adventures
Rainforest Adventures offers a gondola ride and ziplining through the canopy of the tropical rainforest.
There are also birdwatching tours and guided walks if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground.
You can plan to stop by on your way back to Hewanorra from Rodney Bay, but the tours advertise an included shuttle for guests from Castries. Both Castries and Rodney Bay are about a 30-minute drive from Rainforest Adventures.
Ziplining through a rainforest is something you do not want to miss. I included a tour option in the week-long St. Lucia itinerary below.
Rodney Bay
Rodney Bay is in the northern region of Saint Lucia. Book a hotel in the north for your exploring and beach days before trekking back to the airport in the south of the island.
This bay is a perfect retreat for sailing or enjoying a beach day.
Pigeon Island National Park
A causeway connects Pigeon Island to the mainland. This island is full of natural beauty and is critically important in Saint Lucian history.
There were forts from the English and the French, and at one point in history, the pirate Jambe de Bois held control of Pigeon Island with his crew of over 300 men. He was one of the first pirates to have a wooden peg leg!
You can explore the ruins, walk the nature trails, or enjoy one of the secluded beaches.
Grand Anse Beach is 45 minutes away in Marquis and worth mentioning because you can see leatherback turtles lay their eggs. March through August is the nesting season, but it’s important to keep a respectful distance to avoid disturbing the turtles.
Smuggler’s Cove
Smuggler’s Cove in St. Lucia is close to Pigeon Island. There are many resorts, high-end restaurants, malls, and a casino.
The cove got its name from the smuggling of liquor during prohibition. Now, Smuggler’s Cove is where you go for a tropical getaway and quieter beaches.
All-inclusive means the hotel cost includes food, drinks, and activities. It’s a must on any traveler’s bucket list.
The resort may have some specialty restaurants that charge an additional cost, but you are in a vacation bubble where all the necessities are included (and then some).
The resort can help arrange tours if you want to explore more of the island. It’s all super convenient.
7 Days in St Lucia Itinerary
As you can tell from the many options of things to do in St Lucia, it’s easily one of the best Caribbean Islands to visit.
A little tip: when driving between Soufriere and Castries, look for Marigot Bay.
The scene at the beginning of Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed in this bay, and it’s stunning. It’s a photo-op view worth stopping for.
One more thing- don’t forget to pack some bug spray! Mosquitos are around mostly at dusk, especially when it’s humid.
Okay, let’s dive into what a week in St Lucia looks like…
- Day 1: Arrive at Hewanorra International Airport, take a taxi or resort shuttle to your hotel, then explore the Vieux Fort Market for local food and crafts.
- Day 2: Enjoy a beach day at Anse de Sable Beach, then walk around Moute a Chique lighthouse for panoramic views. Take a taxi or rental car to Soufriere (1-hour drive), then check into your next hotel.
- Day 3: Snorkel in Anse Chastanet, and then enjoy a volcanic spa experience in the Saint Lucia Sulphur Springs.
- Day 4: Hike the Grand Piton (challenging), or visit the Toraille Waterfall and explore the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens. Use a taxi, or a rental car, or book a tour from your hotel.
- Day 5: Take a taxi or rental car to Castries (1-hour drive), and check into your hotel. Enjoy a 4-hour tour of the Aerial Tram and Rainforest Canopy Zipline (30-minute drive, transportation available in the tour). Explore the Castries Central Market for souvenirs and local food or see the largest Cathedral in the Caribbean.
- Day 6: Take a taxi or rental car to Rodney Bay (a 20-minute drive). Enjoy a beach day at Smuggler’s Cove or visit Pigeon Island National Park. Check into your next hotel.
- Day 7: Shop, eat, and explore Rodney Bay before heading back to the Hewanorra International Airport (1.5-hour drive).
This 7-day St. Lucia itinerary will require the following:
- Accommodations: 1 Night in Hewanorra, 3 Nights in Soufriere, 1 Night in Castries, 1 Night in Rodney Bay
- Transportation: Rental Car or a mix of Taxis and Shuttles.
- Tours and Reservations: Saint Lucia Sulphur Springs, Rainforest Adventure
- Additional Activities: Beach Days, Snorkeling, Easy or Challenging Hikes, Shopping, Dining, Historical Landmarks and Panoramic Views
This itinerary covers the main highlights and some fun adventures, but there are so many things to do in St. Lucia.
The best thing about planning your vacation is that it’s customizable!
Want to go sailing? Swap it with the snorkeling.
Does eating your way through the chocolate-making tour from Hotel Chocolat sound delicious? Add it to your Soufriere itinerary!
Enjoy adventure, relaxation, and culture in one Caribbean island vacation.
How to Get Around the Island
You need your passport to arrive by plane or ship to this Caribbean Island.
Once there, you can take a taxi or private car to drive you around or rent a car to drive yourself.
It’s a 1.5-hour drive from the south side of the island, where the international airport is located, to Rodney Bay in the north, so navigating is nothing crazy.
The catch is an international driver’s permit is required to drive in St. Lucia. The permit can easily be acquired when you rent a car.
There is a public bus system, but it is unreliable for a tight schedule.
When I visited with my friends, we took a taxi from the cruise terminal in Castries to the Diamond Falls Botanical Garden in Soufriere. The driver was so knowledgeable it was like having a personal tour guide.
We had a large group, so we split the cost of the taxi, making it a bit more affordable.
If you’re not renting a car, you can look into airport, hotel, and tour shuttles to minimize taxi fees.
Saint Lucia island is family-friendly, but new moms will want to plan for a day out with their baby, and keep in mind a drive of 1 to 1.5 hours between cities.
Stay in St Lucia
You may be on a budget, but there are plenty of accommodation options in St Lucia. Book an Air BnB, Hotel, or an All-Inclusive Resort.
The Sandals Grande St. Lucian all-inclusive resort will place you by Pigeon Island National Park. They have a beach-front property with all sorts of amenities and activities.
A unique luxury experience is the Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat. The hotel is 1,000 feet above sea level and offers a picturesque view of the Grand Piton mountains.
A more budget-friendly option in Soufriere is The Downtown Hotel. It also offers a view of the Grand Pitons, just not a scenic picture from a lush resort. The rooms come with wifi, a mini fridge, and a microwave.
Airbnbs are another option if you are looking for a flexible range of budget and location, but St Lucia isn’t known as one of the cheapest Caribbean islands.
Best Time to Visit St Lucia
Before you lock in your St. Lucia Itinerary, double-check the best time to visit the Caribbean.
The dry season on the island is approximately from December to April, so there’s a lot less chance of a tropical rainstorm. It’s not as humid and the sun is still shining, but this is also the prime tourist season.
Plan your trip between May and June for lower rates, warmer temperatures, and fewer crowds.
June is the beginning of hurricane season in the Caribbean, but the chances of a storm are a lot less than July through October. Just be prepared for some rain and humidity.
Summary of St. Lucia Itinerary
There are tons of things to do in St Lucia, so pick your itinerary carefully if you have limited time.
The Sulphur Hot Springs at the drive-in volcano, Grand Pitons, and the waterfalls are reason enough to make Soufriere your priority.
Still, Castries may be better suited for you to shuttle for the Rainforest Zipline adventure. It’s also the starting point for anyone arriving by cruise ship.
I recommend flying into Hewanorra National Airport and then exploring Soufriere. Spend a day in Castries and end the rest of your time enjoying the beaches and history in Rodney Bay.
Some more unique experiences are the chocolate-making tour in Soufriere and seeing leatherback turtles nesting at Grand Anse Beach in Marquis.
What are you waiting for? Book those tours, finalize your St. Lucia itinerary, and lock in your Caribbean getaway!
