Saint Lucia has been on my bucket list for some time, and when my cousin decided to spend her birthday there, I booked my flight, no questions asked!
Saint Lucia is home to the majestic Pitons, impeccable lush landscape, exquisite beaches, and vibrant culture. While most people consider the island the ultimate location for a honeymoon, all-inclusive resorts, or destination weddings, this magical island has something for everyone.
If you’re planning a holiday to Saint Lucia, this post is for you. I am sharing how to spend five perfect days in Saint Lucia to help give you ideas about what to consider when planning your trip.
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This is the second post in the Saint Lucia travel series. Here’s the complete 7-part series:
Saint Lucia Travel Series
Bucket List: 10 Awesome Things To See & Do In Saint Lucia
Travel Itinerary: How To Spend 5 Days in Saint Lucia
Inspiration: 30 Pictures That Will Make You Want To Go To Saint Lucia
Packing Essentials: Packing Guide for 5 Days in Saint Lucia
Travel Guide: St Lucia Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
Land and Sea Tour Guide: Knotty Girls Speed Boat Tours
For the Culture: The Best Cultural Activities & Tours in Saint Lucia
The Perfect 5-Day Travel Itinerary
How to get to St Lucia
There are two airports on the island. Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in Vieux Fort is on the island’s southern end.
The majority of international flights arrive at UVF. George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU), also known as “Vigie Airport,” located near Castries, is on the island’s north side and used primarily for inter-island flights.
We flew JetBlue from Newark, NJ, into UVF, which took about 4 hours. Upon arrival, we were instantly welcomed by the warm tropical breeze. For ease and flexibility in getting around the island, we reserved a car ahead of time and picked it up from Avis.
Other car rental companies include Budget, Sixt, Fox, and Cool Breeze. To drive on the island, you must have a valid driver’s license from your home country and must purchase a $22 (in cash) permit. You can buy this permit directly from your rental car company.
If you stay at a resort, you can arrange an airport pick-up or book a private roundtrip airport shuttle. If you decide to go the taxi or driver route, agree upon the price beforehand.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling extra fancy and got it like that, you can arrange for a helicopter shuttle to pick you up and take you to your destination.
Insider Tip: Saint Lucians drive on the left side of the road and the right side of the car. I was blown away, especially given how, in the U.S., we drive on the right side of the road and the left side of the car. Let’s say it will take some getting used to!
Best time to visit
Like most Caribbean islands, Saint Lucia has warm tropical weather all year round, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 95 ℉ (26 to 35℃). The island is quieter during the summer, with temperatures averaging 95 ℉.
During the colder months, December – March, tourists flock here to escape the cold weather, which means prices around the island increase. You can also expect more crowds during this time.
I would avoid visiting from the end of August until October, during hurricane season. During this time, the island experiences heavy spells of rain and wind.
I visited in May and couldn’t have picked a better time. The weather was exceptional, warm but not too humid, and it rained a little every morning, which I appreciated.
Where to stay
There are a variety of accommodations to choose from in Saint Lucia. Most people stay at resorts because it’s easy, and you have everything at your fingertips. Booking.com has some of the best lodgings to pick from. I prefer a more authentic vacation experience, so I stayed in this Airbnb 10 minutes from downtown Castries.
Unfortunately, budget lodging accommodations like hostels and camping aren’t available on the island.
Insider Tip: If you decide to stay at a resort, consider booking with one of the only three Black-owned resorts on the island: Stonefield Villa Resort, Fond Doux Eco Resort, or Bay Gardens Hotels.
Saint Lucia: Day 1
Arrive and get settled
Having spent most of your day traveling, the best thing to do once you’ve arrived at your hotel or Airbnb is to relax and unwind! I am always too excited to rest and usually take time to explore my surroundings and visit a local grocery store to pick up the necessities like water, fruit, and libations.
Our drive from Vieux Fort to Castries was only meant to be 1 hour but took much longer as we got lost. The GPS reception on the island isn’t very reliable, and luckily, we received directions from our host.
Insider Tip: Try arriving on the island as early as possible. That way, if you rent a car, you’re not driving around the island at night with the possibility of getting lost and minimal GPS reception.
Saint Lucia: Day 2
Visit Castries Central Market
Start your day by stopping at the Castries Central Market. This open-air market is one of the largest markets in Saint Lucia, filled with over 300 vendors selling everything from fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, jewelry, clothing, and crafts.
Before leaving the market, stop and grab lunch from one of the vendors selling delicious home-cooked meals in the back of the building. The food was cooked to perfection! I paid $8 for a plate of traditional Saint Lucian food.
Head to Pigeon Island beach
After enjoying lunch, head to Pigeon Island beach for a much-needed siesta and chill vibes. The drive from Castries is about 20-25 minutes.
Here you won’t find too many vendors trying to sell you things and overcrowded with tourists. Pigeon Island Beach is popular among the locals, which I appreciated the most.
If you’re feeling adventurous, hike the Fort Experience and finish with exceptional panoramic views of Pigeon Island.
Check out the Gros Islet street party
Every Friday night, rain or shine, the Gros Islet street party is known as “Friday night Gros Islet jump up” and attracts locals and visitors alike. The streets come alive with food vendors selling the freshest caught fish, barbecued meats, and more.
The DJ spins the hottest music, and after a few rum cocktails or Pitons, you can’t help but sing and dance. This street party is a good time and not to be missed.
Insider Tip: Bring cash. Most places don’t accept credit cards.
Foodies, drink and eat your way through Saint Lucia
St. Lucia: Day 3
Take a land & sea tour
After enjoying the street party vibes, spend the day exploring the island’s gems by taking a land and sea tour.
During the small group tour, you will visit the island’s top attractions, including Marigot Bay, Sugar Beach, local fishing villages, the famous Pitons, Sulfur Springs, and Toraille waterfall. Also, you get the unique chance to learn about the island’s history firsthand!
For lunch, you will feast on a delectable home-cooked Lucian meal at Mama’s Kitchen in Soufrière consisting of lentils, provisions (breadfruit, sweet potatoes, yams, or dasheen), fish or chicken, rice, and salad.
We vibed all day, listening to soca music and enjoying Pitons (local beer) and rum punch. Everything was perfect! The land and sea tour is a bucket-list experience!
Book these experiences to enjoy Saint Lucia on the water
Dine at the Windjammer Beach resort
After a day of fun in the sun, head to the Upper Deck at the Windjammer Beach Resort for dinner and live music. The Upper Deck serves steak and fresh seafood with other options. I ordered the filet mignon surf and turf. My sister enjoyed the seafood voodoo jambalaya. Both dishes were delicious and beautifully presented.
The ambiance gives romantic vibes, but don’t let that stop you from dining here during your stay. The band played classic soca hits during dinner. I barely touched my food because I was too busy dancing!
Be sure to arrive in time to enjoy the sunset, as it’s supposed to be one of the best spots on the island.
Insider Tip: The Upper Deck is only available for dinner, so make a reservation beforehand.
Saint Lucia: Day 4
Spend the day in Soufrière
The drive from Castries to Soufrière is about 1 hour. If you’re staying in Castries or another part of the island, dedicate at least one day to visiting Soufrière. The town is located on the island’s west coast and is famous for the up-close views of the Pitons, ocean, and lush rainforest.
Insider Tip: To get the most out of your stay and explore the island, I recommend splitting your time between Castries (2-3 days) and Soufrière (2 days).
Check out these half-day adventures touring around Soufrière
Get pampered
Soufrière has no shortage of things to do. My favorite day activity was getting pampered and spending the afternoon at the Escape Spa inside the Stonefield Villa and Resort. My sister and I booked a couples massage in advance and were treated to a blissful afternoon.
Stop by the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
If spending the day at the spa isn’t your thing and you’d rather spend the afternoon in nature, then you can’t miss the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens & Mineral Baths. Located in the heart of Soufrière, this 50-foot waterfall has the most exquisite colors due to its natural minerals.
Here, you can hire a guide to learn about tropical foods and spices, visit the impressive waterfalls, and bask in the therapeutic hot springs. The best time to visit is in the afternoon after all the crowds of people leave.
Insider Tip: Swimming in the waterfall is not allowed. You can swim at the therapeutic hot springs, so bring a bathing suit and towel.
Eat at the Jade Mountain Club
I recommend having dinner at the Jade Mountain Club for an elegant and Michelin-star quality meal. Aside from the wildly insane views of the Pitons, the food and service are top-notch.
I’ve heard that the experience alone makes dining here so unique. Unfortunately, we tried to make lunch and dinner reservations, but they were booked. So, if eating at this restaurant is high on your list, book your reservation well in advance.
Insider Tip: If you’re staying at Anse Chastanet, the sister resort to Jade Mountain, you can easily make a reservation and arrange a hotel shuttle or walk.
Saint Lucia: Day 5
Hike the Pitons
Whether you’re adventurous and appreciate the outdoors, hiking up the Pitons is a St Lucia bucket-list adventure. The Pitons are dormant volcanoes: Gros and Petite Pitons nestled at the southern end of Pitons Bay. To hike the Gros Piton, the bigger and more manageable of the two (2,619 ft), takes about 2 hours to get to the top.
Hiking up the Pitons alone is not advised, and I recommend hiring a local guide.
Visit the Project Chocolat Estate
After your hike, head to Hotel Chocolate at Rabot Estate and savory street food and cocktails at Project Chocolat. The market offers a variety of cacao-infused dishes inspired by West Indian and British heritage. If you have time, book a tree-to-bar experience to learn how cacao grows and make your own chocolate bar!
Conclusion – Lady Chin’s Two Cents
I did my research beforehand, picked the top things I wanted to see and do, and concluded that five days isn’t enough time to explore all the island offers fully. My first taste of Saint Lucia was enough to make me want to return sooner than later. I felt a strong connection with the people and was proud to see a lot of African cultures maintained through food, culture, and music.
After reflecting on my recent visit, here are a few things I would do differently the next time:
- Plan to stay for at least 10 to 14 days
- Split my time between staying in Castries (5-7 days) and Soufrière (5-7 days). To explore as much as possible and get a feel of both cities.
- Stay at the Stonefield Villa Resort in Soufrière
- Hike the Pitons
- Go ziplining
- Visit the rainforest
- Snorkel at the Anse Chastanet. I’m way too chicken to go diving!
- Enjoy the Anse La Raye Friday fish fry
- Spend the day touring a rum distillery
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