St. Lucia
Simply Beautiful
St. Lucia, lush, tropical and majestic, looks very much like the islands of the South Pacific, and being serviced directly by major airlines as well as cruise ships and smaller vessels it's easily accessible. Offering something for everyone, visitors to St. Lucia can choose from an impressive array of activities, from adventure treks into the mountain rainforests, an abundance of water-sports above and below the surface, to leisurely days and nights on a myriad of beaches. Accommodations range from luxurious resorts and hotels, to private villas and B&B's. There are dining choices for every appetite, and plenty of shopping in and around the more populous towns and villages.
One of St. Lucia's advantages is that it remains relatively unknown, and thereby unspoiled. It's dramatic mountain peaks soar to over 3000 feet and surround magnificent rainforests where wild orchids, giant ferns, and birds of paradise flourish. Brilliantly-plumed tropical birds abound, including endangered species like the indigenous St. Lucia parrot. These interior rainforest preserves are one of the Caribbean's finest locales for hiking and bird-watching. Outside the forests are green fields, orchards of banana, coconut, mango, & papaya trees, giving way to steep steep coastlines and vibrant reefs offering excellent snorkeling and scuba diving.
If you're looking for more leisurely pursuits, the island also offers excellent facilities for golf, tennis, sailing, diving and a host of other activities, including finding a deserted beach of your own. St Lucia's people have a reputation for their warmth and charm, which stems from a rich historical past with many varied traditions. Take some time to enjoy visiting the old fortresses, small villages, & open-air markets, and get to know the island and its culture.
History and Culture
Since 1979 the nation of St Lucia has been a stable independent democracy within the British Commonwealth. But after a few days on the island you'll discover influences and nuances hinting at its colourful past.
St Lucia was first inhabited by the peaceful Arawak Indians, but they were conquered by their old enemies, the fierce Caribs. It was once believed that Christopher Columbus, on his fourth voyage to the West Indies in 1502, was the first European to set foot on St. Lucia, but historians are now almost certain that he never landed there. One theory suggests that Juan de Cosa, a little known explorer who traveled with Columbus on his first and second voyages, named the island in 1499.
Then the British came and in 1667 the French arrived. St Lucia was alternately British and French for the next 150 years, before it was finally ceded to the British in 1814. The war has left fortresses and relics behind. For example, Pigeon Island National Park and Fort Rodney. From the former British officers' mess, it is easy to imagine the cannons firing at French warships as they tried to slip past the fortified hilltop… You can also visit Morne Fortune, a site of a key battle, and Marigot Bay, once a vital wartime base and now a beautiful yacht haven. Diamond Falls and Mineral Baths, built by the French king, Louis XVI, to refresh and heal his troops stationed on St Lucia, are fascinating. As is historic Soufriere, the old French capital.
In spirit, the island is influenced by many cultures. St Lucians drive on the left and have a passion for cricket. But the Caribbean influence surfaces in the drinks - rum and locally brewed beer, in the music - calypso, soca, reggae, in the richly flavoured Creole cuisine, in the carnivals, festivals and days of national pride, and in the open-air markets. You'll find St Lucia a colourful, unique mixture of history and charming influences.
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