Saint Lucia
North America · Castries · LC
Saint Lucia is the mountainous island of the eastern Caribbean, the dramatic country of the two dark peaks of the Pitons that rise from the sea and the extraordinary volcanic landscape of the south. The island, which changed hands between the French and the British and carries the marks of both in its place names and its ways, holds the great sulphur springs of the drive-in volcano, the rainforest of the interior and the long beaches of the northern coast, while the capital of the Castries and the historic town of the Soufrière anchor the life of the west. The harbours of the Marigot and the Rodney with their yachts and the small resorts of the red-roofed style frame the coast, and the culture of the island, from the festivals of the jazz and the creole heritage to the cocoa and the banana of the plantations, colours everything. The Pitons, the springs and the beaches make the island one of the most scenic of the whole Caribbean.
Overview
Saint Lucia is a country in North America. Its capital is Castries and the international dialling code is +1758. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include English. Local currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD). We also list 1 city in Saint Lucia: Castries.
The Pitons and the Coast of the Soufriere
The two peaks of the Pitons, the conical towers of the volcanic stone that rise side by side from the calm water of the south-western coast, are the most famous landmark of the whole Caribbean, and the pairs of their dark, forested slopes frame the bay of the Soufriere in a setting of the extraordinary beauty. The tall peak, the Gros Piton, offers the guided climb of its ridge with the views of the summit over the island and the sea, while the smaller Petit Piton is best admired from the water of the bay or the beach of its foot. The drive of the coast, from the capital through the banana valleys and the fishing villages to the bay of the peaks, is the classic scenic route of the island.
The Springs of the Sulphur and the Volcano of the Drive
The great geological wonder of the island, the drive-in volcano of the Soufriere, is the world-famous bowl of the bubbling mud, the hissing vents and the clouds of the volcanic steam that lie along the valley of the sulphur springs. The site is reached by the short walk of the marked trail that crosses the strange grey-yellow landscape of the boiling pools and the fumaroles, the only live volcanic solitude of the kind that visitors can drive right up to. The hot springs and the mud baths of the nearby pools, the dark mineral waters where the visitors cover themselves in the grey clay, complete the geothermal spa experience, and the forest of the surrounding hills keeps the whole valley green.
The Bay of the Marigot and the Harbours of the West
The bay of the Marigot, the deep, sheltered inlet of the western coast ringed by the green hills and the small houses of the red roofs, is the classic anchor harbour of the island and one of the most photographed harbours of the yachting world. The boats of the world tie up along the jetties of the bay, and the marinas and the small hotels of the shore serve the sailors and the film crews of the port, while the waters of the bay reflect the steep green of the surrounding slopes. The other harbours of the west, from the Rodney with its marinas and its beach to the village of the Soufriere with its cruise dock, give the island its deep maritime life, and the boat trips and the sunset cruises of the coast spread the visitors of the sea.
The Markets of the Castries and the Life of the Town
The capital of the Castries, the busy town on the deep harbour of the north-west of the island, is the commercial and the cultural heart of the country, rebuilt after the great fires and the hurricanes of the past with the modern centre and the lively streets of the everyday. The famous market of the Castries, the great covered market of the town with the stalls of the fruits, the vegetables, the spices and the crafts of the island, is the vibrant, colourful heart of the daily life, and the cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with its painted murals and the library of the town hold the history of the capital. The shopping streets, the bars and the restaurants of the town and the festivals that fill the squares run the friendly pulse of the island.
The Rainforest and the Chocolate of the Island
The interior of the island, the green uplands of the rainforest that the highest of the volcanic mountains keep in the mist and the constant birdsong, holds the trails, the waterfalls and the rustic resorts of the deep nature of the country. The chocolate culture of the island, grown on the estates of the cacao that the French first planted, gives the visitor the tours of the plantations with the walking of the groves, the tasting of the pods and the making of the bars in the workshops of the small holders. The banana plantations of the valleys, the cocoa fields and the spice gardens complete the agricultural picture, and the forest trails, from the easy walking of the nature parks to the long hikes of the interior, reward the hiker of every level.
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- Capital
- Castries
- Currency
- East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +1758
- Internet TLD
- lc
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Saint Lucia.
Cities (1)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Saint Lucia?
Castries is the capital of Saint Lucia, and the country sits in North America.
What currency is used in Saint Lucia?
You pay with East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) in Saint Lucia. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Saint Lucia?
The languages we list for Saint Lucia are English. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Saint Lucia?
The dialling code for Saint Lucia is +1758 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which cities in Saint Lucia do you cover?
Our guide lists 1 city for Saint Lucia: Castries (capital).