Click to reveal site search
Hiking in St. Lucia

Rainforests, Hot Springs and Mountaintop Views

Lace up your walking shoes and go beyond the scenic overlook to discover the wild side of one of the Caribbean's greenest islands. Saint Lucia is an island of stentorian-clad mountains, rushing jungle streams and diaphanous waterfalls. It's also home to another-world landscape of geothermal activity, where volcanic vents spew clouds of sulfurous gas and mineral-rich mud bubbles from the ground. Adventure awaits for those who explore by foot. Climb to the summit of a world-famous landmark, soak in a hot spring that was once a favorite of an empress, or search for endemic birds deep in a mountain valley.

Highlights

  • Best for: Everyone, experiences including watersports, yoga, spas and soft to rugged adventures
  • Best season to visit: Year round
  • Weather: Steady trade winds account for relatively minor differences in seasonal air temperatures, which range from the 70s into the mid 80s. Rain showers are less common from December to May

Saint Lucia Information

Hiking in Saint Lucia Overview

More than three-quarters of Saint Lucia remains covered in forests, with substantial portions of the land protected within national parks and nature preserves. Miles of hiking trails give access to sites ranging from remote beaches to mountain ridges and volcanic valleys. Many sites are best reached by guided walks.

Hiking in Saint Lucia Tips

You'll definitely want a guide if you plan to climb to the top of Gros Piton. If you can't decide between walking or swimming, do both by booking a day cruise on a sailing catamaran. A cruise down the coast brings you past the landmark pitons to the town of Soufriere for hikes to hot springs and botanical gardens. There's also still plenty of time for swimming and touring Marigot Bay, which is one of the most beautiful coves in the Caribbean.

Best Places to Hike in Saint Lucia

At Soufriere Volcano, you can walk into an alien landscape of bubbling mud pools and odoriferous sulfur hot springs. The shaded pathways of Diamond Botanical Gardens lead to one of the most colorful waterfalls in the Caribbean. A hike up the Gros Piton Nature Trail will reward with panoramic views of island and ocean. The trail through the Millet Bird Sanctuary leads to a ridge top overlook where Saint Lucian parrots and other endemic bird species roost.

What to Pack for Hiking in Saint Lucia

Hiking boots aren't a must, but some type of lace-up shoes with sturdy soles is needed for most trails. Shorts and a moisture-wicking shirt will provide comfort on longer walks, and you might want to pick up a walking stick for the climbs. Remember a small backpack for towels, snacks, bug spray water and a camera or smartphone.

Specials

Hiking

Saint Lucia

Anse Chastanet

SOUFRIERE - SAVE $600 ONTHE AMAZING ADVENTURE PACKAGE includes 7 nights in Superior Room accommodations; FAP (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner), welcome cocktail, drinks package in room fridge and culinary amenity on arrival, roundtrip airport taxi transfers, hotel tax and service charges.

Adventure Inclusions 8 scuba dives for certified divers, and/or 1-scuba beginner resort course for non-divers (2 dives); jungle biking; boat snorkel trips; guided walks and hikes on ANSE CHASTANET’s 600-acre estate; and 1-rain forest hike. Non-motor watersports (snorkeling, kayaking, paddle board, mini-sailing, windsurfing), sunrise/sunset yoga, jungle biking, kool kayaking coastal adventure, beach chairs and towels on the resort’s 2 beaches.

Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com Book within 14 days of the show.
Read More

From $3,626 per person double

Book Now

Packages

Hiking

Saint Lucia

Anse Chastanet

SOUFRIERE - THE AMAZING DIVING ADVENTURE PACKAGE includes 7 nights in room category chosen; FAP (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner), welcome cocktail, drinks package in room fridge and culinary amenity on arrival, roundtrip airport taxi transfers, hotel tax and service charges.

8 scuba dives for certified divers, and/or 1-scuba beginner resort course for non-divers (2 dives); jungle biking; boat snorkel trips; guided walks and hikes on ANSE CHASTANET’s 600-acre estate; and 1-rain forest hike. Use of non-motorized watersports (snorkeling, kayaking, paddle board, mini-sailing, windsurfing), sunrise and sunset yoga, jungle biking, kool kayaking coastal adventure, beach chairs and towels on the resort’s 2 beaches.
Read More

Book Now

Resorts

Hiking

Saint Lucia

Jade Mountain

SOUFRIERE Located on St. Lucia’s southwestern Caribbean coastline and celebrates St. Lucia’s stunning scenic beauty. Bold architecture includes bridges leading to infinity pool sanctuaries and rugged stoned-faced columns reaching toward the sky. There is a dedicated resort team ensuring outstanding service around the clock. Jade Mountain Club is wrapped around an infinity pool with a dazzling kaleidoscope of colors and celebrates “Jade Cuisine.” Enjoy the privacy with all of sister resort Anse Chastanet’s restaurants, bars, boutiques, art gallery, spa, scuba, bike and watersports as well as 2 soft sand beaches available at all times. Embrace the full glory of St Lucia’s Pitons World Heritage Site and the eternal Caribbean Sea.

Jade Mountain offers Various Specials & Group Discounts-Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for Exclusive Pricing and Information or email sales@caradonna.com.
Read More

See Packages & Learn More
Hiking

Saint Lucia

Anse Chastanet

SOUFRIERE - A spectacular scenic hideaway on a 600-acre tropical estate with two beaches bordering pristine coral reefs, this resort features 49 rooms in a unique hillside/beachside setting, two restaurants/bars, boutiques, art gallery, 42’ day sailing yacht and a full-service spa.

Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.

Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
Read More

See Packages & Learn More
Hiking

Saint Lucia

Marigot Beach Club & Dive Resort

MARIGOT BAY - Exclusive waterfront resort uniquely situated in a stunning and secluded part of St Lucia that's only accessible by boat. Marigot Beach Club and Dive Resort is nestled in lush tropical rainforest overlooking one of the most beautiful and exotic bays in the world. From the veranda of your studio or villa you'll enjoy spectacular St Lucian sunsets, and within a few steps you'll be on our palm-fringed white sand beach, sipping exotic cocktails from Doolittle's Restaurant and Bar. On site health retreat offers yoga, pilates, aerobics, meditation.

Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.

Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
Read More

See Packages & Learn More

Passport and/or Visa Requirements

U.S. citizens need a valid passport that must be valid 6 months beyond the date of entry into Saint Lucia, with available space for entry stamp. No visa is required with proof of onward or return ticket and accommodation confirmation. Check the entry/exit requirements here. A departure tax of $68EC, approx $25.30 should be included in your international airline ticket.

Immunizations

Vaccinations are not required for entering the Caribbean if you're coming from the United States. Before traveling check with the CDC here.

Culture and Customs

Saint Lucia is a land of vibrant greens set in a sapphire sea. Rainforests cover the island's interior, providing vacationers with a variety of eco-adventures that range from sedate birding hikes and relaxing rides on an aerial tram to off-road adventures and soaring zip line flights through forested canopies home to endemic birds such as the Saint Lucia parrot. The lush surroundings also set the stage for a number of unique resort properties that blend luxury and nature, and provide some of the best dining experiences in the Caribbean. The island's rich volcanic soil yields a cornucopia of tropical fruits and vegetables. This bounty is reflected in the savory dishes of traditional Creole cooking, and it has inspired a new wave of organic and fusion cuisines that have earned island chef's top honors in international culinary competitions. In addition to enlivening resort kitchens, Saint Lucia's farms and orchards support a thriving agricultural export sector that includes bananas and chocolate. One of the island's sweetest day trips involves a tour of historic cacao plantations, followed by a chance to create your own chocolate confections. Across the island English influences are obvious, but so too are the cultural contributions of France and Africa. The local version of relaxing is known as “going on the lime” or “liming,” which simply involves stopping by a favorite local pub or rum shop and spending time with friends.

Electricity, Phone and Internet Access

Saint Lucia runs on 220 to 230-volt AC (50 cycles), so bring an adapter if you plan to use U.S. appliances. Some hotels are wired for U.S. appliances.

Check with your local provider to see what plans are available, otherwise, you will be subject to roaming charges. The country/area code for Saint Lucia is 758.

Many hotels offer WiFi.

Water Quality

The local tap water is chlorinated and considered safe to drink. Alternatively, bottled water is available for purchase at restaurants, bars, hotels and local grocery stores.

Language & Currency

English is the official language, but islanders often speak a French-Creole patois or Kweyol similar to that heard on Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Grenada and Dominica.

The currency in Saint Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, (EC$). You can see the current exchange rate here. However, nearly all hotels, restaurants, and shops accept US dollars. Change may be given in EC Dollars. ATMs are available which dispense EC dollars and credit cards are widely accepted.

Time

Saint Lucia is on Atlantic Standard Time (AST) and does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Saint Lucia is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-4 GMT).

Location, Size and Population

Saint Lucia is a sovereign island country in the Eastern Caribbean that is part of the Lesser Antilles. Saint Lucia is a mountainous island of 238 sq. miles, located about 25 miles north of St. Vincent and 25 miles south of Martinique and northwest of Barbados.

The population of Saint Lucia is 185,868 (2016).

Top
#

caradonna