Click to reveal site search
Offroading in St. Lucia

Backcountry Adventures on a Green Island

To see the real Saint Lucia, you'll need to get a little mud on the tires. You can do it yourself as the pilot of an agile ATV, or hop aboard an open-back jeep and leave the driving to a local guide. Either way, you will soon be climbing high into the hills, fording rivers or negotiating narrow tracks through rainforests and orchards. The driving is fun, but highlights are often the stops, where you can meet native farmers and fishermen, sample fresh-picked fruits, or park and hike to a secluded waterfall. And as a reward for your explorations, there's often a refreshing swim in a jungle pool or the Caribbean sea to end the adventure.

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

Offroading in Saint Lucia Overview

More than two-thirds of Saint Lucia is mountainous and covered in forest, while much of the remaining land is devoted to farming. This green landscape creates a variety of opportunities for offroad recreation. Some routes follow dirt roads and mountain trails, while others cut through fields, fruit plantations and rainforests.

Offroading in Saint Lucia Tips

Don't think of offroad excursions in Saint Lucia as just a ride into the woods, but rather as a chance to experience authentic adventures in places that can't be reached in a rental car or tour bus. This is especially true for trips into the mountains and to the island's east coast.

Best Places for Offroading in Saint Lucia

Rides through rainforests and Saint Lucia's largest banana plantation end at a swimming hole in a jungle river. During stops at Sankofa Rainbow Roots Farm, a local Rastafarian farmer describes the restorative and healing power of native herbs. Trails to the island's east coast pass by waterfalls and the island's tallest peaks. West coast routes take in the majestic piton peaks, sulfuric hot springs and the colorful fishing village of Anse La Ray.

What to Pack for Offroading in Saint Lucia

Wear closed-toed shoes if piloting an ATV. Tour companies provide eye protection, but you may prefer to wear your own sunglasses. Choose comfortable tropical-weight clothing, and pack a bathing suit and towel for swimming stops. Don't forget the camera, and use a small fanny pack or backpack to organize personal items.

Resorts

Offroading

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