St Lucia Attractions: Ten Things To Do In St Lucia
One of the greatest joys of travel is the opportunity to do some sightseeing and learn more about the country you're visiting.
When you visit St Lucia, you're bound to want to see some of the island's attractions during your stay. Here are ten of our favourites.
1. Pigeon Island National Park, Gros Islet
Pigeon Island National park is owned by the National Trust and is open 365 days a year. This park really is a "must visit" attraction; there are lots of historical ruins to explore, great views of Martinique and the west coast of St Lucia as well as two wonderful beaches for sunbathing and swimming. There are also two restaurants on site.
2. La Toc Battery, Castries
This 19th century fort is a fine example of British military architecture. The fort, which overlooks Castries Harbour, has everything from thick reinforced walls to mysterious underground rooms and corridors. A visit to La Toc Battery is a great, educational day out.
3. Mamiku Botanical Gardens, Micoud
Mamiku is a fantastic garden with tea rooms, based around an old French estate. Guides are available or you can walk around at your leisure to see the fabulous species of orchids and plants that are found in St Lucia.
4. The Pitons, Drive in Volcano and Sulphur Springs, Soufriere
These attractions speak for themselves! See the Pitons from land or sea and marvel at their beauty. Registered as a world heritage site, the twin peaks - which were seen in one of the Superman movies - soar up into the sky from deep beneath the waves.
The volcano is close by and the smell of sulphur that it emits is what gives Soufriere its name. This is the world's only drive through volcano and has to be visited whilst on the Island. The sulphur springs are nearby and are sometimes used for bathing.
5. La Sikwi Sugar Mill, Anse Le Raye
La Sikwi (Kweyol for "sugar mill") was built in the mid-1800s at a time when sugar was St Lucia's main crop. Open daily from 8am until 4pm, La Sikwi has a restaurant serving traditional dishes and local juices. There is also a museum on site. Set amongst lush tropical gardens in which you can while the hours away, a visit to La Sikwi makes for an interesting day out.
6. Mineral Mud Baths, Soufriere
The warm mud baths are a must for relaxation and improving your skin; the minerals in the mud are extremely good for you and locals joke that bathing in the mud can make you look ten years younger! We're yet to see proof of that but nevertheless it's a great experience.
7. Whale Watching, West Coast
There are lots of trips with various different companies to see whales which live in the Caribbean waters around St Lucia. Most people also report seeing friendly dolphins. All trips go out of Rodney Bay and you can go for a day or half a day.
8. Turtle watching, northern beaches
This tour is available from March until August when the giant leatherback turtle nests on Grand Anse Beach. This is usually an overnight visit as the turtles come out at night to nest. As the turtle is an endangered species the trips are well monitored, but everyone who has been has said that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
9. Ziplining, Dennery
Based at Treetop Adventure Park in Dennery on the east side of the island, ziplining is a must for thrill seekers. Based in a heavily forested area, close to a breathtaking waterfall (worth a visit while you're there) this is the highest, fastest and wildest ziplining destination on St Lucia. Feel the rush as you whizz through the tree canopy, catching glimpses of wildlife on the way. This ride is sure to get your adrenalin pumping and we can guarantee you'll come back enthusing about the ride!
10. Fond Latisab Creole Park, Babonneau
This is a great place to experience lots of traditional Creole practices, including the preparation of cassava bread, catching crayfish in the river, watching the collecting of honey from a beehive and the playing of the traditional chak-chak.
Bonus attraction
If you want to try something different while you're shopping in Castries, head to the "Our Planet" exhibition situated in La Place Carnage on Jeremie Street. This totally unique virtual experience is the only one in the world, where you can see life sized holograms, walk through the immersion tunnel, experience a hurricane, play interactive games and see St Lucia in the snow!
by: David Shimeld
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