By Gabriel Eronmosele, Erons Travel, Fargo, ND
When clients ask me for a short Caribbean trip that feels like more than a beach chair, St. Lucia is one of my first suggestions. In four days you can work your way from the lively north of the island down to the Pitons, mixing history, volcanic springs, reefs and an afternoon under sail.
Here is how I would lay out those four days, with where to stay, a morning-to-evening plan for each day, and quick-reference lists at the end.
If you are still choosing between a short trip and a longer stay, my insider’s guide to St. Lucia covers the best time to go, where to stay and what to do across the whole island.
Image courtesy of Henrique Peretti on Unsplash
Where to Stay
St. Lucia has an unusually wide range of resorts for its size, from the Piton-side hideaways in the south to the all-inclusives around Castries and Rodney Bay. These are the properties I would look at for this route:
- Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort
- Jade Mountain Resort
- Cap Maison Resort & Spa
- BodyHoliday
- Ladera Resort
- Windjammer Landing Resort and Residences
- Sandals Grande St. Lucian
- Sandals Regency La Toc
- Sandals Halcyon Beach
- Zoëtry Marigot Bay
- Royalton Saint Lucia
- Hideaway at Royalton Saint Lucia
Image courtesy of Germine Sealy on Unsplash
Day 1: Island Arrival and the Northern Coast
Morning
Fly into Hewanorra International Airport, near Vieux Fort at the south end of the island. The transfer north follows the coast, so treat the drive as your first look at St. Lucia rather than a chore.
Afternoon
Stop in Castries, the capital and the island’s commercial center. Walk the open-air stalls of Castries Central Market for tropical fruit, hand-woven crafts and freshly ground spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon.
Then carry on to Rodney Bay in Gros Islet and settle in for a slow afternoon on the calm, turquoise water at Reduit Beach.
Evening
Book dinner on the water at Rodney Bay Marina. Order the Caribbean lobster or grilled mahi-mahi and watch the yachts come into the harbor.
Day 2: Ruins, Reefs and Street Rhythms
Morning
Spend the morning at Pigeon Island National Landmark. Explore the 18th-century military ruins at Fort Rodney, then take the wooded trails to the summit for wide views over the northwest coast.
Image courtesy of Karl Moore on Unsplash
Afternoon
Swim at the sheltered beaches inside the park. If you would rather be underwater, head to Anse Chastanet Marine National Park, where the snorkeling is world-class and the coral reefs are full of tropical fish.
Evening
On a Friday, don’t miss the Friday Night Street Party (Jump-Up) in Gros Islet. Locals and visitors fill the streets while vendors grill fish and spiced chicken, the Piton beer is cold, and the reggae and soca keep going.
Day 3: Volcanic Springs and Piton Views
Morning
Drive south along the west coast to Soufrière, the island’s historic center, set beneath the twin volcanic spires of the Pitons.
Walk the Tet Paul Nature Trail. It is an easy route, and it gives you sweeping views of both Gros Piton and Petit Piton without a hard climb.
Image courtesy of Karl Moore on Unsplash
Afternoon
Next is Sulphur Springs, billed as the Caribbean’s drive-in volcano. Tour the steaming vents and bubbling pools, then soak in the mineral-rich mud baths, which are known for being kind to your skin.
Finish at Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, where shaded paths through tropical plants lead to a mineral-streaked waterfall and the historic therapeutic baths.
Evening
Reserve a table at a cliffside restaurant in Soufrière and time dinner for sunset, when the sun drops right between the Pitons.
Day 4: Sailing the Coast and Picture-Perfect Bays
Morning
Spend the morning on a catamaran cruise along the rugged west coast. From the water you pass hidden coves, sea cliffs and rainforest running down the slopes.
Afternoon
Anchor at Sugar Beach, which sits right between the bases of the two Pitons, and spend the afternoon in the sun or snorkeling over clear coral beds.
Image courtesy of Germine Sealy on Unsplash
Heading back north, sail into Marigot Bay, a postcard harbor of luxury yachts and steep, palm-covered hillsides that sailors have long used as a hurricane hole.
Evening
Close out your last full day on a sunset cruise back to port, rum punch in hand on the open deck as the evening light fades over the Caribbean.
Quick-Reference Lists
Top Things to Do in St. Lucia
- Gros Piton and Petit Piton
- Tet Paul Nature Trail
- Sulphur Springs
- Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
- Pigeon Island National Landmark
- Catamaran cruise
- Snorkeling and diving at Anse Chastanet Marine National Park or Sugar Beach
- Castries Central Market
The Route at a Glance
- Day 1: Hewanorra arrival, Castries, Rodney Bay and Reduit Beach
- Day 2: Pigeon Island, Anse Chastanet and the Gros Islet Jump-Up
- Day 3: Soufrière, Tet Paul, Sulphur Springs and Diamond Falls
- Day 4: Catamaran cruise, Sugar Beach and Marigot Bay
Want these four days in St. Lucia built around your dates, pace and budget? Contact Erons Travel and I will customize the resort, reservations and flights from Fargo or Minneapolis for you.
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