The Pitons rise right out of the landscape. The roads twist through mountains and rainforest. Resorts can sit on hillsides with ridiculous views. There are waterfalls, volcanic springs, beaches, fishing villages and little pockets of the island that feel completely different from one another.
That's why St. Lucia gets so much attention for Honeymoons and romantic trips. But don't make the mistake of thinking it's only for couples. The same scenery that makes it romantic also makes it a pretty interesting island to actually explore.
This island tends to click with travelers who care about where they are almost as much as the resort they're staying at.
This is one of those islands where I wouldn't pick a resort without looking at the map. Soufrière and Rodney Bay can both give you a great St. Lucia trip — but they aren't remotely the same trip.
My wife Annette and I honeymooned in St. Lucia more than 26 years ago. So when I talk about why people choose this island for a Honeymoon or anniversary, I'm not just repeating something from a travel brochure.
I remember why St. Lucia felt different. It actually felt like we had gone somewhere. The mountains, the greenery, the views and the island itself were part of the trip — not just the background behind the resort.
That doesn't mean I'm going to tell every couple they should Honeymoon in St. Lucia. There are plenty of great Caribbean choices. But if somebody tells me they want romance, scenery and a trip that feels a little more special than another week at the beach, I understand why St. Lucia keeps coming up.
It worked pretty well for us. We're still married. 🙂
You can absolutely spend the week at a beautiful resort. I just think St. Lucia is one of those places where I'd want to leave the resort at least once.
St. Lucia stays warm throughout the year. It's also a lush tropical island, so don't expect the same dry landscape or weather pattern you'd find somewhere like Aruba.
Popular winter and spring travel period with generally drier weather and higher demand.
Warm shoulder-season travel with increasing rainfall and possible value.
Hotter and more humid summer travel during Atlantic hurricane season.
Hurricane-season travel period with tropical weather risk worth considering carefully.
Those are planning patterns, not weather promises. Tropical islands have an annoying habit of ignoring our vacation schedules.
Most international travelers arrive at Hewanorra International Airport in the south. Soufrière is considerably closer than the northern resort areas, while Rodney Bay and Gros Islet can be around a 90-minute road transfer depending on traffic and conditions. That doesn't make the north a bad choice. It just means I want you to know before you land.
St. Lucia is mountainous. Roads can be narrow, steep and curvy. If somebody in your group gets carsick just looking at a picture of a switchback, that's worth talking about before we decide where to stay.
St. Lucia's coastline changes from one area to another. If swimming, beach walking or spending most of the day in the sand is a major priority, we should look at the actual beach at the actual resort rather than assuming every dramatic St. Lucia property gives you the same beach experience.
Road transfer is not the only option in every situation. St. Lucia also has water-transfer and helicopter-transfer services for certain routes. They're not automatically the right choice, but they're worth knowing about when location and travel time are important.
Air travelers are currently encouraged to complete St. Lucia's electronic immigration form before arrival. It can be submitted up to three days before travel. Entry requirements can change, so always check the current official instructions for your actual trip.
It can be. The combination of scenery, romantic resorts, privacy, nature and those Piton views gives St. Lucia something different from a basic beach vacation. But the best Honeymoon destination is still the one that fits the couple. I loved St. Lucia for ours. That doesn't mean you have to copy us.
Nope. Families and other travelers can have a great trip here too. Beaches, snorkeling, sailing, rainforest, waterfalls and outdoor activities give you plenty to work with. The resort choice just needs to match who's actually going.
Not necessarily. Taxis, transfers and guided excursions can handle a lot of trips. If you do rent a car, remember that visitors drive on the left and a temporary driving permit is required. St. Lucia's winding roads also aren't where I'd want to discover that I hate mountain driving.
That's one of the most useful questions you can ask. If scenery, romance and nature are driving the trip, I'd look hard at Soufrière and the west. If restaurants, nightlife, marina activity and having more around you matter, the north deserves a look. There isn't one correct side of St. Lucia.
Of course. It's your vacation. I'm not going to come drag you out of the pool. But if you've never been to St. Lucia, I'd at least show you what you're missing before you decide not to leave.
If you're considering St. Lucia, there's a decent chance one of these islands is sitting in another browser tab right now.
St. Lucia isn't supposed to win every comparison. Sometimes looking at a completely different kind of island makes it easier to figure out what you really want.
You don't need to know which resort yet. Tell me who's going, when you're thinking about traveling and what you're picturing — Honeymoon, anniversary, family trip, great views, beach, adventure, luxury or a little bit of everything.
Then we can figure out which part of St. Lucia and which kind of resort actually make sense for your trip.