A lush, tropical paradise with perhaps the most striking scenery anywhere in the Caribbean, St Lucia is the ideal destination for travellers who want to experience both a typical Caribbean holiday and something that's a little more out of the ordinary.
Whether you're lucky enough to have a week or two to spend in this delightful destination, or are on a shore trip from one of the many cruise liners that dock in its capital Castries, you are spoiled for choice with some marvellous tours and excursions in St Lucia to discover the true heart of this Caribbean gem.
Adventures in paradise
Its volcanic past has left Ste Lucia with a stunning geographic legacy - extraordinary mountain peaks, dense tropical rainforests, healing sulphur springs, silver sands and striking cliffs. If all you need from a Caribbean holiday is a gorgeous beach, azure blue waters and a cocktail, then St Lucia will fulfil your every need. If, however, you like adventures on your vacation, once you realise all the things to do in Saint Lucia, you really will feel you are in paradise.
And perhaps the most adventurous of all Ste Lucia excursions is a hike in the Pitons. These twin volcanic plugs, Gros Piton and Petit Piton, dominate the south-western landscape of the island, their steep slopes packed with jungle and rainforest and dramatically looming above the aquamarine waters of the Caribbean. As one of the finest attractions in St Lucia, the Pitons take some beating - hike the slopes of Gros Piton through dense jungle and ancient Amerindian ruins and when you reach the peak, get ready for unforgettable panoramic views across the island and the Caribbean that will leave you breathless.
Zipline Across the Rainforest Canopy
For an adrenaline-fuelled St Lucia tour, reach for the sky on a zipline canopy tour. An aerial tram will whisk you to the launch point, hundreds of feet above the ground, surrounded by the imposing treetops of the rainforest. Take a moment here to survey your surroundings - a lush tropical landscape of such vibrancy and colour that it will take your breath away. And when you grab the zipline and step off into thin air, get set for the experience of a lifetime, landing on 10 different platforms as you whiz through the sky. A St. Lucia zipline canopy tour is the ideal way to enjoy some of the island's best natural attractions, flying through the air with the tropical birds that make their home here.
The Heat Is On
When you're looking for things to do in St Lucia, one excursion stands out above all other because St Lucia boasts the most unique attraction - the world's only drive-in volcano at Soufriere. Yes, you can indeed drive right into the crater of this active volcano. Even better are the volcano's Sulphur Springs, extraordinary hot mud baths packed with essential minerals. During daytime the springs, bubbling and belching out sulphur-laden steam, are far too hot for bathing but as night falls and the mud drops to a more manageable temperature, you can dive in for a healing mud bath. As Saint Lucia excursions go, there are none muddier but deliciously so.
Chasing Waterfalls
Its tropical and mountainous landscape means the island is blessed with some extraordinary locations and attractions. And one of the most delightful tours in St Lucia takes in Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, often said to be one of St Lucia's natural wonders. The gardens are a 6-acre site that incorporates fertile vegetation, tropical plants and flowers, and stunning native wildlife including birds and insects. A 45-foot waterfall is a stunning sight. And then there are the magnificent mineral baths, built in 1784 to refresh and rejuvenate the French troops who guarded the island for King Louis XVI. The therapeutic waters of the baths are said to be medicinal and can relieve aches and pains in joints and muscles. Visitors can enjoy a soak here after enjoying the beauty of the gardens.
Into the West
The island's capital, Castries, is a delightful location from which to start a tour of St Lucia's west coast. Cruise liners dock here for shore trips, making Castries convenient for day visitors. The city itself is a historic one with landmarks such as the "Massav", a 400-year-old Samaan tree and Government House, the seat of colonial power that overlooks the city and bay from the summit of Morne Fortune.
Nearby is Marigot Bay, a quite magnificent bay surrounded by lush rainforests and with white sandy beaches fringing crystal clear blue waters. A typical Saint Lucia tour should involve a trip to a banana plantation, one of the island's top exports. And then you can wander through the historic fishing villages of Canaries and Anse La Ray, with their brightly coloured cottages perched on hilly, winding streets.
With so much to see and so many things to do in St Lucia, you might find your only decision is when to return to this delightful destination to do it all over again.
To see this stunning Caribbean Island at its very best book with Real St Lucia Tours
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