Nowhere On Earth Like Simply Beautiful Saint Lucia

By: Beach Bum Kristin

I have a confession. I do not care to watch reality TV. GASP! I know, right? Reactions that I regularly get from friends are, “What is wrong with you?” “That is un-American.” “You are not normal.” That was UNTIL….The Bachelor. At first I started watching because the advertisements sucked me in. It seemed like every time I turned around there was yet another commercial featuring Jake without his shirt on. Oh my! The part that I loved the most though was the scenery. I was always intrigued to see where they would end up next. I was so excited when I found out they were going to be hanging out in St. Lucia, my favorite place on earth!

The Beach Bums have been sending happy fellow Beach Bums to St. Lucia for over 10 years. And we have personally visited every corner of the island more than 40 times.

Whether you are planning your honeymoon, destination wedding, anniversary trip, or simply are just looking for somewhere to get away from it all, St. Lucia has something for everyone.  St. Lucia is known as the Hawaii of the Caribbean.  It features all of the same lush, tropical vegetation only with half the flight time, and you can enjoy the convenience of a luxury all inclusive resort too (not available in Hawaii). They even have their very own drive through volcano!  Sulphur Springs is the only known drive through volcano and is the eighth wonder of the world!

St. Lucia is one of the Windward Islands, located in the middle of the Eastern Caribbean chain. The island is 27 miles by 14 miles. Martinique is North of the island and St. Vincent is Southwest.  The capital city, Castries, is located on St. Lucia’s northwest coast. There are two airports in St. Lucia. Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) is on the Southern end of the island and serves as the main airport where large planes come in and out. George F. L. Charles Airport (SLU, formerly Vigie Airport) is the smaller airport on the Northwest side of the island. Only smaller prop planes and helicopters can fly in and out of this airport. A helicopter ride from UVF up to SLU is one of the best ways to see the island’s majestic Pitons, rainforests, volcano & banana plantations upon arrival!

Since February 22, 1979, St. Lucia has been an independent state within the British Commonwealth. Its terrain is a combination of high mountains, forests, low-lying lands and beaches. Mountain ranges run the length of the island and forests dominate the mountains, while jasmine, scarlet chenille and wild orchids provide splashes of color to the lush green slopes. The average annual temperature range is 75°-85°F.

Due to the fertile, volcanic soil, there is an abundance of fresh tropical produce on the island. St. Lucia is one of the leading banana exporters in the Caribbean. The food is one of the specialties of the island. Every time I visit I cannot get enough of their rich tropical fruits! I stock up on pineapple the entire time I’m visiting. My mouth is watering now just thinking about it! Every Friday night they have a fish fry in the fishing village Anse La Ray, that adds to the list of reasons why St. Lucia is so unique. There are three Sandals Resorts in St. Lucia that also have really awesome street parties once a week you won’t want to miss! Live entertainment mixed with authentic street food is the perfect combination for a fabulous evening! Make sure you check out other typical St. Lucian dishes while you are visiting: chicken backs, pork hocks, pig tails, tuna, mahi mahi, snapper, conch, plantains, green figs, and salt fish…Yummo!

If you have ever traveled to any other Caribbean island then you know that the people you come into contact with are much different than what you might encounter anywhere else.  I absolutely love the “no worries” attitude!  The St. Lucians are some of the most welcoming, warmest, and friendliest people I’ve ever met. They also know how to dance! Beware, though, they may try to pull you up on stage if you are staying at a resort where they offer entertainment. Keep in mind that they are on “island time.” So, shows may start later than stated on the show time schedule.

When traveling to St. Lucia, be sure and take the helicopter tour from the international airport (UVF) to the helipad at the regional airport (SLU). It cuts your travel time in half and this will be your first full view of the Pitons! Then once you land and get settled in, make sure you check the twin mountains out up close and personal. A visit to the Piton’s is on top of the list of “Top Five Things You Should Do in Your Lifetime.”  The view alone is classic, but actually being able to climb nearly 3,000 feet above sea level is priceless!  If you are a thrill seeker, then you should also consider: off-road ATV adventures through the mountains and banana plantations; zip-lining through the rainforest; mountain biking through the Errard waterfalls; deep sea sport fishing; and scuba diving at Pigeon Island.

Are you ready to check out all the majestic locations St. Lucia has to offer? Contact your Beach Bum travel concierge and they will match you up with the best resort for your personality. A few of our favorite unique resorts include: Jade Mountain, Calabash Cove, Ladera and Ti Kaye Village. Or, if you are looking for the ultimate luxury adults only, all inclusive vacation, Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Sandals La Toc and Sandals Halcyon Beach offer a wonderful escape.  What are you waiting for?  Book your ultimate Beach Bum Vacation today and soon you’ll be hearing, “Bienvenue a Saint Luce!”  Welcome to St. Lucia!