Travel writers have referred to St. Lucia as the “other Eden” — and rightfully so. Tourism is St. Lucia’s lifeblood and the backbone of its economy. The close proximity both North and South America is a calling card for travelers seeking an exotic adventure, and St. Lucia is more than willing to accommodate them.
The island has been dubbed the Helen of the Caribbean, a flattering reference to the legendary beauty, Helen of Troy, whose beauty was the cause of the Trojan wars.
Tiny St. Lucia is a unique mixture of colorful history and charming influences that reveal themselves in subtle nuances to visitors who travel throughout the island.
For instance, history lovers can emerge themselves in St. Lucia’s rich past. Tourists love to visit the many war fortresses and relics left behind from battles fought long ago between the English and French who vied for occupation of St. Lucia for a period of 150 years. One of the most popular sites to explore St. Lucia’s history is Pigeon Island National Park and Fort Rodney.
Another favorite is Morne Fortune, a key battle site, as was Marigot Bay, once a vital wartime base but now a beautiful yacht haven. There are also the Diamond Falls mineral baths built by the French king Louis XVI to refresh and heal his troops who were stationed on St. Lucia.
Realizing the importance of the tourist trade to their island, the St. Lucian government has been modernizing the roadways as well as the island’s airports, which are a constant hub of activity as honeymooners disembark for their days of paradise. The harbor along St. Lucia’s capital, Castries, is a frequent host to cruise-line ships that drop vacationers off for a day of shopping in the quaint open-air markets.
Hiking, trekking, jeep safaris, bird, turtle and whale watching, swimming, sunbathing, shopping, fishing, snorkeling and sailing are some of the many alternatives that keep tourists busy in St. Lucia.
Wherever one goes in St. Lucia, the colors are astounding as are the mesmerizing scenic vistas.
One of the “must see” sights on this little island are the two large mountain peaks known as the Gros at Petit Pitons.
Also high on the “fun agenda” is a visit to the tropical rain forest reserve where lush vegetation and a 20-foot waterfall serve as a backdrop for bird watching while on a hiking excursion.
For the historical minded, tours of former banana and sugar plantations are available.
The ambiance of St. Lucia can be captured through a number of horseback riding excursions. The National International Riding Stables offers an assortment of trail rides including a ride winding through the countryside along the beach.
St. Lucia is known for its many religious festivals and boasts an impressive 25 each year. Some of the more well known ones that are celebrated as national cultural festivals are the feasts of St. Rose de Lima, Aug. 30; St. Marguerite Alacoque, Oct. 17; and St. Cecelia Nov. 22.
St. Lucian merchants beckon tourists — who have been coming to the popular honeymoon destination in droves for the past few decades — to purchase their wares in the island’s charming open-air markets.
Because of St. Lucia’s serene climate, it is a popular tourist attraction throughout the year, and this helps keep the economy steady by providing a constant stream of tourist dollars.
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