A Honeymoon in St. Lucia from The World's Greatest Honeymoons

St. Lucia is ranked #5 among this year's Top 10 honeymoon hotspots!

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Jazzin' in Paradise

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Stunningly beautiful St. Lucia, located in the Eastern Caribbean between St. Vincent and Martinique, is known for green-forested mountains that soar heavenward and flower-filled valleys that tumble dramatically to the sea. The island’s most famous landmark is the Pitons, two pointed volcanic peaks that rise side by side halfway down the western coast. With its captivating coves and bays, pristine white- and black-sand beaches, small fishing villages, and friendly people, St. Lucia remains one of the least spoiled of all Caribbean islands.

Also See: Caribbean Index | Antigua & Barbuda | Aruba | Bahamas | Barbados | Bermuda | Caymans | Curaçao | Grenada | Jamaica | Martinique | Puerto Rico | St. Croix | St. John | St. Thomas | Turks & Caicos | Virgin Gorda/BVI

For centuries the ownership of St. Lucia was tossed back and forth between the French and British, making for a complex and fascinating history. Today's charming result is a population that speaks English and French Creole and a cuisine to die for. A springtime honeymoon here gives you the chance to attend one of the Caribbean's best music celebrations, the St. Lucia Jazz Festival. It's a time when the entire island moves to a rhythmic beat. Past performers have included Isaac Hayes, Nancy Wilson, Al Green, Seal, Poncho Sanchez, and Freddy Cole.

St. Lucia Honeymoon Ideas

Castries Market: Fires have destroyed many of Castries beautiful old buildings, but you can still find some lovely French-influenced architecture with its wrought-iron balconies and graceful louvered windows (some date back to the early 18th Century). This capital city’s bustling, 100-year-old market—crammed with work by local artisans, colorful clothing, pungent spices, and the freshest fish and produce imaginable—is definitely worth a visit. If you're looking for duty-free jewelry and crystal, head to the portside mall, La Pointe Seraphine. And be sure to hike to the top of Good Luck Hill (Morne Fortune in French) for a panoramic overview. Keep an eye out for the island's Seventh Heaven liqueur, made from ginger and bois bandé; most islanders consider it an aphrodisiac. And if you're there in the morning, try the island's traditional spiced breakfast drink, Cocoa Tea (steeped grated cocoa sticks, cinnamon, nutmeg, and bay leaves).

Anse la Ray: Stop for a just-caught seafood lunch in the picturesque fishing village of Canaries. You’ll be entranced by the open-air Caribbean homes dotting the hillside and dug-out canoes pulled up on the beach. ~ Or venture over to nearby Anse La Raye, with its small crafts market, handsome Colonial-era buildings, and exciting Friday Night Fish Fry (featuring barbecued lobster & conch, fish cakes, and coconut turnovers baked in the bakery's wood-fired oven). Ask the locals how to get to Anse La Raye Falls; the countryside you'll pass on the way is particularly beautiful.

Beachin' It: You can't go wrong on St. Lucia, where each beach seems to be more gorgeous than the last. Anse Cochon Beach is fairly secluded and offers the novel beauty of black sand. ~ Snorkelers like Jalousie Beach. Nestled between St. Lucia’s famous twin mountains (a World Heritage Site), it has a spectacular reef system that's home to a wide variety of sea creatures. ~ Just Noth of Castries, Choc Beach is easy to reach and coconut-palm picturesque. ~ The beach at Pigeon Point, aside from its tempting white sands, offers water sports, fascinating military ruins, and a small history museum. ~ On the island's windward side, Anse de Sables is a great place to head if you're into windsurfing.

The National Rainforest: Visit this fabulous refuge at the island’s heart—19,000 lush acres filled with wild hummingbirds and parrots (including the endangered St. Lucian parrot, Amazona Versicolor), brilliant-colored heliconia and orchids, giant ferns, and mammoth trees. St. Lucia's rainforest offers a diversity of trails. The one-mile Barre de L’isle trail is fairly easy, rewarding you with panoramic views of both the Caribbean and Atlantic coasts. Want more challenge? Try the strenuous Edmund Forest walk, culminating in a magnificent view of the island’s highest peak, Mt. Gimie (3,117 feet).

Diamond Botanical Gardens: Located in the island’s oldest town, Soufrière—filled with pastel-colored buildings dating back to the 18th Century, gorgeous Diamond Botanical Gardens provides many pleasures. It’s not only bursting with tropical flowers and plants, but is home to a notable waterfall and warm-water mineral baths originally constructed for French troops by France’s Louis XVI. The baths are still fed by the original spring water, reputed to be much like the famous waters of Aix Le Bain in the south of France. The original housing from 1784 is still used.

Gros Islet: Close to the island’s northern tip, the bay at Gros Islet is home port for a colorful and picturesque "fleet" of fishing boats. Every Friday night, this laid-back village becomes the backdrop for a lively, good-natured “jump up.” The roads are blocked off, and a carnival-like street party plays into the wee hours. It features dancing to steel-drum soca and calypso, munching on barbequed chicken and fresh conch or lobster, and ample opportunities to sample locally-made beer. Many hotels provide transportation to the jump up so visitors don't have to drive.

Plantation Touring: The island is dotted with old plantations that are fascinating to explore. Morne Coubaril Estate in Soufrière is a fully-working plantation with a restored plantation village where you can learn about the island's traditional agricultural activities, like making cocoa, cassava, and copra. Or take a horseback-riding tour through still-working Marquis Esates, which dates back to the 1700s. If you're looking for a tranquil, off-the-beaten-path honeymoon stay, Balenbouche Estate in Choiseul has a guesthouse. Secluded beaches are nearby, as well as the remains of an 18th century sugar factory, petroglyphs, Amerindian artifacts, and lots more.

More Info: St. Lucia tourism

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