St. Lucia offers visitors an island paradise made for fun and relaxation. Visitors may explore an island surrounded by gorgeous expanses of blue: the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the calm Caribbean Sea to the west. The rain forest interior, by contrast, is an incredible canopy of green. Lush hills grow slowly to form volcanic mountainous peaks, none more impressive than the pyramid-like formations that are the iconic Pitons, which soar some 600 metres up from the sea. These natural gifts help make the island perfect holiday spot for boating, diving, hiking, biking, swimming, lounging and countless other activities. The nights are reserved for enjoyment; laughing, reliving the day and looking forward to the next.

• HISTORY

  Since 1979, St. Lucia has been a stable independent democracy within the British Commonwealth. But after a few days on the island you’ll discover influences and nuances hinting at its colorful past. The Arawak Indians were well established in St. Lucia before Europeans ever set foot on the island. Later came the warrior Caribs, who overcame the peace loving Arawaks, and by around 800AD, Carib settlements dominated the island. These tribes left their mark on the island. They called it “Ioüanalao” and “Hewanorra” meaning “there where the iguana is found”. Columbus is said to be the first European to discover St. Lucia in 1502, but historians doubt he actually ever stood foot on St. Lucia. For the next 150 years, the island changed hands between the French and British fourteen times and was finally ceded to Britain in 1814.

  The war left fortresses and relics behind, for example Pigeon Island National Park and Fort Rodney. From the former British officers’ mess, it’s easy to imagine the cannons firing at French warships as they tried to slip past the fortified hilltop. You can also visit Morne Fortune, a site of a key battle, and Marigot Bay, once a vital wartime base and now a beautiful yacht haven. Diamond Falls and Mineral Baths are both fascinating, built by the French King, Louis XVI, to refresh and heal his troops stationed on St. Lucia. And historic Soufriere, the old French capital, is a must see. St. Lucia still has many British characteristics and, although English is the official language, French patois is widely spoken by the locals.

  In spirit, the island is influenced by many cultures. St. Lucians drive on the left and have a passion for cricket. But the Caribbean influence surfaces in the drinks – rum and locally brewed beer, in the music – calypso, soca, reggae, in the richly flavoured Creole cuisine, in the carnivals, festivals and days of national pride, and in the open-air markets. You’ll find St. Lucia a colourful, unique mixture of history and charming influences.

• SHOPPING

  • Castries

    In and around St. Lucia’s city capital of Castries, visitors can find a variety of unique shopping experiences. Pointe Seraphine, a new harbour-front shopping complex, offers duty-free designer perfumes, crystal, china, jewelry, cigars and clothing as well as wood carvings and other local arts and crafts in more than 20 modern shops. The 100-year old Castries market is a must-see for visitors to the island, where local vendors offer thousands varieties of island memorabilia, spices and foods, and local fishermen offer the daily catch.

  • Soufriere

    In the vacation paradise of Soufriere you will find local and resort-run shops with a variety of gifts, clothing and local art. At the north end of the breath-taking waterfront Maurice Mason Street walk, you will find the town market where all sorts of gift items are available.

  • Gros Islet

    Gros Islet, conveniently located close to Smugglers Cove on the north end of the island, offers a beautiful setting for shopping. The Rodney Bay Marina offers a modern shopping arcade with a selection of stores and services including gift items, clothing, banking and restaurants.

• NIGHTLIFE

  Smugglers Cove offers entertainment throughout the week – including local live bands and cultural performances. However, there are also a number of bar, restaurants and nightclubs all over the island. The town of Gros Islet is popularly known as the nightlife capital of St. Lucia, and there is nightly activity, including a new Casino in the Rodney Bay area, not far from the resort.

• EVENTS

  From Carnival, to weekly street parties, to the biggest party of them all – the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, the St. Lucia year has calendar full of events. The St. Lucia Jazz Festival is a four-day extravaganza in May with internationally regarded performers from all over the world; past artists include Al Green, John Legend, Smokey Robinson, Rihanna, Amy Winehouse to name just a few.

• ADVENTURE

  The ancients revered Saint Lucia — Ioüanalao or Hewanorra, as it was called — and fought to preserve it. In recent decades, may famous legend have come to this enchanted place.

  Become a legend in your own right… As you traverse the golf course in the footsteps of Jack Nicklaus, bike along the steep mountain trail – a favorite of Tinker Juarez, jog along the beach as did Usain Bolt, or dance under the Caribbean stars, just like Cheryl Burke. For eons Saint Lucia has been the place where legends play.The legendary beauty of Saint Lucia provides the perfect backdrop for adventure: mountains to climb, forests to explore, a world to discover. At Smugglers Cove Resort & Spa, we offer a variety of thrilling excursions and tours to help you find the real St. Lucia

• RODNEY BAY VILLAGE & TREASURE BAY CASINO

  Rodney Bay Village is located in northwest St Lucia. With numerous restaurants, beautiful resorts, thrilling activities and a historically notorious marina (a bay treasured by pirates in the early 1700s and 1800s), it is the area with the most tourist activity.
  During the day, the gorgeous beach of Rodney Bay makes any St. Lucia experience memorable. At night, there is something to do for everybody with restaurants, cafes, shops, Bay Walk Mall, nightclubs and the exciting new Treasure Bay Casino. Rodney Bay Village is the perfect location to experience the excitement and beauty of Saint Lucia.

  • Treasure Bay Casino

    The new 30,000 square foot Treasure Bay Casino has recently been added to Saint Lucia’s exciting list of island activities. Treasure Bay is the first casino on the island, featuring 257 slot machines and 22 gaming tables. This evening activity is a fun place to see and be seen.
    Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10am to 3am, Friday and Saturday 10am to 4am

  • Restaurants

    If you want to explore, the dining in Rodney Bay offers lots of delicious options, from sizzling all-beef burgers to Asian food to Mexican plates to authentic Indian preparations to purely Caribbean, from casual beach fare to the most inimitable fine dining. Saint Lucian traditions swirl around… British, French, African, Indian and Amerindian influences, bombarding the local table with a burst of flavors from around the globe. Each local chef, embracing this culture, melds it to his own strengths manifesting fabulously tantalizing dishes.

  • Friday Night Jump up

    Gros Islet, a small fishing village, comes to life every Friday night. What’s called a ‘jump up’ in all the tourist glossies, is the town’s major transformation. Expect an abundance of dancing, delectable seafood, and Caribbean rhythms in this carnival-like spirit.

  • Rodney Bay Marina

    The Rodney Bay Marina has become the centre of yachting tourism on the island of St. Lucia. With so many amenities close by, including shopping centers, banks, car rental agencies, restaurants, Internet cafes, and reliable, on-site customs and immigration offices, Rodney Bay Marina is truly a full-service marina and boatyard that offers yacht owners, captains and crew a wonderful home away from home. Considered one of the Caribbean’s leading centres for yachting and sport fishing, Rodney Bay Marina offers yachters 232 slips and a 4.5 acre boatyard, as well as excellent accommodations for mega yachts up to 200 feet with drafts of up to 14 feet. Onshore, the world-class property offers an excellent recreational area with a swimming pool as well as outstanding retail, restaurant and entertainment options.