The draw for many who visit St. Lucia is the abundance of luxury and all-inclusive resorts on the island. These resorts provide everything you need to have a restful and fun island vacation, including meals, concierge service, activities, and often access to a private beach area. For other who prefer a more casual experience, or who want to mingle among the locals, there are plenty of inns and smaller boutique hotels sprinkled around the island. Many of these are locally owned, so you will get the chance to experience the warmth of the people of St. Lucia, and be in close proximity to both the beaches and the verdant inner region of the island.

Cozy and comfortable, along with modern and well-appointed, Discovery at Marigot Bay is perfect for those who want luxury away from the chaos of the more touristy areas. Each villa is fully equipped with modern conveniences, and the hotel offers a restaurant, swimming pools, a gym, a spa, and access to water sports.

Bay Gardens Beach Resort could be the perfect lodging option on St. Lucia. It offers access to the amenities of three different nearby resorts, plus it has all of the features on its own. There are children’s activities, a restaurant, and it is located on the island’s most popular beach. The suites are comfortable, with water views and terraces. And it is one of the most affordable accommodations on the island. Book well in advance, though, it’s a very popular resort!

A stunning array of fresh local ingredients fill the menus of the many St. Lucian buffets, restaurants, cafes, and roadside stands. Typical tropical fruits mingle with okra, cucumbers, and even pumpkins, along with fresh fish, lobster, and crab.

The style of cuisine is undoubtedly island, but there is a definite Creole and French feeling to many menus on the island. Your best bet for real St. Lucian fare is to stop at a roadside barbecue stand, where you will be served delicious meats, fish, and seafood, lovingly grilled on the spot by the locals.Rainforest Hideaway, located at Marigot Bay, offers a luxurious dining experience. Combining the tropical flavors of the island with the touches of French cuisine, local vegetables accompany rich sauces and creatively prepared meats and seafoods.Another exotic fusion menu awaits at Tao, this time mingling the flavors of the Caribbean with Asia. Sashimi and tandoori chicken are among the highlights, as well as the pleasant sea breeze that you will feel while dining al fresco.

Dasheene Restaurant and Bar offers traditional Caribbean cuisine turned up about ten notches. With the Pitons as your backdrop, dine on luxurious fish and seafood dishes prepared with velvety sauces and creamy side dishes such as coconut risotto.

There is certainly enough space on the sand if all you care to do on your St. Lucia holiday is rest and soak up some rays. But simply doing that is denying yourself the experience true tropical island life. St. Lucia is home to emerald green rainforests that are ripe for exploration, mountains to climb, and activities that you might only get one chance in your life to experience.

Take a horseback riding tour through the lush landscapes on the back of a South American creole horse. Hike the amazing Pitons, and see the St. Lucia from a whole new vantage point. Dive and snorkel along the awesome Anse Chastanet reef wall. There is also plenty of windsurfing, sailing, golfing, and boating to enjoy.

Explore Reduit Beach, with access to plenty of restaurants and bars. Or pay a visit to the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens and Mineral Baths, a breathtaking estate presented by King Louis XIV in 1713.

St. Lucia has perfect tropical weather year-round, so there is no real bad time to visit. Peak tourist season is January – April, and prices of everything reflect that.

Though rainy season, the summer is an ideal time to visit, when the crowds and the prices are lower than the high season.