Lush, unspoiled St. Lucia has a growing fan base. Some of its vacationers are music lovers, letting loose at the springtime St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival (which has previously featured headlining acts like Akon, Ziggy Marley, Diana Ross and the late Amy Winehouse). Others are honeymooners, unwinding on one of the island’s chalky beaches or holing up in one of the isolated couples resorts. Still other patrons are adrenaline junkies, testing their limits climbing the Pitons or zip lining through the Chassin region’s rain forest. But what you aren’t any of these types? Don’t worry: St. Lucia refuses to be pigeonholed as any “type” of Caribbean vacation. Plus you also don’t have to spend a lot of money (its reputation as a luxurious hideout is onlysomewhat warranted). To discover some of the island’s indescribable charms, you’ll have to visit for yourself. Start your mornings basking in an orange-tinted Soufrière sunrise then round out your evenings at an evening “jump-up” (or dance party) along Gros Islet. We’ll wait to hear what you think.
How To Save Money in St. Lucia
- Leave your kids at home Airfare for three, four and five vacationers can quickly add up. But St. Lucia, more than any other Caribbean island, is the place to enjoy with just your sweetheart. Take your children on your next tropical vacay to a more family-focused place like the Bahamas.
- Shop on the weekend Fridays and Saturdays are popular market days. Save your souvenir buying for those days and you might haggle a better deal on your trinkets.
- Mind the service charge There’ll be a 10 percent tip added to your hotel bill and to restaurant checks. Factor that into any additional tipping you decide to do.