Known for its gorgeous topography, St. Lucia offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the Caribbean. The Windward island, in the eastern Caribbean, features mountains, rainforest, and its trademark volcanic peaks—the Pitons. St. Lucia’s volcanic origin allows visitors to experience a “drive-in” volcano and soak in sulphur springs.

Activities abound on a St. Lucia vacation. The lush island offers botanical gardens to explore, plantations to tour, fishing villages to visit, golf courses to play, and white-sand beaches to relax on. Watersports are a popular pastime, including deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving and windsurfing. Many who vacation in St. Lucia return home with an island-made handicraft, such as sculpted wood or a batik sarong. The most popular events on the island, attracting many visitors each year, are Carnival and the St. Lucia Jazz Festival. Gros Inlet, known as the island’s nightlife capital, features a raucous Friday night “jump-up” party every week. Those who travel to St. Lucia often indulge in one of the island’s many fine spas, which often include native ingredients in their treatments.

U.S. visitors to St. Lucia must carry a valid passport. Nonstop air service to the island is offered from several U.S. cities. A departure tax of $26 is applied to air tickets at the time of purchase. Rental cars are widely available. Unless the renter has an international driver’s license, he or she must purchase a temporary permit in St. Lucia for $20. Driving is on the left and mountainous turns can be treacherous. English is the official language, although many citizens also speak a French-based patois. Average temperatures in St. Lucia’s tropical climate range from 70°F to 90°F, with rainy season occurring from June to November. Currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. For more information on St. Lucia travel, log on to www.stlucia.org, the St. Lucia Tourist Board’s website.