A little more
Saint Lucia.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Saint Lucia: what to know before you go

Saint Lucia is a mountainous, volcanic island in the eastern Caribbean, famous for the twin peaks of the Pitons rising from the sea. It mixes rainforest, waterfalls, sulphur springs and sheltered bays with a culture shaped by both British and French rule. It suits couples, hikers, divers and anyone who wants more than a beach.

Where to go

• The Pitons. Two steep volcanic spires, Gros Piton and Petit Piton, rising from the sea near Soufrière, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes the reef between them.
• Sulphur Springs. Often called the world's only drive-in volcano, a steaming area of hot springs and bubbling mud near Soufrière where visitors can bathe in warm mineral pools.
• Soufrière. The island's former French capital, with brightly painted buildings below the Pitons.
• Marigot Bay. A deep, sheltered inlet surrounded by forested hills and lined with yachts, considered one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean.

Best time to visit

December to April is the dry season, with plenty of sun and the busiest period for visitors. May is often a good month, with fewer crowds and the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival.

Staying online in Saint Lucia

Mobile coverage is good in Castries, Rodney Bay, Soufrière and along most main roads, with 4G in towns. Signal can drop in the rainforest, on hiking trails and in some sheltered bays below steep hills. Wi-Fi is available in hotels, resorts and many restaurants. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so you have data on the long drive from the airport.