Anse La Raye Travel & Vacation Guide

Get away from the holiday-making masses and head down to the southern part of the island. Here you can give the beach of Anse Mamin a try. Not far from Soufrière, this beach is one of the area's quieter spots to have a relaxing time and go for a soothing swim in the water.

Indisputably Saint Lucia's most iconic landmarks, the Pitons are a pair of volcanic mountains that rise up by the coast, looming magnificently over the nearby beaches. They are a wonder to simply admire from any of the surrounding spots, but for the more adventurous, there is also the option of climbing your way up Gros Piton's green slopes. Gros Piton is at 798 m of altitude, which might seem like a reasonably attainable goal for seasoned hikers. However, due to the heat and humidity of the rainforest, the expedition often feels lengthier and more physically demanding than what many climbers initially believe they have let themselves in for. Please make sure to be prepared. Once you're at the foot of Gros Piton you will be assigned a trained guide to accompany you. The route up the mountain includes caves, a rainforest, and two different summits with equally stunning views. A good 3 to 6 hours are required for a comfortable round trip to the summit and back; and it is preferable to climb Gros Piton during the dry season.

Morne Coubaril is an 18th century estate near the town of Soufriére. It offers visitors the chance to learn about the history of the former plantation the estate is located on while also being an adventure park complete with a zipline, horse riding activities, a natural spa at a mineral waterfall, open-air restaurants and a gift shop selling local produce. The view of the iconic Piton Mountains makes for a very scenic backdrop to the zipline.

Pigeon Island is the wonderful backdrop to Saint Lucia's annual jazz festival. Despite its name, it is not an island but a peninsula. A man-made causeway drawing out into the sea connects what was once the island to the mainland. Before 1972 it was surrounded by water on all sides, but thanks to the construction of the causeway that was built at the time, visitors can now walk to the site. Aside from being a landmark of immense beauty and great intrinsic value to the nation of Saint Lucia itself, Pigeon Island is also home to the historical ruins of military buildings used during the armed confrontations between the French and the British in the fight for control over Saint Lucia. The historical site is also home to two lovely beaches, as well as a couple of restaurants and a pub. Don't miss the viewpoint atop the hill, from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the island's northwest coast.

Reduit is one of the island's major beaches. It is a classic and can therefore get busy and crowded. So if you'd like to get away from the holiday-making masses, you could head to the southern part of the island which tends to be less touristy.

Facing out into the waters of Rodney Bay, on the northern tip of Saint Lucia, is the village of Gros Islet, a quiet fishing town which is also now a prominent tourist resort on the island. Take a walk and discover all of the charming nooks and crannies of the village or join in with the fun at the ever-popular Jump Up street party, which takes place on the town every Friday night. Another idea is to head to the beach and take a scenic ride up and down the shore on horseback with Island Riders.

As the world's only drive-in volcano, Sulphur Springs Park in Soufrière is one of the island's main attractions. Visitors can go on a guided tour of the place and learn about the history of the volcano, before immersing themselves in the black water mud baths. These natural waters for bathing in have detoxifying properties and they also make for great family fun!

This hiking trail near the Piton mountains follows a wonderfully scenic itinerary from which you can admire a stunning view of the Pitons themselves, as well as other beautiful locations on the island. You can even catch a glimpse of the far away island of Martinique.

Every Friday night at Gros Islet, locals and tourists get together to dance and chill until the wee hours of the morning. Enjoy the Caribbean night to the rhythm of calypso, zouk, and reggae blasting out from various loudspeakers in the area. Soak up the summery vibes amongst the stands of street vendors selling ribs, fish, and jerk chicken, while you sip at a very Saint Lucian rum punch or a typically local Piton beer. If you want to get a real taste of the local nightlife, head down to 'Jump Up' past 11pm, when the families of tourists have finally called it a day. At this time, a lot of the locals will have ended their shifts and will be heading out to party.

As an alternative to Gros Islet's Friday night street party, the town of Anse La Raye, on the west coast of the island, hosts its own Seafood Friday party. As opposed to its counterpart in Gros Islet, in Anse La Raye, the party is more family-friendly and food-focused. Locals cook all sorts of yummy seafood-based delicacies, which are enjoyed at communal tables on the village's seafront street. The party begins at around 6.30pm and everyone starts packing up towards 10pm.

With overwhelmingly positive reviews, Irie Bar in Gros Islet is the place to get down and go rum-crazy at. This reggae-themed bar made from a bamboo structure is located by the beach in the town of Gros Islet. It is at its liveliest on a Friday night, when locals and holidaymakers get together to enjoy the chill atmosphere, the reggae music and the tasty rum.

The mellow and easy-going atmosphere on the island probably accounts for the fact that down in Rodney Bay most nights of the week are the perfect excuse to stay out late dancing, singing, partying and, of course, enjoying some delicious food. Taking a walk around the centre of this vibrant village, you will notice that there is a varied array of dining options on offer. Catering to all tastes and budgets, Rodney Bay's eateries range from Indian cuisine to traditional steakhouses. After dinner, why not take another walk and stop by at one of the live music events or show off your skills at karaoke? Between the pumping soca music and the mellow sounds of reggae, you will soon realise that here, the good times never end.

Right by the docking station at the port of Castries is one of the island's most popular and successful rum bars. We imagine that the name of the establishment is a hint to the wonderful medicinal properties of simply stopping by and putting your feet up with one of the strong rum punches served by the expert hands behind the bar. The bar also serves Piton beer and holds the occasional karaoke night.

Soak up the local life and take a trip to the market in Castries, where you’ll encounter some very tropical produce and have a chance to mingle with the locals. Stock up on fruit and veg or simply roam around and take in the atmosphere.

A piece of fine jewelry is surely the most classy and sophisticated of all types of souvenirs, if you can call it that. What better memory can you treasure than that of your loved one gifting you a beautiful diamond ring on a romantic trip to the Caribbean? If you’re starting to think this might be a nice idea you’ll want to head over to Diamonds International. The wonderful staff will be able to help you with your choice of purchase, as they are friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. So if you’re convinced that your significant other deserves a special treat, don’t hesitate – this is the place to go.

If you're looking to bag that special item that will take you back to the splendid time you had at the island of Saint Lucia, look no further than Eudovic’s humble establishment. Eudovic is the island’s first wood sculptor. Visitors are offered a free tour of the studio where he creates his artworks. Here you will get to learn about everything from the tools he uses to the artistic and technical processes he employs to arrive at the results of his wonderful creations. All of this will leave you eager to take home a little piece of his artistry from the gift shop for a very moderate price.

By the port of Rodney Bay is a reasonably sized shop that is home to more than 60 local Saint Lucian artisans. Here you’ll find everything from art to home decor, clothes, wood carvings, pottery and jewelry. You never know, browsing around you might just find the perfect souvenir to take back home with you. A menu of snacks is available and a range of beverages are served on the shop patio by the marina.

Visit this typically Saint Lucian establishment, where amazingly tasty artisan coffee made from locally grown beans meets art. The handmade zaka masks on sale at the café are now one of the island's classics. With their stretched and pointy faces, the colourful masks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making for a perfectly Caribbean souvenir. Meals are also available at the café, but make sure you book in advance if you want to stop by for a traditional creole lunch or dinner.

High season in Saint Lucia is usually from December to April. This is the busiest period and, therefore, the price of accommodation during these months is at its highest. You might also want to take into account that June to November is the wet season, when weather is rainier and more humid. It is the Caribbean's official hurricane season. Storms are most likely to happen from August to October. Also, the island's two big yearly events, the St Lucia Jazz Festival and the carnival, are in May and July, respectively.

Citizens of European Union member states (except the UK and Ireland), as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of the United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Israel, South Africa and a few other countries are entitled to stay for a maximum of 6 weeks (42 days). Visitors of other nationalities might need to apply for a visa in advance. More information is available on the dedicated page Government of Saint Lucia.

George FL Charles (SLU) is the island's second airport, usually reserved for flights within the Caribbean. It is located in the capital town of Castries and has connections to other Caribbean islands such as Antigua, Barbados, Curaçao, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Trinidad & Tobago, Saint Kitts, Saint Martin and Saint Vincent. If you are flying in from outside of the Caribbean you might need to use the island's main airport, which is called Hewanorra (UVF). Check the section on this other airport to know more.

Hewanorra (UVF) is Saint Lucia's main airport. Located on the Southern tip of the island, in the town of Vieux Fort., the airport is 40 miles (64 km) away from Castries. Many airlines fly to Hewanorra from the USA, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. If you are flying in from the UK there are direct flights from London and Manchester. Most hotels and resorts on the island are located in the north of Saint Lucia. Travelling from the airport to the north can take somewhere between 1 hour and 1 hour and a half. Alternatively, the town of Soufrière, in the west, is approximately 50 minutes away by taxi.

Taxis in Saint Lucia are not metered. Instead, they are usually set according to standard fares. If the taxi ride is long the price may be negotiable. Make sure to agree on a set fare with the taxi driver before beginning your journey. A couple of taxi companies based in the area: Marc's Taxi Service and Tours +1 758-718-8012 https://marcstaxiservice.business.site St. Lucia Transportation +1 758-717-8604 www.stluciatransportation.com

A privately owned network of minivans acts as the island's main cost-effective transportation system. They follow the ring road that circles the island, stopping at every town. In towns, buses will stop at specifically designated bus stops, whereas in rural Saint Lucia, you can expect the buses to pull over at any convenient spot on the road as long as you have signaled to the driver appropriately. Once you are on the bus make sure to call out 'stopping driver' before you reach the stop you want to get off at. Services between towns tend to be frequent and run until approximately 19.00. Between Castries and Gros Islet services run until past 22.00. Most services do not run on Sundays. Castries to Gros Islet or Marigot Bay is around EC$2.50. Castries to Soufrière, EC$8.

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Opening times for pharmacies vary. Most are open Monday to Saturday from around 8.00 to 17.00, although the pharmacies you can find in Massy Stores supermarkets may close as late as 22.00. Find a list of all pharmacies on the island with their respective contact details on the website below.