Ten Don’t-Miss Places and Must-Do in Castries, Saint Lucia

If you are looking for the perfect place to start island hopping in the Caribbean, look no further than Saint Lucia. Its capital, Castries, connects it to other islands such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, and others through an airport and high-speed catamarans. As the capital city, Castries also plays the host of a cruise ship port located at Pointe Seraphine.

However, don’t mistake Castries for a mere island-hopping springboard. It has its own share of offerings that all tourists must try.

Marigot Bay

A sheltered beach hidden by a graceful fence of palm trees, Marigot is a tropical must-see. The picturesque location has been used as a movie backdrop in the past. Those looking for a good time can check out one of the many cocktail bars around.

Duty-free shops

La Place Carenage Shopping Plaza is an air-conditioned mall in downtown Castries. Open six days every week, the ship provides a duty-free shopping experience for local crafts and brand-name items. Tourists are in for a discount, too — just show your passport and airline ticket to avail of it.

Castries Market

If you are out for some fresh produce, this should be on your map. Just by the cruise ship port stands the Castries Market where farmers take their goods. You can also score some Caribbean spices, and the crafts market right beside it offers great souvenir items.

Derek Walcott Square

Derek Walcott was a Nobel Laureate from Saint Lucia. The square named after him is honored with a spot amidst colonial buildings, such as the regal Castries Public Library. A 4 centuries-old monkeypod tree is also nearby, its wide branches offering shade.

Our Planet

If you are an environmentalist, a visit to this interactive center should be on your to-do list. With amazing exhibits — from life-size holograms to wind machines — learning about environmental issues has never been as fun.

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

There is also the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a 19th Century French structure that features colorful iconography from the West Indies.

Morne Fortune

And don’t miss the Morne Fortune, which is a military cemetery that commemorates French-British Battles fought on Saint Lucia soil. It also has a breathtaking view of the Caribbean.

Catamaran experience

From the Castries harbor, you can spend an entire day on a catamaran as it sails through the Saint Lucia west coast. Relax and take in the beauty as you float on the cobalt seas of Marigot Bay. You can also take the catamarans for a visit to the Pitons — two lava outcrops covered in jungle greenery. These are located 40 minutes to the south of the capital.

Helicopter Tours

If you want an aerial view of the beautiful city, head over to George F.L. Charles Airport and ask about the chopper tours. The tour will take you through secret coves in the city, as well as give you a majestic overhead view of the Pitons.

Carnival celebration

Every July, there is the Carnival celebration that rivals that of Mardi Gras.

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Saint Lucia is a perfect entry point for those seeking the beauty of the Caribbean. Care to drop by?