Caribbean Islands are popular tourist destinations for those who dream to connect with nature and immerse themselves into pristine beaches, and Saint Lucia Island is no different. With its diverse cultures that have a bit of Africa’s, Caribs’, Dutch’s, French’s, and Britishers’, St. Lucia offers a unique experience of nature as well as history to the tourists.
Brief Overview of St. Lucia History
Many Europeans attempted to make St. Lucia one of their colonies, but Caribs were strong and protected their lands. Known as the Island of Iguanas and later the Hewanorra, Caribs came here in 800 AD and made it their land. Up until the 1600s, the Caribs protected their land against foreign invasions. It wasn’t until 1650 that the French successfully made St. Lucia a permanent European settlement followed by the British briefly capturing the island in 1660.
The Island changed hands many times in the following decades due to conflicts between the French and the British in the caribbean. The British maintained control over the island for around 165 years from 1814 to February 22, 1979, the day on which St. Lucia became an independent state.
The Diversity of the Region and Main Festivals
It is not surprising that the island has a lot of cultures to celebrate considering the fact that it was colonized by both the British and the French. But the cultural values of the Caribs are equally significant to the region.
Their festivities and celebrations throughout the year are the perfect examples of how they honor their traditions and cultural values. If you happen to be in St. Lucia or planning to visit it in future, here are 3 carnivals/festivals that you should not miss.
The Carnival
Celebrated in summer, around July, this festival is also known as the “carnevale” which means to put away the meat. The carnival is influenced by Italy, but it has a lot of resemblance to African carnivals. The people usually dress in feathers and headdresses, everyone looks festive and colorful.
The carnival is all about music, masquerade, food and lots of bands who all have their particular themes. To be part of these bands, people have to buy their costumes beforehand and the tickets are to be booked in advance.
Jounen Kwéyòl
Also known as the Creole Day, Jounen Kwéyòl is all about experiencing the authentic culture of St. Lucia. Foodies should plan their vacation around October as it is when the festival is celebrated. The cultural activities give one an immersive culinary experience of St. Lucia with vendors selling roasted breadfruit, spiced up rum, cocoa tea, green fig and the saltfish. Besides their delicious food, you also get to experience their folk music with their traditional instrument Tambo and its melodious beats. In this festival, many prefer to wear their traditional attires such as Wob Dwiete made with Madras cloth.
The Soleil Summer Festival
Initially celebrated as the Jazz festival, this festival is now divided in 5 parts. From celebrating Jazz to heritage of the region, Soleil Summer Festival has The Roots Festival, The Jazz Festival, The Carnival, The Art and The Heritage Festival. That said, in St. Lucia, January to October is the season of celebrations besides the usual daily activities of life.
What to Eat in St. Lucia?
St. Lucia has a variety to offer to you and your taste buds. Their traditional food like the famous saltfish, roasted breadfruit and rum are usually liked by tourists but there is more to St. Lucia than just these 3 dishes.
Green Figs & Saltfish
The national dish of ST. Lucia is a full meal with cod fish boiled to perfection along with vegetables and spices and green bananas cooked with vegetables. It is power packed with all the nutrients that one should include in their diet.
Pepperpot
Don’t get scared by the name, the dish does not necessarily have to be spicy hot. In fact, it is more than just peppers. A blend of many vegetables like onion, garlic sautéed with orange peel, cinnamon, brown sugar, clove, thyme and of course pepper and fried with the meat or chicken or your choice. This dish allows one to experiment and enjoy a hearty meal even at home.
Smoked Herring and the Breadfruit
This dish is often enjoyed with the tropical fresh juice. The herring is smoked along with breadfruit and is served with fresh cucumber salad. A refreshing delight if you want to have something that resonates with the surrounding.
Pemmie
Pemmie is lightly sweet and has a tropical taste to it. A mashed pumpkin filled with cinnamon, coconut, sugar and cornmeal and wrapped into banana leaves, Pimmie is cooked till it is brown with soft, melt-in-the-mouth filling.
Apart from these dishes, St. Lucia has rum punch with spices, its usual Piton beer and the decadent Cocoa Tea with soft cakes. This yummy tea is basically a hot chocolate but something more delicious and less fatty.
Where to Go and Stay in St. Lucia?
Similar to many Caribbean Islands, St. Lucia is full of exotic places such as crystal-clear beaches, dense rain forests and historical sites giving glimpses of its past. The top 5 travel destinations can be divided into South and North St. Lucia. Nature lovers and the adventurous souls who want to have a me time and explore in a less crowded environment, should head over to South St. Lucia. Here you will find:
Gros Piton
Hike your way to Gros Piton, the landmark that defines St. Lucia. Though you will need a guide to do this trail, as you will experience a lot of steep slopes, all the efforts will be worthy of what you will view from the top. A beautiful, magnificent view of the surroundings. On your way, you will see the town of Soufriere and Botanical Gardens as well.
Tet Paul Nature Trail
Not everyone is keen on adventures, all of you who like to take it easy, should go for Tet Paul Nature Trail. This luxurious trail into nature will take you to fishermen villages, some beautiful views of the Piton, and the Diamond Falls Botanical Garden.
Mount Soufriere – Sulphur Springs Park
The only drive-in volcano of the world, Mount Soufriere is where you can experience the steam springs. This is caused by the hot mud below that was a result of volcanic eruption. A tour guide is essential, you certainly don’t want to harm yourself. From there on, you can enjoy a mud bath in the Sulphur spring which is believed to have a healing property to it.
North St. Lucia has many attractions as well and some of these include:
Pigeon Island National Park
The island was once used as a hideout by the pirates but later in 1972, it became the landmark of the Island. This space has a lot to offer, from small shops and eateries to ruins where you can get lost for hours without the worry of the world. Make sure to take your bathing suits for snorkeling and swimming in the clear cool beaches of Pigeon Island.
Marigot Bay
If you are craving for kayaking on white beaches, then you are in the right place if you happen to be in Marigot Bay.
Apart from hiking, snorkeling and swimming, you can enjoy water sports at the beautiful beaches of St. Lucia or experience the unique shopping experience at their open markets at Castries Market. St Lucia has something for everyone, from intimate fishermen villages to fun beach parties.
Usually, tourists prefer to stay at the Marigot Bay and Rodney Bay in North St. Lucia, the reason being all the available resorts nearby allowing easy access to popular destinations. But if you want, you can even live in an apartment, lodges or guest houses as a cheaper alternative to expensive resorts.
Conclusion
St. Lucia is indeed a beautiful travel destination, but one needs to be careful and plan ahead when traveling. On your trip, ensure that you do not wander alone or at night without a tour guide or a local acquaintance. Too much cash with you is never a good idea, so get it secured at the hotel security box. Even if you plan to live on a yacht, you have to be vigilant as you are still new to the island and its people. Remember to always respect the people and laws of the land and don’t forget to have one of the best times of your life in St. Lucia.