St. Lucia is the sort of island that travelers to the Caribbean dream about. It is a small, lush tropical gem that is still relatively unknown. One of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, it is located midway downs the Eastern Caribbean chain, between Martinique and St. Vincent, and north of Barbados. St. Lucia is only 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, with a shape that is said to resemble either a mango or an avocado (depending on your taste). The Atlantic Ocean kisses its eastern shore, while the beaches of the west coast owe their beauty to the calm Caribbean Sea

In natural beauty, St. Lucia seems like an island plucked from the South Pacific and set down in the Caribbean. Its dramatic twin coastal peaks, the Pitons, soar 2,000 feet up from the sea, sheltering magnificent rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns, and birds of paradise flourish. Brilliantly-plumed tropical birds abound, including endangered species like the indigenous St. Lucia parrot. The rainforest is broken only by verdant fields and orchards of banana, coconut, mango, and papaya trees.

St. Lucia has been inhabited since long before colonial times, and its cultural treasures are a fascinating melange of its rich past and its many different traditions. The island's people have earned a well-deserved reputation for their warmth and charm, and the island itself is dotted with aged fortresses, small villages, and open-air markets.

There is a broad array of exciting and exotic activities available on St. Lucia. The island's steep coastlines and lovely reefs offer excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. The rainforest preserves of St. Lucia's mountainous interior are one of the Caribbean's finest locales for hiking and bird watching. Of course, the island also possesses excellent facilities for golf, tennis, sailing, and a host of other leisure pursuits. Not to be missed is St. Lucia's Soufriere volcano, the world's only drive-in volcanic crater.

CLIMATE IN ST. LUCIA
The western shores of St Lucia are a mighty fine place to be from December to March when the rain eases off a bit. Predictably, these are also the busiest months on the island when both the numbers of tourists and the costs of food, airline tickets and accommodation are much higher. After mid-April many of the prices drop as much as 50%. Carnival in July has not yet been overrun by visitors and can be a good way to be thrown head long into St Lucia culture.

St Lucia's top temperatures vary little over the course of a year and even in the official hurricane season (June to late-October) showers rarely last long, unless you're unlucky enough to strike a hurricane. In January the average daily high temperature in Castries is 81°F (27°C), while the nightly low temperature is 68°F (20°C). In July the average daily high is 85°F (29°C), while the nightly low is 72°F (22°C). Humidity ranges from 76% in February to 83% in November.

VISA INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS

Some visitors are permitted to enter St Lucia without passports, but must have some form of identification with a photograph attached. Visitors must hold documents for the next destination, return/onward tickets and sufficient funds. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travelers traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA a valid passport will be required by immigration authorities.

Americans: US citizens may stay for up to six weeks without a visa. A passport, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, as well as proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, is required.
UK nationals: UK citizens must hold a passport (may be expired) accompanied by a photo-bearing identity document, and stay for up to six weeks without a visa.
Canadians: Canadians may enter St Lucia with a passport, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, as well as proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. No visa is required for a stay of up to six weeks.
Australians: Australians require a passport to enter St Lucia. A visa is required, which can be obtained on arrival for up to six weeks.
South Africans: South Africans require a passport. A visa is required, which can be obtained on arrival for up to six weeks.
Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport, but a visa is not necessary for a stay of up to six weeks.
New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to six weeks.

TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO:

Caribbean islands' 2000 Ecotourism Award
St Lucia was the proud recipient of the Caribbean islands' 2000 Ecotourism Award for its Heritage Tourism Programme. So, whatever your mood, St Lucia can offer you a tour which will enchant you. Wherever you go, colours will mesmerise you. Vistas will astound you. And the tropical air will caress you. You'll find all your senses working overtime on St Lucia.

All-Terrain Vehicle Riding
Travelers are advised to see the wild side of St Lucia on an All Terrain Vehicle. Experience the thrill of riding an ATV through St Lucia's lush countryside...over mountains...through banana plantations... and lots more!

Pigeon Island
City/Region: Castries
Pigeon Island, north of Castries, is St Lucia's first national park, reached from the mainland across a causeway. The islet has a romantic past, having been the hide-out of Jambe de Bois, the much-feared peg-leg pirate who preyed on Spanish galleons. It was also from here that Admiral Rodney set sail in 1782 to destroy the French fleet in one of the most decisive sea battles in European history. Pigeon island features two white sandy beaches and an interpretation center, where a multimedia display explains the local history. The center includes the Captain's Cellar Olde English Pub, a re-creation of an 18th century English pub. The island is ideal for nature walks and has numerous marked trails which bypass historical sites, like the remains of an 18th century British fort.

Soufriere
City/Region: Castries
Soufriere in the south is the oldest settlement on the island, having served as the French capital in the 18th century. The deep-water port stands at the base of St Lucia's main landmarks, the two towering extinct volcanoes known as the Pitons, rising to 2,619 feet (798m) above sea level. The town itself is pretty, with a cluster of colorfully painted arcaded buildings against a background of dense jungle. Most visitors, however, are drawn by the nearby attraction of the 'drive-in' volcano, Mount Soufriere, where it is possible to enter by car into an ancient volcanic crater filled with sulphur springs and steam geysers. Also at Soufriere are the Diamond Mineral Baths, the Diamond Waterfall and the Diamond Botanical Gardens.

Vieux Fort
City/Region: Castries
St Lucia's second largest town is on the south coast, adjacent to the island's busy Hewanorra International Airport on the southernmost tip of the island. At St Lucia's most southerly point just outside the town is the Cape Moule, a Chique Lighthouse, which offers one of the best panoramic views of the island. The town has a beach called Anse de Sables which is popular for windsurfers. Near the beach is the Maria Islands Interpretive Center, which contains a small natural history museum and an office where visitors can book trips to the Maria Islands about half a mile offshore.

Diamond Falls

France's King Louis XVI had bathhouses built for his troops at these natural, mineral-rich falls. An invigorating shower under the cascading waters is still a refreshing break

Latille Gardens

This beautiful hidden treasure of St. Lucia is filled with luscious fruits, blooming flowers, thriving plants, shading trees, and vibrant waterfalls. A walk on the waterfall trails or a relaxing night under the moon and stars, amidst the scent of healthy vegetation, are adventures not to be missed.