St. Lucia is a honeymoon favorite… and rightfully so! With gorgeous beaches and a beautiful mountain-scape, this is one of the most romantic Caribbean islands. However, you don’t need to be a newlywed to enjoy this beautiful piece of paradise! Large hubs like Miami, Chicago, Charlotte, and more offer direct flights to Hewanorra International Airport (UVF).

Best Times to Visit: The best time to visit St. Lucia is between May and June. These late spring and early summer months offer wonderful weather – high 70s to 80s – plus there are unbelievable room rates at some of the best hotels.

Things to do:

Visit the Sulphur Springs. You’ll know when you’re in St. Lucia once you touch down and get a strong whiff of sulfur. The distinct scent is from one of the island’s most historic attractions – Sulphur Springs. This is the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano and is the most active mass area in the Caribbean. You will find bubbling hot spring water pits, mud pools, and steaming vents.

Snorkel the Caribbean waters. No trip to St. Lucia is complete without experiencing the crystal clean waters that make this destination such a hot spot! Swim with the marine life and see the beautiful reefs that dot this island. Most resorts offer excursions through the hotel, but if you are looking for a different adventure Sugar Beach Resort offers night snorkeling!

Climb the “stairway to heaven” at the Tet Paul Nature Trail. The Tet Paul Nature Trail is one of St. Lucia’s most sacred gems. Hiking the trail will take you nearly 45 minutes, but once you reach the top, you’ll experience a stunning view of the Pitons. Along the way, you’ll find historic landmarks and practices like indigenous housing and farming to learn more about the local culture.

Make chocolate from scratch at Hotel Chocolat. St. Lucia is teeming with fresh cocoa! At Hotel Chocolat, you can grind cocoa beans to make your very own chocolate from scratch. If you are still craving some chocolatey goodness, head on over to the Fond Doux Plantation and Resort to get a history lesson on your favorite treat!

Feature Hotels: Jade Mountain, Sugar Beach Resort, Royalton Saint Lucia Resort and Spa, Cap Maison

• Crack open a fresh coconut. No trip to St. Lucia is complete without a coconut drink! They are sold by many street vendors throughout the island.

• Tipping is discretionary! A 10% service fee is added to by most restaurants and bars but anything additional is up to you.

• You can use US dollars. St. Lucia actually has its own currency, the Eastern Caribbean dollar. However, most places accept US dollars (you just might get change in Eastern Caribbean dollars).

• Beach vendors and guides can be pushy. While working with a vendor or tour guide outside of your resort can save you some money, they also push a lot harder for your time.

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