January 6 - January 10, 2023 (5D4N): Having seen so many famous shots of couples overlooking the majestic Piton Mountains while sitting in a hot tub, we could not resist the thoughts of leaving NYC in the middle of winter on a nonstop flight to St. Lucia. While we didn’t get to stay at Jade Mountain Resort for the famous view, we had so much fun getting a mud bath at the only drive-in volcano in the world, snorkeling in many well-preserved beaches, enjoying some local meats at the Fish Fry, and burning off calories through some of the most spectacular hiking trails.

*Highly recommended

Day 1:

• Afternoon arrival in UVF from JFK (via JetBlue)

• Pick-up rental car from Hertz

• Check-in @ Harbor Club St. Lucia, Curio Collection by Hilton

• Friday night Fish Fry* (Every Friday night starting at sunset) @ Jump-Up in Gros Islet

Day 2 (Gros Islet/Castries/Anse La Raye)

• Breakfast @ Hotel

• Pigeon Island National Park* (9:30 AM - 5PM; $10 or EC$26.7)

  • Hiking (~ 1 hour RT for both peaks - Fort Rodney & Signal Peak)

  • Explore the forts

  • Pigeon Island Beach

• Castries

  • Castries Central Market (go on a Saturday)

  • Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

  • Meat pies @ Dr. Freezers

• Anse Cochon Beach* (Amazing snorkeling; enter through Ti Kaye Resort and pay a $10/person gate entrance fee for credits at Ti Manje)

  • Lunch @ Ti Manje* (Get the fish sandwich)

• Marigot Bay

  • Happy hour drinks @ Chateau Mygo

Day 3 (Soufriere):

• View point @ Mirador Piton Santa Lucia*

• Anse Des Pitons* (AKA Sugar Beach; access through Sugar Beach Resort)

  • Anse Piton Marine Reserve* (Great for snorkeling)

  • Lunch @ Bonte* (Tasty ceviche, expensive dishes)

• Soufriere Drive-In Volcano/Sulphur Springs* (9 AM - 5 PM; EC$35 combo tix including mud bath):

  • Guided tour

  • Mud bath* (Wear a dark swimsuit)

• Tet Paul Nature Trail* (8 AM-5 PM; $10 or EC$26; ~30-45 mins easy hike, amazing views of the Pitons)

• Sunset drinks @ Anse Chastanet Beach/Anse Mamin Beach

• Dinner @ Market Street Sushi* (Part of Harbor Club St. Lucia; Ask for Chef Alice - IG @aandm_eats)

Day 4 (Gros Islet):

• Smugglers Cove* (Great for jumping waves; a cute secluded beach - look for a sign to The Naked Fishman)

  • Drinks @ The Naked Fishman* (Try the spicy mango martini)

• Rodney Bay:

  • Lunch @ Spinnakers Resturant & Beach Bar

  • Reduit Beach (Very crowded local beach, okay to skip if short on time)

• Chill @ Hotel pool

• Dinner @ Market Street Sushi*

Day 5:

• Chill @ Hotel pool

• Afternoon flight back to JFK

Other points of interest & food:

Rodney Bay:

• Dinner @ Buzz Resturant

Castries:

• Lunch @ The Coal Pot Restaurant

Soufriere:

• New Jerusalem Mineral Baths

• Toraille Waterfall

Tips:

• Visa/Mastercard and USD are accepted on the island, but the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECB) gives you a more favorable rate.

• Driving is doable but challenging as the roads are very windy along the western coast with potholes, especially in Soufriere. Also, driving is on the left side of the road.

• Bring your international driver’s permit to avoid paying for a local driving permit.

• Gros Islet/Rodney Bay has the best nightlife/restaurants, allowing you to explore if you aren’t staying at the resort.

• The best snorkeling spots are in Soufriere.