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How many days in Saint Lucia? 5 days, the Pitons, Soufrière and the north
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Saint Lucia is a green volcanic island only about 43 km long, but its winding roads mean the south and the north feel like separate trips. The south has the Pitons, two forested volcanic spires over 700 metres high, the town of Soufrière and its sulphur springs; the north has the resort strip of Rodney Bay, the beaches and Pigeon Island. Give it five days: three based near Soufrière, two in the north, and one evening at a Friday street party. Book a driver or car before you land at Hewanorra airport, at the far south.
Short answer
Three days covers the Pitons, Soufrière and a boat to Marigot Bay. Five lets you hike Gros Piton, snorkel the reef at Anse Chastanet and spend time in the north with Pigeon Island and the Gros Islet street party.
The 5-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Soufrière: Sulphur Springs and Diamond Falls
Morning. Drive about 1 hour from Hewanorra to Soufrière, the old French capital under the Pitons. Visit the Sulphur Springs, sold as the world's only drive-in volcano (about EC$40-70 with mud bath), where you cover yourself in warm volcanic mud and rinse in hot pools.
Afternoon. Walk the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens (about EC$40), with a small waterfall streaked by minerals and mineral baths built for French troops in the 18th century. Then cool off at Toraille Waterfall.
Evening. Watch sunset over the Petit Piton from the town waterfront or a hotel terrace, then eat creole fish in town for about EC$50-90.
Wear an old swimsuit for the mud baths; sulphur stains and smells for days.
Day 2: Gros Piton hike and Sugar Beach
Morning. Start the Gros Piton hike at 6:00-7:00 from the village of Fond Gens Libre, home of descendants of escaped slaves. The trail to the summit, at nearly 800 metres, takes about 2 hours up and 1.5 hours down, steep and rocky; a guide fee is charged at the trailhead (about EC$130-160).
Afternoon. Recover at Sugar Beach (Anse des Pitons), the white-sand bay between the two Pitons, open to the public by law even though a resort sits behind it.
Evening. Have dinner at a restaurant with a view of the Pitons, such as those in the hills above Soufrière.
For an easier view, the 45-minute Tet Paul Nature Trail (about EC$30-40) gives the classic Pitons photo with far less climbing.
Day 3: Anse Chastanet reef and a cocoa estate
Morning. Snorkel or dive at Anse Chastanet, a few minutes north of Soufrière, where the reef starts a short swim from the beach, inside the Soufrière Marine Management Area (a small marine park fee). Look for parrotfish, trumpetfish and, with luck, hawksbill turtles.
Afternoon. Walk the Tet Paul Nature Trail if you skipped Gros Piton, or visit a cocoa estate such as Morne Coubaril, where guides show how cocoa and coconut were processed by hand.
Evening. On Fridays, drive 40 minutes north to Anse La Raye for the fish fry, with grilled lobster, fish and bouyon soup at street stalls (about EC$30-80).
The road from Soufrière to Castries is twisty; allow about 1.5 hours, and drive in daylight.
Day 4: Marigot Bay and Castries
Morning. Drive north to Marigot Bay, a deep sheltered inlet with palms and yachts, best seen from the hill road. Take the small ferry across (about EC$10) to the beach.
Afternoon. Visit Castries, the capital: the Castries Market with spices and crafts, the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, painted inside by local artist Dunstan St Omer, and Derek Walcott Square, named after the Nobel poet born here.
Evening. Drive up to Morne Fortune for the view over the harbour and the old British fort, then go on to Rodney Bay for the night.
Cruise ships fill Castries on many mornings; visit the market after 14:00 or on a day with no ship in port.
Day 5: Pigeon Island and the Gros Islet street party
Morning. Visit Pigeon Island National Landmark (about EC$25-35), joined to the mainland by a causeway, with the ruins of the British Fort Rodney and a 20-minute climb to Signal Peak, from where Admiral Rodney watched the French fleet in Martinique.
Afternoon. Swim at Reduit Beach in Rodney Bay, one of the island's best beaches, with water sports, or take a zip-line tour in the rainforest.
Evening. On Friday nights, go to the Gros Islet street party, with music, rum punch and grilled chicken and fish from stalls (meals about EC$20-40).
Saint Lucia drives on the left; you need a local driving permit, issued at car rental desks for about EC$50-60.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, stay in Soufrière and combine Sulphur Springs with Sugar Beach, then take a boat trip north to Marigot Bay. You lose the Gros Piton hike and the north.
Got extra days?
Extra days fit the rainforest trails of Edmund Forest and Des Cartiers for the rare Saint Lucia parrot, a day sailing to Martinique by ferry, or a quiet stay on the east coast near Dennery.
Where to stay in Saint Lucia
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Gros Islet / Rodney Bay guesthouses | Small hotels near beaches, buses and restaurants. | EC$300-500 |
| Mid-range | Soufrière | Hillside rooms with views of the Pitons, close to the reefs and springs. | EC$500-1,000 |
| Mid-range | Rodney Bay | Resorts and apartments on or near Reduit Beach. | EC$500-900 |
| Comfort | Pitons luxury resorts / Marigot Bay | Open-wall suites and private pools facing the Pitons, or marina villas. | EC$1,500-5,000 |
Getting around
Rent a car (about EC$150-250 a day) or hire a taxi with driver; taxi fares are fixed by the government. From Hewanorra (UVF) in the south, Soufrière is about 1 hour and Rodney Bay about 1.5-2 hours; a taxi costs roughly EC$200-300. George F. L. Charles airport in Castries handles regional flights. Local minibuses (numbered routes) are cheap, about EC$3-10, but do not reach all sights. Water taxis link Soufrière with Sugar Beach and Anse Chastanet.
What to eat in Saint Lucia
Saint Lucian food is Creole. The national dish is green fig and saltfish, boiled green bananas with salt cod. Try accra (saltfish fritters), bouyon (a thick soup with meat and root vegetables), cocoa tea made from grated local cocoa, and bakes, fried bread for breakfast. Friday fish fries at Anse La Raye and the Saturday seafood night at Dennery are cheaper and more local than resort dinners. The local beer is Piton, and the island's rum is Chairman's Reserve. Street meals cost EC$20-40; a restaurant dinner EC$100-200.
Best time to visit
December to April is the dry season, with highs of 29-31°C and the busiest, most expensive months. May and June are good value. The rainy season and hurricane season run from June to November, with the highest risk in August-October. Saint Lucia Carnival takes place in July, and the Jazz & Arts Festival is held in May in some years.
Month-by-month weather for Saint Lucia →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | EC$200 | EC$400 | EC$1,200 |
| Food & drink | EC$100 | EC$200 | EC$400 |
| Sights & tickets | EC$40 | EC$100 | EC$250 |
| Local transport | EC$30 | EC$100 | EC$200 |
| Total per person, per day | about EC$370 | about EC$800 | about EC$2,050 |
Approximate 2026 prices in East Caribbean dollars (EC$, pegged at about EC$2.70 to US$1, and US$ are accepted almost everywhere); hotels add VAT and a service charge of about 10% each.
Before you go
Common questions
Should I stay in the south or the north?
Both, if you can. Soufrière in the south has the Pitons, the sulphur springs, the reefs and most of the hikes, but fewer restaurants and nightlife. Rodney Bay in the north has the best beaches for swimming, more restaurants and the Friday street party. The roads between them take 1.5-2 hours, so two bases save time.
How hard is the Gros Piton hike?
Moderately hard. It is about 4 km return with 600-700 metres of climbing on rocky steps and roots, and takes 3-4 hours with a guide, which is required. Start early to avoid the heat and bring at least 2 litres of water. Petit Piton is a much more dangerous climb and is not recommended.
Can I drive in Saint Lucia?
Yes, but drive carefully. Traffic drives on the left, the roads are narrow and steep with sharp bends and potholes, and minibuses drive fast. You need a local temporary permit, issued with your rental car. Many visitors prefer a driver for the long transfers and rent a car only for a day or two.
Is it safe to swim everywhere?
The west coast beaches, including Reduit, Sugar Beach and Anse Chastanet, are generally calm. The east coast faces the Atlantic, with strong currents and big waves, and is not safe for swimming in most places. Look out for lifeguard flags, and watch for jellyfish and sea urchins near rocks.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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