Soufrière

Soufrière is warm all year, and the sea is good for swimming in every month. The drier season runs from about December to May, with February and March usually the most pleasant. June to November is wetter and more humid, and it is also the Atlantic hurricane season. Start hikes early in the morning, before the heat and the afternoon showers.

The biggest event on the island is Saint Lucia Carnival in July, with costumed bands and soca music. It is centred on Castries, about 1–1.5 hours away by road.

Gros Piton is the taller of the two volcanic peaks that form the Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A steep trail with local guides leads to the top, and the views reach across the south of the island.

Petit Piton rises straight out of the sea just south of the town. It is the slimmer and steeper of the pair, and the one that looks down on the town and its bay.

Sulphur Springs is a steaming volcanic area just south of town, often called the "drive-in volcano". You can see the bubbling pools from a viewing platform, then bathe in warm mineral water and mud a little downstream.

Diamond Botanical Garden is a shady tropical garden on a historic estate, with a colourful waterfall stained by minerals. You can also bathe in warm mineral baths here.

Tet Paul Nature Trail is a short, easy walk on a family-run organic farm. Steps lead to a hilltop viewpoint with some of the best views of both Pitons.

Sugar Beach lies in a small bay between the two Pitons. The water is usually calm and clear for swimming and snorkelling.

Anse Chastanet Beach is a dark-sand beach north of town with one of the best shore reefs on the island. You can walk into the water and snorkel along the reef.

Morne Coubaril Historical Adventure Park is an old plantation estate on the edge of town. Guided tours show how cocoa and other crops were grown and processed, and a zipline runs through the forest.

Many of the best moments here are outdoors and active.

• Mud bath at the volcano: At Sulphur Springs, cover yourself in warm volcanic mud, let it dry, then rinse off in the hot mineral pool. Wear an old, dark swimsuit, because the minerals can stain.
• Climb Gros Piton early in the morning: Start from the trailhead at Fond Gens Libre with a local guide, before the heat builds. Allow half a day, and bring plenty of water.
• Snorkel from the shore: The reef at Anse Chastanet is part of a protected marine area. Swim out from the beach to see sponges, sea fans and reef fish. A rocky path leads on to quieter Anse Mamin.
• Make your own chocolate: Several old cocoa estates around town show how cocoa is grown and processed, and some let you make a bar to take home.
• Swim under a waterfall: Toraille Falls, a few minutes' drive east of town, drops into a pool where you can stand under the falling water.

Most of the south and west coast is within an hour of Soufrière.

• En Bas Saut Waterfall – about 30 minutes inland by car, then a steep hike down steps through the rainforest. The twin falls and their cold pools are a good reward. Go with a guide.
• Choiseul – about 20 minutes south by car or minibus. This quiet village is known for local crafts such as pottery, carving and basket weaving.
• Anse La Raye – about 30–40 minutes north by road. This fishing village is known for its weekly street fish fry.
• Marigot – about 45 minutes north by road, or faster by boat. Yachts anchor in a narrow bay between steep green hills, and there are restaurants on the water.
• Castries – about 1–1.5 hours north by road. The capital has a busy covered market, a cathedral with colourful murals and hilltop forts.

Close to town, Anse Chastanet is the bay and resort area just to the north, and Fond Doux is the hillside farming area south of town, near the Pitons.

Along the coast to the south, Choiseul and Laborie are quiet fishing villages, and Vieux Fort is home to the international airport. To the north, Anse La Raye has its Friday fish fry, Castries is the capital, and Gros Islet holds the island's main resort strip.

• By air (international): Long-haul flights from North America and the UK land at Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) near Vieux Fort. It is the closest airport to Soufrière, about 45–60 minutes away by taxi or pre-booked transfer.
• By air (regional): George F. L. Charles Airport (SLU) in Castries handles smaller planes from nearby islands. The drive to Soufrière on the winding coast road takes about 1–1.5 hours.
• By boat: Some water taxis and tour boats run along the coast from the north of the island. Arrange them in advance.
• By minibus: Route 3F runs from Castries and route 4F from Vieux Fort. Buses to Castries stop early, often by mid-afternoon.

• Minibus: Private minibuses run along the main road. Buses on the Vieux Fort route pass close to Sulphur Springs and the turn-offs for the Pitons. Flag one down, tell the driver where you want to get off and pay in cash, ideally in EC dollars. Service is limited on Sundays.
• Taxi: Taxis have no meters. Agree the price before you get in, and ask whether it is in EC or US dollars. Many visitors hire a driver for a half or full day to see several sights.
• Water taxi: Small boats from the town waterfront go to nearby beaches such as Anse Chastanet and Sugar Beach. Agree the price and the pickup time first.
• On foot: The town centre is small and easy to walk. The sights around it sit up steep hills on roads with few pavements, so take a taxi between them.

• Is a car worth it?: It helps if you want to visit several sights at your own pace. Many visitors prefer a taxi or a hired driver, because the roads are steep, narrow and full of sharp bends.
• Driving side: Saint Lucia drives on the left.
• Permit: Visitors need a temporary local driving permit. You can get it from the rental company, at the airport or at a police station.
• Road conditions: Expect potholes, blind corners and buses that stop suddenly. Many roads are unlit, so avoid driving after dark if you can.
• Parking: The main sights have their own car parks. In town, parking along the narrow streets is limited.

Soufrière is cocoa country, and several estates around town grow cocoa and offer chocolate tastings. Look for fresh fish, local fruit juices and cocoa tea.

For simple local food, try the short row of restaurants along the waterfront near the town square. Many hotels and resorts in the hills also open their restaurants to non-guests, often with views of the Pitons. Check the bill before you tip, because many places already add a 10% service charge.

Soufrière is generally calm, and most visits are trouble-free. Saint Lucia does have serious gun crime, but it is mostly gang-related. Petty theft is the main risk for visitors.

• Keep valuables out of sight and leave them in the hotel safe.
• Avoid isolated beaches and quiet roads after dark.
• Use licensed taxis and agree the fare first.
• Currents can be strong, and most beaches have no lifeguards.
• At Sulphur Springs, stay on the paths and platforms. The water in the main pools is boiling hot.
• The sun is very strong. Use sunscreen, wear a hat and drink plenty of water, especially on hikes.

The French founded Soufrière in the 18th century and named it after the sulphur vents nearby. It was Saint Lucia's first capital. In 1713 King Louis XIV gave the land of the Soufrière Estate to three brothers, and Diamond Falls still lies on that estate. In 1785 the French governor, Baron de Laborie, built mineral baths there with money from King Louis XVI. Mineral baths are still open to visitors at Diamond Botanical Garden.

During the French Revolution, royalists were executed in Soufrière and enslaved people were freed. British forces fought local resistance for years, and Saint Lucia became a British colony in 1803. The town has been rebuilt many times after hurricanes, a fire in 1955 and an earthquake in 1991. Church of Our Lady of the Assumption stands next to the town square. In 2004, the Pitons and the land and sea around them became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Quick practical facts for Saint Lucia at a glance: