Visit St Lucia: Natural Attractions Of The Caribbean Not To Be Missed

The Pitons

Gros Piton and Petit Piton, St Lucia’s UNESCO World Heritage, stud the southern end of St Lucia. The two mountains are St Lucia’s most photographed landmark and are definitely worth visiting. Gros Piton towers above the tropical greenery of St Lucia at 786 m (2,619 ft), and Petit Piton is slightly shorter at 739 m (2,461 ft). Both mountains are hikable. Ascending to the top of Gros Piton takes about two hours. There is a welcome center at the base of the mountain and the hiking trail is well marked. Petit Piton is more difficult as the slopes are steeper and the trails aren’t marked. It is recommended that you hire a local guide if you wish to hike Petit Piton.

You don’t need to be an outdoor enthusiast to enjoy the beauty of the Pitons though. Many tourists (myself included) witness their majesty from the many overlooks. A favorite overlook is on the Tet Paul Nature Trail. Yes, nature trail does translate into hike. However, this hike is a leisurely, ten-minute walk that my pregnant wife easily handled. Not only does the trail offers the best view of the mountains on the island, but you also learn about the local subsistence farming community that manages the trail. Admission to the trail costs 28 ECD (10 USD).

Drive through volcano

This isn’t quite as scary as it sounds. It’s true that the volcano is hottest and most active geothermal area in the Lesser Antilles, but you’re not driving into a deep crater with no hope of escaping. Instead, your vehicle ascends a small caldera where you then begin to smell the sulfur (think a mixture of flint and rotten eggs). Once you’re in the “crater,” a guide will lead you on a short walking tour (30 minutes). The tour takes you passed pools and hot springs bubbling with and belching sulphur-laden steam. Admission is 20 ECD (8 USD) and includes a guide.

Sulphur spring baths

Just outside of the volcano are a series of Sulphur Springs Baths that provide a unique vacation experience. Many find the hot, bubbling mud pools to be quite relaxing, and the mud does wonders for your complexion. You’ll notice an immediate difference as the sulfur helps soften and moisten your skin. It’s also quite difficult to scrub off. I wouldn’t recommend wearing a favorite outfit to dinner that same night, as some mud you missed might stain it (true story).

If you are sensitive to smells, you may wish to skip the Sulphur Springs as the rotten egg smell can be quite pungent. Admission to the baths is in addition to the volcano, even though both are managed out of the same office. The cost is 12.50 ECD (5 USD).