From its bustling harbor on a cruise ship day to the rich historical landmarks impeccably preserved, to the courteous people at shopping centers, the Capital of St. Lucia is a city worth visiting. Every corner of this city has a variety of shops and restaurants, places for photo opportunities and warm, friendly people.
The French founded the capital city of St Lucia in 1650 as “Carenage,” and it was not until 1750 that it was named “Castries.” The name Castries was chosen to honor the then French Navy minister, Marquis de Castries.
The St. Lucia Capital has since grown through a fair share of misfortunes and wars to become one of the most loved cities in the Caribbean.
Today, Castries has a unique fusion of cultures influenced by the British and French with African and Carib Indian roots.
The George, FL Charles Airport in Castries
A few kilometers north of the Capital of St. Lucia, is the George F. L. Charles Airport. It is located between lush green hills and the smooth sands of Virgie Beach. This St. Lucia airport serves regional flights to and from the Caribbean region and is also an air cargo hub.
The George FL Charles Airport is the smaller of two airports in St. Lucia. The Airport is very close to most of the major hotels located in and around Castries and the north of St. Lucia.
The Castries Harbor is the St. Lucia Cruise Port
On a normal day, the Castries Harbor is a buzz of activity with huge cruise ships and ferry boats frequenting it from dawn to dusk and sometimes long into the night. The vast majority of Cruise ships visiting St. Lucia dock at the Castries harbor.
An influx of tourists disembarks in the St. Lucia cruise port daily to shop at its shopping centers, to visit the historical landmarks located in Castries and take photos of the City’s unique scenery.
Best Hotels in Castries St. Lucia
If you’re coming to St. Lucia on vacation and want to stay in a hotel close to the capital city, then there are some prominent hotels that you should consider. Here are the some of the best.
1. Sandals Regency La Toc
Whether you want a deep dive into the crystal blue waters of the swimming pool, to surf the net with free Wi-Fi or hit the gym to exercise, the Sandals Regency La Toc has it all. This hotel has established itself as one of the best luxury Hotels in Castries, St. Lucia with its plethora of services and professionalism.
Sandals Regency La Toc provides its guests with exceptional 5-star accommodation. There is also an in-house pub with superb entertainment after a long day of discovering St. Lucia.
The rooms at Sandals Regency La Toc, are breathtaking. They come with a mini bar, a private bathroom, and a refrigerator to ensure that you are as comfortable as it gets.
2. St James’s Club Morgan Bay Resort – All Inclusive
St James’s Club Morgan Bay Resort has everything you need for great luxury and comfort. From an all-inclusive meal plan, valet parking and a kids club, there is nothing you would ask for that cannot be found here. The hotel offers 4-star accommodation and has managed to attract lots of tourists who come to enjoy the many exciting services and luxuries provided here.
The St. James Club Morgan Bay is perhaps the best family-friendly hotels in the Capital of St. Lucia. There are a beauty salon, an on-site nightclub and a large pool for kids. Whether you are a large or small family, you will find rooms with beautiful designs and services tailored to cater for your specific family.
3. Rendezvous Resort
Rendezvous Resort does nothing less than treat you to a memorable stay. Boredom is unheard of at this resort. Not with the outdoor tennis court and swimming pool. If you want to chat with friends and family or browse the internet, there is unlimited Wi-Fi access for that.
Alternatively, you can take part in the myriad of outdoor activities. These include snorkeling, windsurfing, and scuba diving. There is also a wellness center, Spa which is located in the hotel’s Water Garden. The hotel staff is available anytime to provide services and help you book tours or a ticket for any event in the Island.
The rooms at Rendezvous Resort are perfect for couples on a honeymoon or just looking to enjoy some romantic time together at a Hotel in Castries, St. Lucia.
4. Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort & Spa
The Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort offers unique accommodation in Castries. The hotel features a beauty parlor, an in-house nightclub, outdoor tennis courts and a swimming pool.
There are also a variety of luxury amenities at this hotel. If you would like to enjoy the sun during the day, there is an outdoor terrace that is perfect for ambient relaxation.
There are over 169 rooms with romantic atmospheres that make it perfect for couples. The rooms are highly luxurious and are guaranteed to provide maximum comfort and tranquility. Each of them has a private bathroom with a shower and bathrobes.
5. Villa Beach Cottages
This hotel offers 3-star accommodation together with a variety of other luxuries such as a private beach, an outdoor pool, and a free Wi-Fi. On top of these, you will also have access to a library, a sun deck and a pool for kids.
There are over 20 rooms with all the necessities to guarantee a comfortable and memorable stay. When you are not enjoying a beer or a delicious meal at the restaurant, you can lie on the terrace and let the pleasantly warm sun rays caress your skin.
Villa Beach Cottages is between the Sandals Halcyon and the St. James Club Morgan Bay Resort. But, it is still only a 10-minute drive from the George FL Charles Airport.
Things to do in Capital of St. Lucia
Visit Marigot Bay
If you’re coming off a cruise ship, or you’re not staying at an accommodation with a beachfront when you visit Castries, you may want visit one of the beaches nearby. There’s the Vigie Beach right next to the airport which extends the entire length of the runway and beyond. But, you may find the Vigie Beach unfavorable due to its location. If that’s the case, you only need to take a 15-minute ride south of Castries to Marigot Bay.
Marigo Bay has lots of coconut palm trees, a lovely small white sand beach, restaurants that serve tasty local eats and multiple cocktail bars in almost every location. Because of all the amenities in Marigot Bay, it is a favorite tourist hotspot in St. Lucia.
Enjoy a Helicopter Tour
Sometimes, touring the picturesque capital of St. Lucia on land is not enough. You can still experience a spellbinding view of the city and more of St. Lucia with a helicopter tour which departs from George F.L. Charles Airport. You will have the rare opportunity of seeing hidden coves and go as far as the Pitons in Soufriere to experience most of the west coast of St. Lucia.
Visit the Derek Walcott Square
Take a rare glimpse into the past by touring the famous Derek Walcott Square. The square, which got its name from one of St. Lucia’s Nobel Laureates – Derek Walcott, is surrounded by amazing colonial buildings, the historic cathedral, and the Castries Public Library.
If you feel the tropical sun is too harsh on your skin, you can take shelter at the 400-year-old monkey pod tree that sits on one side of the Square. It’s a picturesque place that photographers will love.
Experience St. Lucia’s Past at Morne Fortune
Morne Fortune is an old military fort that was built by the French in 1784 during the deadly war with the British.
In and around Morne Fortune also has a lot of old military relics that will allow you a glimpse into St. Lucia’s history. While you are there, you’ll get the most incredible view of the Capital of St. Lucia.
Go Bargain Hunting at the Shopping Centers in Castries
Get the opportunity to shop to your heart’s content at one of St. Lucia’s favorite shopping centers. Visit Pointe Seraphine and lose yourself in the plethora of shops with numerous exotic items therein. Point Seraphine is the most popular duty-free shopping plaza in the Capital of St. Lucia that both visitors and locals frequently visit.
Another famous duty-free shopping mall is the La Place Carenage. This mini-mall is in the heart of Castries right on the harbor. It has a wide range of shops where you will find a wide variety of souvenir and high-end products which makes it an excellent one-stop shopping center. About 40% of cruise visitors how tour St. Lucia pass through La Place Carenage. That’s because it also features a terminal that cruise passengers use to access the St. Lucia Capital.
The Castries Market was originally opened in 1894 and today it remains in the same location but with a number of updates over the years. The Castries Market is the largest open-air market in St. Lucia and therein you will find all the local St. Lucia spices, herbs, locally made products such as pepper sauce, fresh agricultural produce, and tropical fruits.
The Castries market also has a number of food stalls where you can eat and if you’re lucky enough, you will also get to see many of the local fishermen touting their catch of the day. The Castries market is open from Monday to Saturday and you will find vendors there from very early in the morning to very late into the night. A visit to the Castries market is one of the top things to do when you visit the Capital of St. Lucia and is bound to thrill your senses.
Your visit to St. Lucia will not be complete if you don’t experience the picturesque capital city of Castries. While there, you will enjoy a range of exciting activities, memorable shopping experience, and breathtaking scenery. Have you visited the Capital of St. Lucia? Tell us about your experience in the comments.
Damian is a co-founder, editor, and author at Islanderkeys. He is also a dedicated father and husband. Damian is an IT Manager / Web developer by profession, but he loves to Blog and share his knowledge about St. Lucia in travel forums.