[sarcofago]

Hi guys,

I'm heading to St Lucia next month on a business trip, but I will have a lot of free time. Anyone been? Any tips for sightseeing or gaming?

Thanks.

[Guitarhappy420]

If you go to Vieux Fort in the southern part you can walk up the hill where the old fort is and see the Atlantic Ocean meet the Caribbean. I don't know if the Il Pirata restaurant and guesthouse are still there, I heard they were to build an international hotel, otherwise I recommend it. DO NOT eat the fresh caught sea food or bathe in or near the river after it rains.

In Castries, if you're taking too much afternoon sun, go into the little Catholic church to cool down and collect your thoughts. It's a charming little church where the paintings of Jesus and the apostles are all Black. You can also go to the farmer's market and the little eateries around there where local people go.

I also recommend the jump up at Gros Islet on Friday night. The people are friendly and St Lucian girls are attractive and amenable.

I do not recommend drinking the water in St Lucia, except at a resort, or even eating salad/fruit washed in it. I highly recommend that you bring filter straws or something like a Katahdin filter and drink bottled water only. If you find bottled water from Dominica, I barely remember it's called Glacier brand or something like that, Dominica water is excellent.

I used to love St Lucia, it's been a few years, but I always had a great time there. It's safe generally, there's a few dodgey areas, the people are helpful and friendly mostly. Be careful of course but no need to fear. You might find a taxi driver with a regular route who will take you to the far places and bring you back for the regular fare, and they might have a female "cousin" for you. It doesn't hurt to ask.

I prefer Castries to staying at the more rural areas. Again, you need to be careful with the water and fresh fish especially in summer and after it rains.

[sarcofago]

(04-18-2019 07:43 PM)Guitarhappy420 Wrote:  

DO NOT eat the fresh caught sea food or bathe in or near the river after it rains.

Again, you need to be careful with the water and fresh fish especially in summer and after it rains.

Thank you, Guitar. Could you explain WHY?

Where would you say is the best place to get an AirBnB? Rodney Bay at Castries? I wanna be as close as possible to the nightlife.

Last, what nationalities visit Santa Lucia, except Americans and British?

Thanks, man, really appreciate your help

[Guitarhappy420]

Water quality is poor in St Lucia, even in Castries, especially after the rain, and anything to do with a river. You don't want to get giardia or blastocystis. You'll shit your pants inside out and lose a lot of weight until you get the correct diagnosis and antibiotics.

I don't know about Air bnb. I stayed in small friendly West Indies style guest houses that non tourist W.I. businessmen might stay at. That's how you get the real W. I. experience, meet locals, and get the real local food. I also found if you meet the right women they're likely to take you home to stay with them or with their mom.

If you fly into Hewanorra International Airport it's a long expensive taxi ride north to Castries. Better to fly into Castries if that's where you want to end up.

A lot of Brits when I was spending time there (the drunk and disorderly kind), some obnoxious cruise ship Americans, the occasional Swede or Germans​ who kept to themselves, enjoying nature and shocking the locals by swimming topless.

If you want the real West Indies experience try Castries, even if it's a little gritty. If you want a tourist experience with international hotel food then it's any resort fitting your budget.