Home to the breathtaking Piton mountains, St Lucia is a first-class destination in the Caribbean. Whether you would like to live in one of the island’s vibrant cities or enjoy a luxury Caribbean island getaway, St Lucia has it all. This guide breaks down the best cities in St Lucia to stay on vacation or to live as a foreigner.
Seven Best Places to Stay in St Lucia
When considering where to stay in St Lucia, you’ll cross a variety of St Lucia towns and villages for travelers, each with unique charm and attractions. Some of the top small and major cities in St Lucia to stay include:
1. Castries
As the country’s capital city and port for cruise ships, Castries receives significant tourists and has the most options for car rentals, currency exchanges, and other things you may need on a St Lucia vacation.
Whether you’re looking for a vibrant street party, local cuisine, or classic souvenirs, Castries is a bustling hub that offers some of the best things to do in St Lucia.
2. Soufriere
Known for its historical significance and tranquility, Soufriere is nestled between the majestic Gros Piton and Petit Piton that form the UNESCO-protected Pitons Management Area, offering some of the country’s most breathtaking views. The center of the town features historical buildings, including the majestic Soufriere church. It’s the ideal location for day trips to beaches like Anse Chastanet Beach and nature trails like Tet Paul Nature Trail.
3. Rodney Bay
Located on the island’s northwest coast, Rodney Bay is the best area to stay in St Lucia for luxury hotel and country club lovers seeking optimal choices for accommodation and bars like the Irie Bar. Some of the islands best all-inclusive resorts are located in Rodney Bay towns like Gros Islet. Besides visitors, many retire in St Lucia choose Rodney to establish their retirement home.
4. Marigot Bay
Tucked away on the west coast of Saint Lucia, the town is renowned for its picturesque hillside and harbor views. Offering peaceful and luxurious retreats by some of the country’s best hiking trails, Marigot Bay provides an ideal blend of tranquility and adventure.
The bay features some of St Lucia’s most luxurious resorts, with private infinity pools and exclusive wellness centers.
5. Cap Estate
Cap Estate is one of the most popular destinations in the north of St Lucia. The Smugglers Cove Resort and Sandals Golf and Country Club are just a few of the highlights of Cap Estate, and the Pigeon Island National Landmark is just a few minutes drive from the town.
6. Vieux Fort
Vieux Fort is one of St Lucia’s largest towns and bustling hubs. The town features Anse Des Sables Beach, one of the most stunning beaches on the island. Hewanorra International Airport is nearby, facilitating speedy transfers to local all-inclusive resorts and hotels.
7. Micoud
Micoud is a rural town on the eastern coast of St Lucia. The town presents a more local vibe, with its economy primarily supported by farming and fishing. Nevertheless, its restaurants, like Ti Kwizin, offer some of the island’s best local food, and the remote location makes it one of the best places to stay in St Lucia for couples seeking a romantic getaway outside more popular tourist areas.
Four Best Cites in St Lucia to Live
1. Castries
The beautiful capital city of St Lucia – Castries – is a bustling economic hub. Home to the island’s main port, it also hosts many foreign and local businesses. In Castries, you will find plenty of St Lucia banks, shops, and services. Tapion Hospital and Victoria Hospital, two of St Lucia’s major hospitals, are located in Castries, which is very convenient for those seeking easy access to quality St Lucia health services.
The Castries Central Market is a great place for shoppers looking to buy various fresh products. If you prefer eating out, Castries has many restaurants serving exquisite cuisines from all over the world as well as local food.
Some of the island’s best beaches and luxury hotels are located near Castries if you want to relax.
2. Rodney Bay
Rodney Bay Village on the island’s north side is the second-largest city in St Lucia. It is a well-known activity hub as the Rodney Bay Marina is one of the best in the Caribbean. The buzzing marina has many shops, coffees, restaurants with cuisine from all over the world, bars, and nightclubs offering quality entertainment.
In Rodney Bay, you will find all the services you need to live a stress-free life – banks, supermarkets, spas, customs, and immigration offices. There are also two primary shopping malls – Baywalk Shopping Mall and JQ Rodney Bay Shopping Mall. Several real estate projects that qualify for St Lucia citizenship by real estate investment have been approved in the bay.
If you love to sail or own a yacht, the Rodney Bay Marina can host up to 120 yachts as well as smaller boats. Swimming in the marina is not recommended. However, snorkel spots and white sandy beaches like Reduit Beach are close to Gros Islet.
Discover the Top Reasons to Invest in St Lucia
3. Marigot Bay
Described by the famous American novelist James A. Michener as the ‘most beautiful bay of the Caribbean’, Marigot Bay is undoubtedly a treasure to behold. Strategically located 3.75 miles away from the capital city of Castries, Marigot Bay is surrounded by tropical hills and scenic views.
It is an ideal location to live in St Lucia for people seeking a relaxed pace of life close to nature and tropical flowers. In Marigot Bay, you can access some fantastic beaches and the best hotels in St Lucia, where you can snorkel and admire colorful coral reefs. Marigot Bay is also home to one of the largest mangrove ecosystems on the island, where you can go kayaking.
Marigot Village is located on a hilltop and provides breathtaking accommodations with a scenic view of the bay.
4. Soufriere
Soufriere is a village close to Saint Lucia’s southern tip, facing the Piton mountains and near tourist attractions like Vieux Fort. Because of its astonishing location, Soufriere is one of the most beautiful places to live in the Caribbean islands and an ideal area to invest in St Lucia. Relatively undeveloped compared to the north, Soufriere has a very laid-back and relaxed atmosphere.
It is a place to live for nature lovers, being surrounded by rainforests, waterfalls, and beautiful beaches like Sugar Beach. You will find plenty of hikes to do in Soufriere and close by, including the famous Gros Piton Nature Trail.
Located nearby are the hot springs of Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens and Mineral Baths, making it the perfect place for relaxation and body rejuvenation. Soufriere is one of St Lucia’s safest cities, and you can live in luxury villas facing the breathtaking Piton mountains and the Caribbean Sea.
St Lucia Real Estate in the Country's Best Cities
The St Lucia real estate market is very interesting and diverse. You can rent or buy authentic houses or luxury property in popular towns like Castries, Gros Islet, and Rodney Bay near the northern tip, or Dennery on the western coast of the island.
Various property types are available, including family homes, luxury villas, modern condos and apartments, charming bungalows, and historic colonial villas. Below is an estimation of St Lucia’s real estate prices.
Rent property in St Lucia: You can rent a one-bedroom apartment in Castries city center for $510 per month and a three-bedroom apartment for $890 per month. Outside the city center, prices are lower: rent a one-bedroom apartment for $340 and a three-bedroom apartment for $650.
Buy property in St Lucia: Starting from $200,000, you can buy a beautiful St Lucia home in a central area or by majestic landscapes like Morne Fortune. Modern condos and bungalows cost around $300,000, while beachfront villas in popular destinations like Anse Chastanet Beach or Pigeon Island Beach cost about $1 million. You can qualify for St Lucia citizenship by investment through purchasing real estate.
Take a look at our St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Ultimate Guide
About St Lucia
St Lucia covers an area of 616 kilometers and is recognized for its scenic landscapes. Most of the country’s population live in the northwest part of the island in cities like Castries and Rodney Bay. The southern part remains relatively underdeveloped. Cities like Soufriere and Vieux Fort allow nature enthusiasts to live in quiet places and budget travelers to find more affordable accommodation.
Nature lovers will enjoy the white gorgeous beaches, pristine waters, refreshing waterfalls, and lush rainforests in the south. At the same time, those favoring city life in the north will find plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and cultural events to attend – such as the St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, or the La Margeurite Flower Festival.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Cities in St Lucia to Stay or Live
What are the best places for living in St Lucia?
Some of the best cities to live in St Lucia are Castries, Gros Islet, Rodney Bay, and Soufriere.
What are the safest cities in St Lucia?
Saint Lucia is a politically stable and safe country. Most of cities in St Lucia offer safety and security. Some of the island’s safest cities include Soufriere on the western coast, Rodney Bay, Cap Estate, and Gros Islet, close to the northern tip, and Vieux Fort on the southern tip by Sandy Beach and Hewanorra International Airport.
Where to avoid in St Lucia?
While Saint Lucia is generally safe, visitors should exercise caution, particularly at night, by avoiding isolated areas and unfamiliar neighborhoods outside tourist zones in cities like Castries.
Which coast of St Lucia is best?
The west coast of Saint Lucia is famous for scenic views of the Piton mountains among lush rainforests and historical attractions like Soufriere village and Fort Charlotte. In contrast, the east coast of the island provides a rugged coastline with less development and better conditions for water sports like kitesurfing due to the Atlantic winds. Which coast is best depends on how much you value the features of each coast.
What is the most beautiful part of St Lucia?
Marigot Bay is often labled the most beautiful part of St Lucia due to its peaceful and unique ambiance and awe-inspiring landscape.
What are the most historic cities in Saint Lucia?
St Lucia’s most historic cities in Soufriere and Castries. Soufriere, in particular, is of great historical significance as one of the country’s oldest cities and the location of conflicts that shaped its development, including battles between the French and the British for control of the island during the colonial era.
Where do most people live in St Lucia?
St Lucia’s population is distributed between urban and rural towns. Most locals and foreigners who immigrate to St Lucia live in Castries, the capital city.
Where should I live in St Lucia?
The best place to live in St Lucia depends on personal preferences and lifestyle choices. If you prefer quiet places with lots of nature, sulphur springs, and secluded beaches, the best cities in St Lucia are Soufriere and Marigot Bay. Alternatively, head to Castries and Rodney Bay on the north side if you seek more lively places in Saint Lucia with access to a central market and activities for a Friday night.
