When To Go

If you’re after sunshine, then look no further than December, which offers the most manageable heats. July is the hottest month, and the main tourism season runs from December to May. Rainy season takes up the rest of the year, with hurricane’s striking from August to November.

Top 5 Places To Stay

• Almond Morgan Bay Beach Resort

  Set amid 10 hectares (25 acres) of colourful hillside gardens on the north coast, this casually elegant resort faces a small Caribbean beach. Air-conditioned guestrooms have patios or balconies where guests can enjoy great views.

• Coco Palm

  Located in the dining centre of Rodney Bay Village, this 83-room hotel is within walking-distance of 30 restaurants. Guests of the hotel can swim in a large freeform pool or enjoy water sports at the nearby beach.

• Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa

  This family-friendly, beachfront resort looks out on the southern-tip of St Lucia, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. Accented with bright colours, the rooms offer balconies or patios (with views), TVs, internet, ceiling fans, air conditioning and stall showers. There are also three swimming pools (one for adults) and a water park on site.

• Coco Kreole

  This intimate little hotel is located in Rodney Bay Village. A small pool is in the hotel grounds, as well as access to the facilities at the Coco Palm hotel, which partners Coco Kreole. Guestrooms include air conditioning plus ceiling fans, cordless phones, CD players, TV and Internet access.

• The BodyHoliday at LeSPORT

  Set between green hills and a 250m calm-water beach, this resort is restricted to adults only (and older children in summer). Less than half a mile from the northern tip of the island, guests can book spa treatments, water sports activities, fitness classes and eat in the East-West fusion restaurant. Rooms have furnished balconies, four-poster beds with double drapes, hummingbird prints and twin-sink marble vanities.

Top 5 Things To Do On Your Visit

• The Pitons

  These stunning volcanic twin peaks are St Lucia’s most outstanding attraction. They reach upwards of 2500ft and there are numerous mountain lookout points and hideaways to be found along the way, offering some of the best views you are likely to see.

• Hiking

  Due to its high rainfall from May to November, much of St Lucia is covered in greenery throughout the rest of the year. The mix of great Caribbean views, tropical forestry and mountainous terrain makes it a beautiful place to hike in.

• Sailing

  Its great location and numerous harbours mean that the island is popular with boating enthusiasts. St Vincent and the Grenadines are close by, while many beach resorts offer small boat and dinghy hire.

• Mountain Biking

  Much of the island is cycle-friendly, and one of the moist popular ways to see the mountains and forest is to hire and bike and set off on your own.

• Beaches

  St Lucia has a great variety of beaches, all differing in popularity. The idyllic golden sands to the north are unsurprisingly the most popular with tourists, but the west coast offers a quieter alternative. Volcanic beaches with blackened sand make up the south of the island, while the east coast is more remote.