Saint Lucia travel tips: natural springs, waterfall hikes and local food
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Home to towering waterfalls, natural sulphur springs and delicious local cuisine – plus thousands of species of botanical and medicinal plants – the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia is the perfect place to create exciting, relaxing and inspiring travel memories.
Whether you’re after a therapeutic wellness retreat, an immersive foodie adventure or an exciting and outdoorsy getaway, the botanical island paradise of Saint Lucia awaits.
From swimming in the mineral-rich seawater and hiking under waterfalls to learning about the island’s diverse botany and enjoying fresh, local cuisine, we’ve rounded up our top travel tips plus activities you won’t want to miss…
Learn about local cuisine
Fuel your workouts – while experiencing authentic, local cuisine – with a range of wellness-focused restaurants, dining experiences and cooking classes. Learn more about where your food is coming from with a visit to the farm-to-table I-TAL restaurant at The Body Holiday or the Helen’s Daughters Farmhers’ Market. If you’re a fan of chocolate, you’ll love the Bean to Bar Tour at Project Chocolat. Or, if you want a true immersion into the local cuisine, be sure to book in for a food tour, cooking class or rum tasting experience.
Soak in the Soufriere sulphur springs
Managed by not-for-profit organisation Soufriere Regional Development Foundation, the world-famous Sulphur Springs in Soufriere are mineral-rich geothermal mud pools, found alongside the the island’s only volcano – and the world’s only drive-in volcano!
Perfect for balneotherapy – the healing practice of bathing in therapeutic waters – a dip in the sulphur springs for three consecutive days can help to rid the body of blockages and negative energy. What’s more, the mud can help to detoxify the body while also helping to heal sunburns, eczema, joint pain and more.
Discover the island’s botany
With more than 1,300 species of wild flowering plants and 150 species of fern in less than 620 square kilometres, Saint Lucia is a botanical paradise. For hundreds of years, these plants for traditional medicine and wellbeing. Visitors can see locally prepared treatments used widely in hotel spas around the island.
Take a tour along the Botanical Trail to discover beautiful gardens and parks across Saint Lucia, where guides can show you some of the most important plants for natural health remedies and medicines – from immune-boosting lemongrass to stress-busting Santa Maria.
Sea swimming and thalassotherapy
Thalassotherapy is the therapeutic use of seawater, along with marine products such as seaweed, plankton, algae and mud. For centuries, people have taken to the sea to nurse all manner of ailments, from easing stress and improving circulation to relaxing muscle pain and soothing skin conditions.
With clean beaches, mineral-rich waters and a thriving sea moss industry, Saint Lucia offer an ideal spot to try out this therapy for yourself. What’s more, some resorts on Saint Lucia, such as The Body Holiday, offer specific thalassotherapy treatments to help you fully reap the benefits.
Explore the great outdoors
Discover the island’s lush rainforest on a 3.5-hour hike through the Edmund Forest Trail. Led by local guides from either Rainforest Adventure or St Lucia Birding and Wildlife Ambassadors, you’ll be treated to an abundance of flora and fauna as well as the cascading En Bas Saut waterfalls.
After a long hike, why not slow down and soak up your surroundings with a spot of forest bathing? Offered by a range of local hotels (including Rabot Hotel Chocolat), this mindful activity offers a sensory immersion into the island’s lush greenery and is designed to help you be more present and connect with nature.
Try a spot of bird watching
The mindful practice of bird watching has been proven to help you feel centred and calm. In fact, a recent study found seeing and hearing birds helped to improve participants’ mental wellbeing for up to eight hours. With myriad species of colourful birds wherever you look, Saint Lucia is a bird watching haven.
Head to the Millet Bird Sanctuary, or stay at the Fond Doux Eco Resort, Anse Chastanet or Jade Mountain, and see what you can spot!
See Saint Lucia’s spectacular waterfalls
The glorious sights and exhilarating sounds of waterfalls have been proven to increase mental clarity, create emotional stability and support physical and mental wellbeing.
A trip to Saint Lucia is not compete without booking a tour to discover the natural wonders, from the Diamond Waterfalls and Toraille Waterfalls to the Piton Falls and Superman Falls. Be sure to also visit the Latille Waterfalls and Gardens for a peaceful escape complete with crystal clear waters and perfectly tended gardens.
Plan your trip to Saint Lucia
The island is home to a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, from luxury resorts to self-catering rentals. Plus, daily flights are available with British Airways.
If you’re looking for a true wellness immersion, be sure to check out TheLifeCo St. Lucia: opening soon, this healing sanctuary is designed to reset your health, renew your spirit, and elevate your life, complete with physician-supervised therapies and diagnostics, evidence-based detox and nutrition programs, and holistic mind-body healing.
