Would it surprise you to learn that more than 28 million travelers visit the Caribbean region every year? It is unfortunate, though, that so many think of it under the umbrella heading of “Caribbean region,” because each of the islands and nations found there is utterly unique and well worth a visit. The region encounters some of the finest weather imaginable, and even during traditional hurricane season (autumn months), some islands are far less likely to have trouble than others. That makes it a year-round spot for those interested in good weather, food, and fascinating culture. With luxury rentals and family-friendly destinations on every island, it is a must for travel planning.
If you are considering a Caribbean holiday and want to visit an island that many consider ideal or perfect, St. Lucia should be on your list. Why? According to travel experts at The Telegraph, it ranks as essential for 15 reasons. They include:
- Its show-stopping views, including the Pitons
- The option to stay directly on the glorious sands of Sugar Beach
- All the other beaches, particularly those of the western coastal area
- The sea life in the pristine waters around the island
- The option to also climb mountains (The Pitons) during a visit
- The option to visit and zipline through an actual rainforest
- The many unique bicycle paths
- The surprising chocolate culture that prevails
- The fascinating history to discover
- The welcoming nature of the people who live on the island
- The amazing weather
- The world’s only drive-in volcano is found here
They also note that you can find ways to stay out late due to the weekly Friday night street party at Gros Islet with its fish and chicken fries and its amazing music. However, there is also an enormous number of carnivals that can keep visitors out and about to all hours and throughout the year.
The Many Carnivals of St. Lucia
Many people would say that a summer visit to St. Lucia is the best way to enjoy the carnivals, but there are many events happening from spring through fall. Just consider the most recent list of events for 2020:
- Saint Lucia Jazz Festival – 7-10 May 2020 – For the first time ever the festival takes place at the Pigeon Island National Landmark and other venues in the Castries area. During the day are many concerts, street parties, and art shows and evenings are all about dining and socializing
- Saint Lucia Carnival takes place in June/July and will include daily competitions and events, lots of street parties and celebrations, but always concludes with Street Parade on 20-21 July 2020 – Considered the culmination of the event it is a two-day street parade with bands, live music, amazing costumes, dancing and more.
- Saint Lucia Roots & Soul Festival – 21-23 August 2020 – This will be the fourth annual celebration of the event and it will include spoken word events along with all kinds of musical performances. There are events at the Pigeon Island National Landmark as well as other sites, and headline acts from the past have included UB40, Mya, and more. Each year sees double the number of attendees, so those eager to go will need to book accommodations ahead of time.
- Saint Lucia Food & Rum Festival – 18-20 September 2020 – As the name implies, this is a gastronomic celebration of the island. Running for several days and nights it never fails to “attract the best chefs, wine connoisseurs, rum fanatics and food critics from the Caribbean and internationally. Inspired in part by the outstanding achievements of Chefs Nina Compton, Shorne Benjamin, and Doran Payne, this unique event promotes Saint Lucian and other Caribbean rums, restaurants, chefs, and regionally manufactured food and drink products to a regional and international audience,” according to one source. It features cooking demonstrations, rum and wine tastings, dinners of many kinds, and more.
- Saint Lucia Creole Heritage Month takes place in October and began almost 40 years ago. It celebrates the Creole language and culture and there are four communities chosen every year to “organize a variety of events including art exhibitions, musical concerts, beauty pageants, cultural performances, food demonstrations and other forms of Creole cultural expression. These events are a warm-up for the main festivities on Jounen Kwéyòl which translated in English means Creole Day,” as one source explains. There is a huge array of events every year, but there will always be:
– The Arts and Heritage Festival 16-18 October 2020
– Jounen Kweyole (Creole Day) on 25 October 2020
Clearly, there are many ways to visit the island and celebrate its fascinating culture. The key is to recognize that each of these special events is becoming more and more popular and famous with travelers as well as locals. That means that it is best to book accommodation well in advance.
Luxury Villas Enhance a St. Lucia Visit
One way to ensure your visit to St. Lucia during any of the festivals is as enjoyable as possible is to consider your option for luxury villas on St Lucia. They can enable you to remain outside of the more crowded areas and yet still easily head into the top locations for events, whether it is Castries or the Rodney Bay areas where so many events are held or the quieter parts of the island, everything is within easy reach.
There are condominium-style properties as well as classic villas and they can offer luxuriously private retreats when you are done with a day or night of celebrating at any of the St. Lucia festivals and events. Even visiting when there are no special celebrations or carnivals will be a delight as St. Lucia is very proud of its unique history and heritage. Take the time to choose a season to visit and just know that there are dozens of reasons experts recommend this charming island. Whether you are interested in music, food, beaches, or just relaxing and recharging in world-class luxury villas, St. Lucia is likely to become a new favorite.