INTRODUCTION

St. Lucia in your pocket is aimed at visitors to our island, a number of whom have expressed a
need for an easy to handle, well organised tourist guide with information on hotels,
restaurants, shops, watersports and beaches. In all we offer you useful tips to make your
visit more enjoyable.
St. Lucia measures 27 miles by 14 miles and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands
in the Caribbean if not the world. This you will discover as you unwind along the west
coast into the quaint town of Soufiere, with its majestic Pitons, sulphur springs, mineral
baths, waterfalls and the famous dive site at Anse Chastanet.
If you are a lover of nature, then walk through the rain forest or a visit to Marigot Bay is highly
recommended.
Two centuries of bloddy wars between the French and the English have left the island rich in
it's history and culture. St. Lucia has been fought over 14 times between these two
colonial powers of the past. Take some time to learn Kweyol, the indigenous language.
Practice with the friendly staff at your hotel or with the vendors at the Castries Food and
Craft markets down town.
Whatever you do, don't leave without visiting Gros-Islet Friday Night Street Fair, take a boat to
Soufriere or a drive around the island; and if you've just come to relax, then there are
several palm fringed bays and white sandy beaches, some with a wide varitety of water
sports. Be assured that whatever you are in search of, you are bound to find in St. Lucia.

LET US BE YOUR GUIDE. ENJOY YOUR STAY!

NORTH AND CASTRIES

St. Lucia has often been described as an island of surprises and rightfully so, as there are
many delights for varying tastes as you journey around this picturesque 238 sq ml island
paradise. The north of the island has some of the finest hotels and restaurants one can
find. It is also where Cap Estate is situated. The area offers a nine hole golf circuit as
well as excellent facilities for badmington, tennis and squash. The nothern area also has
some superb beaches and many of the hotels provide equipment for water sports.
Rodney Bay is the yachtman's haven, offering modern boat facilities.

PIGEON ISLAND, drenched in historic significance is also to the north of St. Lucia. Originally
inhabitied by the Caribs then the Spanish, French and Dutch settlers, the Island was once
called Jambe Dubois. This 40 acre piece of land was joined to the mainland by a
man-made causeway in 1971.

The history of the island is relived at the interpretation centre there. The park is now becoming
renowned for hikes, picnics and weddings.

Still in the north the town of Gros-Islet can be found with its now world famous Friday night
street party. Dance, drink and eat in the streets with the lively sounds of Calypso and Reggae filling the air.

CASTRIES, is the capital of St. Lucia and a hub of business activity on the island. The city has
a thriving sea port with one of the deepest natural harbours in the region. Castries offers
modern shopping and business facilities. There is also duty free Pointe Seraphine with a
number of boutiques selling various item from clothes to perfumes, and a craft and
vendors market. The heart of Castries also offers a view of the aesthetic Roman Catholic
Cathedral and the Derek Walcott Square named after St. Lucian born 1992 Nobel Laureate
for literature, Derek Walcott.

A gradual climb just off Castries heading southwards will take you to MORNE FORTUNE. The
area has certain lookout points which offers a panoramic view of the city. Morne Fortune
has several historical sights including a number of army barracks built by the French in
the 17th century. (St. Lucia was fought for fourteen times by the British and the French).

EAST TO WEST

Heading south on the west coast one will find the romantic Marigot Bay, the pride and joy of
many yacht owners. You will also be engulfed by the many banana plantations in the Cul
De Sac and Roseau Valleys.

The finishing villages of ANSE LA RAYE and CANARIES provide a more laid-back glimpse of St.
Lucia. These villages have maintained their French and British architecture and a drive
inward will reveal a couple of quaint waterfalls.

Heading south on the west coast the picturesque SOUFRIERE stands out, with its world famous
pitons, drive-in volcano, rainforests and waterfalls. Soufriere also has some fine
restaurants, hotels and inns, and a virtual 'must see' is the Morne Coubraril Estate.

Next stop CHOISEUL, primarily a farming community; this town has one of the most developed
craft markets on the island.

At the extreme south of the island is VIEUX FORT where Hewanorra airport is situated. Vieux
Fort is the surfers paradise as the Atlantic Ocean washes the shores of its beaches. The
town offers shopping, business and industrial sights. You may also be able ot sample
some fine St. Lucian cuisine there. Or maybe take a boat trip across to Maria Island just a
few miles off Vieux Fort. If you decided to head back up to Castries on the east coast, you
may want to explore the fishing villages of MICOUD and DENERY.
These are rich in cultural heritage like most of the island.

VIEUX FORT - NATURE SOUTH

The town of Vieux Fort on the south-eastern plain of St. Lucia offers unique and unspoilt natural
cultural attractions to the visitor. This fusion of nature and culture provides ample space
and a serene and tranquil atmosphere described by many as Nature South - the perfect
hideaway from the hustle and bustle character of tourism activity elsewhere on the Island.

The eastern coast of the town is fringed by miles and miles of the white sand of Anse de
Sables and other beaches ideal for swimming, quiet relaxation, picnics, nature walks,
tours, windsurfing, snorkelling and even horseback riding (on inland trails), and the
popular beach-side restaurants, Chak Chak Borde La Mer, The Reef, Sandy Beach, Ocean
Hideaway and two small properties, Skyway Inn and Juliette's Hotel Lodge, just a few
yards off shore.

The Maria Islands Nature Centre operates a small natural history museum of the south-east
coast and conducts guided tours to the off-shore Maria Islands Nature Reserve where
special endemic species of reptiles, in particular Zando, and a diversity of local and
migratory bird species will heighten your appreciation of Nature South.

We highly recommend a drive to Moule-A-Chique peninsula for a breathtaking and panoramic
view of the town and its environs. Significant topological landmarks, e.g. the Pitons,
Morne Gimie and the island of St. Vincent seems to be just a stone's throw away. The
peninsula forms a dividing line to provide a sharp contrast between the Atlantic and
Caribbean waters.

VIEUX-FORT BECONS - COME SEE NATURE SOUTH FOR YOURSELF

KWEYOL - LEARN TO SPEAK PATOIS

Somewhere in your travels around St. Lucia - be it in the lively colourful markets, on the street,
or in the shops - you are bund to hear kweyol, the idigenous language of St. Lucia spoken
by the locals.

Kweyol is over 300 years old and is derived from a family of creole languages spoken in
countries such as Seychelles, Mauritius, Haiti, Dominica and Guadelope. Here in St.
Lucia this language co-exists with English.

Why not enrich your stay, have some fun and try and speak a little yourself? Here are a
number of common phrases with their kweyol translation and pronunciation to start you off.
practice with a St. Lucian and see how it works!

- I'm learning patois	Mwen Ka aponn Patwa
- How much is this	Konmen pu sa?
- Good afternoon	bon apwemidi
- I would like to buy this T-shirt	mwen vle schte shimiz sa la
- Where is the bank?	kote banc la?
- Thank you, have a good day	mesi, bonn jounen
- That's too exspensive	sa two sher
- What is this?	sa sa yea
- No thanks	non mesi
- I know a little patois	mwen konnet an ti miyet kweyol