Tourism is vital to Saint Lucia's economy Its economic importance is expected to continue to increase as the market for bananas becomes more competitive Tourism tends to be more substantial during the dry season January to April Saint Lucia tends to be popular due to its tropical weather and scenery and its numerous beaches and resorts
Other tourist attractions include a drive-in volcano, Sulphur Springs at Soufrière, the Botanical Gardens, the Majestic twin Peaks "The Pitons", A world heritage site, the rain forests, and Pigeon Island National Park, which is home to Fort Rodney, an old British military base
Saint Lucia's first known inhabitants were Arawaks, believed to have come from northern South America around 200-400 CE Numerous archaeological sites on the island have produced specimens of the Arawak's' well-developed pottery Caribs gradually replaced Arawak's during the period from 800 to 1000 CE
Europeans first landed on the island in either 1492 or 1502 during Spain's early exploration of the Caribbean The British failed in their first attempts at colonization in the early 17th century The island was first settled by the French, who signed a treaty with the local Caribs in 1660 Like the British and Dutch, the French began to develop the island for the cultivation of sugar cane on extensive plantations
Caribbean conditions were hard, and many slaves died before they lived long enough to have children The French and later British continued to import slaves until the latter nation abolished the trade, and then the legal institution By that time, people of ethnic African descent greatly outnumbered those of ethnic European background
Thereafter Saint Lucia was much contested by the two European powers until the British secured it in 1814 It was part of the British Windward Islands colony It joined the West Indies Federation 1958–62 when the colony was dissolved In 1967, Saint Lucia became one of the six members of the West Indies Associated States, with internal self-government In 1979 it gained full independence
Tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August; Experiences hurricanes
Volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys
Natural hazards: volcanic activity
Highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m
Virtually all residents will be able to converse with travellers in English
Castries market is a good place to buy gifts as is the JQ Shopping Mall in Rodney Bay There is also La Place Carenage, a duty free and gift and souvenir outlet located in the main harbour of Castries There you will find fine jewellry arts and crafts, ideal for gifts
Supermarkets have quite good prices on rums produced or bottled on the island, eg, Elements 8, Admiral Rodney, and especially Chairman's Reserve
Visits by cruise ships over the years have generated a duty free mall at dockside, Point Seraphine, Castries with jewelry, souvenirs, art, liquor/rums and other offerings typical for cruise shoppers
You may also find lower, "duty-Free" prices available across the island in strip malls and resortts You may need identification as a visitor to qualify for duty-free treatment
There are many dining options in St Kitts Some of the popular restaurants are:
You'll find lots of beach bars located in the Frigate Bay and South East Peninsula
St Lucia has fantastic Rum Punch It's hard to go wrong Highly recommended:
Most bars will have both, even at the smaller resorts
In addition to rums, Piton Lager beer is brewed and bottled on the island and is quite good although it has a slightly higher alcohol content than most American beers It's usually offered in eight ounce bottles, often for $1 US
Also seen in coolers: Heineken, Champagne, Wine, Water, Coke usually $1 US
St Lucia is home to a huge number of resort hotels as well as small boutique hotels and self-catering villas, condos, and vacation apartments
