Castries, St. Lucia - Cruise Port
St. Lucia is a Caribbean island famous for its volcanic scenery, lush mountains, and beautiful beaches. But on this visit, Mother Nature had other plans! Despite the challenges, we discovered some great tips and hidden gems that may help you on your next trip.
Updates:
St. Lucia is an island nation in the Eastern Caribbean, Lesser Antilles, located about 640 miles north of Venezuela. The island is known for its rugged terrain, winding roads, and breathtaking Pitons peaks. You can explore by car, tour bus, or boat, with popular spots including Sulfur Springs, Sugar Beach, and scenic hiking trails. If you prefer a more relaxed day, Castries, the capital city, offers a charming experience with historic sites and a stunning cathedral.
Arriving at the Cruise Port
Cruise ships dock at one of two piers in Castries:
Pointe Seraphine (north side of the harbor)
La Place Carenage (south side, directly in town)
While these piers are close across the water, walking from Pointe Seraphine into town requires a long detour.
We arrived at Pointe Seraphine, expecting light rain—but instead got a torrential downpour and strong winds! It was so intense that no one wanted to leave the ship at first.
Taking the Ferry to Downtown Castries
Instead of walking, we took the local ferry to La Place Carenage, which departs just outside the Pointe Seraphine terminal. The ride is 10-15 minutes and offers great views of the harbor.
Upon arrival, we found La Place Carenage, a two-story enclosed shopping mall with:
Clean bathrooms on both floors
A filtered water refill station
Unique swipe phones (we still don’t know how they work!)
Shops selling local items like passion fruit pepper sauce, banana ketchup, coconut bowls, and Rastafarian pens.
However, the rain picked up again, forcing everyone to huddle near the exits.
Once the rain let up, we explored Pointe Seraphine, which features duty-free shopping, restaurants, ATMs, tour offices, and taxis. Car rentals are also available, which we always appreciate. The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (ECD), but U.S. dollars, Euros, British Pounds, and credit cards are widely accepted.
Taxi fares here are NOT regulated, meaning prices vary. We recommend pre-booking a tour or taxi to avoid haggling. Alternatively, St. Lucia has its own rideshare apps: Allez and Paycab.
A Last-Minute Plan: The Pink Plantation House
Since exploring on foot wasn’t an option, my wife suggested we check out a hillside restaurant called The Pink Plantation House, known for great food and scenic views. This meant hiring a taxi on the spot—against our usual pre-booking advice!
Negotiating a Taxi Fare
We dealt with a middleman (dispatcher), who called a driver for us. The original deal was $15 per person each way (about 40 ECD or 30 USD round trip), with pickup arranged later. However, when we arrived, the driver suddenly claimed the fare was $40 one way!
🚨 Tips: Not a bad idea to record your initial taxi fare agreements as backup!
Dining at The Pink Plantation House
Despite the rough start, the restaurant was fantastic!
Highlights included:
A charming atmosphere with stunning views of the port
Beautiful artwork throughout
Attentive and friendly staff
Delicious Caribbean cuisine
The owner even stopped by to check on us—customer service is clearly a priority here!
Returning to Port with a New Driver
For the return trip, we lucked out with Adrianne, a taxi driver who doubled as a friendly tour guide. He made a few fun, pressure-free stops along the way, making the ride back much more enjoyable! We asked to be dropped off at Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and spent some time there.
Final Thoughts
Despite the weather setbacks, we still had an eventful and memorable visit to St. Lucia. The Pink Plantation House and our ferry ride to town were definite highlights. If you’re planning a visit, be ready for unpredictable weather, negotiate taxi fares in advance, and stay open to last-minute changes!