St Lucia and Barbados

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Table of Contents

  • 36 days
  • 2025 Winter

These were two of the last places in the Caribbean I wanted to visit and they’re fairly close together, so we combined them. This trip was less about checking off sightseeing boxes and more about escaping winter and spending time outdoors.

We did visit three different gardens during the trip and did a little snorkeling from the beach. Otherwise we just enjoyed being outdoors to lounge or walk. St Lucia was beautiful and Barbados exceeded my expectations. I was expecting expensive and exclusive but we found plenty that was just relaxing and fun. I can see going back to Barbados.

Food & Beverage $35 per day*

Average per person per day. Breakfast was included at our first location. Otherwise we bought baked goods from bakeries or supermarkets.

Lodging $98-270 per night*

Average per night. Gros Islet was the priciest; Soufrière was the least expensive.

Transportation $674 per person*

Transportation includes our flight between the islands, rental car for a week on Barbados, taxis and tips.

Entertainment $52 per person*

We went to three different gardens and rented sun loungers for a day at the beach.

* Costs in US dollars at time of trip

Days 1-8: Gros Islet, St Lucia

The Plan: Gros Islet sounds like a more resort-like part of the island. It might not have good snorkeling from the beach so we may do any day trips from there. It sounds like there may be some hiking we can do inland, though we’ll have to see what we can manage without a car. 

The Reality: We didn’t see much hiking nearby so we amused ourselves lounging by the water. St Lucia is small but it takes a long time to get anywhere on the mountain roads. 

Activities

  • Pool time
  • Beach time
  • Maybe a day trip or two

Days 9-15: Soufrière, St Lucia

The Plan: Soufrière sounds like it might be a sleepy, relaxed kind of place. Which is fine with us. We’d like to get over to nearby Anse Chastanet beach to snorkel. It also sounds like roads on St Lucia are rough so if there are day trips at the south end of the island we may do them from here. 

The Reality: Soufrière is a sleepy kind of place. I was ill most of the time we were here, so we didn’t end up doing much. We did walk to Diamond Falls. It’s too bad we missed Anse Chastanet and the Tet Paul nature hike. We might have to come back! 

Activities

  • Beach time
  • Snorkeling from the beach
  • Maybe a day trip or two

Days 16-25: St Lawrence Gap, Barbados

The Plan: Supposedly you can snorkel from the beach here, so we’ll probably do that. It also sounds like the liveliest part of the island. We’ll rent a car for a few days to get us to our next destination and get us to some of the places that are harder to reach by bus, like the east coast of the island and maybe some interior spots with interesting walking or hiking. 

The Reality: We enjoyed lounging by the pool and jumping in the water so much we didn’t leave the area, deferring our sight-seeing until we left for Holetown. The beach didn’t look that promising for snorkeling. 

Activities

  • Pool time
  • Beach time
  • Snorkeling from the beach
  • Rent a car for a few days and sightsee

Days 26-36: Holetown, Barbados

The Plan: Holetown sounds like another area with good beach snorkeling and quieter so we’d like to check this area out too. It’s hard to know which beach vibe will appeal until you get there. 

The Reality: We REALLY  liked Holetown. The neighborhood was quiet, it was easy to walk near the water for exercise and to dinner and the supermarket. There wasn’t a lot to see snorkeling but it was easy to get in the water. 

Activities

  • Beach time
  • Snorkeling from the beach
  • Rent a car for a few days and sightsee

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