While there is generally considered to be a season for traveling to St. Lucia and the Caribbean, the warm weather, majestic rainforests, and relaxing beaches give travelers reason enough to visit the island during any part of the year. Travelers should consider the benefits and disadvantages of visiting during each season before deciding when to go.
Many travelers will opt to visit St. Lucia during the busy high season in the Caribbean, being mid-December to mid-April. Research will allow you to make an informed decision on when to visit based on your own wishes.
The crowds in St. Lucia, as with all of the Caribbean islands, will be heaviest during the high season. Frigid weather and public holidays in Canada, Europe, and the northern parts of the United States will drive many vacationers to the tropical climates of the Caribbean. During this time, hotels, restaurants, and attractions will be heavily booked and more expensive than during the off season. Those wishing to make hotel reservations will need to do so several months in advance in order to ensure finding a place to stay. At restaurants, dinner reservations are essential during these busy winter months.
Despite the crowds and prices, the mid-December to mid-April season remains the most popular season to visit. Atlantic hurricane season ends in November and this ending coincides with the beginning of the high season. The island experiences the least amount of rainfall during this time and weather remains warm without being stifling. Restaurants, vendors, and recreation services will all be functioning at their maximum and hotels will generally use this season to schedule most of their events and attractions. Those looking to socialize during their visit will also find the nightlife to be lively and bustling.
The hurricane season, along with increased rain and temperatures, marks what is generally considered to be the off season in the Caribbean and St. Lucia. June through November are the wettest months and the temperature will tend to rise a few degrees making the heat more of an issue for vacationers. During this period, many restaurants will close for weeks at a time or shorten their dining hours. Hotels, meanwhile, will use these slower months for needed renovation or construction. If you are considering traveling to St. Lucia during this period, place calls to hotels and recreation services to check availability and the status of any renovation at the hotel. If heavy construction is taking place, noise and debris may mar your stay.
The off season, however, remains a compelling period to visit St. Lucia for those looking to avoid higher prices and crowded beaches. Prices on airline tickets and hotels will drop as much as 50 percent after mid-April and will remain low for the summer and hurricane season. Rainfall, although heightened, generally comes in the form of short showers, and those who stay close to water or air conditioning should not have trouble braving the temperature increase. Hurricane activity can be sporadic, but it is best to keep an eye on weather systems in the Atlantic to monitor any developing storms before or during your stay.
Most Caribbean islands have their share of festivals and seasonal events, and St. Lucia is no different. Consider the events that take place during various times of the year to assist you in making a decision on a time to visit. Many of the most popular of the events and festivals are held during the slow season. The St. Lucia Jazz Festival, held in early to mid-May, has attracted jazz legends from across the world and has gained a reputation as a leading music festival in the Caribbean since it's establishment in 1992. On the third Monday and Tuesday of every July, St. Lucians hold their Carnival. Weeks of preparation, parties, and concerts lead up to a costume parade through the streets of Castries. Prizes are awarded to the top band and to a calypso king and queen. October marks Creole Heritage Month and villages host activities, demonstrations, and food fairs to celebrate the heavy Creole influence on the culture of St. Lucia.
During high season there is the annual Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, the world's largest yacht race that crosses an ocean. Boats leave the Canary Islands in November and arrive in Rodney Bay in early December. As with many events in St. Lucia, this period is accompanied by festivities. In March, the St. Lucia National Trust sponsors adult comedy shows for their annual Festival of Comedy.
Traveling to St. Lucia can be pleasant regardless of what time of the year you plan to visit. Having a knowledge of festivals, events, weather, and crowds can you help you to decide when is best for you to plan your vacation.
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