Port of Castries, St Lucia
Hotels in Castries, St Lucia
Where to Stay close to the city, beach and port?
Stay for a few days on this Majestic Island
Several cruise liners dock at the port of Castries in St Lucia as part of their Caribbean vacation or as starting or end point of a cruise adventure.
At the ship terminal port, there’s a large shopping complex selling souvenirs, island-made handicrafts as well as duty free items. When it comes to accommodation there is a very good choice of hotels most of which are within 1-2 miles from the cruise passenger terminals.
Whether staying in St Lucia for one day, two days or even longer, there are plenty of things to do and see. This majestic island in the Caribbean has pristine beaches which are a great place to relax, top up your tan and have some fun. During the peak holiday season from mid December to late April, hotels, B&Bs and apartments are highly sought after so it’s advisable to book early to ensure your accommodation on this beautiful Caribbean island.
Hotels close to the Castries port cruise terminal have all the amenities and facilities you need for a relaxing stay. Delightfully furnished hotel rooms have air-conditioning, minibars, coffee makers, cable satellite TV as well as internet access. There are recreational facilities too like health spas, massage, health clubs, hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms.
Many cruise passengers choose to stay in one of the luxurious resorts north of Castries as well, close to Pigeon Island islet on the northern tip of Saint Lucia. Popular is accommodation in Gros Inlet and Cap Estate.
Bestsellers
Bayside Villa St. Lucia
★★★
Only 5 minutes away from the passenger port terminals and the city center. Splendid views of the bay.
Resort Rendezvous
★★★★
Located on Vigie Beach only 1 mile from George F. L. Charles International Airport, not far away from Castries.
The Landings St. Lucia - All Suites
★★★★★
Luxury 5 star resort situated in Gros Inlet, right on Pigeon Island Causeway Beach.
Castries St Lucia
Different Cruise Terminals
Vessels can dock at either Pointe Seraphine or La Place Carenage. Both terminals are located within walking distance of the downtown area and shopping. Not many cruiselines use Castries as a gateway to tropical Caribbean cruises. In the past a major company offering cruises from St Lucia was P&O Cruises. Popular are rountrip Caribbean with stops at various islands such as St Thomas US Virgin Islands, San Juan in Puerto Rico (check hotels), Philipsburg in St Maarten and Oranjestad Aruba.
Pointe Seraphine is about 1 mile from the city centre and the main drop off point for cruise passengers. There is a well maintained and modern shopping complex right next to the terminal with duty free shops and local crafts stores.
La Place Carenage is located right in downtown Castries and features an air conditioned three storey shopping mall, offering a mix of shopping, dining and entertainment. St Lucia is a stop on many Eastern Caribbean cruises departing from the Port of Miami and Port Everglades Ft Lauderdale.
A colorful, lively and energetic city
The island’s capital city, Castries, is colorful, lively and energetic. Check out the old style colonial buildings as an indication of the city’s past.
If you love shopping, why not visit Castries market which is only a few steps away from the cruise ship terminal? It offers a fantastic local shopping experience where farmers sell fresh produce and friendly locals sell handicrafts and souvenirs.
If you want to watch the world go by while sipping a refreshing coffee, cocktail or ice cool beer, Derek Walcott Square is the place to be. Named after one of St Lucia’s two Nobel Laureates, this iconic square provides plenty of shade from the hot sun.
After a day of sightseeing or chilling out on the beach there’s nothing better than returning to your comfortable accommodation.
Things to do
Not too far away from the cruise port, you will find Choc Beach, Reduit Beach, Sugar Beach and Rodney Bay.
Set some time to visit the wonderful botanical gardens, hidden waterfalls and the world’s only drive-in volcano, awesome!
How about heading for the St Lucia National rain forest where you can enjoy a walking tour or for something a little different, from the sky there’s the unique aerial tram or for the more energetic, a thrilling zip line tour.
If you’re up for it, how about a game of golf, horse riding, fishing or scuba diving in the warm Caribbean Sea?
The great thing about staying in hotels not far from the cruise port terminal is that you won’t have far to travel when getting back on board your ship. Many hotels also provide shuttle bus services to and from your chosen accommodation.
Some Cruise Facts
The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD). U.S. dollars and credit cards are widely accepted.
Language: English is the official language, but Creole Patois is widely spoken.
Nearest Airports: George F. L. Charles Airport (SLU) located near the capital city and the larger Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), located approx. 33 miles or 53 km from Castries.
Time Zone: Saint Lucia is in the Atlantic Time Zone (UTC/GMT – 4)