Home to the breathtaking Piton mountains, St Lucia is a first-class destination in the Caribbean. Whether you would like to reside in one of the most animated cities on the island or enjoy a peaceful and relaxed village by the rainforest, St Lucia has it all. This article introduces you to what living in St Lucia is like, with detailed insights into some of the best cities to live in St Lucia.
About St Lucia
St Lucia is a beautiful Caribbean island with 180,000 inhabitants, according to the World Bank, covering an area of 616 kilometers. Internationally recognized for its scenic landscapes and excellent quality of life, St Lucia has seen an increase in expat families and high net-worth foreigners relocating to the island. With the main language being English and the international airport of Hewanorra International Airport connecting St Lucia to the US, Europe, and Canada, St Lucia is a convenient place to live.
Most of St Lucia’s population lives in the northwest part of the island, while the southern part remains relatively underdeveloped. This setting allows nature enthusiasts to live in quiet places with gorgeous beaches, such as Soufriere and Gros Islet, while those seeking more lively places will find plenty to do in Castries and Rodney Bay.
Nature lovers will enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches, pristine waters, refreshing waterfalls, and lush rainforests. At the same time, those favoring city life will find plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and cultural events to attend – such as the St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, or the La Margeurite Flower Festival.
Living in St Lucia: Best Cities List
Live in Castries
The beautiful capital city of St Lucia – Castries – is a bustling political and economic hub. Home to the island’s main port, it also hosts many foreign and local businesses. In Castries, you will find plenty of St Lucia banks, shops, and services. Tapion Hospital and Victoria Hospital, two of St Lucia’s major hospitals, are located in Castries, which is very convenient for those seeking easy access to quality health services.
The Castries Central Market is a great place for shoppers looking to buy various fresh products. If you prefer eating out, Castries has many restaurants serving exquisite cuisines from all over the world as well as local food.
Some of the island’s best beaches and luxury hotels are located near Castries if you want to relax.
Live in Rodney Bay
Rodney Bay Village on the island’s north side is the second-largest city of St Lucia. It is a well-known activity hub as its marina is one of the best in the Caribbean. The buzzing marina has many shops, coffees, restaurants with cuisine from all over the world, bars, and nightclubs offering quality entertainment.
In Rodney Bay, you will find all the services you need to live a stress-free life – banks, supermarkets, spas, customs, and immigration offices. There are also two primary shopping malls – Baywalk Shopping Mall and JQ Rodney Bay Shopping Mall.
If you love to sail or own a yacht, the Rodney Bay Marina can host up to 120 yachts as well as smaller boats. Swimming in the marina is not recommended. However, snorkel spots and white sandy beaches like Reduit Beach are close to Gros Islet.
Live in Marigot Bay
Described by the famous American novelist James A. Michener as the ‘most beautiful bay of the Caribbean’, Marigot Bay is undoubtedly a treasure to behold. Strategically located 3.75 miles away from the capital city of Castries, Marigot Bay is surrounded by tropical hills and scenic views.
It is a place to live for people seeking a relaxed pace of life close to nature and tropical flowers. In Marigot Bay, you can access some fantastic beaches and the best hotels in St Lucia, where you can snorkel and admire colorful coral reefs. Marigot Bay is also home to one of the largest mangrove ecosystems on the island, where you can go kayaking.
Marigot Village is located on a hilltop and provides breathtaking accommodations with a scenic view of the bay.
Live in Soufriere
Soufriere is a village close to Saint Lucia’s southern tip, facing the Piton mountains and near tourist attractions like Vieux Fort. Because of its astonishing location, Soufriere is one of the most beautiful places to live in the Caribbean islands. Relatively undeveloped compared to the north, Soufriere has a very laid-back and relaxed atmosphere.
It is a place to live for nature lovers as it is surrounded by rainforests, waterfalls, and beautiful beaches like Sugar Beach. You will find plenty of hikes to do in Soufriere.
Located nearby are the hot springs of Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens and Mineral Baths, making it the perfect place for relaxation and body rejuvenation. In Soufriere, you can live in luxury villas facing the breathtaking Piton mountains and Caribbean Sea.
Find the top reasons and Best Cities to Invest in St Lucia
Best Places to Stay in Saint Lucia
When considering where to stay in St Lucia, you’ll cross a variety of St Lucia towns and villages for travelers, each with unique charm and attractions. Some of the top small and major cities in St Lucia to stay include:
Castries: As the country’s capital city and port for cruise ships, whether you’re looking for a vibrant street party, local cuisine and rum punch, or classic souvenirs, Castries is a bustling hub that offers some of the best things to do in St Lucia.
Soufriere: Known for its historical significance and tranquility, Soufriere is nestled between the majestic Gros Piton and Petit Piton, offering some of the country’s most breathtaking views.
Rodney Bay: Located on the island’s northwest coast, Rodney Bay is the best area to stay in St Lucia for luxury hotel and country club lovers seeking optimal choices for accommodation and bars like the Irie Bar.
Marigot Bay: Tucked away on the west coast of Saint Lucia, the town is renowned for its picturesque hillside and harbor views. Offering peaceful and luxurious retreats by some of the country’s best hiking trails, Marigot Bay provides an ideal blend of tranquility and adventure.
How to Live in St Lucia as a Foreigner
Several visa options are available to foreigners considering living in Saint Lucia permanently:
- Multiple Entry Visa: This visa allows foreigners to live up to a year in St Lucia. Expats seeking work in St Lucia will however have to apply for a work permit.
- Permanent residency: After five years of residency, you can apply for St Lucia permanent residency.
- Citizenship: After seven years of permanent residency, you can apply for St Lucia citizenship.
- Citizenship by investment: The St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program allows qualifying investors to get the St Lucia passport for a minimum investment of $240,000. Multiple routes of investment are available to foreigners.
Take a look at our St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Ultimate Guide
St Lucia Real Estate in the Country's Best Cities
The St Lucia real estate market is very interesting and diverse. You can rent or buy authentic houses or luxury property in popular towns like Castries, Gros Islet, and Rodney Bay near the northern tip, or Dennery on the western coast of the island.
Various property types are available, including family homes, luxury villas, modern condos and apartments, charming bungalows, and historic colonial villas. Below is an estimation of St Lucia’s real estate prices.
Rent property in St Lucia: You can rent a one-bedroom apartment in Castries city center for $510 per month and a three-bedroom apartment for $890 per month. Outside the city center, prices are lower: rent a one-bedroom apartment for $340 and a three-bedroom apartment for $650.
Buy property in St Lucia: Starting from $200,000, you can buy a beautiful St Lucia local home in a central area or facing unique features of the country like Morne Fortune. Modern condos and bungalows cost around $300,000, while beachfront villas in popular destinations like Anse Chastanet Beach or Pigeon Island Beach cost about $1 million.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Cities in St Lucia
What are the best places for living in St Lucia?
Some of the best cities to live in St Lucia are Castries, Gros Islet, Rodney Bay, and Soufriere.
As a foreigner can I buy St Lucia real estate?
As a foreigner, you can buy St Lucia property if you apply for an Alien Landholding Licence (ALHL). You can buy pre-approved property without an ALHL via the Citizenship by Investment Program and get St Lucia citizenship.
How can I live permanently in St Lucia?
In order to live permanently in St Lucia, you will need to apply for permanent residency if you’ve maintained legal residence for five years or St Lucia citizenship after having resided in St Lucia for seven years. You can also get St Lucia citizenship through the country’s citizenship program without fulfilling minimum residency requirements.
Where should I live in St Lucia?
The best place to live in St Lucia depends on personal preferences and lifestyle choices. If you prefer quiet places with lots of nature, sulphur springs, and secluded beaches, Saint Lucia’s best cities are Soufriere and Marigot Bay. Alternatively, head to Castries and Rodney Bay on the north side if you seek more lively places in Saint Lucia with access to a central market and activities for a Friday night.
What are the best beaches in St Lucia?
The best beaches in Saint Lucia depend on what you are looking for. The Jalousie Plantation beach has the best views of the Gros Piton and Petit Piton peaks, whereas the Grand Anse is the best place to spot turtles. On the north part of the island, you can find Cas en Bas beach, which has lots of social life, and Plantation Beach in Gros Islet, which is excellent for water sports like kitesurfing. La Toc Beach and Reduit Beach are great for families with kids.
What are the safest cities in St Lucia?
Saint Lucia is a politically stable and safe country, with most of its cities offering safety and security. Some of the island’s safest cities include Soufriere on the western coast, Rodney Bay, Cap Estate, and Gros Islet, close to the northern tip, and Vieux Fort on the southern tip by Sandy Beach and Hewanorra International Airport.
Where to avoid in St Lucia?
While Saint Lucia is generally safe, visitors should exercise caution, particularly at night, by avoiding isolated areas and unfamiliar neighborhoods outside tourist zones in cities like Castries.
Which coast of St Lucia is best?
The west coast of Saint Lucia is famous for scenic views of the Piton mountains among lush rainforests and historical attractions like Soufriere village and Fort Charlotte. In contrast, the east coast of the island provides a rugged coastline with less development and better conditions for water sports like kitesurfing due to the Atlantic winds. Which coast is best depends on how much you value the features of each coast.
What are the most historic cities in Saint Lucia?
St Lucia’s most historic cities in Soufriere and Castries. Soufriere, in particular, is of great historical significance as one of the country’s oldest cities and the location of conflicts that shaped its development, including battles between the French and the British for control of the island during the colonial era.
