Located in the Caribbean, St. Lucia is a captivating island with seemingly endless access to volcanic beaches, pristine rainforests, and reef diving. Recognized internationally as one of the best destinations for winter vacations, honeymoons, and weddings, the tiny island will not disappoint!
Before planning your trip to St. Lucia, it is important to consider when to visit based on the island’s climate conditions. Here are the best and worst times to visit St. Lucia.
Weather
St. Lucia is a tropical destination, so that means that there is no variation in “seasons” that you will find in other countries. Temperatures stay consistently between 72-87°F (22-31°C) all year round, making for pleasant warm weather. Instead, the island has two distinct seasons – wet and dry. Depending on what time of the year you visit, you can experience variable levels of rainfall.
Best: December-May
Arguably, the best time to visit the island is during its dry season, which falls between December and May, as you will encounter very little to virtually no rainfall. This may be critical for you if you are visiting the island to attend a wedding or have your honeymoon, as the rain can really damper a special day that you have invested a lot of money and time in. If you plan to travel to the island to go to the beach or snorkel, the dry season makes for the best conditions for beach activities.
Worst: June-November
The least favorable time to visit St. Lucia is during its wet season between June and November, as the island experiences the most rainfall during this time. On average, you can expect between 8-10 inches of rain in a given month in this season, with rainy days for more than half the month. Conditions for going to the beach, snorkeling, and scuba diving are not ideal due to frequent rain, wind, and generally unpredictable weather patterns, so be sure to have flexibility on your trip. Many travelers still choose to visit during this time because of the cheap prices, and you can still enjoy your trip if you bring appropriate rain gear like rainjackets and umbrellas. Rain showers in St. Lucia are heavy yet brief when they occur, and affect the rainforest regions more than the coast. So, if you encounter yourself in a shower, it will most likely pass in a short amount of time.
Crowds
Best: April-June
Inevitably, if you want to visit St Lucia when there is the least amount of people, you’ll have to go when conditions are not as favorable during the rainy season. However, you can still enjoy fewer crowds and better weather if you visit during the sweet spot between April and June. This is the transitionary period between the dry and rainy season and the end of the peak season in St. Lucia. You’ll encounter fewer people than during the peak and considerably less rain. If you want to around the least amount of people as possible, then you will have to visit later in the rainy season, closer to August-October – just bring an umbrella!
Worst: December-February
Because of the pleasant weather, St. Lucia’s dry season is its highest tourism season. If you visit during this time, you will be certain to encounter large amounts of tourists, full beaches, and fully-booked accommodations. The period between December and late January is the busiest, as that is the holiday season when many travelers are on vacation from work or school. If you can only visit during the high season and still want to avoid as many tourists as you can, book your accommodation well in advance to secure a spot, and try to begin all of your activities early in the morning to avoid crowds.
Prices
Best: July-October
If you want to secure the cheapest prices on your trip to St. Lucia, you have to visit during its low season between July and October. Although you will encounter the most rainfall during this time of the year, you are sure to lock in some of the lowest prices for airfare, accommodation, food, and attractions. Demand for tourism in St. Lucia is low during this time.
If you are a budget traveler, this is the best time to visit St. Lucia. The island is known for its abundance of private resorts and hotels – visiting during the low season can secure you some of their lowest prices, giving you a luxury experience for a fraction of the price.
Worst: December-April
Because of high tourism demand during the peak season in St. Lucia, you will find some of the highest prices of the year if visiting during this time. If you are not worried about costs and want to avoid rain at all costs, visiting during the dry season may not be a problem for you. However, you’ll find that prices are at least over 50% higher than in the low season during this time, with some higher-end accommodations costing $1,000 USD a night! Because of this high demand, you’ll also find that prices for activities, transport, and food will be higher. If you can only visit St. Lucia during the high season, make sure to plan well in advance to design your itinerary, stay in hostels over hotels, opt for public transport over taxis, and don’t be afraid to barter with informal vendors when buying souvenirs. Although St. Lucia can be expensive during this season, it is possible to cut costs and make it more affordable
Final Thoughts
St. Lucia is one of the most beautiful Caribbean Islands, having international acclaim as a tropical travel destination. Although the island has warm and stable temperatures all year round, visiting during the dry or rainy season can make for dramatically different experiences.
If you are a budget traveler and don’t mind enduring some rain, visit St. Lucia during its wet season between June and November. During this time, you will find the lowest prices and the fewest crowds, but more rainy days.
If you want to experience the best weather and don’t mind paying a little more, visit during the dry season between December and May. Although the weather is perfect for the beach and all other tourist activities, you will experience higher crowds and prices. For a medium between the two, consider visiting during the seasonal transitional months of April and November.
