Driving Directions in St. Lucia
In many ways, Saint Lucia is a very easy island to get around on as there really are not many main roads, particularly in the locales where visitors are most likely to travel. But in the more developed north of the island where the greatest concentration of tourist activity is found, there are a few places that can be confusing.
As many visitors clearly enjoy getting out and about on their own to genuinely see and fully experience the island, we are delighted to assist in making it easier to find the way.
It is strongly recommended that before taking to the roads, a map is studied to understand the island’s basic geography and road plan. Also, as the main area that might present some confusion to visiting drivers is the capital city of Castries, viewing the town center on Google Earth would be very helpful as well.
Just ‘fly to’ Castries, St. Lucia, and adjust the view to where you see the harbour and remember that when passing through you will simply follow the harbour’s edge from one side of town to the other.
It should be noted that in the south, there are only two main roads generally referred to as the East Coast Road and the West Coast Road. They intersect in Cul-de-Sac south of Castries and meet in Vieux Fort forming a loop around the lower two-thirds of the island.
North of Castries there is only one main road, the Gros Islet Highway, which extends along the northwest coast into the areas of greatest concentration of tourist activity, such as Rodney Bay, Gros Islet and Cap Estate.
Several resorts are located directly on or very close to the Gros Islet Highway and signage makes them easy to find if you note ahead of time their general locations on the map. On Google earth’s view of Castries you will note the road going out of town to the north makes a 90 degree right turn at the G.F.L. Charles Airport runway; that road becomes the Gros Islet Highway.
Below are some simplified and easy-to-follow directions for the most common routes and problem areas. Please note that the directions are presented in sections that can be combined as required for longer journeys.
Hewannorra Airport to Castries
Note: the journey north can be done on either coast, however, it should be noted that it is at least 45 minutes shorter via the East Coast Road. The West Coast route is very scenic and is a great sightseeing option on the return trip to the airport to see more of the island and to enjoy great views of the Pitons along the way.
Exit the airport and turn left (north) on the East Coast Road which is scenic, easy to follow and void of any potentially confusing intersections for most of the way. The road passes through Micoud and few very small communities before reaching the town of Dennery where it turns west to pass through the island’s interior rain forest.
As you near the west coast, the East Coast Road dead ends. At this point turn left (south) and proceed approximately 100 meters then turn right (west) on the Millenium Highway that will take you directly into Castries.
(Driving time: approximately 1 hour)
Hewannorra Airport to Soufriere
Exit the airport and turn right (south). The goal is to loop around the airport property to the other side of the runway. As you pass the edge of the town of Vieux Fort you will join the West Coast Road; proceed north.
Google Earth’s view of Vieux Fort can make it easy to see the route. Proceeding north on the West Coast Road you will skirt the community of Laborie then pass through rural community of Choiseul and will encounter no potentially confusing intersections; just stay on the main road and it will bring you directly into Soufriére at the town square.
To proceed through town, turn left (west) and go one short block along the square and turn right (north) back on the West Coast Road that heads north out of town.
(Driving time: approximately 50 minutes)
Soufriere to Castries
Take the West Coast Road north out of town. You will pass through the seaside villages of Canaries and Anse La Raye and the banana fields of the Roseau Valley and will encounter no potentially confusing intersections. After the Roseau Valley you will pass the gap to Marigot Bay and will climb over a modest mountain. Descending on the north side the road enters Cul-de-Sac, an industrialized valley with the Hess Oil facility on the left. Proceed approximately 1/2 mile to the next and only road on the left; turn left (west) on the Millenium Highway that will take you directly into Castries. (Note: as reference, 100 meters past this intersection on the right is the intersection of the East Coast Road.)
(Driving time: approximately 1 hour)
Passing from the South Through Castries to Points North
The Millenium Highway brings you into Castries on the south side of the harbour; go around the round-a-bout and proceed right (east) along the edge of the harbour. Note at this time the series of government office buildings on the opposite side of the harbour; this is where you are going.
Turn left at the first traffic light and proceed into town. Turn left at the next traffic light, staying along the harbour’s edge and stay left at the round-a-bout. You will now be in front of the aforementioned government office buildings.The road has a sharp right (north) bend when you reach the runway of the G.F.L. Charles Airport. Continue north along the runway and then past the round-a-bout.
You are now on the Gros Islet Highway that goes all the way to the north tip of the island. Along the way, you will pass several resorts and well-marked gaps that lead to others. To access Rodney Bay Village and Reduit Beach, turn left (west) at the Rodney Bay Mall.
(Driving time: approximately 20 minutes from Castries to Rodney Bay, depending on traffic conditions)
Passing from the North Through Castries to Points South
Travelling south on the Gros Islet Highway, you will enter Castries as you travel next to the runway of the G.F.L. Charles Airport; at this point the road makes a sharp bend to the left. As you enter the city center, note that your goal is to stay along the edge of the U-shaped harbour all the way to the other side so you will turn right whenever possible.
After passing the government office buildings on the left you will reach a round-a-bout; go right and proceed the short distance to the traffic light and again turn right. The road has a few bends, just stay right. At the next traffic light, turn right; you are now heading out of Castries.
Proceed approximately 1/2 mile; when you reach the round-a-bout go left and proceed up the hill and through the tunnel. You are on the Millenium Highway; proceed approximately 2.5 miles until it dead ends.
Castries to Vieux Fort
As per above, proceed on the Millenium Highway until it dead ends. To access the East Coast Road, turn left (north), proceed 100 meters and turn right (east).
This is the East Coast Road that goes all the way to Vieux Fort and the Hewannorra Airport. Along the way you pass through the seaside communities of Dennery and Micoud.
(Driving time: approximately 1 hour)
Castries to Soufriere and Major Attractions in the Area
As per above, proceed out of Castries on the Millenium Highway until it dead ends. Turn right; you are on the West Coast Road and will encounter no potentially confusing intersections all the way to Soufriére. You will pass through the seaside villages of Anse La Raye and Canaries along the way.
To pass through Soufriere to the Sulphur Springs and other points south, proceed on the West Coast Road into the town. Turn left (east) on the south side of the town square and proceed 1 very short block along the square then turn right (south).
Proceed out of town on the West Coast Road. Approximately 2 miles ahead the entrance to the Sulphur Springs is on the left denoted by signs.
To get to the Diamond Falls & Botanical Gardens, proceed on the West Coast Road into the town. Turn left (east) on the south side of the town square, proceed straight for approximately 3/8 mile and take the first right turn.
There are signs at the intersection for Diamond Falls & Botanical Gardens. Proceed approximately 3/4 mile to the site.
(Driving time: approximately 1 hour)
Castries to Marigot Bay
From Castries, as per above, proceed on the Millenium Highway until it dead ends. Turn right; you are on the West Coast Road. Proceed ahead and climb up the hill; there is a sharp right bend at the top then continue down the other side.
At the bottom of the hill take the next right (west) turn and proceed up the steep road. This is the entrance to Marigot Bay; there is signage and a bus stand at the intersection.
(Driving time: approximately 20 minutes)
