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The Caribbean is one of the easiest long-haul escapes from the UK. Barbados and St Lucia are English-speaking, both have direct flights from London, and they drive on the left. Put the two together and you get the best of both: calm beaches and easy-going charm in Barbados, then the dramatic green mountains of St Lucia.
The trip at a glance
- Route: Barbados (7 nights) → St Lucia (6 nights)
- Hotel changes: just one
- Best time to go: December to April, the drier season
- Pace: beach mornings, an outing every other day
- Getting there: direct flights from London take around 8 to 9 hours
Why Barbados and St Lucia work together
They’re very different islands, which keeps the fortnight interesting. Barbados is relatively flat, with soft sand, calm turquoise water on the west coast and a lively food and rum culture. St Lucia is volcanic and mountainous, covered in rainforest, with the twin Piton peaks rising from the sea. A short flight of under an hour links the two.
Days 1–7: Barbados
Stay on the west coast, known as the Platinum Coast, around Holetown or Speightstown. The sea here is usually calm and clear, ideal for swimming.
- Take a catamaran trip along the coast to snorkel with turtles and over a shallow shipwreck.
- Explore Bridgetown, the capital, whose historic centre and garrison are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Ride the tram through Harrison’s Cave, an easy way to see impressive limestone caves.
- Join the Friday night fish fry at Oistins, on the south coast, for grilled fish and music.
- Visit a rum distillery for a tour and tasting.
Where to stay: a beachfront hotel on the west coast, ideally with a quiet adults-only area.
Where we’ve stayed: we’ve been to Barbados five times, in a mix of hotels, apartments and villas. Two of the hotels were Treasure Beach, a small hotel on the west coast at Paynes Bay, and the Hilton Barbados, on the beach at Needham’s Point just south of Bridgetown.
Days 8–13: St Lucia
Fly to St Lucia and head for Soufrière, on the south-west coast, for the island’s best scenery. If you can, choose a hotel with a view of the Pitons. Waking up to that view is the highlight of many people’s trip.
- Bathe in the warm mud baths at the Sulphur Springs, said to be good for the skin.
- Stroll through the Diamond Botanical Gardens to its waterfall.
- Take a boat trip along the coast, with snorkelling near the base of the Pitons.
- Have lunch at Marigot Bay, a sheltered, picture-perfect harbour.
- Leave plenty of time to simply enjoy the view from your terrace.
Where to stay: a hotel near Soufrière with Piton views. If you’d prefer flat beaches and restaurants on the doorstep, look at Rodney Bay in the north instead.
Where we stayed: Sandals Halcyon Beach, on Choc Bay in the north of the island near Castries.
Day 14: Home
Fly home from Hewanorra International Airport in the south of St Lucia, around an hour’s drive from Soufrière.
When to go
The drier months from December to April are the most comfortable, though they’re also the busiest and most expensive. May and early June can be good value. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk usually from August to October.
Getting there and around
- Book an open-jaw ticket: fly into Barbados and home from St Lucia, so you don’t need to backtrack.
- A regional airline links the two islands. Check the luggage allowance, as it may be smaller than on your long-haul flight.
- St Lucia’s roads are steep and winding. Pre-booked private transfers are much more relaxing than driving yourself.
- In Barbados, taxis and drivers are easy to arrange through your hotel.
Good to know
- Check entry requirements and travel advice on GOV.UK for Barbados and St Lucia.
- Both islands use their own currencies, but US dollars are widely accepted.
- The sun is strong all year, so pack high-factor, reef-safe sun cream.
- Make sure your travel insurance covers any pre-existing conditions.
Two islands, one hotel change, and the perfect mix of calm beaches and dramatic scenery. Easy Caribbean sunshine, at your own pace.
