In some ways, St. Lucia is your typical tropical island with lovely beaches, delicious cocktails, as well as sunny skies. however no other location is house to the incredible sulphur springs St. Lucia has to offer. The Sulphur Springs are so unique they are known as the Caribbean’s (and perhaps the world’s) only drive-in volcano.
What are the Sulphur Springs St. Lucia?
Of all the hot spots on the island, Sulphur Springs St. Lucia is the most famous. You can actually drive right up to the volcanic field with its different colored colors of greens, yellows, pinks, as well as whites. The aroma of the sulphur leads the method far much better than any type of St. Lucian signage!
The ‘volcano’ is not the traditional conical shape one imagines volcanos to be. It’s more what I can only believe the inside of a volcano must look like. Rugged, sparse, as well as steaming like the earth’s exhalations. The Sulphur Springs Park is a fascinating research study into the geology of a little volcanic island.
The a lot of active volcanic area in the entire Eastern Caribbean, a walk with Sulphur Springs St. Lucia meanders with craters, steaming mud pits, as well as rushing sulphuric water rivers. 45 hectares in total, the sulphur springs’ fumaroles can reach up to 341 °F. It means the area feels even steamier than the rest of this already hot Caribbean island.
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The Mud Baths of Sulphur Springs St. Lucia
Even if you’re not thinking about the geothermal activity of the park, there is one more attraction to draw you to the Sulphur Springs, the mud baths. If you like a great natural mud bath, as well as enjoy slathering up with volcanic debris, these are for you.
You’ll discover the Springs located about two miles from Soufriere on St. Lucia’s West Coast. It’s an simple drive or you can catch a public bus or a taxi. You can likewise walk, however the road to the springs from Soufriere is more or less uphill the entire time. however if you do select to walk, by the time you show up you’ll definitely be prepared for a bath.
You have three choices to experience the Sulphur Springs St. Lucia. You can do a 30 minute tour of Sulphur Springs Park with a guide, just the mud bath, or both as a combination.
After altering into your bathing fit (they suggest you wear a dark-colored one), you can dip into one of a number of concrete pools. Each holds warm, black water that comes straight from under the volcano. The water, which was originally rainwater, gets heated by the geothermal activity under the ground before streaming out.
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The pools vary between 95 as well as 99 degrees, however are oddly refreshing in spite of the hot temperature of the Caribbean air. You requirement to soak in the pool for at least 10 minutes to loosen up your pores as well as cleanse your skin thoroughly. This likewise makes sure you’re clean before you begin to slather mud all over yourself.
After the lovely soak, you’ll step up for the mud part of the experience where big white buckets of dark black mud await. You’ll then be covered in it by somebody whose entire job, it would appear, is to slather mud on tourists.
After your body is coated in the smooth mud, you’ll stick out in the sun to dry. As the mud cakes as well as cracks, you’ll have the possibility to chat with the other travellers. even though you may feel silly, just keep in mind that people pay huge bucks for this type of day spa treatment back home.
Once the mud is completely dry, you can jump back into the soaking pools to melt away the excess. The water as well as the mud are said to have ‘medicinal purposes’ that make you look 12 years younger. though the science behind this statement is debatable, your skin will definitely feel dangerously smooth as well as refreshed.
Touring the Sulphur Springs St. Lucia
An simple walk around the geothermal park will take you about 30 minutes. The path is not flat, however it is generally well kept as well as quite easily accessible if you’re not sure about walking. If you want to roam around the park for a while after your mud bath, be warned, you will requirement a tour ticket.
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Most folks will come as well as do the tour as well as then hit the mud bath. The tour is definitely worth the time as well as the expense is nominally more than the ticket for just the mud bath. Guides will explain the geoology of the area, the history of the park, as well as perhaps even a bit of regional history if you’re lucky.
Where to stay in Soufriere near tothe Sulphur Springs St. Lucia
Samfi gardens – with outside pool, garden & kitchen. “Superb” score 9/10. Click right here for the current cost on Booking.com.
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La Haut resort – with expansive views of the sea, plantation residential property & pools. “Very Good” score 8.1/10. Click right here to see the current cost on Booking.com.
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Fond Doux Plantation & resort – French colonial estate, world Heritage Site, gardens, pools & more! “Fabulous” score 8.9/10. Click right here to see the current cost on Booking.com.
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☞ Click right here to see all accommodations in St. Lucia on Booking.com
Activities around Sulphur Springs St. Lucia
Beaches in West St. Lucia
Sulhpur Springs St. Lucia is definitely not the only excellent location to see in along the West Coast. a few of the very best beaches in St. Lucia are extremely close by such as Soufriere beach for snorkelling or Sugar beach for luxurious relaxing.
The Pitons Waterfall
Right down the road from the Spings is one of my much-loved spots in St. Lucia, the Piton Waterfall. This waterfall is special not only since of its lovely jungle location, however since of its geothermal source, meaning this cascade of water is warm.
To discover the waterfall, pull off the road just over half a mile before the Sulphur Springs if you are coming from Soufriere. The road will wind around up until you come to a little auto parking area. Pay your 3USD entry as well as hike 10 minutes with the jungle on the well worn, though sometimes muddy trail.
The warm water waterfalls are both natural as well as scenic, as well as nothing feels much better than a warm waterfall pounding on a travel weary back. There are concrete pools that have been built for a less intense bathing experience, as well as to just have a nice soak in the fresh, warm water.
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The town of Soufriere
A sleepy fishing town, a few days in Soufriere is a fantastic chance to check out the West coastline of St. Lucia. right here you’ll get a sense of genuine St. Lucian life. A excellent base to see the Pitons, see regional mineral baths, as well as roam the botanical gardens, the town of Soufriere itself likewise has some draws.
Fresh fish caught that day are on offer at the few restaurants in town as well as the bakeries always seem to be full with new treats. Also, since there are far fewer tourists right here than in other parts of the country, visitors can get to understand their neighbours.
Like much of the Caribbean, St. Lucian life is lived primarily in public as well as on the streets. walking down the road, stop as well as chat with the locals who will surely be thinking about knowing what brought you to their little slice of paradise.
I like staying in locations like Soufriere. It’s a little off the primary track, has few if any type of groups or cruise ship packages, as well as a sense of genuine people living genuine lives. Which in the Caribbean, isn’t always the easiest thing to find.
Visiting Sulphur Springs St. Lucia
Soufriere is the closest town from which to get to the Sulphur Springs. However, folks staying in the north of St. Lucia in the more resort heavy areas of Gros Islet as well as Rodney Bay can definitely make the day trip to the springs. All tour companies as well as hotels in St. Lucia will offer day trips that might include the springs regardless of where you are staying on the island.
As I am not personally a fan of day tours, I would suggest renting a cars and truck as well as making the Sulphur Springs St. Lucia a stop on your own West coastline road trip. The self-reliance of having your own cars and truck as well as timelines is unrivalled. St. Lucia is likewise a location where you always want to stop along the method for views, as well as perhaps a roadside snack of lobster as well as beer!
Travel to St. Lucia
St. Lucia is a stunning as well as unique destination in the Caribbean no matter which method you cut it. The prices, while not completely cheap, are not shockingly expensive. accommodation in St. Lucia ranges from budget plan guesthouses with next to no water pressure, to top of the line in luxury travel. dining is excellent, particularly with all of that fresh fish around.
St. Lucia can be a beach dweller’s dream, however likewise an experience enthusiasts haven, so a trip to the island is precisely what you want it to be. however definitely, leave a day for that mud bath!
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