Local Experiences

With its famous twin Piton peaks, black sand beaches, coral reefs, Creole villages and maze of crisscrossing roads, St Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s most enchanting destinations. Cosmos St Lucia is located high on a ridge just south of Anse Chastanet Beach with its natural marine reserve, and just north of St Lucia’s old French capital, Soufrière.  In the immediate vicinity are rainforests, hot springs, glistening seas, beaches and protected coral reefs.

Drawing on our knowledge of the island, our experience helping guests make the most of their holidays, and our relationships with trusted local service providers, we can suggest itineraries that range from gentle excursions to more active and far-flung adventures. We can also tailor an itinerary to your needs and interests.

Beaches, snorkelling and scuba diving

• Only one kilometre from Cosmos is Anse Chastanet Beach. Reserve lounge chairs on the beach, take a picnic or enjoy the Anse Chastanet hotel bar and restaurant
• The famous reef off Anse Chastanet is easily accessible from the shore, and has been buoyed off for snorkelling, with depths between 5 and 25 feet falling away to 140 feet in a solid wall of mixed corals. There is a vast variety of sea life including sea turtles, parrotfish, trumpet fish, needle fish, sergeant majors and many more
• Scuba St Lucia is a PADI 5 Star Operation and DAN Partners in Dive Safety facility. Based in the award winning marine reserve at Anse Chastenet, it’s in the heart of the best diving on the island, recognised as one of the world’s top diving destinations.  Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Piton Mountains and the underwater world that surrounds them. Night dives and private guides are also available
• Join the locals at Hummingbird Beach in Soufrière, dotted with bars and food shacks

Sailing, yachting, fishing, whale watching and watersports

• Getting out on the water  is the best way to experience St Lucia’s coastline and explore hidden beaches. Book a half or full day sailing or boating trip aboard a monohull yacht or catamaran. We can prepare a homemade picnic to take with you
• Locally, Soufrière  is an excellent setting off point for dolphin and whale watching, with  snorkelling opportunities and stunning views of the sun as it sets to the west
• Sail north up the west coast to Marigot Bay. Lined with exotic palm trees, this quiet residential marina is home to a five star luxury resort and it makes a great lunch destination
• Further up the West Coast, past the St Lucian capital Castries, is Rodney Bay, a cosmopolitan destination offering everything from sushi restaurants and gelato bars to waterskiing, tubing and small catamaran hire. Explore nearby Pigeon Island State Park, home to a historic English Fort and stunning views
• St Lucia has some of the deepest waters in the Caribbean, which allows for year-round fishing of all the varied, inhabitant species. Book a fishing charter for four, six or eight hours. Frequently caught species include blue marlin, dorado, barracuda and yellow tail snapper, to name a few
• The Reef Kite and Surf Centre, at Anse de Sable Bay near Vieux Fort on the Southern tip of St Lucia, is a top location in the Caribbean for windsurfers and kiteboarders. Choose from lessons and rentals in kitesurfing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and catamaran sailing

Fantastical flora, fauna and mud baths

• Diamond Falls Botanical Garden and mineral baths is a six-acre heritage site, with stunning botanical specimens and a majestic waterfall. Hot mineral springs fill the historic bath houses with age old medicinal waters
• Soufrière  volcano and Sulphur Springs – bathe in the thermal waters and get messy in the mineral-rich volcanic mud at the world’s only drive-in volcano

Wonderful wildlife

• There are plenty of opportunities for wildlife encounters, whether trekking through the jungle, visiting beaches or in the water. St Lucia’s rainforest is a habitat for many rare birds, plants and animals. Look out for mongoose, originally introduced to the island to manage the snake population. So you don’t need to worry about snakes in this Caribbean idyll!
• An hours drive from Cosmos is The Millet Bird Sanctuary Trail, which has over 30 species of birds, including five endemic species: the St Lucia parrot, St Lucia black finch, St Lucia oriole, St Lucia pewee and St Lucia warbler. This trail also has breathtaking views of the Roseau Dam, the largest in the East Caribbean
• Two hours drive from Cosmos is Grande Anse Beach on the East coast, a seasonal nesting site for endangered leatherback turtles. From March to August you can join a patrol with the Desbarra Grande Anse Turtle Watch Programme
• On the north east coast you might be lucky to see the handsome green iguana, the largest lizard found on the island. Sightings are rare but the iguana is celebrated in St Lucia, inspiring the name of the largest of the two airports of the island; Hewanorra is an Amerindian word meaning “[land of the] iguana”
• We have a particularly soft spot for hummingbirds, the smallest birds in the world. These enchanting birds are found in mountains, plains, and occasionally, in the resorts and gardens of locals. Most live in tropical rainforests among other wildlife. We are delighted to have many of these right at Cosmos. In fact, the birdlife around the villa is vibrant, don’t forget to bring binoculars

Awe inspiring hikes

• Get closer to St Lucia’s lush vegetation, prolific wildlife and stunning views with hikes that explore the different vegetation and ecosystems found at different altitudes. Adventure out solo or book a guide to maximise the experience
• The Tête Paul Nature Trail crosses the theatre of the volcanic cauldron of Gros Piton. Sitting at a high altitude, this is a gentle coastal hike on a designated nature trail
• For the ultimate coastal experience, climb the magnificent Gros Piton, one of two mountainous volcanic plugs, 2,619 feet above sea level. Together with the smaller Petit Piton, this is a World Heritage Site and the visual hallmark of St Lucia. This rigorous hike is a memorable five hour round-trip and requires a guide
• Explore high and low rainforests inland, where you can see extraordinary botanicals in their natural setting, such as tree ferns, rainforest lilies and orchids
• Take a tour through Union Vale Plantations for a gentle walk through this lowland plantation where you’ll see avocado, cacao, coffee and other fruit bearing trees

Accessible rainforest immersion

• Eager to enjoy the vibrant rainforest but restricted by the physical requirements or just fancy taking it easy? Your answer lies an hour and a half from Cosmos, in the north east of the island. Rainforest Adventures has an aerial tram that transports visitors up and away from the heat and bustle of the lowlands to an ecological park in the heights of St Lucia’s forest reserve. There’s also a zip line for those who are hungry for an adrenaline hit and want to try exploring the tree canopy Tarzan and Jane style

Historic plantation houses

• Morne Coubaril Plantation Estate and Piton Falls is St Lucia’s oldest French Creole Estate, growing cocoa, coconuts and manioc. Learn about traditional agriculture and ride horses around the 250 acre property. The grounds also house a re-creation of a farm worker’s village and a new zip line experience
• The Pink Plantation House in Castries has a fantastic restaurant and art gallery featuring ceramics made by the owner. Allow time to explore the amazing garden
• Nearby Balenbouche Estate is  run by a delightful German-Caribbean family. Enjoy  tea and cake on the terrace then explore the impressive plantation and the ruins of an old mill from the sugar and rum making days

Get active and work up a sweat

• Run to the beach from Cosmos – a 20min downhill jog leads to a swim at the beach before the 20min uphill return, and a welcome flop into our pool
• Swim laps in Cosmos’s 48’ infinity pool and have fun with our underwater window view from the main bedroom
• Stretch and practice your favourite yoga poses at Cosmos or at the yoga studio on the beach at Anse Chastanet
• Work out in the local air conditioned gym in Soufrière.  Book a personal trainer to get the full benefit
• Mountain bike at nearby Anse Mamin – start with a short intro at the Mountain Biking School before getting to grips with the trails in the forest
• Go horse riding at Morne Coubaril. Enjoy a gentle trail ride across the 250 acre property, through the plantation (duck to avoid the the bread fruit hanging from the trees) and rainforest. Or trek to the beach and enjoy a swim with your horse below the Pitons. Yes really. Choose English or Western saddles. A guide is provided
• Take an All Terrain Vehicle to a farm where you can share a meal with locals, see the produce they grow in context and hike the surrounding area
• Join in the fun of thoroughbred horse racing at the Royal Saint Lucia Turf Club and try your luck picking a winner

Eat, drink and be merry

• Shop the Saturday morning market in Soufrière – look for locally grown produce, like plump vanilla pods and fresh spices, while enjoying a fresh jelly coconut and homemade fishcake for breakfast.  There is also a fish market where tuna, marlin, mahi mahi and other local catch is filleted to order. While you’re there, have a wander around the colourful town, soaking up the relaxed, low key atmosphere
• Rabot Estate cocoa plantation tour and chocolate tasting delivers a full body immersion in all things cocoa
• Book into a cookery class at Jade Mountain, a nearby prestigious hotel which runs short courses throughout the year. Based on the sustainable farm to fork concept, while also paying attention to ayurvedic dietary balancing systems, the Exec and Guest Chefs at Jade Mountain will teach you how to make the most of Caribbean ingredients
• Take a water taxi to have lunch in Marigot Bay, one of the most romantic yachting destinations of the Caribbean
• Unwind at musical evenings with drinks and dinner at local venues. Our favourites are Fond Doux, Ladera and Boucan

The famous Friday night street parties

• Every Friday night in Soufrière, the town takes to the street with music, home cooked food stalls, a vegan food shack and bars aplenty
• For a bigger, noisier party, head to Anse La Raye or Gros Islet for late night revelling. Book a taxi to travel there and back safely
• Check out the island events schedule, where the famous St. Lucian hospitality is at full volume: Food and Rum Festival – January; Jazz and Arts Festival – May; Summer Carnival – July; Arts and Heritage Festival – October; Atlantic Rally for Cruisers Sailing Festival – November/December; National Day – December

Total relaxation station

• Sink into bliss at Cosmos courtesy of our trusted local spa therapists who bring their skills to the villa. Indulge in luxury spa treatments in our Pavilion Lounge as you listen to the trickle of our solar fountain.  We use local organic coconut oil as the base for our massage blend which has excellent emollient properties for the skin and can also be used on the hair for deep conditioning
• Start with a coconut and sea salt body scrub to aid circulation and exfoliation
• Our cleansing after-sun facial combines pressure point facial massage with a purifying local volcanic mud mask, and cooling aloe vera
• We also offer a bespoke massage tailored to your needs.  And manicure and pedicure too. Book treatments in advance of your stay