A vacation in the Caribbean is always a great experience, and it seems Saint Lucia is particularly popular this year. Moreover, the island has welcomed a record number of tourists this summer. In fact, Saint Lucia has seen 42 percent more visitors than in the same period last year.

Saint Lucia keeps growing in Caribbean popularity

While the Riviera Maya and Punta Cana are popular with American travelers, Saint Lucia has earned more popularity than ever. Moreover, like Tulum, the island benefits from easier access, after multiple new flights have been added to the schedule in recent months. One other reason for visiting is that Saint Lucia has improved its infrastructure as a sports tourism destination.

Meanwhile, Saint Lucia nestles in the open-sea triangle of Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Martinique. However, it isn’t just Americans that are heading to the island, with its idyllic beaches and crystal clear turquoise water, it seems travelers from around the world are also visiting.

Paradise in the Caribbean

Besides all that, this beautiful island is the perfect place to chill out and relax in a beautiful setting. It also offers some of the best resorts, dotted around the island. One of the best is Jade Mountain Resort, a five-star resort backing Anse Chastanet Beach and overlooking the ocean. For those seeking an affordable place to stay other resorts are more affordable but an equally good stay.

For those with more energy, one exciting activity is to hike up the famous Pitons, the volcanic mountains that have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Hiking to the top reveals epic, panoramic views over the island and the sea.

While the Pitons are no longer erupting, in the past they made beautiful volcanic black-sand beaches like Anse Mamin for travelers to enjoy today. However, hiking trails also take visitors through the rainforest, heading to beautiful waterfalls like the 50-foot-high Toraille, which washes over a cliff down into a beautiful garden.

A visit to the towns of the island is also a great attraction, including Castries with its Vigie Beach, Soufriere with its colonial architecture, Rodney Bay with a marina and great beach and Pigeon Island, set with its ruined fortress.

More ways to access Saint Lucia

One reason for the popularity of the island is that cruise ships visit, introducing passengers to the pleasures of the island. On top of this, there are plenty of nonstop flights to Saint Lucia from the US, making it a premier Caribbean destination.

More than 40,000 seats have been added to those wishing to visit this summer, with tens of thousands of visitors heading here. Travelers can fly here with American Airlines and JetBlue, with daily service to Saint Lucia. Moreover, Delta also flies here nonstop from Atlanta.

Readers can learn more about the island from the official tourism website, giving travelers details about accommodations and the great experiences to be enjoyed here.

Read more articles by Anne Sewell here.