February 19, 2021 • travel
Experience St. Lucia Like Juan Pablo Galavis on 'The Bachelor'
Equally beautiful as it is awe-inspiring, St. Lucia is meant for lovers.
The Eastern Caribbean island — the only sovereign nation named after a woman — captivates anyone who witnesses her beauty. Warm beaches, sparkling blue water, calming waves, and tons of opportunities for adventure keep visitors reluctant to leave and eager to return.
Juan Pablo Galavis traveled to St. Lucia for his Fantasy Suite dates on Season 18 of “The Bachelor,” and here’s how you can indulge in all of its tropical splendor just like him.
One-on-One Date: Sweet Like Sugar
Begin your day by chartering a yacht to sail the Caribbean Sea. Soak up the sun on the deck of the boat — or jump off for a sensuous swim with your significant other. Afterward, explore the ocean with a snorkeling stop. St. Lucia is known for its gorgeous shallow reefs and vibrant marine life.
At night, sit down for a romantic dinner inside a treehouse at Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort. Though the treehouses are typically used for spa treatments, private dinners can be booked for a unique and intimate experience.
Once you’ve finished your meal, head up to one of Sugar Beach’s luxurious suites to spend an unforgettable night alone with your sweetheart. When you wake up, enjoy views of the pristine rainforest. The resort is set on an 18th-century sugar plantation embraced by the famous UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pitons (lava domes).
One-on-One Date: Tastes Like Love
Head into town for the Dennery Seafood Fiesta, held in a rural fishing village. Watch the town come alive as St. Lucian delicacies — including fire-roasted fish eggs with garlic — are served up. The weekly event is hosted by the Dennery Seafood Vendors Association, made up of mostly women, who prepare Creole dishes using methods passed down through a lineage of fisherfolk.
As you browse the market, allow local musicians to teach you how to play regional instruments such as the small, four-stringed bwa poye, or skroud banjo.
Later, rent an open-air dune buggy to traverse across St. Lucia’s stunning landscape. Drive to the jungle and arrive at LaTille Falls, where you and bae can finally dig into all of the delicious seafood offerings you picked up in town. As you eat, take in the quiet and peaceful ambiance of the area’s collection of small waterfalls. When you’ve finished your meal, drench yourself in romance by jumping into the crystal-clear water with your loved one.
End your night at Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, the perfect destination for chocoholics. The hotel is located on a cacao plantation where chocolate is always in reach. Though its dinner options are incredible, your mouth will water once it’s time for dessert. Have your pick of cakes, candies, ice cream, and cocktails — each and every one of them made with a different kind of chocolate.
When the sun comes up, treat yourself and your honey to chocolate-themed spa treatments. Cacao massages, facials, and detox body wraps are all on the menu.
One-on-One Date: Ride the Waves
Get up and get out to Anse Chastanet Resort, a beachfront property set amid a 600-acre tropical estate stretching over two valleys. Partly scattered throughout a lush hillside and partly set at beach level, this resort gives you the best of St. Lucia’s diverse topography.
After absorbing your picturesque surroundings, go horseback riding along the island’s coast. When you’re ready, hop off to have a beachside picnic with your boo. When you’ve gathered enough energy, head into the ocean together for some swimming — and maybe a steamy makeout session, too.
Once you’ve dried off, finish your evening back at Anse Chastanet Resort, where you can indulge in some of St. Lucia’s finest cuisine at any of the establishment’s dining options. Why not book a candlelit dinner for two at the water’s edge on the resort’s private beach? Later, head up to your room for an intimate nightcap.
Anse Chastanet is scenically one of the most spectacular beach resorts in St. Lucia. In the morning, rise to galvanizing views of its two turquoise bays, which are part of a designated marine reserve protecting miles of coral reefs abundant in species of colorful fish.
No matter what you do in St. Lucia, your time there will be unforgettable!