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Where to stay in St Lucia
St Lucia is a small, walkable town with a big choice of guest houses, lodges, B&Bs and self-catering, plus camping near the estuary and cabins inside the park at Cape Vidal.
In town
Most places to stay are guest houses, B&Bs, lodges and self-catering units within a few minutes of the main street, the restaurants, the estuary and the tour operators. Staying in town makes it easy to join boat cruises and early safaris.
Hippos graze in gardens at night, so choose a place with secure parking and follow your host’s advice about walking after dark.
Camping near the estuary
There are caravan and camping sites in and around town, close to the estuary and the beach. Remember that wild animals, including hippos and monkeys, visit campsites, so keep food packed away.
Cape Vidal
Inside the Eastern Shores section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Cape Vidal has log cabins and a campsite near the beach. You fall asleep in the park and wake up close to the sea, but book well ahead and plan around the park gate times.
Hluhluwe and Mtubatuba
If safaris are the main reason for your trip, the Hluhluwe area has lodges and private game reserves close to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Mtubatuba, about 25 km inland, is the nearest bigger town for shopping and services.
Tips for booking
School holidays, Easter and December fill up early, so book ahead. Ask whether a place has secure parking, air conditioning in summer and backup power, and whether it can arrange boat cruises or safaris for you.
Local businesses
Browse the Explore St Lucia directory. Run a business here? List it for free as one of our founding businesses.
Questions people ask
Is St Lucia worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the few places where you can see hippos and crocodiles on an estuary cruise, visit a wild beach at Cape Vidal and go on a Big Five safari at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, all from one small town.
How many days do you need in St Lucia?
Two to three nights is enough for an estuary cruise, a day at Cape Vidal and a safari to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Stay longer in whale or turtle season.
Is there camping in St Lucia?
Yes. There are caravan and camping sites near the estuary, and a campsite and log cabins at Cape Vidal inside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.