Backpacking in Saint Lucia: Staying At the Harbor Vista Inn, Castries

Castries is the capital city of Saint Lucia. I arrived into the airport here, George FL Charles Airport on a flight from Barbados. This airport, like many in the Caribbean is right by the ocean. It is also handily right next to the capital city. I didn’t really know much about Castries, or Saint Lucia. Other than my Dad had told me that Mick Jagger likes it here – there were no celebrities in sight though, and Castries is nothing more than a quiet seaside capital city to chill out in.

Sometimes, that’s just what we need, as I did here at the Harbor Vista Inn. I arrived shyly in, on Christmas Day 2021. I also recognise Saint Lucia as a separate country, and this was another one on route to my odyssey of 199 at Beef Island in the British Virgin Islands.

After getting through the medical, immigration and customs border check, I wanted to go straight to my hotel. As it was Christmas Day, there were actually no taxis or buses! But when I realised my hotel was only 3 miles away, I decided just to walk it.

There were only a few times in my life that I have walked to an airport before. We did it in Shenzhen China (a night in a hotel by the airport), Gatwick London (a night in the yotel, inside the airport), El Ayoune (Western Sahara). In Nauru, we could have done it but I was on a group tour so we went taxi loyal. After a few hundred metres of walking, a taxi rocked up and as he already had another customer, he offered to take me straight to the hotel for $10 US. Normally that’s too much for me, but I knew it was hot and my hotel was up a hill, so I agreed and he dropped me off right at the door of the Harbor Vista Inn.

As well as two trips to the hospital for the COVID test and result, I still found time to tour the sights of Castries, the capital city and side trips to Rodney Bay, Gros Islet and the cricket / football stadium. Here are the reasons why I recommend staying at the Harbor Vista Inn in Castries, Saint Lucia.

1.Superb Views

Probably the outstanding and long-lasting memory from the Harbor Vista Inn will be the sensational views from the balcony. You look down over the harbour and admire, day and night. The eyesore of richboy cruises and ferries the only blemishes here.

2.Local Neighbourhood

I was sleeping up a hilly local estate on the south east side of Castries. I was up at the top of a very local neighbourhood off La Toc Road. I got to meet some locals and hung out in two bars here – one official called “No Fear” and another one which the boss James told me about.

3.Cheap

Let’s get this right – Saint Lucia is NOT cheap and actually this place is probably as cheap as it gets! For around $50 – 60 USD a night you get a bedroom, and working Wi-Fi.

4.Capital City Life

Saint Lucia can become an over-trodden tourist resort at times, which I learnt when I went north to Rodney Bay and Gros Islet. It was nice to be a lot more local here – I hung out in two local bars – one was official. We are up a hill and it’s a short walk down to the city centre from the Harbor Vista Inn.

5.COVID Loyal – It’s Near The Tapion and Victoria Hospitals for a Test

I was backpacking through the Caribbean from December 2021 – January 2022 and at that time, it was so strict going from country to country. In total up until February 2022, I did 17 PCR COVID tests in my life, at a cost of easily over £1,000! In Saint Lucia, I had to have one 72 hours before leaving for Dominica. Luckily the Tapion and Victoria hospital area which does the tests – it was nearby. The first day in a rush, I took a taxi there. The second day when I had to go back and get my test results, I decided to walk. It was only a 30 minute walk.

6.No Frills Rooms

The rooms at the Harbor Vista Inn are basic and simple. The Wi-Fi worked so I could get blogging done and updates on my PCR tests and future destinations.  I also had a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom. This was shared between my room and the room next to me.

Here are the details for booking a room at the Harbor Vista Inn, Castries, Saint Lucia:

Here are some videos from my stay at the Harbor Vista Inn, Castries, Saint Lucia: