Mineral Baths, Water Falls and Colonial Era Gardens await in St. Lucia

Lush West Indian Flora and FaunaBeautiful Pink Ginger Lilies in the Garden

St. Lucia’s Diamond Botanical Gardens is an eco-lover’s paradise. Located in Soufriere, on the south-western side of the island, the botanical garden has been a St. Lucia holiday favorite since its inception in the early 1980’s. At the gardens, island guests are able to surround themselves in what is unarguably the Caribbean’s best cultivated tropical flora and fauna.

Flowers include rare large variety begonias, anthuriums, pink ginger lilies and beautiful heliconias.

Dozens of species of native West Indian birds find a habitat in the gardens because they are secluded and protected from the open rainforests. The colonial style gardens are such a rare delight that we strongly recommend you add this to your list of things to do in St. Lucia when planning your visit.

 Soufriere’s Interesting History

If the lush garden trails and spectacular West Indian trees, shrubs and flowers are not enough to entice you, then maybe the history will. Sulphur Springs 

                                                                                                  

-

-

-

-

-

-

—–

 -

The Diamond Botanical Gardens was once a plantation, cultivating crops like sugar cane, limes, cocoa and coconuts – all for export to Europe. The water wheel used to generate the very first electricity into Soufriere also has its home in the gardens.

 Another unique aspect of the Diamond Botanical Gardens is that it has remained a family owned protected St. Lucia historical site since 1713, when 2000 acres of land were granted by King Louis XIV to the current owner’s ancestors for services to Crown and Country. The Diamond Botanical Gardens runs deep with historical stories and natural value for St. Lucia.

Rare Sulphur Springs and Medicinal Mineral Baths   

Sulphur Springs is the “world’s only drive in volcano”; with colorful mineral deposits that decorate the volcano, this is a site of awesome natural beauty.

The waterfalls that gush from the volcano mouth mix with water from the hot mineral springs to fill the natural baths with age old medicinal waters. It was said that King Louis XIV of France strategically planned the development of the village of Soufriere because of the volcanic mineral springs. 

These same warm, soothing waters can still be enjoyed today in the restored baths deep within the gardens. The mineral baths are a very rare and highly enjoyed natural treat for tourists who seek the green side of the Caribbean vacation industry.

-Planning Your St. Lucia Holiday

St. Lucia is a perfect holiday spot to enjoy the Caribbean’s warm year-round weather. A private, ecologically friendly holiday at a St. Lucia villa is easy to plan and probably the best way to see to see the island’s exotic attractions for yourself.

Our Eco-tourism focused guests enjoy staying at secluded hillside villas, like Belle Coco in Soufriere, enjoying the natural beauty of the rainforest and total submergence in the West Indian way of life.

Plan your St. Lucia holiday today with current, reliable info from StLuciaIslandResorts.com and get away from the ordinary!

June 29th, 2009 - Posted in Diamond Botanical Gardens, Natural Landmarks, St. Lucia Eco-Toursim, St. Lucia History, feature destinations, st. lucia | | 0 Comments