If you’re vacationing in St. Lucia and you want to find the best place to buy food, souvenirs, arts and crafts, and other products produced in St. Lucia, then you must visit Castries Market.
The Castries market is, hands down, the most authentic local shopping experience you can have while you’re holidaying in St. Lucia. It is the island’s largest food and flea market.
There, you will find that immersive local St. Lucian vibe you won’t find in the boutique at your resort.
It is a multi-sensory experience. You will see beautifully set tables selling all sorts of colorful goods.
You will hear the chatter between the vendors and customers in English and our second language, Creole.
You will smell the lovely scents of exotic fruits, vegetables, spices, and local St. Lucian food at the food stalls.
Things You Can Buy at the Castries Market
At the Castries market, you will find rows and rows of colorful fruits and vegetables picked fresh from local farms. There are also edible products made from these local fruits and vegetables.
You will find locally grown, fresh–cut meats and, depending on what time you’re there, the fisherman’s catch of the day.
There is also a vast selection of local spices, such as granulated Turmeric, Star Anise, and many other herbs, to infuse your cooking with flavor.
You won’t likely get our local spices back home, so you should buy some to recreate our delicious St. Lucian food.
If you want to shop for souvenirs, you can also find many there.
You will find local jewelry, clothing, arts and crafts, carvings, and St. Lucian products like our hot pepper sauce and banana ketchup, among many others.
The intricately made souvenirs you will find will surely be appreciated as gifts by your folks back home. You can also buy that perfectly crafted piece as a memento of St. Lucia.
Experience Local St. Lucian Food at the Castries Market
When you’re done shopping for that perfect St. Lucia souvenir, it may be time to grab a savory St. Lucian bite.
You can sit in one of the food stalls to take the weight off your feet and enjoy some mouth-watering local St. Lucian food.
Tasting the local food is a great way to experience St. Lucia’s cultural melting pot – “pun intended.”
Our local food is heavily influenced by other cultures, such as the French, Indian, and African cultures, to name a few.
St Lucia’s local food will excite your taste buds. We don’t mean to brag, but the wide variety of local dishes come packed with flavor that will leave you wanting more.
It would be best to sample some of the more popular dishes, like our pigtail bouillon and the local fish broth (with kingfish, preferably) or breadfruit with Salt Fish cooked in coconut milk.
When Should You Visit?
The market is open all week, but Saturday is the busiest day, as many locals shop there.
The Lucian hustle and bustle is something interesting to see.
It’s an excellent opportunity to observe local “Lucian” interaction or practice your haggling skills like some locals and vendors.
If you want to enjoy the market at a slightly less hectic time, opt for a Sunday morning, as there will be fewer punters.
The downside is that there are also far fewer vendors on a Sunday!
A midweek visit should be perfect if you prefer a smaller crowd and less haggling.
Things to Watch for at the Castries Market
In their eagerness to make a sale, some vendors are a bit pushy, which may affect your shopping experience at the Castries market.
Most people, however, can take it in stride, say no thank you, and laugh off the aggressive vendors’ insistence.
As with any market in any city you visit, you should always make sure that you shop around to find the best deals among the vendors.
How to Get to the Castries Market? Reserve a Taxi Service or Guided Tour
The most convenient way to get to the Castries market if you are a visitor is to reserve a taxi service to take you there.
You can find a reputable taxi service by asking your accommodation’s front desk agents. You can also find a reliable St. Lucia taxi service via the internet with a quick Google search.
Be sure to consider a taxi service that will also give you a guided tour of the Castries market.
Some taxi drivers will accompany you while you are there and take you back to your accommodation once you’re done shopping.
If you’d prefer to roam the market alone, you can hire a taxi to drop you off and pick you up once you’ve finished shopping.
But we recommend booking a reputable guided tour for the safest experience.
We recommend a trip to the Castries market if you’re a visitor who wants to experience authentic St. Lucian culture.
It’s a great chance to escape the confines of your accommodation to taste authentic St. Lucian food and buy beautiful souvenirs for your folks back home.
Kate is a co-founder and author of IslanderKeys. She is a loving wife and mother who enjoys taking care of her family. Kate is a customer service expert and healthcare administrator by profession. She loves to cook, shop online and share her knowledge about St. Lucia online and, when she meets people on her travels locally and abroad.
