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T LUCIA stands at the heart of the Windward Islands ; it is a lush , fertile island of volcanic peaks , rainforest and banana plantations . Bitterly contested in bygone centuries by the British and French , St Lucia ’ s history is reflected today in the creole architecture and cuisine , as well as the impossibly difficult to understand patois . The character and aspect of the island between the north around Castries and the south around Soufrière is vastly different . In the north you have the bays , coves and sheltered harbours , white sandy beaches and tourist resorts , whereas the south is famous for the volcanic , forest-covered Pitons , sulphur springs and rain forest . The north of St Lucia will appeal if you want a Caribbean beach holiday with comfortable , contemporary accommodation and the possibility of venturing out for days . Meanwhile , southern St Lucia is recommended for those who want the experience of life in a lush , tropical environment within close proximity to the rainforest .