There are some places you go for short periods and some places that become home. Saint Lucia is one of them. The landscapes are dramatic, and the culture is rich; it always allows you to delve deep into it. But what I love about Saint Lucia is how there are so many things that you can do that don’t cost you a single dollar.

Anyone who is trying to plan their Saint Lucia trip for 2025 would be pleasantly surprised by how many free activities there are to do. There is so much variety in the activities that are on offer, whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, or with family, you will never feel the need to spend a lot of money. And for people who want to visit StolenTime and are worried about the expenses, there are plenty of options available on the all-inclusive umbrella where one can comfortably experience the activities free of worry.

My travel began with a simple yet significant task—sightseeing the island’s shorelines. Saint Lucia has some of the most magnificent beaches I have ever come across, and the best part? All of them are free of charge and open to the public. I enjoyed my first morning at Reduit Beach, which is a consistent stretch of golden sand continuously washed by benign waves. It’s that kind of place when clocks get broken, croaked and slowed down. I walked the beach picking up shells and went a bit into the warm and clear ocean water.

Just a short drive away, I found Anse Cochon, which is comparatively less commercialised and felt like a hidden gem. This time around I packed a snorkel I had borrowed from my resort as well and spent hours diving in and out. The scene of brightly coloured fish as they zipped past coral and the ocean lapping the shores was utter bliss, it truly was a different world.

Hiking is a great way to appreciate Saint Lucia’s beauty without spending a dollar. The island offers ample hiking routes that explore its beautiful rainforests, waterfalls and views. One of the attractions during my trip was Morne Le Blanc. It’s an easy hike, but the views are outstanding. At the top, I enjoyed stunning views of the island, the blue water of the Caribbean, and flat land that spread in every direction.

For those interested in the beauty of Saint Lucia’s waterfalls, there are many options available. After walking through tropical gardens, I reached the Venus Waterfall. Bathing in it was heavenly— the sound of birds chirping and splashes of water made it somewhat surreal.

Since I enjoy interacting with the local culture, I took it upon myself to visit some of the island’s towns and villages. The capital Castries, the centre of the island, is portrayed to such attention for its hustle and bustle. One of the highlights of my stay in the capital was the Castries Market which was full of vivid stalls selling vegetables, spices and handicrafts. The people there were very hospitable and I even got to see how they cherish nutmeg by explaining to me how they grow it and use it in cooking.

In Soufrière, I was able to appreciate the island’s historical nature. I strolled around some streets filled with colonially painted buildings and headed to the coast, where fishermen landed their daily catch. Simply being in those areas was relatively satisfying—there were no entrance fees or opening hours, just the freedom of moving around at one’s own pace and taking in all the sights.

On one occasion, as I spent my time having a drink with the bartender, I overheard something about a drumming circle so I decided to check it out. There I was on the beach, along with everybody else, participating as the drums echoed through the black sky in the background. While I may not have the best singing skills, there was something about this community that spoke to me. It was hard to believe how warm and accommodating the St. Lucia people were, instilling in you the need to immerse yourself completely into the moment.

At StolenTime, after having settled in, I got to find out that most of the activities I was hoping to try had already been included. For example, their all-inclusive package had yoga on the terrace, paddleboarding and snorkelling among other features. On one particular day, I decided to go on a guided bike tour around the northern side of the island. It’s a good thing I decided to do it because it was apparently a sweet, calm trip, with views that were breathtaking and an incredibly knowledgeable guide.

Shortly after, I decided to enrol in a cooking class, which thankfully the resort offered. Together, we went out to get fresh ingredients and got satisfying recipes based on Saint Lucian cuisine. Making food was not the only thing I did because it was an adventure of bonding with the people of the island and bringing their spirit and essence back home.

One of the most calm activities I did was simply floating in the ocean during a sunset. The beautiful glow in shades of orange and pink as the sun dove into the horizon and the reflections cast on the water made all the troubles wash away. It is such small things – so simple, so free, and so life-altering – that make Saint Lucia stand out.

Although many associate spending time on a tropical island with extravagant expenditure, Saint Lucia demonstrates that leisure activities can be completely offered at no cost. Whether through the priceless beauty of its beaches or nature, the sights available on the island are extensive and do not require a large outlay.

Combining that with the unbelievably effortless convenience of an all-inclusive resort like StolenTime, where a lot of these activities are pre-arranged, is simply blissful. The solutions are all in one place: If you plan to go on an outing to admire the beauty of the region in the day you can return to the resort at night and indulge in great food, spa treatment and all the comforts of life.

While I travelled and explored Saint Lucia, I developed a greater appreciation of the island’s nature and culture. The rich experiences offered by the island outweigh the expenses incurred. Hiking, swimming or just enjoying life is Saint Lucia’s biggest gem: the opportunity to bond with nature and oneself.

So if you love adventure, relaxation and a place to create memories, then Saint Lucia is for you. So add it to your 2025 travel bucket list. You will appreciate the beauty as much as the memories you’ll create. The travel will be worthwhile so do not worry.