Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens & Mineral Baths — Attraction in Saint Lucia

The garden is stunning and the waterfall is beautiful. It’s on the small side if you’re comparing to waterfalls on other islands, particularly Jamaica, but these falls are beautiful to behold (but indeed no swimming permitted under the fall). I wasn’t interested in the mineral baths but they looked alright. There were a few people enjoying a nice soak as I left.

As a solo traveler with a rental car, I went right as they opened and I had the falls to myself for a good 30 mins. I’m happy to have gotten the iconic photo of myself in front of the falls but I’m even happier to have spent time sitting and taking in the view in utter peace. For this, I recommend this site for the off-season because I’ve heard of how crazy it can get during cruise ship season.

In addition, the gardens are an activity unto themselves, if you’re at all interested in nature. I spent an hour easy—reading the plant facts and taking nature photos. If you don’t care for waterfalls, at least go for the garden—take a notebook and do some journaling (or drawing or meditation) if you’re traveling slow like me. There are plenty of shaded chairs in secluded areas to simply be with the plants and with yourself. They didn’t object to me walking in with my coffee and I thoroughly enjoyed my morning cup under the trees. The design of the sitting areas is very thoughtful; perfect for introverts.

Parking is right outside the gate, under a canopy of trees and there were a couple of vendors but none of them were aggressive or annoying. I highly recommend spending time here and then heading over for a baby hike...

This place is far away from Castries, where the cruise terminal is, so be ready for a two hour bus ride each way if you decide to go for the day. As Soufrier was the main city during French occupation, it has many sights worth visiting, including the two pitons. Nevertheless, the cruise port terminal is on Castries, the center during the British colony. Due to its volcanic soil, St. Lucia is incredibly fertile, different to many of the surrounding dry islands. This botanical garden has the dinamite waterfall that has a splendid color from all the minerals. The rivers that cross the garden are also dark—not because they are polluted—but because of all the minerals. There are also the sulphur springs, which are really just small swimming pools. Although the guide, Petra, told us they are good for your skin—which I don’t doubt—the setting wasn’t appealing...

Pretty, but mediocre, botanical garden.

$7usd entrance fee per person, an additional $6usd/person if you want to use the 3 mineral baths.

Diamond Falls is from Sulfur Springs runoff water and is not swimmable (even though you can swim in the hot springs at another location -_-;)

The mineral baths are along the main path, heading back to the waterfall, so you could have lots of people watching you....

Otherwise, the garden is pretty, well signed, and maintained.

Guides are OPTIONAL and are freelance and only get paid by your tips. We opted not to get one and didn't think we missed out on anything. (Many guides would point out the same plants that are clearly marked and provide the same basic info, as far as we heard.)

There is parking, a restaurant just outside and a little souvineer shop inside before you reach...