Segways in Saint Lucia

We were looking for something different to do when we came to this lush island nation. It was a perfect opportunity to learn to ride Segways in Saint Lucia.

About Saint Lucia

Nestled between Martinique to the north and Saint Vincent to the south is the island of Saint Lucia. It was originally inhabited by the Carib people. Once the Europeans arrived, it was claimed by many different countries until 1814 when France gave it over to the British. Saint Lucia was first called Louanalao, which means Island of the Iguanas, and later was known at Hewanorra. About 180,000 people currently live on Saint Lucia.

Its main source of income comes from the tourism industry. Bananas, avocados and mangos are also exported, and some diverse manufacturing is also a dominant force of the economy. Cricket, football, netball, and athletics are popular sports there.

What to Do

We had always wanted to try riding Segways, so we took advantage of this opportunity while in Saint Lucia. We were provided with helmets and Segways, and given a short introductory lesson in a flat open area. I stepped on with a little trepidation, but the key is really to just commit yourself to getting on. Then it really is as simple as leaning forward to get it to move.

Our guides took our group up some trails where we had a few brief stops to learn about various plants in the area and their medicinal benefits. That was an unexpected bonus to our day. We carried on to a beautiful beach area and then up to a lookout point. It was a real highlight of our Caribbean trip.

Next Time in Saint Lucia

In photos of Saint Lucia, you will often see the two magnificent mountain peaks, known as the Pitons. In the future I would like to do some hiking around that area. It is also well known for its volcanic, sulphurous mud baths. While stinky, I would like to experience that. And as a chocolate lover, I think the idea of a chocolate tour and tasting with the opportunity to make my own chocolate bar sounds delicious.