Castries Market located in the heart of the capital city in St Lucia – Castries on the corner of Jeremie and Peynier street. The premiere location where locals vendors have the opportunity to sell a wealth of locally made produce products and craft.< --more--> The market building has been modified over the years but allows for both inside and outside vendor stalls. The upstairs is a popularly transformed into the Nashville Palace where old style country and western music is played for all the locals to enjoy and dance to. The Castries Market has been a popular tourist destination for many years allowing visitors to enjoy a local shopping experience one that you may never forget. Vendors may have on offer produce that may include mango s green and ripe bananas plantain vegetables avocado breadfruit and even some things that you may of thought you knew but you would be surprised to find are not exactly what you thought. Like – plums ackee golden apples and more. Additional to what is on sale you will also find local cuisine and sample some of the actual produce that is laid around you. You may even be lucky enough to be told about some of the preparation and cooking techniques of these local delicacies. A typical visit would take about a hour if you take you time. The best time to go and most active would be a Saturday but the market is open every day of the week. Pros: The Market is abundant with colour and vibrancy and can be an exciting experience the people are warm and very welcoming. You can find crafts including gift baskets of spices sauces local banana ketchup red and green wood carvings batiks and an array of hand made products that can include sandals wood carvings brooms and more. Cons: St Lucia is a third world country regardless of your spectacular accommodation the Castries Market is local and can be a little dirty at times you may come across individual being pushy to sell and the odd beggar who may attempt to impose himself upon you for a coin or two. What to bring: Ensure that you have some cash some coins and a camera. Also since you may be there walking around wear comfortable shoes as you may be on your feet for some time. Guys carry enough change to get yourself a beer or two there are a few locations around where you can pick up a cold one
