Camping facilities are now available in  St. Lucia courtesy of the Environmental Educational Centre, a division of the St. Lucia National Trust (tel. 758 452 5005/5014  Web: www.slunatrust.org). Located along the island’s west coast, 25 miles from Castries, and about 30 miles from Balenbouche Estate, this reserve features 12 campsites along a beautiful stretch of beach on historic Anse Liberté. The area is believed to have been used as a hideout by slaves who escaped from a sugar plantation nearby. While the site is only a short distance from the picturesque fishing village of Canaries (40km (25 miles) southwest of Castries and 13km (8 miles) north of Soufriere), it is miles away from the hassles of modern day living. The campsite offers a lovely beach with crystal clear water and dark volcanic sand, hiking trails, “Brigand” caves, and great spots for recreational fishing. Tents are conveniently placed on a raised wooden platform, and at the communal centre—a large open building— you can socialize with other campers and enjoy a few drinks, perhaps some local bayleaf tea or cocoa to keep you warm. At present you must bring your own tent, paying US$15 per night to rent the site. While effort has been made to keep the area totally natural, the campsite offers the comforts of community bathrooms and community cooking areas. The reserve has 8km (5 miles) of hiking trails; staff members give tours of the area and explain the rich history of the Anse Liberté, which literally translated means “freedom bay.”