Castries is the capital of Santa Lucia, which is located in the West Indies. It also belongs to a district with the same name, which as of 2001 has a population of over 61,000. The city is built on reclaimed land because it stands in a place that was once a flood gut. Santa Lucia's seat of government is located in the Castries. The city is designed with a grid pattern similar to New York City in the United States, but at a much smaller scale. A sheltered harbor, used to receive cargo liners and cruise ships, is also located in the City. A Duty Free facility is also found in the city. The dining scene in the city is supported by several restaurants that sell everything from local faire to Chinese dishes.

The city is served by the George F L Charles Airport also known as the Vigie Airport and the Hewanorra International Airport. A ferry service between Castries and Fort-de-France in Martinique is also available. Bus lines also serve the city and the ports are also accessible to private yachts.

Tourism is a big part of the economy in Castries. It is one of the major tourist destinations in all of Santa Lucia. Cruise ships constantly dock in Castries and tourists are attracted to the Duty Free services offered in the city. The greatest number of resorts can be found in the country are found in Castries and its neighboring towns and islands. Tourists can make use of the taxis that serve the town as well as the water taxis that transport them from one island to another.