Let Her Inspire You
Plan Your Trip
Let Her Inspire You
Plan Your Trip
Situated in the Eastern Caribbean, Saint Lucia is an island known for her exotic beaches, luxury resorts, striking scenery and the Pitons. As one of the Windward Islands, we are found between Martinique and St. Vincent. One of the wonderful things about Saint Lucia is the wide choice of transportation available to the Island. There are more than a dozen airlines that service Saint Lucia’s two airports Hewanorra International Airport and George Charles Airport, from a host of international and local destinations. For those visitors arriving by sea, cruise lines and local ferries dock daily at Port Castries and Soufriere. Whether you choose to fly direct, stop off on a cruise or just pop over from one of the neighbouring islands you will find a warm Caribbean welcome awaits you.
Entry Requirements
Foreign nationals visiting or entering Saint Lucia are required to have a valid passport from their country. A visitor to Saint Lucia shall be permitted entry as long as his/her passport is valid for the duration of the stay in Saint Lucia and he/she has proof of a confirmed onward journey. Visas are not required where the visitor is a US, UK or Canadian citizen, or where there is an agreement for exemption between home country and Saint Lucia. Some countries do require visas (see http://www.govt.lc/media.govt.lc/www/resources/publications/saint-lucia-visa-requirements-updated.docx for list).
Additionally, all travellers arriving by air are strongly encouraged to complete the new Online Immigration Form prior to arrival to avoid delays on arrival. The form should be submitted no more than 3 days before travel to Saint Lucia – visit www.stlucia.org/entry for details.
Tourist Information
Tourist Information can be obtained from:
- Your hotel or resort’s front desk
- The Saint Lucia Tourist Authority’s Information Centers: Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage, Castries Tel: 452 7577 or Soufriere, Tel: 459 7419
- At both airports; George F.L. Charles Airport Tel: 452 2596. Hewanorra International Airport Tel: 454 6644
Generally, the information centers are open from 8.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Pointe Seraphine is open whenever cruise ships are in port. Information centers at the airports are open during flight times.
Language
The official language of Saint Lucia is English. However, natives speak a French Creole called Kwéyòl, which is commonly referred to as Patois. Learn more at this Kwéyòl Dictionary.
Time
Saint Lucia observes Atlantic Standard Time all year; this is similar to Eastern Time. However, Saint Lucia does no daylight-saving-time clock changes.
Banking
The currency of Saint Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. It is linked to the US Dollar and the exchange rate can be checked here. US currency is widely accepted on the island. There are currency exchange booths at the airport, and your hotel or resort might be able to exchange money at the front desk. Additionally, Saint Lucia has several banks that will exchange your funds. Banks open Monday to Thursday, 8.00am – 2.00pm and Friday, 8.00am – 5.00pm.
Service Charges & Tax
There is a value-added tax of 10% on hotel and restaurant bills. A service charge of 10% is also applicable. In some instances, these charges are included in prices quoted, so it is best to clarify. The prices on labels in shops and supermarkets may attract value-added tax.
Tipping
Tipping is not automatically added to most bills or transactions you may have on the island, but it is customary at about 10% to 12% of bills. Tips are generally accepted by bellhops in hotels, taxis, spa personnel, tour guides, butlers, some artisans and other persons providing services.
Departure Tax
Departure tax is included in the price of the ticket for all passengers over 12 years old leaving the island via air and sea travel.
Customs Regulations
The duty-free allowance for arriving passengers is 200 cigarettes or a half pound of tobacco or 50 cigars; 40 fluid ounces of wines or spirits. Duty free shopping is available at Pointe Seraphine, La Place, Carenage, the shopping malls and the departure lounge at Hewanorra Airport.
Electricity
Saint Lucia uses higher voltage than the United States of America. Saint Lucia is usually 240 Volts, 50 cycles AC (a few hotels are 110 Volts, 60 cycles). Most visitors will need a converter or transformer, which are generally available at the resorts or online. You can find relatively inexpensive power converters online.
Telecommunications
Saint Lucia has two very competent telecommunications providers, namely Digicel and FLOW. They both offer cutting edge technology and can both be contacted on island to secure needed services. Pre-paid mobile phone cards can be purchased island-wide for either provider.
Many card and coin public phone boxes are available around the island. Cellular phones are available for rent from either provider, and more information is available at your port of entry or any tourist information center.
Internet access is available at most shopping malls and at FLOW and also at a number of internet cafes island-wide. Both domestic and international direct dialing are available in Saint Lucia. Facsimiles are available through most hotels or through the FLOW office in Castries.
The international dialing code for Saint Lucia is 1 758. To call the UK from Saint Lucia dial 011 44 plus number. To call USA dial 1 plus number.
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Police, Fire and Ambulance – Tel: 911. Police Headquarters – Bridge Street, Castries, Tel: +1 758-452-2854 or request the Police Rapid Response Unit – Tel: +1 758-452-2854 ext. 167. You may also contact the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority – Tel: +1 758-452-5968/453-0053/452-4094.
Geography
Our neighbors are Martinique, 21 miles from our Northern tip and St. Vincent, 26 miles from our Southern tip. Both are visible on a clear day. Barbados is 110 miles southeast. The island is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, a total of 238 square miles.
Government
Saint Lucia is an independent democratic nation and part of the British Commonwealth. Its government is known for its Ministry of Tourism, which specializes in tourism, recreation and culture. The mission is to deliver quality, authentic and distinctive destination experiences.
Hospitals
In an emergency, call 911 – there are five medical facilities which are:
- Victoria Hospital: +1 758-452-2421/7059
- St. Jude’s Hospital Vieux Fort:+1 758-454-6041
- Soufriere +1 758-459-7258/5001
- Dennery +1 758-453-3310
- Tapion Hospital +1 758-459-2000
Health
Immunization is not required unless your coming from an infected area within six days of arrival; however, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid are recommended. Drinking water is safe from the tap and bottled mineral/distilled water is also available. There are several pharmacies in Castries, at the Gablewoods, JQ Charles and Baywalk shopping Malls. Most hotels have “over the counter” medication, such as Aspirin and first aid facilities. All hotels have doctors either resident or available on call. A resident doctor’s visit costs approx. US$ 15 (approx. EC$40- EC$50). For a “call-out” visit it may cost more.
Churches
Almost 80% of Saint Lucians are Roman Catholic. Other denominations include Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventists, Church of the Nazarene, Christian Science and the Salvation Army. Times of services vary at individual churches, so it is best to request additional information from your hotel reception.
Crime
Crime in Saint Lucia can be considered consistent with that of similar countries. It is unfair to say that it doesn’t exist, however, to say that it is minimal and well under control by our competent police force, is a well-placed statement. We do advise all visitors and even our nationals that common sense should prevail when traveling abroad. Refrain from making large displays of wealth (such as wearing expensive jewelry, producing large wads of cash, etc.), avoid venturing into areas that may appear to compromise safety. Crimes of any sort should be reported to the hotel, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, and/or the Police.