Top 10 Travel Tips for Visiting Saint Lucia

1. Plan Your Trip’s Itinerary –The first thing you will want to do when getting ready for your trip is plan out what you want to do and see. Having a plan in place will allow you to do more of the things you want, and it will also make packing for your trip much easier. Even though having a plan is always a good idea, being flexible and open to a variety of experiences can make any trip a little more enjoyable.
2. Make Copies of Important Documents – If you happen to lose important documents, your dream vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare. You should make clear photocopies of things like IDs, passports and receipts for prepaid services, in case of unforeseen issues. Taking this simple step can save you untold amounts of time, money, and frustration.
3. Notify Financial Institutions of Your Travel Plans – Notifying your bank, credit card companies, and other financial institutions is a must when you travel. Doing so will prevent your accounts from being put on hold. Failing to do so could potentially cause you a host of issues. Most banks have simple, frictionless options in their app that will allow you to alert them of your plans.
4. Compare Rates and Prices – It’s certainly worth spending a little time comparison shopping for your travel and accommodations. Package deals can save you a good deal of money, depending on what you’re looking for. Keep in mind that it may be worth spending a little extra money for certain conveniences, services, and perks. Click the “book now” option below and input your intended travel dates to see a comparison of prices.
5. Consider Traveling in the Off-Season – If your vacation times are flexible, traveling to Saint Lucia in the off-season can save you a substantial amount of money. The off-season begins in May and continues on through October. Even though it’s the off-season, there are still tons of incredible activities, events, and festivals going on. In fact, this is when the island is at its liveliest, and when you’re most likely to have a truly authentic Saint Lucia experience!
6. Make a Packing List – Before you begin to pack, make a list of the things you will want and need on your trip. Take a little time to think about any items you can bring that would enhance your planned activities. Check with your airline about their baggage policy, weigh your bags and check their size before going to the airport, so that there won’t be any surprises when you get there.
7. Pack Efficiently – Take as many of the things that you think you’ll need as you can, but also be practical and avoid taking up valuable room with items you can find anywhere. Rolling your clothes tightly instead of folding them will save you precious space and reduce deep creases. Keep any essential items like ID, passport, any paperwork, money, credit cards, traveler’s checks, contact information, and medication on your person at all times, or stow them in the hotel safe. And leave a little room in your suitcase for souvenirs!
8. Learn Some Key Phrases – Most of the inhabitants of Saint Lucia speak fluent English, especially those under 40, but it’s always wise to know a little bit of the local language. Kwéyòl is spoken mainly in rural communities and small towns, but certain phrases are common across the island. Being able to effectively communicate is very useful, but speaking some of the language will also allow you to enjoy your trip a little more through casual conversations.
9. Activate International Data on Your Phone – Most carriers these days offer affordable plans for international travel. Many of them will charge as low as $10 US a day to use your data while you’re abroad. If your own carrier doesn’t have a plan like this, however, local carriers FLOW and Digicel both offer reasonable plans for travelers.
10. Save Your Hotel Information – Saving your hotel’s address, phone number, and even your room number in your phone is another good idea. With everything going on, it’s easy to forget small details, even the important ones. This simple step can make trying to find your way in unfamiliar surroundings much easier.