*THE BELOW INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR U.S. CITIZENS ONLY
. Lucia is breathtaking, with majestic peaks and valleys. We consider St. Lucia to be an exotic Caribbean destination experience. Accommodations range from all-inclusive resorts to classic inns, private villas, as well as boutique hotels with spas and wellness programs, in settings that will take your breath away.
Location
St. Lucia is located between Martinique and St. Vincent, near Barbados.
Climate
November is the hottest month in St Lucia with an average temperature of 83°F and the coldest is January at 79°F. From June to November, be prepared for sporadic tropical showers.
Time Zone
Saint Lucia lies in the Atlantic Standard time zone. It is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time, except in the summer, when the time zones are the same.
Language
English is the official language, but Saint Lucians also speak a French-Creole commonly called Patois, which is used in day-to-day affairs.
Airports
Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in Vieux Fort is the international airport where most flights arrive. UVF is located 40 miles south of Castries, the capital city. It is typically a winding scenic drive to the resorts. George F. L. Charles Airport is an inter-island airport located just outside Castries, served by U.S. flights from San Juan Puerto Rico.
Getting Around
Minibuses serve as the main ground transportation for the island. Fares range from EC$2.50 to EC$8.00. All minibuses have a green number plate with an M prefix. Taxis are easily available at taxi stands or by telephone. All authorized taxis have a light-blue number plate with a TX prefix. Fares vary. Before you hire a taxi, confirm the fare. If you tend to get car sick, we highly recommend traveling by sea whenever possible.
Automobiles, rental cars and scooters can be booked in advance or locally, based on availability. They drive on the left side of the road here. A temporary driver’s licence is required for visitors and may be obtained upon presentation of a valid driver’s license on arrival at the airport, the police station in Castries or the car rental offices.
Saint Lucia is well serviced by ferries from Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe. . Several ferry lines connect Saint Lucia with Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe. Visit express-des-iles.com or stlucia.org for ferry options and details. Helicopter transfers between Hewanorra and George FL Charles airports offer a terrific aerial island tour (great way to start your vacation!) and reduce the travel time between the south and north of the island (visit stluciahelicopters.com).
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.
Currency
The currency of Saint Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, which is linked to the U.S. dollar at the exchange rate of US$1 to EC$2.70.
Electricity
220 Volts, 20 cycles AC (a few hotels are 110 Volts, 60 cycles). Adaptors are generally available at the resorts but can be limited, so best to provide your own.
Dial Code
The international dialing code for Saint Lucia is 1 (758).
Entry Requirements
U.S. Citizens are required to have a valid passport. Passports should be valid for 3 months upon entering Saint Lucia. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, visit www.perryvisa.com. It is your responsibility to obtain the required documents for travel.
Departure Tax
Departure tax is included in the price of the ticket for all passengers over 12 years old leaving the island via air travel.
The UNESCO World Heritage Piton Mountains are worth a visit, whether you stay nearby, take in a hiking trail or enjoy an excursion. The island is full of palm-fringed black and white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. The Enbas Saut Waterfalls Trail offers exotic seclusion with two tall waterfalls cascading into natural swimming pools.
There is plenty of sightseeing to keep you busy for weeks. We suggest you focus on those things unique to the island of St. Lucia. Birdwatching and trekking, horseback riding, heritage tours, and exhilarating ziplining in the rainforest are the best way to get unclose and personal with the island. There’s also whale watching and turtle watching, deep-sea fishing and sailing, as well as some of the best diving in the Caribbean.
Great Britain took possession in 1838 and contributed the official English language, political structure, educational and legal systems. But it is the French and African influence that dominates this islands village names, cuisine, music and the arts in general.
Don't miss St. Lucia's regular street parties in Gros Islet, the weekly Dennery Fish Festival and the Anse la Raye Seafood Friday—all of which feature plenty of fun and music for visitors of all ages.
One of the most attractive aspects to planning your destination wedding here is that there is no waiting period. Couples can get married within hours of arriving, although your resort wedding planner will usually prefer you to arrive a day before to meet with you and reconfirm the details. All you need to do is apply for a license (or a "special"one if you're staying in Saint Lucia for less than 24 hours) and have original copies of the required documentation.
Saint Lucia is naturally romantic and home to some of the best honeymoon resorts in the world, including Jade Mountain, the very place where “The Bachelor” himself proposed during the show’s 14th season. Every suite here is an ideal honeymoon suite, featuring views of the majestic Pitons from decks that include private plunge pools. Rumor has it that a honeymoon couple once spent five days in the suite before coming back out.
Getting married in Saint Lucia is an easy process: An application for a marriage license can be made immediately on arrival. Fees are determined according to the expedition at which you require the license. Same day licenses are US$204; otherwise, the regular fee for a marriage license is US$127.
Saint Lucia seems naturally inclined to inspire romance. The island is home to some of the best honeymoon resorts in the world, including Jade Mountain, the exclusive, all-suite getaway set high in the mountains, and which happens to be the very place where “The Bachelor” himself proposed during the show’s 14th season. Every suite here is an ideal honeymoon suite, featuring views of the majestic Pitons from decks that include private plunge pools. Rumor has it that a honeymoon couple once spent five days in the suite before coming back out.
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort’s is located between the Pitons, making it a favorite for honeymooners. Anse Chastanet’s curved cove is lined with palm trees, and features a coral reef that makes it ideal for both sunning and snorkeling. All beaches in Saint Lucia are public, so couples are free to explore and find their own private place in the sun.
One popular beach tour is by horseback. These tours on horseback often include inland trails and traditional Caribbean lunch as well, offering an authentic island experience.
Saint Lucia is a foodie paradise, with fresh ingredients grown or caught locally. Street vendors are the places to eat grilled fish or chicken legs and bakes (fried biscuits)—accompanied by rum or beer (the local brand is Piton.) Make a reservation at one of Saint Lucia’s romantic restaurants. Dasheene, at Ladera resort near Soufriere, offering al fresco dining with spectacular views of the Pitons-perfect for sunset. Curious? Visit the Castries Central Market, the largest on the island, packed with stalls of fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers and spices. For handicrafts and clothing, cross the street to the Vendors Arcade.
Visitors to St. Lucia have the opportunity to dine on a 3-course meal at 16 award-winning restaurants for $55. dinearoundstlucia.com.
St. Lucia's mineral waters were found to have curative properties similar to those of Aix-les-Bains in France. For a small fee visitors can slip into a bathing suit and bathe for 30 minutes in one of the outside pools. A private bath costs a bit more, although it was probably free to Empress Josephine Bonaparte who was said to have bathed in these very waters bubbling up from underground Sulphur Springs. Be sure to take in a volcanic mud bath!
Just south of Soufriere, explore the drive-in volcano, walking over bridges to view the boiling mud and clouds of steam that shoot 50 ft. in the air..
Shopping in Soufriere, you will find a wide array of items including hand-woven baskets, straw hats, local spices and clay pots. In Castries, find a livelier party atmosphere with probably the largest number of authentic island-made souvenirs at the Craft Market on Jeremie Street. There's a big outdoor market on Peynier Street called the Vendors Arcade. La Place Carenage is a one-time cargo shed that is now a 2-level waterfront duty free complex with a variety of boutiques selling everything from fine china, crystal and jewelry, to clothing stores selling batik and island fiber-made clothing, as well as duty-free liquor. There are also several shopping malls throughout the island, to find everything from beachwear and books, to electronic and jewelry stores.
*All information was valid at time of creation and is subject to change without notice.