Weather
Luckily, the trade winds blow for most of the year.It rains in summer from May to August.
Visa, Immigration, Customs
Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your scheduled length of stay. For stays of less than 6 months: Government issued identification cards such as a Birth Certificate or proof of citizenship accompanied by photo ID such as a Driver's License. The airline or cruise company transporting you may require you to carry a passport. Please consult the entry requirements for every country on your itinerary.
Visa/Permit/Tourist Card:No visa required for stays of up to 42 days for Australians and the UK and up to 180 months for citizens of Canada and USA.
Single parents or other adults vacationing alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.
Transportation
International airports at Castries and Vieux Fort; helicopters operate between George F L Charles and Hewanorra airports.
Airports in Saint Lucia:There are 2 airports in Saint Lucia.
Travel by Water:Boat charters are easily available at Castries, Marigot Bay and Rodney Bay.
Travel by Road:The road network is fairly good and car rentals are a good option. You will need an international driver's license.
A good, regular bus service keeps the capital connected to ruralareas-but few buses run after dark or on Sundays. Taxis are easy tocome by, but agree on the fare before you set out, especially if your journey bears any resemblance to a tour!
What Side of the Road?:Driving is on the left side of the road.
Your driver's license is accepted.:Urban areas - 48 kph; highways - 80 kph
Culture & Food
Languages Spoken:English (official), French patois.
Religions:Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 3%, other Protestant 7%
People and Culture:England, France and Africa met the Caribbean here a few centuries back. They've learned to get along-to the great enhancement of the island's people. Two Nobel laureates hail from St. Lucia-Derek Walcott, who won the 1992 Nobel Prize for Literature, and former Princeton University professor Sir Arthur Lewis (1915-91), who developed what became known as the Lewis Model of economic transition to an industrial economy, and won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1979.
A resident or national of Saint Lucia is called Saint Lucian. The Term used to describe things from here is Saint Lucian. For example, Saint Lucian food.
Tipping and Bargaining: Tipping is practiced occasionally.
Restaurants: |
10% if no service fee |
*Porters: |
none |
Taxi: |
none |
* Try to use local currency. Foreign coins cannot be exchanged and will be useless to the person receiving them. Foreign paper money requires a trip to the bank for exchange. However paper US dollars are accepted almost universally.
Food:The fertile, volcanic soil is a cornucopia of produce, especially abundant in varieties of fruit. Equally abundant fresh seafood contributes to making this island's cuisine internationally renowned. Callaloosoup is the national dish; it is often joined on menus by other Creole culinary delights.
Money ConversionSaint Lucia's currency is called the East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Currency Converter :use the following currency converter tool to help you with your vacation. Currency Convertor Tool
Currency Cheat Sheet:use the following currency cheat sheet as a quick conversion reference on your vacation. Currency Cheat Sheet
Attractions
Destination Cities:Castries is the island's capital, a busy port situated on a large natural harbour, with Castries Market nearby, selling crafts and produce. Two different blazes two centuries ago and one fifty years back destroyed its historic buildings, but the central square named for Derek Walcott retains its gingerbread trim. See the Victorian-style library and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, across from which is a saman tree reputedly 400 years old. Protected Rodney Bay is the site of the Reduit Beach resort area with its small fishing village, Gros Islet. Rodney Bay Marina close by is the island's largest yachting port.
Points of Interest:Pigeon Island became a peninsula at the start of the '70s and a national park in '79. Its pathways take you among the ghostly stone remains of buildings that used to be part of Fort Rodney.
Disclaimer and Waiver of Liabilities: We have attempted to provide quality information in this travel guide but assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of it. The content of this guide is updated regularly and without warning or notice. Travel Howz(and its officers, directors, employees, agents, distributors or affiliates) are not responsible or liable for any loss, damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or other injury or cause related to or resulting from the use of this guide.
|