Planning Your St. Lucia Trip
If you are looking to visit the majestic Caribbean island of St. Lucia, making sure that you are properly prepared is the key to a smooth trip. Whether you are arriving at Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in Vieux Fort or George F.L. Charles Regional Airport (SLU) in Castries, we will help you learn what you need to do before arriving in order to have the ideal travel experience.
St. Lucia Entry Requirements
Visiting St. Lucia from another country typically requires a valid passport that will remain valid for the duration of the stay. Visitors arriving in St. Lucia who are citizens of the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom will not be required to obtain a visa in order to visit St. Lucia. This is also true for countries with whom St. Lucia has an agreement for visa exemption. A full list of countries that require a visa to visit St. Lucia can be found at www.govt.lc/faqs.
Obtaining Tourist Information
Information for tourists can be obtained during business hours (usually 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday) via the St. Lucia Tourist Authority Info Centers in La Place Carenage or Pointe Seraphine. If in Soufriere, you can call 469-7419 and if in Castries, you can call 452-7577.
George F.L. Charles (SLU) Airport offers both onsite and phone tourist information and can be reached at 452-2596, while Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), offers the same and can be reached at 454-6644.
Many hotel, resort, and Airbnb front desks and concierge services also offer a wide array of travel information.
George F.L. Charles (SLU) Airport offers both onsite and phone tourist information and can be reached at 452-2596, while Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), offers the same and can be reached at 454-6644.
Many hotel, resort, and Airbnb front desks and concierge services also offer a wide array of travel information.
The Languages of St. Lucia
While St. Lucia’s official language is English, there is a percentage of the native population that also speaks a dialect of French Creole known as Patois. It can help to learn a few basic phrases in Patois in case you get lost or need assistance.
St. Lucia Time Zone
St. Lucia is a relatively small island and has only one time zone- which does not change for daylight savings time. The entire island is part of Atlantic Standard Time.
St. Lucia Currency
While most attractions, accommodations, and shops in St. Lucia accept US dollars, the island’s official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar.
The airports and many resorts and hotels can offer currency exchange services based on the current exchange rate, and the island’s banks also offer this service.
In St. Lucia, banks are open from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM Monday through Thursday and until 5:00 PM on Friday.
The airports and many resorts and hotels can offer currency exchange services based on the current exchange rate, and the island’s banks also offer this service.
In St. Lucia, banks are open from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM Monday through Thursday and until 5:00 PM on Friday.
St. Lucia Telecommunications
While the best bet for many modern travelers is simply to activate international data and calling on their current mobile phones, there are a few telecommunications options on the island. Card and coin phone boxes can be found at locations throughout the island. It is also possible to rent a cell phone while on the island, and you can check at your point of entry for more information.
There are also two providers on the island, FLOW and Digicel, that offer services and pre-paid calling cards upon request.
If you will be receiving calls while in St. Lucia, the international dialing code is 1-758. To reach the United States, dial 1 and to reach the UK, dial 011 44.
There are also two providers on the island, FLOW and Digicel, that offer services and pre-paid calling cards upon request.
If you will be receiving calls while in St. Lucia, the international dialing code is 1-758. To reach the United States, dial 1 and to reach the UK, dial 011 44.
St. Lucia Emergency and Hospital Phone Numbers
Like in the United States, if you need to reach an ambulance, report a fire, or reach the police, dial 9-1-1. You can also call the Police Rapid Response Unit at +1-758-452-2854.
St. Lucia Hospitals
*Note* If you need over the counter medication or first aid, you will find that most hotels and resorts offer them onsite as well as onsite medical personnel. There are pharmacies located throughout the island.
St. Lucia Hospitals
- Dennery +1 758-453-3310
- Soufriere +1 758-459-7258/5001
- St. Jude’s Hospital Vieux Fort:+1 758-454-6041
- Tapion Hospital +1 758-459-2000
- Victoria Hospital: +1 758-452-2421/7059
*Note* If you need over the counter medication or first aid, you will find that most hotels and resorts offer them onsite as well as onsite medical personnel. There are pharmacies located throughout the island.
St. Lucia Service Charges, Taxes, and Tips
Hotel and restaurant bills in St. Lucia automatically add a 10% value added tax as well as a 10% service charge. These fees are sometimes, but not always, included in quoted prices, and as such it can help to inquire in advance.
Value added tax may also be separate from the price on labels when shopping for food and other goods.
Tips for bellhops, hotel workers, taxi and tour personnel and others is not required and is not usually added to most bills, but is customarily offered at a rate of 10-20%.
Value added tax may also be separate from the price on labels when shopping for food and other goods.
Tips for bellhops, hotel workers, taxi and tour personnel and others is not required and is not usually added to most bills, but is customarily offered at a rate of 10-20%.
Duty Free Customs Regulations
If you are looking to bring tobacco or alcohol home from St. Lucia, you will find that the duty free allowance is as follows: half pound of tobacco, 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, or 40 FL. OZ. Of spirits or wine.
There are many malls and shops, including those in Hewanorra (UVF) International Airport and the Castries open-air market that offer duty-free shopping.
There are many malls and shops, including those in Hewanorra (UVF) International Airport and the Castries open-air market that offer duty-free shopping.
St. Lucia Departure Tax
If leaving St. Lucia via plane, you will find that there is a departure tax included in the price of tickets. If leaving via sea ports, passengers over the age of 12 will have to pay a tax of $12 USD or $33 EC at the time of departure.
St. Lucia Electric Voltage
An important note, especially for travelers from the United States, is that St. Lucia uses higher voltage. While some hotels offer 110v current, most are 240v. This means that US visitors will need a converter to use items like cell phone chargers brought from home.
These can be found rather inexpensively online, and many resorts and hotels offer them (sometimes for a fee).
These can be found rather inexpensively online, and many resorts and hotels offer them (sometimes for a fee).
Crime in St. Lucia
While travelers visiting any new place should exercise basic caution and common sense protections, St. Lucia has a minimal crime rate. Local police are vigilant and highly competent in managing area crime.
Basic precautions include not flashing large amounts of cash, locking car and room doors when not in the vehicle or on the property, and not wearing large amounts of flashy jewelry.
Basic precautions include not flashing large amounts of cash, locking car and room doors when not in the vehicle or on the property, and not wearing large amounts of flashy jewelry.