The Caribbean’s small, lush, tropical gem.
St. Lucia is the sort of island that travellers to the Caribbean dream about—a small, lush tropical gem that is still relatively unknown.
In natural beauty, St. Lucia seems like an island plucked from the South Pacific and tucked into the Caribbean. Its dramatic twin coastal peaks, the Pitons, soar 2,000 feet above the sea, sheltering magnificent rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns and birds of paradise flourish.
St. Lucia has been inhabited since long before colonial times, and its cultural treasures are a fascinating combination of its rich past and traditions. The island's people have earned a well-deserved reputation for their warmth and charm, and St. Lucia itself is dotted with fortresses, small villages and open-air markets. There’s a rich array of exciting and exotic activities available on St. Lucia. The island’s steep coastlines and spectacular reefs offer unparalleled snorkeling and scuba diving. Not to be missed is St. Lucia’s Soufriere volcano, the world’s only drive-in volcanic crater.
The rainforest preserves of St. Lucia’s mountainous interior offer some of the Caribbean’s finest hiking and bird watching. Of course, the island also possesses excellent facilities for golf, tennis and sailing.
Where is St. Lucia?
One of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, St. Lucia is located midway down the Eastern Caribbean chain, between Martinique and St. Vincent, and north of Barbados. St. Lucia is only 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, with a shape that is said to resemble either a mango or an avocado (depending on your taste). The Atlantic Ocean kisses its eastern shore, while the beaches of the west coast owe their beauty to the calm Caribbean Sea.
Weather in St. Lucia
The seasons differ far less drastically than they do in the UK, making St. Lucia weather pleasant nearly year-round. December-May is the driest and coolest time, with day temperatures in the 70s-80s F (23-32 C) and night temperatures in the 60s-70s F (15-27 C). During the hottest time of year (June-August), daytime temperatures can reach the 90s F (32-37 C). Blue skies and a strong tropical sun are constant features of St. Lucia weather, but visitors will rarely feel stifled; St. Lucia weather is tempered by mild trade winds blowing off the water. The rainy season is June-November, but don't expect a constant downpour, instead just short, sporadic, refreshing bursts.
Advice for travellers to St. Lucia
Passports & immigration
We strongly recommend that all members of your party travel with a passport with a validity date of at least six months past the date of your departure from the island. For information on obtaining or renewing a passport you can visit www.ips.gov.uk/passport/index.asp. In current times, passports are the most expeditious and reliable form of identification when travelling domestically or internationally.
Airports
- Hewanorra International Airport at Vieux Fort is located 40 miles south of Castries
- George Charles Inter Island Airport is just outside Castries
Departure tax
There is a Departure Tax of US$22 for all passengers over 12 years of age leaving St. Lucia.
Personal safety
St. Lucia is relatively crime free, but exercise normal precautions; i.e. don’t leave valuables unattended in rental cars or on the beach. Place your valuables and travel documents in your room safe. Keep your guest room doors and windows locked, especially at night and when you are not in the room.
Shopping in St. Lucia
St. Lucia has shopping experiences to suit all travellers.
Gros Islet, on the north end of the island, offers a beautiful setting for shopping whether you are arriving by yacht or staying at the district’s world-renowned St. James’s Club resort. The Rodney Bay Marina offers a modern shopping arcade with a selection of stores and services including gift items, clothing, banking and restaurants. For golfers, the St. Lucia Golf & Country Club offers a full selection of equipment.
In St. Lucia’s capital of Castries, you’ll discover a variety of unique shopping experiences. Pointe Seraphine, a harbour-front shopping complex, offers duty-free designer perfumes, crystal, china, jewellery, cigars and clothing as well as wood carvings and other local arts and crafts. The 100-year old Castries market is a must-see — where locals offer island memorabilia, spices and foods.
Gablewoods, just north of Castries, offers an array of shops and services including international books and news, postal services, restaurants and a supermarket. At Artsibits Gallery you’ll find local paintings and carvings.
Combine sightseeing and shopping at the 100 year-old Caribelle hilltop house, where you can watch artisans craft batik and screen-prints while you shop in the exotic boutique. On the southern coast of the island you’ll find the Choiseul Arts & Crafts centre, a wonderful source of hand-woven baskets, unique place mats, chairs and woodcarvings.
While store hours vary from establishment to establishment, you will find the majority are open from 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. The Castries Market is particularly vibrant on Saturdays, especially during the Jazz Festival and Carnival. Most shops are open Saturdays regularly from 8:30am to 12:30pm, while the major shopping centres are open in the afternoon as well. With the exception of the marina-based shops, shopping is generally closed on Sundays. Duty-free shopping is available at the following shopping centres in St. Lucia:
- La Place Carenage, Castries
- Pointe Seraphine, Castries
- J.Q. Mall, Rodney Bay
- Hawanorra Airport Duty-Free
