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General Information |
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The first visitors that set foot on the island's lovely
beaches were the peaceful Arawak Indians. During the 9th
century they were expelled by the fierce Carib Indians until
the Europeans discovered this island paradise at the time of
Columbus. During the 17th and 18th centuries the French and English
battled to become masters and St. Lucia changed hands 14
times. In 1814 St. Lucia was finally ceded to the British and in
1842 English became the official language. In 1967 St. Lucia was granted internal self-government by
the British and acquired full independence in 1979 with a
stable parliamentary democracy.
St. Lucia's history:
This green volcanic island is situated between Martinique
and St. Vincent and it has the shape of a mango. It is part of the Windward Islands with an area of 616
km2 (238 square miles), 43 km (27 miles) long, 23 km (14
miles) wide. Typical are its twin mountains Gros Piton (2619 ft) and
Petit Piton (2460 ft) rising steeply from the sea. St. Lucia's tropical climate guarantees pleasant
temperatures throughout the year. Cool North-Easterly
breezes from the Atlantic Ocean provide regular and natural
freshness. The winter season has temperatures between 18° C and
31° C (64° F and 88° F) and is also the
driest season with occasional refreshing showers. The summer season has temperatures between 23° C and
35° C (74° F and 95° F). This is also the
rainy season starting in June and ending in November. Mostly
short but heavy showers occur with a rare chance of a
tropical storm or hurricane.
Situation:
Climate:
The ± 150.000 inhabitants of the island are mainly
of African origin. The St. Lucians are generally very
charming and kind. Walking through the streets, you are
greeted often with a warm 'hello!'. English is the official language. The people also speak a
kind of French Patois. Some elderly inhabitants, especially
from the rural parts of the island, have difficulties to
speak English clearly.
Population:
Prices are mostly indicated in the local currency, the
Eastern Caribbean Dollar. The EC$ has a fixed rating against
the US$ (2.68 EC$ = 1 US$). US$ as well as Travellers Cheques and Credit Cards are
widely accepted in most hotels and restaurants. St. Lucia's economy is traditionally based on
agriculture. The earlier sugar cane cultivation has been
mostly replaced by banana cultivation. The 'green gold' with
an average annual export of about 110,000 tons is, still
today, an important source of income. Tourism with its very solid infrastructure, and respect
for nature conservation, is now the most important
economical pillar. With about 3,500 rooms and a 250,000
nights spend in 1996, the tourism industry increases yearly
by about 10 %. Everywhere 220 Volts 50 Hz. The same type of plugs are
used as in the United Kingdom, these differ from most other
European countries.
Currency:
Economy:
Electricity:
No vaccinations are required (no malaria). Tetanus and
Hepatitis are recommended. The sun burns easily, take your precautions and use
suntan lotions with a high protection factor. For emergencies dial the emergency number : 911.
Health:
Tap water is perfectly safe but to avoid possible
intestinal complaints it is recommended to drink bottled
water. St. Lucia uses Atlantic Standard Time, which is 4 hours behind GMT. As St. Lucia is close to the equator, daylight duration
remains more or less the same throughout the year. Sun rises
around 5.45 am. and sun sets around 6.15 pm. A proof of identity is sufficient for the residents of : - The United Kingdom, the USA and Canada for a period of stay of maximum 6 months. A valid passport is required to enter St. Lucia for the residents of : - All countries of the European Union (United Kingdom - see above). A visa is required for the residents of all countries not mentioned above. Attention: - You need to have proof of a valid return ticket.
Drinking water:
Time difference:
Passports and Visa:
- The OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States).
- All Scandinavian countries.
- Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Turkey, Tunisia, Uruguay and Venezuela.
- The British Commonwealth.
- Most East-European countries.
- South-Africa
- On departure you need to pay a 'departure tax' of 40 EC$ or 18 US$.
St. Lucia has two airports : 1. Hewanorra Airport: The international airport
situated in the South of the island close to Vieux Fort. 2. George F.L. Charles Airport (Vigie): the
Caribbean airport situated in the North of the island close to Castries. The following airlines fly to St. Lucia (information
subject to change) : - Hewannora Airport : Air Canada, Air Liberté,
American Airlines, British Airways, Britannia, BWIA,
Caledonian Airways, Condor.
Airports:
- George F.L. Charles Airport : Air Martinique, American
Airlines, BWIA, Helenair, LIAT.
Where? At the airports or hotel reception desks. Who? Avis, Budget, Courtesy Car Rental, Dollar Rent a Car, Hertz, National Car Rental, New Frontier Auto Rentals. How? A local driving licence is mandatory, cost is US$ 22.00 or EC$ 54.00. Your local car-rental company can issue
this using your current driving licence. The validity is 3 months. Prices? Mostly between 40 and 70 US$ per day, depending on car type and total rental period. Advice: Be very careful, driving is on the left and the secondary roads are not always in good shape.
Car rental:
In July : Carnival with, as highpoint, the election of the Calypso King and Queen (Calypso music in St. Lucia is
like Rock & Roll in the USA). In May : the yearly Jazz Festival.
Top festivities:
