Getting to know St. Lucia

The hidden gem of the Caribbean.

General information from A to Z.

Airports:

St. Lucia has two airports :

1. Hewanorra Airport : The international airport situated in the South of the island close to Vieux Fort. To reach the Mirage Beach Hotel it takes 15 minutes.

2. George F. L. Charles Airport : the Caribbean airport situated in the North of the island close to Castries. To reach the Mirage Beach Hotel it takes about an hour.

Car rental:

From airports or most hotel reception desks.
A local driving license is mandatory, cost is US $ 20.00 or EC$ 53.00. Your local car-rental company can issue this using your current driving license. The validity is 3 months.

Rental cost is between US$ 40.00 and US$ 70.00 per day, depending on the 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.

Climate:

St. Lucia's tropical climate guarantees pleasant temperatures throughout the year. Temperatures vary between 18° C and 35° C (64° F and 95° F). Short rain showers regularly occur especially during the summer period. July to November is the rainy season.

Currency:

Prices are mostly indicated in local currency, the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. The EC$ has a fixed rating against the US$ (2.68 EC$ = 1 US$)
US$ as well as Travelers Checks and Credit Cards are widely accepted in most hotels and restaurants.

Drinking water:

Tap water is perfectly safe but to avoid possible intestinal complaints it is recommended to drink bottled water.

Economy:

St. Lucia's economy is traditionally based on agriculture.
Tourism with its very solid infrastructure, and respect for nature conservation, is now the most important economical pillar.

Electricity:

Everywhere 220 Volts 50 Hz. The same type of plugs as in the United Kingdom are used, these differ from most other European countries.

Good to know:

The St. Lucians are generally very friendly and obliging, but St. Lucia is not free of crime. By way of precaution do not show off your wealth.

Possession of drugs and their usage can incur heavy penalties.

Topless sun-bathing is prohibited and rarely seen on public beaches.

If you want to take pictures of, or film individuals, ask their prior permission. Some are proud that you take a picture, but others do not want to have pictures taken.

In the surroundings of Soufrière some local Rastas can be blatant in offering their services. A clear and friendly 'no' is sufficient. Alternatively you can accept their offer; but take our advice: agree on a fee in advance!

Health:

No vaccinations are required (no malaria).
The sun burns easily, so use suntan lotions with a high protection factor.
For emergencies dial the emergency number: 911.

History of St. Lucia in a nutshell:

The first visitors that set foot on the island's lovely beaches were the peaceful Arawak Indians. The Europeans discovered this paradise island at the time of Columbus.
During the 17th and 18th centuries the French and English battled to become masters. In 1814 St. Lucia was finally ceded to the British and later, English became the official language.
In February 1979 Saint Lucia acquired full independence from the British with a stable parliamentary democracy.

Passports and Visa:

Proof of identity is sufficient for residents of the United Kingdom, the USA and Canada for a period of stay of a maximum of 6 months, and also for the residents of the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States).
A valid passport is required to enter St. Lucia for the residents of all countries of the European Union (except those of the United Kingdom), all Scandinavian countries, Switzerland and some others.

Attention!!

- You need to have proof of a valid return ticket.
- On departure you need to pay a 'departure tax' of EC$ 40.00 per person (US$ currency not accepted!!!).

Population:

The island's 160.000 inhabitants are mainly of African origin. The St. Lucians are generally very charming and kind.
English is the official language. The people also speak a kind of French Patois.

Situation:

This green volcanic island is situated between Martinique and St. Vincent, shaped like a coconut and is 43 km (27 miles) long, 23 km (14 miles) wide.
Significant are its twin mountains Gros Piton (2619 ft) and Petit Piton (2460 ft) rising steeply from the sea.

Time difference:

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

Top festivities:

In May: the yearly Jazz Festival.

In July: Carnival festivities with, as high point, the election of the Calypso King and Queen (Calypso music to St. Lucia is like Rock & Roll to the USA).

In December: the Country & Western Festival.

Tourist boards of St. Lucia:

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