SAINT LUCIA Travel Guide: 9 Things To Know Before You Go
St Lucia travel guide: things to know before you go
Nestled between the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean and the cool waters of the Caribbean sea, St. Lucia is one of the countries that make up the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. Dubbed the ‘Helen of the West Indies’, the island paradise is known for it’s tranquil escape and serene environment, making it perfect for a relaxing departure from the hustle and bustle of your real world worries.
This past Easter I decided to forsake the exciting and tantalizing events of Jamaica carnival festivities and instead made the decision to venture to somewhere new that was calling my name…. SAINT LUCIA. With breathtaking mountains, lush rainforests, a dormant volcano, mesmerizing sandy beaches and colourful coral reefs, St Lucia quickly ascended to the top of my list as a must visit Caribbean destination. Furthermore, with an added bonus of one of my friends who has been living on the island for the past 8 years dying to have a visitor to host; the plan was set, flight book and off I went.
Now you may be wondering why a girl from the Caribbean wants to go to another Caribbean island for vacation? Aren’t all the islands basically the same? And to that I answer a big fat NO!!! Though we share a similar heritage and many similarities in our culture, each Caribbean is distinct and unique in their own way. The vibrancy and outrageousness of Jamaica is not the same as the mellow and relaxed nature of some of our Caribbean neighbours. (I mean the running joke ‘How do you know I’m Jamaican?’ exists for a reason. :P). Each country in the Caribbean is special and has its own flavour that adds to the deliciousness of the Caribbean community and St. Lucia is no different. Home to world’s only drive-in Volcano in Soufriere and the twin peak wonders, The Pitons; St. Lucia has just the right mix of offerings to make it a great vacation spot.
And although I did do some research before I visited St. Lucia, there were still a few things that were new to me that I found out when I arrived on the island or just before travelling to St. Lucia. So if you’re a novice like myself, and you’re planning a trip to St. Lucia anytime in the future, here are a few tips to know before venturing off on your vacation.
Things you should know before heading to St Lucia:
If you’re coming from Jamaica like I was, there are no direct flights to St. Lucia
Unfortunately, there aren’t any direct flights connecting St. Lucia and Jamaica. Your options are to travel through the US (Miami), Barbados or Trinidad. Personally, I took the US route since it is the closest to Jamaica, taking around an hour and a half to reach there. And from Miami, the flight to St. Lucia is around 3 1/2 hours. Just to note that there are also no same day flights to St. Lucia, as when I was searching for flights, they all had an overnight layover in whichever country you chose to travel via.
(Small rant: To be honest, I wish inter-Caribbean travel was a bit more common and easier. For some islands it’s an easy 1-2 because of how close they are but for others it can be a bit taxing. I mean come on….there are no direct flights to St. Lucia from Jamaica, I literally have to fly to other countries to get there. Le sigh! *steps to the podium: I have a dream… that one day, little Caribbean girls and little Caribbean boys will experience the ease of travelling through the Caribbean!! But until then, it’s still a bit strenuous and here we are. Nonetheless, I made it there and back safe and sound so that’s good. -rant complete).
The currency used in Saint Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC/ ECD/XCD)
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC/ ECD/XCD) is the shared currency used across all the islands of the eastern Caribbean. Their exchange rate is $2.7 ECD to $1 USD (which is fairly stable and hasn’t changed in a long while) or $1 ECD to $57.96 JMD. They however, like many countries in the world, do also accept US dollars as a form of payment.
There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents and 1 dollar. There are bills of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars. It’s worth mentioning that many establishments accept payment in US dollars, traveler’s checks or international credit cards. I always advise to have some cash on you when travelling because you never know when you may go somewhere that doesn’t accept cards. You should also check with your bank if there are any significant fees associated with using your card internationally.
It is a visa free destination for Jamaicans
Yes, you read it correctly. It is a visa free destination for Jamaicans. All you need to visit there is your Jamaican passport. Although I traveled through the US which requires a visa, you do have the options of travelling to St. Lucia via Trinidad (Caribbean Airlines) or Barbados (InterCaribbean Airways) which are visa-free options for Jamaicans.
In fact, the entry requirements for St. Lucia are pretty simple. It is visa free for citizens of the US, Caricom, and Commonwealth countries. You need a valid passport for the duration of your stay, proof of a return date and to fill out their electronic immigration form listing your purpose of visit, itinerary and your contact information within 72 hours of arrival.
Eastern Caribbean Dollars
4. All beaches are FREE!!!
All beaches are free to access in St. Lucia. Whether or not the beach has a private owner attached to it, St. Lucia’s beaches are opened all year round and are absolutely free to the public.
5. They use a different electric current voltage than we do in Jamaica and the U.S.
In St. Lucia, their electric current runs on 220 to 240 volts. However, in Jamaica (and similarly the US) we operate on a 110 volts supply. Therefore, you will likely need to buy a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use your electronics or appliances.
I personally have a universal travel adapter that I purchased off Amazon. It comes with different plug heads that I can switch out and use for different electricity supplies. However, if you do bring appliances like hair dryers or curling irons, then you would need both a converter and adapter because you risk your appliance being damaged if you use the adapter only. Some hotels & resorts may have the converters available so you can check beforehand if it’s needed based on your accommodations.
6. Choose how you get around the island wisely
Due to our shared British history, like Jamaica, St Lucians drive on the left side of the road. Public transportation is not necessarily readily available, therefore, you’d likely need to hire a taxi or some hotels may offer shuttle services to and from attractions. However, if you feel a bit more confident and adventurous, you also have the option to rent a vehicle and drive around the island yourself once you have an international driver ‘s permit.
7. English is their official language but they speak a French creole/patois.
As a former British colony, St. Lucia’s official language is English. However, if you are to listen to locals speak, you may also notice they speak a French creole as well. This creole is similar to that spoken in Martinique, Haiti and other former French colonies. This creole has emerged stemming from the fact that St. Lucia was one a French colony before the British eventually took over. You may also notice that some of the street names showcase St. Lucia’s French infulence.
Stonefield Villa Resort, St. Lucia
8. St. Lucia has 2 airports: Hewanorra International Airport at Vieux Fort (UVF) in the south of the island and George F. L. Charles Airport in the north of the island.
Hewanorra is the larger of the 2 airports and tends to be where the larger commercial planes (such as American Airlines, Air Canada, British Airways etc.) land. Therefore, if you’re going to St. Lucia. this is the airport you likely land in if you take larger carrier planes. The smaller airport, George F.L. Charles airport is located in the island’s capital Castries, usually caters more to flights from within the Caribbean (such as Caribbean Airlines, InterCaribbean, Air Antilles), small planes and helicopters.
9. Seaside or mountain views? Where do you want to stay?
There are a variety of options to chose from when it comes to choosing your accommodations in St. Lucia. Between all-inclusive resorts, hotels, guesthouses and airbnbs, there is no shortage of places to stay. Your decision on accommodation is really more based on your preference of idyllic backdrop for your vacation and your budget.
I should also note that most accommodations are in the north and west of the island, therefore if you land in St. Lucia via UVF airport, then you likely have around an hour to an hour and a half drive to get to your accommodations.
Wrap Up:
St. Lucia is a one of a kind Caribbean travel escape that has so much to offer travelers. However, as with going anywhere new, there are things that you don’t know beforehand that can possibly affect your travel experience. Don’t let it be you. Above are just a few tips I thought would be helpful for new visitors to the island so as to better prepare you for the amazing experience that awaits.