About St Lucia

• Things to do, places to go

• Getting around

• Useful links

St Lucia is the second largest of the Windward Islands, with Martinique to the north, St Vincent to the south, and Barbados to the south east. It is a wonderful holiday destination because it combines beautiful yet accessible scenery with a reasonably sophisticated infrastructure.

Volcanic in origin, the landscape is mountainous with lush tropical rain forests, fertile valleys and white sandy beaches. Hiking through the rain forest or climbing the world's famous Pitons or walking into a volcano during the day, can be followed by dining in one of our truly excellent restaurants and thence, if still spritely, the last of your energy can be expended in a discotheque.

St Lucia has a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging between 70° – 90° Fahrenheit (21° – 32° Centigrade) all year round. The official language is English and there is a French-based patois that is widely spoken. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, EC$. The US Dollar is widely accepted (US$1 = EC$2.6-2.7) as are major credit cards.

More information about St Lucia may be found on the official St Lucia Tourist Board site.

Things to do, places to go

The diversity of the island allows visitors to explore the rain forest and swim in the waterfalls one day whilst relaxing on the beach the next and maybe taking a boat trip to watch the whales and dolphins the day after. St Lucia was voted number one for the "Healthiest Marine Environment" for the Caribbean/Atlantic and came in the top ten for "Best Dive Destination". If scuba diving is your passion we have some of the best scuba diving in the world. For those with a head for heights follow the Gros Piton Nature Trail, alternatively explore the countryside and coastline of north eastern St Lucia on horseback. We can arrange tours for you.

Getting around

Car hire – Cars and four-wheel drive vehicles may be hired from one of St Lucias' many car rental agencies. Small cars cost between US$48 and US$65 per day, four-wheel drive vehicles cost upwards of US$65 per day, plus US$7 Government tax. A temporary drivers permit for St Lucia is required. These may be obtained from major car hire companies at George FL Charles (Vigie) and Hewanorra airports and from the Gros Islet Police Station. A valid driver's license from your country of residence is required with a fee of US$21. The permits are valid for a period of three months.

Buses – Northern St Lucia, around Castries, Rodney Bay, Gros Islet and Monchy, has a regular bus service, but there is no scheduled timetable. Route 1A serves Castries - Gros Islet - Castries and a one way journey costs EC$3. All registered buses are identifiable by a green license plate with the prefix M. You pay the driver when you alight from the bus.

Taxis – May be obtained at taxi stands or by telephone. All registered taxis are identifiable by a blue licence plate with the prefix TX. Minibuses (accommodating 10 persons) are also widely used as taxis.

Useful Links

St Lucia Helicopters
St Lucia Jazz Festival
St Lucia Tourist Board