General
Information
 Sparkling
bays glisten in the sunlight over picturesque sandy
coves. Exotic rainforests burst with the vibrant
colors of tropical flowers and vegetation. The `Twin
Peaks` of the Pitons magnificently rise from the
sea. For the explorer in you, trek through an exotic
rainforest, take a bike ride along the waters or
bask in the abundant natural wonder of the Soufriere
area. Largely untouched by time, the island of St.
Lucia truly is a vacation you will never forget.
In addition to the wide variety of opportunities
to hike, birdwatch, and tour St. Lucia's outstanding
natural attractions, the island is replete with
a full range of recreational facilities. Visitors
may enjoy the leisurely pleasures of touring the
island by horse, chartering a yacht for an evening
sail or day cruise, or relax with a round of golf
amid St. Lucia's entrancing natural beauty. For
those who enjoy the thrill of an even more active
vacation, there are plenty of places to windsurf,
dive, snorkel, water-ski, or play tennis or squash.
For divers, St. Lucia diving has a great range of
corals; finger, brain, boulder, leaf, and flower
intermixed between coral gardens hosting a tremendous
variety of sponges which give the reef an unparalled
mix of color and texture.
Small critters from arrow crabs, coral banded shrimps,
flaming scallops, seahorse, frog fish, and brittle
stars can be seen, as can a wide variety of reef
fish such as chromis, chub, bar jack,snapper, and
others.
Climate 70 -90F 21 - 32C Water Temp 77 - 83F 23
- 25C Visibility Average 80 - 100 ft 24 - 30 m
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
New
Travel Regulations
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two
phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the
United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and
South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will
be required to present a valid passport, Air
NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner
Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form
I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including
ferries), may be required to present a valid
passport or other documents as determined by
the Department of Homeland Security. While recent
legislative changes permit a later deadline,
the Departments of State and Homeland Security
are working to meet all requirements as soon
as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided
to enable the public to obtain passports or
passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement
does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to
or returning directly from a U.S. territory.
U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S.
territory are not considered to have left the
United States and do not need to present a passport.
U.S. territories include the following: Guam,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American
Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands. More
Details... |
Getting
There
St. Lucia is served by scheduled international and
regional airline services. There are 2 airports: International
services from North America and Europe operate to
and from Hewanorra International Airport in the South
of the island. Regional services (for the most part)
operate to and from George Charles Airport in Castries
in the northwest of the island. These two airports
are about 45 minutes to 1 hour apart so if you are
making connections between them, please allow for
your transfer time. St. Lucia Helicopters offers a
charter transfer service between the two airports,
significantly cutting transfer times.
Airline Information
If you're coming from the United States, US Airways
offers a nonstop weekend service from Philadelphia
and BWIA
flies weekly from Miami and New York. American Eagle flies daily
to and from Puerto Rico into George Charles Airport.
Virgin
Atlantic, British Airways and BWIA
fly direct between London and St Lucia. Air Canada
offers a nonstop weekly service from Toronto, Canada.
Air
Jamaica offers weekly services to and from New
York. Connecting services to at least seven other
American destinations are also part of the itinerary.
This Carrier also flies to the United Kingdom via
its Montego Bay Hub. During the peak season, between
mid-November and mid-March, a number of tour companies
operate charters from London, Toronto and various
Caribbean destinations.
Airports
There are 2 airports on the island: Hewanorra International
Airport at Vieux Fort is located 40 miles south of
Castries. George Charles Inter Island Airport is just
outside Castries.
Flying times from major cities
* 31/2 hours from Miami
* 4 hours from New York
* 5 hours from Toronto
* 8 hours from London
Airport departure tax
There is a Departure Tax of EC $54 or US$ 22 for all
passengers over 12 years old leaving the Island.
Airport Transfers
Taxis are readily available from the Hewanorra airport
to Castries and the north of the island and should
cost in the region of (EC $120 up to 4 persons). Public
transport is another option, however you must walk
your luggage to the main road. The trip to Castries
will cost approximately $8.00 EC, but it will take
twice as long to get there than by taxi.
Inter-island services
Offered by LIAT,
BWIA,
Caribbean
Star and Helenair (758-452-1958) plus a number
of small charter operators. LIAT and Helenair operate
out of George Charles Airport, whereas BWIA operates
out of Hewanorra.
By sea Caribbean Express operates a hydrofoil service
between St. Lucia and Martinique. Cruise ships arrive
daily at Port Castries and Soufriere. If you are arriving
by in your own boat or by charter boat there are two
main moorings available: Rodney Bay Marina and Castries
Yacht Centre.
Entry Requirements
Visitors must carry valid passports. Visas are not
required where the visitor is a citizen of the USA
or certain Commonwealth countries, or where there
is agreement for exemption between the home country
and St. Lucia.
Common Visa Policy for CARICOM Member States Ten (10)
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States will give
effect to a Common Visa Policy from January 15th,
2007 to May 15th 2007 as a part of the arrangement
for the hassle free movement of people for Cricket
World Cup 2007. In this regard the following countries
have agreed to function as a Single Domestic Space
during this period. Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica,
Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Saint Lucia,
Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana, Trinidad
and Tobago. The 10 Countries functioning in the Single
Domestic Space have agreed that Visas will be issued
from specific issuing sites overseas. Jamaica will
be issuing Visas from its Consulates in Miami, New
York and Toronto. Trinidad and Tobago will issue Visas
in New Delhi, India and Sydney Australia. Barbados
will be issuing Visas from its High Commission in
London.
Travel Tips
Getting Around
Auto Rentals
If you enjoy exploring on your own, or just want to
take things in your own time why not rent an automobile.
There are several reputable rental companies on island.
Cars, 4-wheel drive vehicles and scooters can be booked
in advance through your travel agent or at the airports,
hotels or car rental offices on island.
Regular weekly rates range from US$300 to US$400 depending
on the type of vehicle. Driving is on the left and
the use of seat belts is compulsory. Observe the speed
limits and no parking zones.
Drivers License
Visitors to St. Lucia who do not possess an international
driving permit must purchase a temporary permit in
order to drive in St. Lucia. The permit is good for
three months and costs $54 EC or $20 US. Permits can
be obtained from the immigration department at either
airport or at any police department . You must present
your drivers license. They are also available at most
major car rental compa- nies. International drivers
must have their permit stamped at immigration. There
is no charge for this.
Taxis
Taxis operate at the two airports; the cruise ports
in Castries and at all the major hotels, tourist spots
and shopping malls throughout St. Lucia. Some guideline
fares are from Castries to Hewanorra Airport (EC $120
up to 4 persons), Castries to Rodney Bay (EC $40 up
to 4 persons).
Bus Service
Buses serve the north of the Island around Castries
and Gros Islet very well and run until around 10.00pm:
(longer on Friday night when the weekly "jump-up"
takes place at Gros Islet). However, there is no scheduled
bus timetable. Bus fares: Castries - North end of
the island EC $2.00, Castries - South end of the island
(Vieux Fort) EC $8.00. Car travel via the new West
Coast Road from Castries to Soufriere takes about
an hour. From Hewanorra Airport to Castries takes
around an hour.
Money
A full range of banking and foreign currency services
are available at banks on St. Lucia. Cash in local
currency can be obtained by credit cards or bank cards
through the ATM machines located at most banks. Normal
banking hours are from 8: 00 a. m. to 3: 00 p. m.
and some banks are open until 5: 00 p. m. on Friday.
Banks at the Rodney Bay Marina are also open from
8: 00 a. m. until 12: 00 noon on Saturday.
Shops
Most shops are open from 8:30AM to 12:30PM and 1:30PM
to 4:30PM Monday to Friday. The Castries Market is
very popular on Saturdays, especially during St. Lucia
Jazz and Carnival. Most shops are open Saturdays regularly
from 8:30AM to 12:30PM, while the major shopping centers
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
centers in St. Lucia:
- La Place Carenage, Castries
- Pointe Seraphine, Castries
- J.Q. Mall, Rodney Bay
- Hawanorra Airport Duty-Free
Electricity
220 volts, 50 cycles AC (a few hotels are 110 volts,
60 cycles). Most sockets take 3 pin square plugs (UK
standard) but some take 2 pin round plugs or flat
American plugs, which are more rare. Adaptors are
generally available at the hotels.
Health Information
Immunization is not required unless coming from an
infected area within six days of arrival, however
Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid are recommended. Drinking
water is safe from the tap and bottled mineral/distilled
water is also available. There are several pharmacies
in Castries, one on the Gros Islet Highway and one
in Gablewoods Shopping Mall and in JQ Charles Mall
Rodney Bay. Most hotels have "over the counter"
medication, such as aspirin and first aid supplies.
All hotels have doctors either resident or available
on call. A resident doctor’s visit costs approx. US$
15 (approx. EC$40- EC$50). For a "call-out"
visit it may cost more.
Credit Cards
Major international credit cards are widely accepted
at all large shopping centres, restaurants, hotels,
etc.
Service Charges & Tax
On hotel and restaurant bills there is a Government
tax of 8%. A service charge of 10% is also applicable.
In some instances these charges are included in prices
quoted, so it is best to clarify. The prices on labels
in shops are what you pay.
Tipping
Tipping is not automatically added and is customary
at about 10% to 12% of bills. Tips are generally accepted
by bell hops in hotels, taxis and other persons providing
service.
Telephones
Telephones and Mobile Phones are operated by Cable
& Wireless, AT&T Wireless and Digicel St.
Lucia. Many card and coin public phone boxes are available
around the island. Cards can be purchased at Cable
& Wireless offices, St. Lucia Tourist Board Information
Centres and many other outlets including Airports,
Rodney Bay Marina etc. Cellular phones are available
for rent from the Cable and Wireless Caribbean Cellular
offices at the Gablewoods Mall, Rodney Bay and the
Castries Waterfront.
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