St. Lucia Guide
Know Before You Go...®
If your dream vacation includes lots of variety, both in scenery and activities, then St. Lucia has it. The island is well-known for its changing landscape that includes the towering Pitons, black and white sand beaches, volcanoes, and rainforests. There’s also a healthy sprinkling of bustling city life, so whatever your interests, there’s something for you when you rent a villa in St. Lucia. Use the information here to help you as you plan your trip to this diverse island.
Why St. Lucia?
- St. Lucia is the only country in the world to be named after a woman.
- St. Lucia is the birthplace of the world's only drive-in volcano.
- St. Lucia is home to two Nobel Laureates.
- The Pitons, a pair of mountains in St. Lucia, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- St. Lucia is home to some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean.
St. Lucia Weather/Climate
Average Temperatures
Average Rainfall
History
Like many islands in the Caribbean, St. Lucia was inhabited long before the Europeans arrived. Arawak Indians had settled in St. Lucia about 2,000 years ago. The second wave of settlers were the warlike Carib Indians who had pretty much removed the Arawaks by 800AD. They called the island “Hewanorra” . The island was not referred to as St. Lucia until the late 1500’s.
In 1746, the French established the first official settlement in St. Lucia - Soufriere. They built more towns and sugar plantations over the next 40-50 years and prospered with cheap, imported slave labor. In 1814, the island changed hands. The abolition of slavery in 1838 by the English Parliament was the beginning of the end for the sugar industry in St. Lucia.
Indentured labour from India arrived in the 1880’s to alleviate the chronic agricultural labour shortages, and many of them settled permanently. However, it could not stop the overall decline of the industry and by the early 1960’s the sugar industry had totally disappeared.
After the Second World War, St. Lucia sought increasing autonomy in a strive for total independence. St. Lucia became fully independent on February 22, 1979. It remains a member of the British Commonwealth.
News and Notable
Matt Damon, Ludacris, Nate Berkus, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez have all been seen around the island. It’s rumored that Oprah owns real estate in St. Lucia.
See the most amazing scenery in the Caribbean - its breathtaking!
St. Lucia Helicopters is an amazing way to see the island from a birds-eye-view. The staff is very friendly and the pilots are always informative.
For the best diving and snorkeling on the island head to Anse Chastanet beach and rent your gear right there at Scuba St Lucia.
It is located at Anse Chastanet Resort, which is nestled amidst a 600-acre tropical estate with two soft sand beaches bordering on pristine coral reefs. It is just a mile and a half from the picturesque town of Soufriere on St. Lucia's southwestern Caribbean shoreline. They offer boat diving, night diving and wreck diving - as well as guided snorkel tours.
Hall of Fame Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence
Enjoy day tours to the mud baths, waterfalls, beaches, and fishing spots via catamaran or jeep with Seaspray. Their tour options are extensive, and most are suitable for the whole family.
Transportation on St. Lucia
Getting to St. Lucia and getting around. Our transportation tips will help make your trip smoother. More good sand advice.
Entry Documents
One form of identification, either a photo ID or passport as well as an on-going or return ticket, is required for U.S. citizens. Others will need a passport or visa depending on the country of origin.
Airlines Flying Here
- US: American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue and United Airlines
- Canada: Air Canada, Sunwing Airlines and WestJet
- UK: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and TUI
- Germany: Condor
- France: Air France, Corsair and Air Caraibes
- Caribbean: Air Caraibes, Air Antilles, Caribbean Airlines and LIAT
Airport
Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) and George Charles Inter Island Airport (SLU)
Departure Tax
US$20
Driving
On the left. Seat belts are mandatory.
Local Transportation
Roads are steep, narrow and winding with few guardrails, and often poorly marked. There are plenty of car rental agencies on the island, as well as taxi’s. Just be sure you get the rate before you take the ride. Bicycles, scooters and motorcycles can also be rented, although we do not recommend doing so. Uber/Lyft are not on-island. To rent a car, you will need an international driver’s license.
St. Lucia Weddings and Honeymoons
Vacationers don’t just stay in St. Lucia villas - they come to paradise to get married and celebrate their honeymoons! You must be in St. Lucia for two days before the wedding.
After the two days, a local Solicitor can apply for a license on your behalf. You need to have received this two working days before the wedding date. Most tour operators can make all the arrangements.
You must bring the following documentation: Passport; birth certificate;
Decree Absolute (if one of the parties is divorced); in the case of a widow/widower a Death Certificate of first spouse is required.
Also, if a name has been changed, a Deed Poll is required. If one of the parties is under the age of 18, evidence of a consent of parents is required in the form of a sworn affidavit stamped by a Notary Public.
If any required documents are not in English, an authenticated translation must be available
Know Before You Go...® - St. Lucia Travel Tips
Before making their way to St. Lucia villas, vacationers like to know a little bit of helpful information to make them feel more at home during their stay. Take a look at our travel tips to make your time in villas in St. Lucia even more relaxing.
- Villa Staff: $50 per couple, per week
- Restaurants: 10% gratuity, on average