 |
|
 |
| St. Lucia...
Travel Tips |
Getting ThereSt. Lucia is served by daily international flights from New York, Miami, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as by inter-Caribbean flights.Commuter aircraft, such as those operated by American Eagle and some of the regional Caribbean airlines, land in tiny Vigie Airport, located near Castries and only minutes away from the tourist area of Rodney Bay. Larger aircraft arrive in Hewanorra International Airport near the city of Vieux Fort. This city is nearly a two-hour drive from Rodney Bay, but the car ride through the lush St. Lucian rain forest and tranquil countryside may end up being one of the most pleasant parts of your trip. Alternatively, you can also take a scenic helicopter transfer from Hewanorra to Castries. Flight Times to St. Lucia
Travel DocumentsCitizens of the United States and Canada can enter St. Lucia with proof of citizenship, such as a passport or a birth certificate with photo ID, and a return or through ticket. A visa is not required for stays of fewer than 28 days. Click here to see the U.S. State Department's Travel Advisory on St. Lucia.Local TimeSt. Lucia is on Atlantic Standard Time year round, one hour ahead of New York and four hours ahead of Los Angeles.Getting AroundDriving in St. Lucia can be an unexpected adventure; roads are often steep, winding, and unmarked, and local drivers conduct their vehicles with dare-devil speed and, at the same time, utter skill. You may choose, very wisely, to get around the island by taxi. Taxi drivers are usually friendly and knowledgeable about island sights and history and can act as informative tour guides.Taxis on St. Lucia are not metered, so negotiate the fare with the driver before departing; it's not customary to tip unless the driver performs a special service. Common routes (such as from your hotel to the airport) have standardized fares that are observed by most taxi drivers. If you decide to get in a full day's sightseeing by taxi, be aware that the fare may increase with the number of passengers. And if you take a taxi to a remote area, arrange for the driver to pick you up at a designated time and area, and defer payment until the round trip is completed; otherwise, you risk being stranded. If you want to travel the way the locals do, hop onto one of the privately operated minivans that provide bus service throughout the more populated areas of the island. This is a great way to meet St. Lucians amid local chatter and local music blaring from a car stereo. Fares, payable to the driver, are quite low, and routes between the main towns are routinely served weekdays. However, these buses operate irregularly during evenings and weekends. If you wish to rent a car, have no fear: Hertz, Avis, and National are all represented on St. Lucia. You'll need to get a local driving license, obtainable at the airport or at most rental agencies, and it's a good idea to purchase the collision-damage waiver. Be aware that the traffic flow keeps to the left side of the road in St. Lucia. MoneyThe official unit of currency on St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar, which is valued at about EC$2.67 to US$1. U.S. dollars are accepted widely at businesses and establishments throughout the island, though you can get the best rates of exchange at banks and currency-exchange outlets.LanguageEnglish is St. Lucia's official language, though a patois derived from French, English, and African languages is commonly spoken throughout the island.ElectricitySt. Lucia runs on 220 volts at 50 Hertz AC. A converter and plug adapter are necessary to operate electrical devices from the U.S.; hotels can often provide these, but it's handier to bring them from home.WaterTap water is generally pure and safe to drink.TelephonesThe area code for St. Lucia is 758. |
