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Visitor
Information and 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.
St. Lucia Tourist Board
St Lucia Tourist Board
PO Box 221
Sureline Building
Vide Boutielle
Castries
ST LUCIA
Telephone: +1 758 452-4094 , 452-5968
Fax: +1 758 453-1121
Email: slutour@candw.lc
Canada
Saint Lucia Tourist Board
8 King St East
Suite 700
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1B5
Telephone: +1 (416) 362 4242
Fax: +1 (416) 362 7832
UK
St. Lucia Tourist Board
421a Finchley Road
London NW3 6HJ
Telephone: +44 0870 900 7697
Fax: +44 20 7431-7920
Email: Stlucia@axissm.com
USA
St. Lucia Tourist Board
820 Second Ave., 9th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Telephone: +1-212-867-2950
Telephone: 1-800-4ST LUCIA (456-3984) toll-free in USA
Fax: +1 212 867-2795
Email: info@st-lucia.com
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