St. Lucia: Travel Tips

Emerald isle of the Caribbean, St. Lucia is home to the verdant Piton Mountains, a tropical rainforest, a waterfall that changes colors, and a drive-in volcano. In addition to these natural attractions, the island beckons visitors to beaches, reefs, markets, and the annual St. Lucia Jazz Festival. December through mid-April is the most popular time to visit the Caribbean, as travelers flee the chilly northern weather for sunny skies, white-sand beaches, and warm temperatures. To get the best rates, visit in the late spring or summer months—or get even better rates by traveling in the fall (September–October).

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Getting To St. Lucia

If you are traveling from the west coast, plan on leaving as early as 7 a.m., or take a red-eye flight to Miami, Atlanta, or New York and connect from there. Coming from New York, you can expect to travel approximately five hours, from Atlanta or Miami it can be approximately three hours and as long as eight hours from Seattle. In any case, plan on leaving early or on a red-eye flight from the West Coast.

Flight times

  • 4 hours from Miami
  • 5 hours from New York City

Staying In St. Lucia

Beaches, brilliantly hued marine life, and ancient shipwrecks lure water lovers to St. Lucia. Landlubbers can hike verdant trails in the rainforest, past plantation ruins to the Pitons’ peaks. Prefer motorized sight-seeing? Hop an ATV to tour St. Lucia's green countryside, or drive to Sulphur Springs, a steam-hissing volcano. Don’t miss the Saturday market in Castries, the capital, or tranquil fishing villages along the shore.

Must-see sights

  • Scenic Enbas Saut Falls trail, a combination of rain forest, woodlands, and waterfalls.
  • Diamond Waterfall, located in a lovely botanical garden.

Things to do

  • Enjoy the tasty cooking at Caribees restaurant, a favorite for traditional Caribbean and Creole fare.
  • Grab a book and lunch, and spread a towel out on Reduit Beach, situated near a yacht marina.
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Traveling In St. Lucia

Classic can arrange convenient and comfortable transfers at the time of booking. You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel via taxi or shared transfer. In some locations, a private car transfer can be arranged to avoid the stops. Classic can also arrange friendly and fast car-rental service on many of the Caribbean Islands; with an availability of the most popular car rentals, from convertibles to minivans to four-wheel-drive jeeps. Be prepared to drive on the left side of the road on many islands.

While traveling in St. Lucia we recommend:

  • Private transfers at time of booking - Most private transfers include a meet-and-greet by English-speaking drivers, luggage assistance, and bottled water in modern vehicles.

Things to Know

Entry Requirements

  • A valid passport is generally required for entry into the Caribbean and return to the United States.
  • Some countries may also require you to present a return airline ticket.
  • It is the traveler’s responsibility to obtain the proper documents.

Currency

  • U.S. currency is accepted nearly everywhere you go in the Caribbean.
  • Currency can be exchanged at banks and island hotels (although for slightly more than the standard exchange rate).
  • Most major American and European credit cards are accepted throughout the islands.
  • ATMs are widely available throughout the Caribbean.

Time Difference

  • The islands that make up the Caribbean span several time zones.
  • Most Caribbean islands lie in the Atlantic Standard Time zone, but a few are in the Eastern Time Zone.
  • Many of the islands do not observe daylight savings time.

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