|
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
|
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.
|