St Lucia Facts
St Lucia is an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations. It’s part of the Lesser Antilles and the 2nd largest of the Windward Islands. St Lucia celebrates its Independence on the 22nd of February. National Day is celebrated on the 13th of December and various National symbols are:
- The National Flag
- The Coat of Arms
- The National Anthem
- The National Tree (The Calabash)
- The National Flower (La Rose/La Marguerite)
- The National Plant (Bamboo)
- The National Bird (Amazona Versicolor)
St. Lucia Airports: Hewanorra International Airport; George Charles Airport
St. Lucia Area Code: 758
Banking & Currency: Banks open Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The currency of St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, although the US Dollar is widely accepted in the island.
Exchange Rate: US $1.00 = EC $2.682 (fixed)
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. (For further details in the USA, contact the St. Lucia Mission, 800 Second Avenue, 9th Floor New York, NY 10017 & for the UK contact the St Lucia High Commission 1 Collingham Gardens, London SW5 0HW.)
Geography: One of the Windward Islands of the eastern Caribbean. Volcanic in origin, St. Lucia is more mountainous than many islands in the region. Although its highest point is Mount Gimie at 3,117 feet (950 m), two other mountains, the Pitons, form its most recognizable landmarks.
Getting around: For visitors, taxis are the main form of transportation around the island and they are plentiful in the main resort areas, as well as the airport. There are also various car rental agencies on island. (You’ll need to purchase a local license unless you have an International Driving Permit.)
Government: Parliamentary democracy. A Governor-General reports to the sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II.
Hospitals: In an emergency, call 911. There are five medical facilities in St. Lucia: Victoria Hospital 758.452.2421/7059; St. Jude’s Vieux Fort 758.454.6041; Soufriere 758.459.7258/5001; Dennery 758.453.3310; Tapion Hospital 758.459.2000
Independence Day: February 22; Emancipation Day: August 1
Language: English (official), French Patois
Location: Latitude 13.54° north of the Equator and 60.50° west; Size: 27 miles x 14 miles (43.5 km x 22.5 km); Total area: 238 miles (48 sq. km)
Population: 166,000
Ports: The main sea port is Castries and many cruise ships anchor at Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage. There is an additional deepwater anchorage for cargo and container ships at Vieux Fort in the south near the airport.
Time Zone: Standard Time Zone is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT -4). St. Lucia does not operate Daylight Saving Time.
Taxes: 8% on hotel rooms; US$26, EC$68 airport departure tax
Pigeon Island:
This protected National Park is of major archaeological and historical value. There is also a small museum, worth a visit. Fort Rodney is located on the smaller of the two hills. Climbing the hill you are rewarded with a wide view
Pigeon Island is the place where the yearly Jazz Festival is held in May.
Gros Islet:
This quiet fishing village undergoes a metamorphosis each Friday evening when a vast street dance party takes place.
A not to be missed spectacle for those who want to experience the true St. Lucian atmosphere.
Rodney Bay:
This marina has been built in a large inland lagoon. There you can find specialized sailing-shops and a boat-repair yard.
In the neighborhood there are all kinds of shops, banks and a wide choice of restaurants offering a varied cuisine: Creole, French, Asian and Continental.
Reduit Beach:
This area is renowned for its long white sandy beach sheltered by tropical greenery. The beach stretches to Pigeon Island but it is crossed close to Gros Islet by the waterway to the marina.
Choc Bay beach:
A nice sandy beach, sheltered by palm trees, with water sports facilities and close to the large hotels. Here you can look out at little Rat Island. The Gablewood shopping center is in the neighborhood.
G. Charles beach (Vigie beach):
A nice sandy beach, well sheltered, stretching alongside the landing strip of G. Charles airport. Popular with St. Lucians.
Castries, the capital:
The true heart of the island beats in the daily market of Castries. You can find all kinds of handicraft, clothing, meat, fish and a variety of fresh tropical fruits.
Daily the cruise-liners moor in the harbor at Pointe Seraphine, the Tax-free Shopping Center.
From Derek Walcott Square you can view the old part of the city on one side and the newer part on the other.
From the Morne Fortune you have a grandiose view over the city and its surrounding green hills.
Marigot Bay:
Marigot Bay is deservedly one of St. Lucia's most beautiful locations.
The surrounding green hills embrace the turquoise to blue waters of the bay. Yachts shelter in the natural harbor.
Anse La Raye:
A quiet fishing village where you can find typical wooden houses, some very colorful, others weather-stained with the passage of time.
Canaries:
Another quiet fishing village. On the beach lie the colorful fishermen's boats.
Anse Chastanet beach:
One of the finest dark sandy beaches of St. Lucia and also an excellent place for the scuba diver or snorkeler.
Soufriere:
This town, the oldest settlement of the island, was founded in 1746 by the French. Situated in the shade of the Petit Piton, this old capital was rebuilt after being destroyed by a hurricane in 1780. Here you can find St. Lucia's oldest and most colorful architecture.
The Soufrière coast has a long stretch of dark sandy beach. Between the palm trees you have a grandiose view of one of the Pitons. Local people mostly use the beach.
Diamond Botanical Gardens:
At the entrance, you will find some stalls where local artists sell their hand made goods.
The botanical garden of the Diamond Estate offers lush greenery and many colorful flowers where tourists can stroll at ease. The rust brown colored rocks of the beautiful waterfall surrounded by the tropical green are worth the visit.
Morne Coubaril Estate:
An old plantation which has been transformed into an open-air museum. There, a guide explains how people used to work and live. You will learn more about the processing of sugar cane, cacao and coconuts.
Sulphur Springs:
They originate from a weak spot in the crust of the earth of an enormous collapsed crater. These smoking sulfur vapors have unpleasant penetrating odors. The water in the craters, blackened by sulfate, still maintains a temperature of 171 ° Centigrade or 340 ° Fahrenheit.
Choiseul:
This fishing village is also an art and craft center. Here, inhabitants make very nice woodcarvings out of local wood, make baskets and work in the potter's workshop. Fishing boats lie on the sandy beach with the colorful wooden houses in the background.
Laborie:
This village has a beautiful white sandy beach. The North side is suitable for sunbathing and snorkeling around the reef.
Vieux Fort:
This small town has a Saturday market with a colorful fish seller at the small beach. It has some supermarkets, shops and banks.
Many bananas are shipped from here. North of Vieux Fort there are long sandy beaches, however parts have been washed away.
East coast from North to South:
Cas En Bas beach:
One of the pre-eminent places for wind surfing. There are constant on shore trade winds (bring your own surf board!). There is a little shop at the beach providing fresh drinks.
Frigate Island Nature Reserve:
This National Park is a protected area. After a hike through rich vegetation including mangroves and yards high cacti you arrive at an observation post. Nearby, there is a small sandy beach where the waves of the sometimes-tempestuous Atlantic Ocean roll onto the sand. Closed during the Frigate birds breeding season from early May to end June!
Mamiku Botanical Gardens:
Close to Praslin Bay you can visit the colorful Mamiku Botanical Gardens offering nice views over Praslin Bay.
Praslin Bay:
The fishing village of the same name has a mini beach in the sheltered bay, where wooden boats are made from the gummier tree. The nearby little Praslin Island is home to a colorful lizard, originating from the Maria Islands.
Latille waterfall - Micoud:
John, the Rastafaranian owner lives here. Het takes visitors through his gardens and down to the river for an invigorating bath.
Maria Islands (close to Vieux Fort):
This protected National Park can only be visited with a guide. It is not accessible to the public between May 15th and July 31st (bird breeding season). Two endemic reptiles live on this little island: the colorful lizard and the rare but small harmless Kouwes snake.
Anse de Sables beach (close to Vieux Fort):
An easy to reach, beautiful but windy, white sandy beach looking out over the Maria Islands. This is one of the pre-eminent places for wind surfing. There are constant on shore trade winds.
You can hire wind surf boards in the excellent equipped Tornado wind surf centre.
Bar and restaurant facilities are located next to the Tornado Surf Centre and there are nice sheltered terraces.
This beach is certainly recommended for wind surfers and sun-worshippers.
To reach this beach it takes a little 10 minute walk from Juliette's Lodge.
Cap Moule à Chique (close to Vieux Fort):
From the top you have a spectacular seascape of the West coast, the East coast, the Maria Islands, the airport and far away in the distance the green mountains. There is a lighthouse on top of the hill.
Central:
Rain forest hiking:
A number of walks or journeys in the mountains can be undertaken, lasting from half an hour to a complete day.
The West coast from North to South:
Government
St. Lucia is an independent nation since 1979. It is a member of the British Commonwealth under a parliamentary system with a Prime Minister as its head.
Population The island has approximately 170,000 inhabitants (2007), close to 40% live near Castries, the Capitoal of St. Lucia in the north part of the island.
Language
English is the official language, but St. Lucians speak a French Creole, or Kwéyòl, commonly called Patois (pah-twah).
Currency
The currency of St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which is linked to the US Dollar at the exchange rate of 1 US$ to 2,70 EC$.
Electricity
220 volts, 50 cycles AC (a few hotels are 110 volts 60 cycles). Transformers and adaptors are required for travel appliances using 110 Volts.
Airports
Hewanorra International Airport at Vieux Fort is located 40 miles south of Castries. The smaller airport is George F. L. Charles Inter Island Airport, just outside Castries.
Airlines
Air Jamaica, Air Caribe, Air Canada, Air Martinique, American Eagle, British Airways, , BWIA, Caribbean Star, LIAT, Virgin Atlantic and several international charters. (These can change, so please check with your travel agent)
Entry Requirements
Entering St. Lucia a valid passport and return or onward ticket is required, for stays less than 6 months (US and Canadian citizens need a vaild ID and return tickets). Some countries do require visas. Valid vaccinations are required of travellers entering from infectious areas.
Car Rental
In St. Lucia a temporary driving licence is required for visitors. It is obtained on production of your current driving licence on arrival at the airport, the police station in Castries or the car hire office. The cost is US $ 20. The average rate for a vehicle is about US$65. You drive on the left and seat belts must be worn at all times.
Shopping
Local shops are generally open weekdays 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 4:00pm, on Saturday from 8:00am to noon. There is a wide variety of shopping experiences from Castries market, where local produce and crafts are avalaible, to Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage, two duty free shopping malls with extended opening hours, offer a wide selection of boutiques and restaurants.
Julian´s Supermarkets are located island wide. Opening hours vary, depending on the location. Generally they are open from 7am - 7pm, Sundays and Holidays from 7am - 1pm.
Sports
St. Lucia is the ideal place for a variety of sports. Apart from the outdoor activities
(watersports, golf, horseback riding, tennis), St. Lucia also has gyms and aerobic studios that meet international standards. And the new National Stadium in the south as well as the state of art national cricket ground at Beausejour in the north, have catapulted sports to a whole new level.
Historic Sites and Tours
St. Lucia National Trust, St. Lucia Heritage Society and many other Tour Operators offergreat tours to explore St. Lucia´s natural resources and historic sites.
Adventure Tours
Enjoy the sensational scenery of St. Lucia by car on your own and /or book one of the organized tours, Jeep Safari, Land & Sea or Jungle Biking.
Hiking Trails
Eastern Nature Trail - This is an invigorating exploration along St. Lucia´s Atlantic Coastline.Along the trail you should see several species of birds, among them the magnificient Fregatebird and the Red Bill tropical birds.
Forestiere Tropical Forest Trail - This tour takes you into the heart of the St. Lucian countryside, through the dense tropical rainforest, whilst the facinating flora and fauna is pointed out to you by a well informed guide.
Rainforest Hikes - Explore the Rainforest Reserve with a guide from the Forest and Land Dept. on a 3 hrs trek. The paths are lined with tinier plants, orchids, bromliads and mushrooms. Throughout the tour beautiful birds can be seen, just as the indigenous St. Lucia Parrot.
Plantation Tours
Explore how people lived and worked centuries ago at one of these Plantations.
Fond d´Or Nature Historic Park - This tour combines historical St. Lucia with the tranquillity of a nature site, the Fond d´Or Historic Park. It includes symbols of the Ameridien settlement and historical buildings of the sugar age.
Fond Doux Estate - This tour takes you to a caribbean style working plantation, where you will heighten your senses by smelling, touching and tasting a variety of tropical fruits and plants.
Also worth visiting are: La Sikwe Sugar Plantation with 400 acres. It features a museum, a theatre and a 42 ft waterwheel. The Morne Coubaril Estate with it´s worker´s village, sugar mill, manioc and cocoa houses. The Marquis Estate where you can see the production of St. Lucia´s main export crops, bananas and copra.
Bontanical Gardens
Visitors can choose from three exquisite botanical gardens, each brimming with rare and exotic flora. The Diamond Botanical Gardens in Soufriere features mineral baths and a picturesque waterfall. Mamiku Gardens is situated on a historic site which encircles the ruins of an 18th Century Micoud Estate and Tropical Gardens in the north of the island.
More fascinating tours are offered by the St. Lucia National Trust. They take you to the traditional fishing villages of Praslin and Anse La Raye, the open vulcano with the sulphur springs in Soufriere, to Maria island and Fregate island a sanctuary for rare birds and more.
Turtle Watching
Turtle watching takes place on Grand Anse Beach on the north east coast, where the Leatherback Turtle comes to nest. The period for turtle watching is between mid-March and the end of July.
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