Capital: Castries
Time zone: GMT – 4
Telephone services: Country Code: 1 758 Outgoing Code: 011
Emergency telephone numbers: 999
Tourist information: St Lucia Tourist Board, 421A Finchely Road, London NW3 6HJ Tel: (020) 7431 3675 or 431 4045 Fax: (020) 7431 7920.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Canada and the USA with valid proof of identity ( for visits up to 6 months). Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact embassy before departure
Visa information: Required by all except nationals of: Great Britain, Australia, Canada, the USA, EU countries, Japan. Commonwealth countries (except Namibia and South Africa). Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, South Korea, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, San Marino, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, China, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela. Transit visitor who continue their journey within 14 days do not require a transit visa. This does not apply to nationals of Cuba or East European countries
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange: US$ gain a better rate All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are preferred
ATM availability: 3 locations
Cost of living: Caters for all types of budgets, with deluxe to self-catering accommodation
Languages: English. Local French patois is spoken
Weather: Hot tropical climate with cool sea breezes. Most rainfall occurs during the summer
Electricity: 220 volts AC 50 Hz
Post: Up to 1 week
Transport: ROAD: All major centres are served by a reasonably good road network. BUS: Services connect rural areas with the capital. TAXI: Cheap and easy to use – tipping is unnecessary. CAR HIRE: Available in the towns or at the airport. DOCUMENTATION: On presentation of a national or IDP a local licence will be issued
Special information: St. Lucia is an island of contrasts with lush, green, volcanic vegetation in the interior, and long, unspoilt, white, sandy beaches. Beach wear should not be worn in towns