St. Lucia Travel: Sightseeing & Safety Tips

St. Lucia travel is in high demand these days, and for good reason. As one of the most sought-after Caribbean islands, St. Lucia boasts plenty of beautiful vistas and tons of opportunities for adventure. From Marigot Bay in the capital city of Castries, to an exciting tour of the world’s only drive-in Volcano, the island strikes the perfect balance between a relaxing tropical vacation and a thrill-seeking romp. It’s no wonder why St. Lucia is one of the best Caribbean islands to visit. 

Where is St. Lucia?

St. Lucia is an island country located in the Caribbean, south of Martinique. It’s about a 4 hour flight from Miami. The climate is tropical maritime, which means visitors should expect high temps along with some humidity. However easterly winds from the Northeast tend to cool the island off.  

Some Things to Do in St. Lucia

If you’re wondering what to do in St. Lucia, we’ve got a few ideas for your itinerary: 

• Visit the Caribbean’s Only Drive-in Volcano, Sulfur Springs 
• Climb the Pitons
• Explore Pigeon Island National Park
• Experience a Mud Bath
• Engage the senses at Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens

Before You Travel To St. Lucia: A Checklist

• Download and fill out a Health Screening Form for St. Lucia. This form outlines the traveler’s health and is used to determine if there’s a risk involved in admitting the person into the country. 
• Ensure that your passport is up to date. This means that its expiration date is at least six months after your scheduled return date and there is at least one blank visa page. 
• If you’re staying longer than 6 weeks, make sure you have a valid visa. 
• Be sure you have all necessary vaccinations. Any traveler older than 9 months from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission are required to be vaccinated against the disease. 
• Keep up with the State Department’s Travel Advisories for St. Lucia. If there’s a security threat, you’ll find out about it through these advisories.  
• Take cash with you. Although the official currency of St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, US currency is widely accepted. You should plan on carrying a mix of credit cards, Caribbean currency, and US currency.  

How Much Does Travel to St. Lucia Cost? 

The average cost of a 7-day trip to St. Lucia per person is just under $1900. However this cost can increase or decrease depending on the flight deals and lodging accommodations you choose. A trip to St. Lucia doesn’t have to be expensive. 

Tips for Budget Travel in St. Lucia

• Research for the best deals. While there are a lot more options when it comes to higher-end resort accommodations, budget-friendly hotels. A little research while you’re building your itinerary can go a long way in saving you money.   
• Travel during the off-season. From May to October, travelers will find cheaper flights and hotel accommodations. 
• Take advantage of nature. From volcanic sands to rainforests, mountains and waterfalls, St. Lucia has a lot of beautiful sites. And best of all, experiencing these wonders is free. 
• Port shop for the best deals. Shopping along the port is very popular and while some items are expensive, it’s generally regarded as the best place on the island to get unexpected jewelry. Even if you don’t want to spend any money, the port shops are spectacles within themselves.   

Travel Safety Tips for St. Lucia

• Avoid walking alone at night. Crime is fairly low on the island but you should still be vigilant and proactive. 
• Only use licensed and clearly marked taxis. Don’t accept rides from strangers or any unmarked cars claiming to be taxis. 
• Prepare for uneven and steep terrain. Most of the streets in St. Lucia are narrow and have speed bumps and potholes. If you’re traveling in a mountainous area, be aware that the terrain will often be rough and steep. 
• Travel with a copy of your passport and keep the real one in a hotel safe. This way you’ll decrease the risk of losing your passport or having it stolen. 

Do You Need Insurance for St. Lucia? 

Currently no form of travel medical insurance or trip insurance is required to visit the island. This could change, so it’s best to check on St. Lucia’s travel requirements both when you’re in the planning stage of the trip and a week before you depart just to ensure that you have everything you need for a safe, hassle-free trip.

Why Buy Trip Insurance for St. Lucia? 

Although it’s not mandatory, American residents are encouraged to buy trip insurance to protect their trips to St. Lucia. St. Lucia receives about 400,000 tourists annually. While these numbers are dwarfed by those of the Dominican Republic or Jamaica, St. Lucia is far from the least visited countries in the Caribbean. With over half of its annual visitors originating from the U.S, American residents should consider trip insurance for St. Lucia. 

Trip insurance protects you from the financial fallout of trip cancellations, flight disruptions, lost luggage and in some instances urgent medical care and emergency medical evacuation. Trip cancellation can cover prepaid travel expenses if your trip is canceled for a covered reason. Say for example, a hurricane strikes in St. Lucia or your travel companion falls ill a week before your trip. To supercharge your cancellation coverage you can add Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) to your standard trip insurance plan. This allows you to cancel your trip to St. Lucia for literally any reason and still recoup most of your prepaid expenses. 
Have questions about trip insurance or travel medical insurance? Our team of licensed travel insurance experts are happy to help. Interested in learning more? Head on over to VisitorsCoverage.com today.