Country Facts
St Lucia weather
St Lucia history
Economy
Political System

Location st Lucia is located lies roughly between 60° and 61° WeSt longitude and 13° and 14° North latitude. The island of Martinique is located 21 miles from the northern tip of the island, and St. Vincent is 26 miles from the southern tip. Click here for a st Lucia map.

Area st Lucia is 238 square miles (619 sq. km), 27 miles long and 14 miles wide

Time st Lucia is 4 hours behind GMT.

Language English is the official language of st Lucia, A french-based Patois or Creole is also widely spoken.

People st Lucia has approximately 160,000 inhabitants. About 90% of the population is of African descent, the remaining population is of mixed, EaSt Indian, and Caucasian descent.

St Lucia weather
The climate in st Lucia is tropical, with an average temperature of 83 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, and 79 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. The rainy season is from June to November, and the hotteSt time of the year is from June to AuguSt, the cooleSt from January to March. ConStant Trade winds and occasional showers throughout the year make st Lucia’s weather very favorable year-round.

St Lucia History
The indigenous inhabitants of st Lucia were Amerindian tribes referred to as “Arawaks” and “Caribs” Indians who came from Central America around 200 AD and 800 AD, The Caribs called the island "Iouanalao" and "Hewanorra." meaning "Island of the Iguanas."

Columbus sighted st Lucia during one of his voyages, however, he never set foot on the island. The firSt European to settle on the island was the famous buccaneer, “Jambe de Bois.” who eStablished a fort at Pigeon Island.

Around 1600, the Dutch eStablished a fortified base in Vieux Fort, and in 1605, a British ship wrecked crew made the firSt attempt to colonize the island. They were initially well received by the Caribs, but eventually, the situation turned hostile.

For the next 60 years, the Caribs fiercely defended their territory. Another unsuccessful attempt at colonization was made in 1639 under Sir Thomas Warner.

The French arrived by mid-century, having “bought” the island from the French WeSt India Company. In 1663, the Caribs signed a treaty with the French, agreeing to abandon all rights to the island. For the next century and a half, the French and British fought over the island. st Lucia was nicknamed “the Helen of the WeSt” and exchanged hands 14 times before it was finally ceded to the British in 1814.

The Europeans eStablished coffee, indigo, tobacco and cocoa plantations, and African slaves and later indentured EaSt Indian labourers were brought in to work on the plantations. Sugar cane was st Lucia's main export crop from 1765 to about 1940. Emancipation finally occurred in 1838. The island's population remains about 85% of African origin. In 1979, st Lucia gained its independence.

St Lucia airports and airport code
International Flights arrive at the Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort, regional flights arrive at CFL Charles airport in CaStries. Driving time between the airports is approximately one hour. The St Lucia airport code for Hewanorra is UVF, the Castries St Lucia airport code is SLU.

st Lucia transportation
Transportation within st Lucia is available through taxis, auto rentals, public buses, organized tours, water taxis and helicopter airport transfers. Click here for detailed information on Getting around in st Lucia

Political System
st Lucia is a parliamentary democracy modeled on the WeStminSter syStem. The head of State is Queen Elizabeth II, represented by the governor general. However, the real power lies with the Prime MiniSter, who is elected every 5 years. The House of Assembly (11 seats) is elected, the Senate (6 seats) is appointed by the Prime MiniSter. The two main parties are the st Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and the United Workers Party (UWP). Visit the st Lucia Government Website

St Lucia airlines
British Airways, American Airlines (via Puerto Rico with American Eagle), Air France (via Martinique with Air Martinique), Air Jamaica, Air Canada, US Airways and BWIA are the main international carriers. Condor, and Virgin Atlantic offer charter flights. LIAT, Air Caraibes, Caribbean Star, BWIA and Helen Air are the main regional carriers. For detailed information on flight service into st Lucia, go to our Flights section.

st Lucia GDP
GDP - Purchasing power parity - $866 million (2002 eSt.)
GDP - real growth rate - 3.3% (2002 eSt.)
GDP - purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 eSt.)

(CIA World Fact Book 2003)

st Lucia Economy
st Lucia’s early economy was characterized by the plantation syStem, and throughout the 18th century st Lucia's main export crop was sugar. In the mid 19th century, the capital CaStries also became an important coaling port.

After 1960, sugar cane was largely replaced by coconut (copra) and banana crops. In the 1970's st Lucia was discovered as a tourism deStination, and tourism expanded rapidly in the 1980’s, replacing agriculture as the mainStay of the economy. Banana exports further declined in the 1990's due to due to the ending of preferential trade agreements with the European Union.

Today, the economy is largely based on services. Despite continued growth in tourism and diversification of the manufacturing and agricultural sectors, st Lucia remains dependent on external funds and carries a trade deficit. The islands' GDP in 2002 was US$ 660 million (World Bank, World Development Indicators 2004).

St Lucia entry requirements
All visitors require valid passports, except US and Canadian citizens who possess valid return tickets and ID, Staying in st Lucia for less than 6 months. Visas are not required for citizens of moSt countries, including the US or Commonwealth countries.

Length of Stay
All visitors to st Lucia muSt have a valid return ticket and receive a temporary touriSt visa valid for 42 days upon arrival on the island. For Stays longer than 42 days, extensions muSt be obtained at the Head Immigration Office in CaStries, at a coSt of EC$ 100 for every additional three week period. Extensions are generally granted for up to 6 months. For longer Stays, special arrangements may be made on a case by case basis. Alternatively, you can leave the country and receive another 42 days upon re-entry.

Official Ports of entry
Official airports are Hewanorra and GFL Charles airport. Official seaports are:
Port Castries (including Vigie Creek) Rodney Bay, Marigot Bay, Soufiere Bay and Vieux Fort.
Port Castries (PHONE: 758 / 452-3036)
Rodney Bay Marina Boatyard (PHONE: 758 / 452-0324)

Customs
Duty free allowance into st Lucia is 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco or 50 cigars, one liter of spirit or wine.

Departure tax
There is a departure tax of EC$ 54 or US$ 22 for all passengers over 12 years old leaving the island.

Permanent Residence
This is issued if a non-national is desirous of becoming a citizen or permanent resident of st Lucia. Permanent residence can be applied for at the MiniStry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade after having resided in st Lucia for two years

Wedding Packages in st Lucia all inclusive
st Lucia is rated one of the world top places for destination weddings. Beach weddings are especially popular, but st Lucia offers many romantic locations for weddings. Application to be married in st Lucia are made by a local solicitor to the Attorney General, who will issue a marriage license after a two-day residency period. It takes two business days to process the application, so a marriage can take place on the fifth day. All documents muSt be originals and translated into English if in a foreign language. find out more about Wedding Packages in st Lucia all inclusive.

You can expect to pay the following fees: Stamp Duty US$ 150.00, Notaries fees and Marriage License US$ 75.00, Marriage Officer/JP US$ 60.00, Marriage Certificate US$ 15.00

St Lucia Currency
The currency in st Lucia is the EaStern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) which is pegged to the US$ at 1 US$ to 2.7 EC$ banks offer an exchange rate of 1 US$ to 2.68 EC$. US currency is accepted in many places.
Exchange Rates. Universal Currency Converter www.xcc.com

Credit cards
Major international credit cards are widely accepted at all large shopping centers, reStaurants, hotels etc. However, many small hotels and gueSthouses and moSt Stores do not accept credit cards.

ATM's Automated teller machines (ATM's) are available 24 hours a day at bank branches, transportation centers, and shopping malls.

Service charges and tax
All hotels with 5 or more separately rent able units are required to pay an 8% hotel accommodation tax (HAT) to the st Lucia government. A service charge of 10% is charged by moSt hotels and reStaurants. There is no tax on items in Stores.

St Lucia Citizenship
Citizenship can be applied for after having resided in st Lucia for seven years, for Commonwealth Caribbean nationals five years.

Documents to be submitted:

Completed application form
Bank Statement
Police certificate of character
Original Birth Certificate
Medical Certificate from a regiSter practitioner
4 passport size photographs certified by
a JuStice of the Peace
A reference letter from a reputable person
in the country of origin
A letter Stating your arrival, purpose of visit,
and the activities to be engaged in.

Work Permits
Under the Foreign National and Commonwealth Citizens Employment (Employment) Regulation, No.3 of 1971, all persons who are not st Lucian nationals or citizens require a work permit to engage in any form of occupation on the island. This can obtained from the Labor Department of the MiniStry of Legal Affairs, Home Affairs and Labor, John Compton Highway, CaStries, st Lucia.

Employers are responsible for obtaining work permits for their expatriate workers, and the application form is to be completed by employer and applicant. Annual fees for work permits range from $300 for commercial sales personnel to EC $2,000 for Caricom nationals to EC $5,000 for non-Caricom nationals.

St Lucia property sales - Alien land holding license
An Alien land holding license is required for st Lucia property sales to foreigners. It can be obtained from, the Inland revenue Department, at the MiniStry of Finance & Planning, and muSt be obtained through a lawyer.

Required Documents:
A completed queStionnaire/application form
An application fee of EC$200.00 (approximate. US$75 or Can$101.00)
A copy of applicant’s agreement with the Real EState Company and EC$10.00 fee made out to the Accountant General along with certified valuation of the property.
Two (2) passport sized photographs
A set of applicants fingerprints
A certificate of character (police record)

The cost of the Alien Landholding license ranges from US$ 2,000 for st Lucia property sales of under one acre to US$ 20,000 for over 100 acres. After the license is issued, a deed of sale is to be prepared by the lawyer, lawyers' fees are approximate. 2 - 5 % of the purchase price plus Stamp duty.

St Lucia Calling Cards
To charge an overseas call to a major credit card, dial 811; there is no surcharge. From public phones and many hotels, you can dial AT&T Direct Service 800/USA- 2881 or MCI World com at 800/888-8000 and charge the call to your calling card to avoid expensive rates or hotel surcharges. Phone cards can be purchased at many retail outlets and used from any touch-tone telephone (including pay phones) in st Lucia. 1-800-CALL-USA (225-5872) for US visitors calling back home with their credit cards, US calling cards or calling collect. 1-800-744-2000 for International credit card calling. This service is not available everywhere.

St Lucia jazz Fest
The Annual st Lucia Jazz feSt is held every May, and the activity is usually spread over two weeks, with various performances taking place around the island. "Jazz in the South" is usually during the firSt week, and Jazz at Balenbouche on the firSt Sunday. The main Stage performance takes place in the north of st Lucia at the Pigeon Island National Park. For more information on St Lucia jazz and St Lucia jazz 2005, visit the official jazz feSt website at www.StLuciajazz.org

St Lucia animal adoption
Believe it or not, st Lucia animal adoption is becoming a popular thing! Visitors who make friends with a Stray dog or cat can bring home a new pet. st Lucia is rabies-free, however, there are Still a few requirements to meet. The st Lucia Animal Protection Society (SLAPS) is dedicated to helping all neglected and Stray animals in st Lucia and can assiSt in the St Lucia animal adoption process. Visit their website for more information www.StLuciaanimals.org
To read the touching Story of a st Lucia dog who found a new home in Washington, DC, visit www.sLucia.com/slaps/

St Lucia newspaper
There are three main St Lucia newspapers, the st Lucia Star www.StLuciaStar.com, the st Lucia Voice, and the st Lucia Mirror www.StLuciamirroronline.com/

St Lucia classified
Search the newspaper website's (above) or visit the Shopper magazine, www.StLuciadeals.com st Lucia's premier source for st Lucia classified ads.

Water
MoSt of the island is serviced by the st Lucia Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO), a fully privatized entity. The water quality from the main line is ok to drink, though at times heavily chlorinated. From time to time, there are water shortages and damages to the pipes, so that the water supply may be interrupted for a day or two. Balenbouche EState has its own ciSterns and Storage tanks, so that there is usually always an adequate supply of water on hand.

St Lucia Electricity
Electricity 220 volts, 50 cycle AG (a few hotels are 110 volts, 60 cycles). MoSt sockets take 3 pin square plugs, UK Standard. Adapters and transformers are available at Balenbouche EState and in many hotels.

Internet and Phone
Cable and Wireless st Lucia is the sole internet and phone provider in st Lucia. Internet access is widely available, in hotels, internet cafes and at Cable and Wireless branches. MoSt payphones take phone cards, coins and credit cards (see calling cards above). International calls from mobile phones are generally cheaper than from fixed line.

Safety
st Lucia is a relatively safe destination, and you will find that people are generally very friendly and helpful. However, in recent years, crime has been increasing. It is always best to travel in a group, especially at night, and you should avoid carrying or showing off valuables and cash, leaving your room or car unlocked, or leaving bags unattended. Always negotiate prices in advance and don't be afraid to say no thank you to any services or goods offered,

As a female, you will probably attract the attention of male st Lucians, and you should be prepared to experience some harassment. However, most advances are harmless, and can be averted with a little humor, and sometimes, a firm "no thank you."

Mobile phones
Visitors from North America can ROAM in st Lucia – juSt turn on your TDMA or GSM phone and make and receive calls juSt like you would at home. For visitors from other countries or visitors who did not bring their phones and would like to have a mobile phone on a short-term basis, you can rent one. Cell phone providers in st Lucia are: Cable and Wireless, Digicell, and AT&T - international calls from mobile phones are generally cheaper than from fixed line.

Mail
The General PoSt Office is on Bridge Street in CaStries and is open weekdays 8:30-4:30; all towns and villages have branches. PoStage for airmail letters to the U.S., Canada, and the U. K. is EC 95¢ per ½ ounce; poStcards are EC65¢. Airmail letters to AuStralia and New Zealand coSt EC$1.35; poStcards, EC70¢. Airmail can take two or three weeks to be delivered - even longer to AuStralia and New Zealand.

St Lucia Hospitals
There are three main hospitals in st Lucia; Tapion Hospital and Victoria Hospital in CaStries, and St. Jude’s Hospital in Vieux Fort. Soufriere and dennery also have medical facilities. Tapion is a private institution, St. Judes hospital also receives support from volunteer organizations abroad.

Every village has its own Health Center, which provides basic medical care. Balenbouche EState is only a 20 minute drive from the St. Jude’s hospital, and a 24 hour ambulance is Stationed 10 minutes away at the Choiseul village Health Center

Vaccinations
No vaccinations are necessary when traveling to st Lucia.The greatest health risks are probably the tropical sun, the rare Aedis Aegypti mosquito (which can be a carrier of Dengue fever, a milder form of malaria), and the AIDS virus, which has affected between 5and 8% of the population.