St. Lucia
General Information for St Lucia
Geo-political:
Capital City: Castries.
Nationality: (noun) Saint Lucian, (adjective) Saint Lucian.
Population: 160,267.
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 1-758.
Number of Internal Airports: 2.
Major Languages Spoken: English (official), French patois.
Economy:
Currency: 1 East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) of 100 Cents.
Main Industries: Clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes,
tourism, lime processing and coconut processing.
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Other Maritime Claims: Contiguous Zone: 24 n.m. Continental Shelf: 200 n.m. or to the edge of the continental
margin. Exclusive Economic Zone: 200 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 158 km.
Climate: Tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season
May to August.
Natural Resources: Forests, sandy beaches, minerals, mineral springs and geothermal potential.
Natural Hazards: Hurricanes; volcanic activity.
Terrain: Volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys.
OVERVIEW:
Saint Lucia is a sovereign island country in the Lesser Antilles, located north of
St Vincent, NW of Barbados and south of Martinique. The capital is Castries.
Saint Lucia is more mountainous than most Caribbean islands, and it is predominantly
forested. Mount Gimie, situated in a south-central location, is the highest mountain
on the island, with an elevation of around 950 m. Two other mountains, the Pitons
(Gros Piton and Petit Piton), are situated on the SW side of the island, and form
the island's most famous landmark.
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
CARICOM APIS:
CARICOM Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) came into effect in 2007. Regional
and international vessels (and aircraft) are required to submit advance passenger
information prior to arrival in and upon departure from any of the 12 member states
forming the single domestic space. The 12 member states are Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados,
Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the
Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Electronic notices of arrival and departures (eNOAD) files must be submitted within
the time period specified as follows: arriving from a port outside the domestic space
no later than 24 hours prior to arrival; arriving from a port within the domestic
space no later than one hour prior to arrival at the next port within the domestic
space; departure to a port outside the domestic space no later than 15 minutes after
departure from a port within the domestic space.
The Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) was nominated by the CARICOM participating
member states as their agent for collection, collation and dissemination of API.
Access to the system is for registered users only, with registration and log in at
www.caricomeapis.org
Contact:
JRCC Bridgetown, Barbados. T: +1 246 435 4659. F: +1 246 228 4040. E: [email protected]
W: www.caricomeapis.org
MEDICAL:
The main government hospital can cope with many types of treatment but serious cases
may mean emergency evacuation.
Medical treatment in St Lucia can be expensive. Make sure that you have adequate health
insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.
Before choosing to be treated at a private facility, you should check their policies
on pre-payment. Private clinics may not accept medical insurance as payment for treatment.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your stay, dial 911 and ask for an
ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if
you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Dengue fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout
the year.
There is a risk of Zika virus transmission in St Lucia.
Cases of Chikungunya virus have been confirmed in St Lucia. You should take steps
to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
TIME:
GMT minus 4 hours.
HOLIDAYS:
New Year's Day, New Year's Holiday, 22 February (Independence Day), Carnival Monday,
Good Friday, Easter Day, Easter Holiday, 1 May (May Day, Labour Day), Whit Monday,
Corpus Christi, Emancipation Day (1 Monday in August), Thanksgiving Day (1st Monday
in October), 13 December (National Day), Christmas Day, Boxing Day.
The port is closed for work on Christmas Day, Good Friday and May Day (Labour Day).
WEATHER/TIDES:
The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. You should
monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation
www.wmo.org/ and the US National Hurricane Center
www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Earthquakes:
Earthquakes are a potential threat and tremors are felt occasionally in the Caribbean,
In the event of an earthquake, you should be directed by the local authorities.
BANKS:
Although the official currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), many business establishments
will also accept US Dollars (USD) and will quote prices in either, or both, currency.
Make sure you know which currency you are being quoted. ATM machines are readily available
in main towns.
SHORE LEAVE:
Most visits are trouble-free, but there have been incidents of crime including murder,
armed robbery and sexual assault. You should maintain a good level of personal security
awareness and make sure your accommodation is secure. This also applies to on board
vessel. Take care when walking alone off the busy main roads and avoid isolated areas,
including beaches, particularly after dark.
Only use licensed taxis and take particular care at late night street parties, especially
during the festival season. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. If possible,
leave valuables and travel documents in a safety deposit box or safe.
Taxis are not metered. Standard taxi fares exist for most destinations. Agree the
fare in local currency with the driver before you set off. You can often pay in US
dollars as well as EC dollars. Public transport is available and cheaper. Minibus
drivers may drive above the speed limit.
Take great care at all times when swimming as currents can be deceptively strong and
not all beaches have lifeguards and/or warning flags. You should monitor all beaches
carefully and obey any local warnings.
There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Pack all luggage yourself and do
not carry anything through Customs for anyone else.
It is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.
Local attitudes towards the LGBT community are mostly conservative throughout the
Caribbean. Public displays of affection (such as hand-holding or kissing) between
opposite or same-sex couples are uncommon.
REPATRIATION:
Visa Prior to Arrival:
Nationals of the following countries require an entry visa to be issued prior to arrival
at St Lucia:
Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Angola; Armenia (not required for Diplomatic/Official
passports); Azerbaijan (except Diplomatic/Official passports); Bahrain; Bangladesh
Belarus; Central African Republic; Chad; Colombia, Congo DPR; Congo PR; Cook Islands;
Dominican Republic; Egypt; Eritrea; Haiti (except Diplomatic/Official passports);
Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Jordan; Khazhakstan; Korea DR; Laos; Lebanon; Liberia; Libya;
Macedonia; Moldova (except Diplomatic/Official passports); Morocco; Myanmar; Nepal;
Niger; Nigeria; Oman; Pakistan; Palestine; Qatar; Reunion; Rwanda; Saudi Arabia; Serbia;
Somalia; Sri Lanka; Syria; Tajikistan; Tunisia; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; Uzbekistan;
Venezuela; Yemen; Zaire.
Visa on Arrival:
Nationals of the following countries require an entry visa which will be issued on
arrival at St Lucia at the first Port of Entry:
American Samoa; Benin; Bhutan; Bolivia; Burundi; Burkina Faso; Cambodia; Cameroon;
Cape Verde; Comoros; Djibouti; Ecuador; El Salvador; Equatorial Guinea; Ethiopia;
Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guatemala; Guinea; Guinea Bissau; Honduras; India; Ivory Coast;
Kenya; Kyrgyzstan; Macao; Madagascar; Malaysia; Mali; Mauritius; Mongolia; Mozambique;
Nicaragua; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; St Pierre & Miquelon;
Sao Tome & Principe; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Sudan; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Togo; Uganda;
Viet Nam; Wallis & Futuna; West Bank; Zimbabwe.
