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St Lucia has some of the finest mountain scenery in the West Indies, rich with tropical vegetation. For so small an island, 27 miles by 14 miles, St Lucia has a great variety of plant and animal life. Orchids and exotic plants grow wild in the rainforests and the roadsides are covered with many colourful tropical flowers. Flamboyant trees spread shade and blossom everywhere. The highest peak is Mount Gimie at 3117ft. Most spectacular are Gros Piton and Petit Piton, ancient, volcanic forest-covered cones which rise out of the sea on the west coast. Soufri (vents in a volcano which exude hydrogen sulphide, steam and other gases) and boiling waterpools can be seen here. The mountains are intersected by short rivers which in some areas form broad fertile valleys. The island has excellent beaches and is surrounded by a clear, warm sea. Getting There St Lucia is served by Air Canada (AC), Britannia Airways, British Airways (BA), British Caledonian, British West Indian Airways (BWIA) and Virgin Atlantic. Approximate flight times: International airports: George F L Charles and Hewanorra 2 miles and 42 miles from Castries respectively. Taxis or buses are available from both airports to Castries. Both runways are equipped for jets. Airport facilities at George F L Charles include a bar/restaurant and car hire; at Hewanorra there is a bar/restaurant, left luggage and lockers (0800-1600), shops, tourist information, outgoing duty-free shop and car hire (Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz and National). Departure tax: EC$54. Transit passengers and children under 12 years are exempt.
Money Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of EC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of EC$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. US Dollars are also accepted as legal tender. Currency exchange: US Dollars ensure a better exchange rate. Getting Around Cars and four-wheel-drive vehicles can be booked in advance through a travel agent or at the airport, hotels or at the following car rental offices on the island: Road All major centres are served by a reasonably good road network. The main cross-island route runs from Vieux Fort in the south of the island to Castries in the north. The Folliwng are car rental agencies:- Avis Rent-A-Car: 758-451-6976 Budget Rent-A-Car:758-452-0233 Cool Breeze Jeep-Car Rental: 758-454-7898 Courtesy Rent-A-Car: 758-452-8140 CTL Rent-A-Car: 758-452-0732 Hertz Rent-A-Car: 758-452-0680 Inter Island Car Rental: 758-453-1086 National Car Rental: 758-450-8721 St. Lucia Yacht Car Rental: 758-452-5057 Wayne's Motorcycle Centre: 758-452-2059 The rental rate per week ranges from US$295 to US$390 depending on the type of car and the company. The average daily rates are US$65.00, not including insurance, which can be an additional US$15-20 per day. A temporary driving licence is required for visitors and can be obtained on production of a current driver's licence on arrival at the airport, at the police station in Castries or at the car rental office. The cost is EC$30. Driving Tips: Driving is on the left, British style. Seat belts should be worn. Drinking and driving is against the law. Observe the speed limits, especially a 30 mph limit within Castries. Parking tickets are issued for vehicles parked in "no parking" zones, and the penalties start at around EC$40. In case of a breakdown or accident, make sure to have the telephone number of the car rental company. If a breakdown occurs during business hours, the company will send a mechanic to fix or exchange the car. If it is after business hours, leave the vehicle and report the breakdown first thing next morning. Air Air Martinique, American Eagle, Eagle Air, Helen Air and LIAT offer flights to neighbouring islands. It is also possible to charter planes. Charter flights operate between George F L Charles and Hewanorra airports. Sea Boat charters are easily available at Castries, Marigot Bay and Rodney Bay. Bus Services connect rural areas with the capital. There is a good service from Castries to Gros Islet in the north of the island with buses departing every 30 minutes during the day. Taxi Hiring a taxi is easy and cheap, with standard trips having fixed rates. Tipping is unnecessary.
Climate St. Lucia's temperature ranges from 65-85 degrees (Fahrenheit) from December to May and 75-95 degrees from June to November. The winter is relatively more dry as well. Visitors should bring cool, comfortable clothing. While jacket and tie are rarely requisite, overly casual beachwear is rarely appreciated off the beach. Accommodation St. Lucia boasts a variety of hotels, guest houses and villas and apartments to suit your style and budget. There are no strips of highrise hotels in St. Lucia; most properties are tucked away in tropical surroundings. Grading: Many hotels in the Caribbean offer accommodation according to one of a number of plans. AP is American Plan: room with three meals; MAP is Modified American Plan: breakfast and dinner included with the price of the room plus, in some places, British-style afternoon tea; CP is Continental Plan: room and breakfast only; EP is European Plan: room only. Hotels in St Lucia are also graded on a scale from 3 to 5 stars. To give you a taste of the accommodation here are just a few:-
There is a good choice of accommodation on St Lucia Official Tourist Board website Places to see Castries One of the most beautifully situated Caribbean cities. Surrounded by hills, its large, safe harbour at the head of a wide bay is a constant hive of activity. Castries is a major port of call for cruise ships, which dock at Pointe Seraphine. The spacious Derek Walcott Square features the 19th-century Catholic Cathedral standing in the shade of a 400 year-old samaan tree. There is also a colourful, bustling market. Morne Fortune (Hill of Good Luck) Overlooking Castries, this was a key battleground during the period of skirmishes over colonial possession of St. Lucia. The French began constructing a fortress at this strategic outpost in the 17th century, but it was the British who finished it when the French surrendered in 1796. Gros Islet On the northwest coast of the island, stages a street party every Friday. Pigeon Island National Landmark Near to Gros Islet, has a small museum telling the history of the island. It was from here that Admiral Rodney set sail in 1782 and destroyed the French Fleet in one of the most decisive engagements in European history. This end of the island is now being developed as a centre for tourism. Soufriere Located in the south, it is the oldest town in St. Lucia, established by the French in 1746. Of particular note is its unusual marketplace, decorated with colourful murals and gingerbread trim. Anse La Raye On the west coast south of Castries, is a colourful fishing village where locals make boats from gum trees. Where to eat For such a small island, St. Lucia offers a large variety of excellent cuisine, from European and International restaurants offering romantic candlelight dinners and sophisticated ambiance to casual dining that features savoury local specialties like callaloo, curry, and pepperpot stew. Whatever the choice, dining is likely to be al fresco, and the island's natural beauty provides sensory delights to complement the palate. Take a look at St Lucia Tourist Board site for a good selection of restaurants
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