Best Time to Visit Saint Lucia

High season in Saint Lucia is usually from December to April. This is the busiest period and, therefore, the price of accommodation during these months is at its highest. You might also want to take into account that June to November is the wet season, when weather is rainier and more humid. It is the Caribbean's official hurricane season. Storms are most likely to happen from August to October. Also, the island's two big yearly events, the St Lucia Jazz Festival and the carnival, are in May and July, respectively.

Passport / Visa

Citizens of European Union member states (except the UK and Ireland), as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of the United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Israel, South Africa and a few other countries are entitled to stay for a maximum of 6 weeks (42 days). Visitors of other nationalities might need to apply for a visa in advance. More information is available on the dedicated page Government of Saint Lucia.

• Web:

  www.govt.lc/services/apply-for-saint-lucia-non-immigrant-visa

George FL Charles Airport (SLU)

George FL Charles (SLU) is the island's second airport, usually reserved for flights within the Caribbean. It is located in the capital town of Castries and has connections to other Caribbean islands such as Antigua, Barbados, Curaçao, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Trinidad & Tobago, Saint Kitts, Saint Martin and Saint Vincent. If you are flying in from outside of the Caribbean you might need to use the island's main airport, which is called Hewanorra (UVF). Check the section on this other airport to know more.

• Web:

  www.georgeflcharlesairport.com

• Address:

  Peninsular Road, Saint Lucia

• Phone:

  +1 758 452 1156

• More info:

  Commonly known as Vigie Airport

Hewanorra International Airport (UVF)

Hewanorra (UVF) is Saint Lucia's main airport. Located on the Southern tip of the island, in the town of Vieux Fort., the airport is 40 miles (64 km) away from Castries. Many airlines fly to Hewanorra from the USA, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. If you are flying in from the UK there are direct flights from London and Manchester. Most hotels and resorts on the island are located in the north of Saint Lucia. Travelling from the airport to the north can take somewhere between 1 hour and 1 hour and a half. Alternatively, the town of Soufrière, in the west, is approximately 50 minutes away by taxi.

• Web:

  www.hewanorrainternationalairport.com

• Address:

  Hewanorra International Airport, Saint Lucia

• Phone:

  +1 758 457 6100

Taxi

Taxis in Saint Lucia are not metered. Instead, they are usually set according to standard fares. If the taxi ride is long the price may be negotiable. Make sure to agree on a set fare with the taxi driver before beginning your journey. A couple of taxi companies based in the area: Marc's Taxi Service and Tours +1 758-718-8012 https://marcstaxiservice.business.site St. Lucia Transportation +1 758-717-8604 www.stluciatransportation.com

Bus

A privately owned network of minivans acts as the island's main cost-effective transportation system. They follow the ring road that circles the island, stopping at every town. In towns, buses will stop at specifically designated bus stops, whereas in rural Saint Lucia, you can expect the buses to pull over at any convenient spot on the road as long as you have signaled to the driver appropriately. Once you are on the bus make sure to call out 'stopping driver' before you reach the stop you want to get off at. Services between towns tend to be frequent and run until approximately 19.00. Between Castries and Gros Islet services run until past 22.00. Most services do not run on Sundays. Castries to Gros Islet or Marigot Bay is around EC$2.50. Castries to Soufrière, EC$8.