St Lucia is a beautiful volcanic island with lush rainforests, undulating agricultural landscapes and unspoilt beaches. It is also one of the world's breeziest places, as the trade winds blow in from the sea to the southern shore.

Traditionally banana and sugar cane exports sustained St Lucia, however, the government is now focusing its efforts on the island's fast-growing tourism sector.

St Lucia boasts more than enough to keep visitors enthralled, hosting a wealth of natural wonders from excellent beaches and mountain scenery, to the Qualibou Volcano with its boiling sulphur springs, as well as tropical flower-lined roadsides. The island's unique cultural heritage also proves a significant draw for visitors, with a considerable British and French influence still felt today.

After fierce resistance from the indigenous Carib Indians, British and French colonists were kept away from the island for 50 years. Then, between the signing of a peace treaty with the French in 1660 and the British takeover of the island in 1814, ownership changed no fewer than 14 times. The British maintained control until 1979, when St Lucia was granted independence. This cultural diversity is still evident in St Lucia from the colonial-style plantations to the French influence felt in the patois spoken throughout the country.

 

2011 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
01-Jan	New Year's Day	13-Jun	Whit Monday
22-Feb	Independence Day	23-Jun	Corpu Christi
22-Apr	Good Friday	01-Aug	Emancipation Day
24-Apr	Easter Sunday	13-Dec	National Day
25-Apr	Easter Monday	25-Dec	Christmas Day
02-May	Labour Day	26-Dec	Boxing Day

 

CLIMATE	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average Temp (C)	27	28	29	31	31	31	31	31	31	31	30	29
Rainfall (mm)	135	91	97	86	150	218	236	269	252	236	231	198

 

GMT -5 (GMT -4 in summer)

Mountain biking through the rainforest

Biking has become a popular way to explore this part of the island to the south, with its stunning landscape and lush rainforest.

The Brig Unicorn Tall Ship

Sailing from Castries to Soufriere and including a visit to the Sulphur Springs Volcanic Park and the Diamond Botanical Gardens. The ship appeared in "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Turtle and Whale watching

St Lucia is recognised as one of the leading whale watching sites in the Windward Islands. Over 20 species are regularly spotted throughout the year, including humpbacks, pilot whales, sperm whales and spinning dolphins. Turtles are another fascinating thrill for nature lovers. Due to protection provided by local enviromental agencies that have ensured the permanent suspension of turtle hunting, St Lucia abounds with these majestic creatures.

Traffic drives on the left. All major centres are served by a reasonably good road network.

East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents. Notes: from 5 to 100 dollars Coins: from 1 cent to 1 dollar.

health care are high and full health insurance is essential.

10-15% is added to bills. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.

Bottled mineral water is recommended.

Bus service connects 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.

Open Monday to Thursday 08:00–15:00. Fridays 08:00-17:00. Some banks open Saturdays 08:00–12:00.

The current is 220/230 volts, 50 cycles AC. British-style plugs with three prongs are used.

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