St Lucia travel guide
About St Lucia
Trade winds keep temperatures on the right side of sizzling in sunny St Lucia, where white sandy beaches, crystalline waters and luscious rainforests paint the quintessential picture of Caribbean island idyll.
St Lucia is in the business of creating lasting first impressions: visitors to the island are greeted by the unforgettable sight of the Piton Mountains, which are fringed by coral reefs, sandy shores and swaying palms as they rise majestically from the rolling surf.
While other Caribbean islands lay claim to equally beautiful beaches, St Lucia will tempt you out of the sun-lounger and into the ocean with its bountiful marine life and exquisite reefs, which are a playground for scuba divers and snorkelers. St Lucia’s waters are also prime for kite-boarding and windsurfing, thanks to the aforementioned trade winds.
It’s not all about the coast, though. A trip to the island’s interior presents the opportunity to hike through verdant mountains, zip-line over forest canopies and watch boiling sulphur springs bubble away atop a volcano, all in a day’s work. If you’ve still got the energy for a night out, there are regular shindigs in the north of the island. Friday nights get particularly lively.
Here visitors can experience the relaxed flavour of island life, as well as the unique mixture of West African, European and East Indian influences that infuse the local cuisine. St Lucia is also known for its folk music and world-famous Jazz & Arts Festival, which takes place every year amidst much fanfare.
The island carries a unique cultural heritage, having changed hands between Britain and France no fewer than 14 times. The British eventually lost control in 1979, and St Lucia gained its independence. Various cultural legacies linger, from the colonial-style plantations that dot the landscape, to the French-influenced patois spoken throughout the country.
The result is a destination that will captivate visitors long after the emerald-green peaks of the Pitons have disappeared over the horizon.
Key facts
616.3 sq km (238 sq miles).
186,383 (UN estimate 2016).
266 per sq km.
Castries.
Constitutional monarchy.
HM King Charles III since 2022, represented locally by acting Governor-General Errol Charles since 2021.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre since 2021.
Travel Advice
The hurricane season runs from June to November. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders. See Extreme weather and natural disasters.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of St Lucia’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in St Lucia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the St Lucian High Commission in the UK.
COVID-19 rules
There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering St Lucia.
Passport validity requirements
If you’re visiting St Lucia, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ after the day you plan to leave.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Make sure you get your passport stamped.
Make sure the border control officer puts a stamp in your passport. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you have not stayed longer than you’re allowed.
Visa requirements
You can visit St Lucia without a visa.
On entry, you’ll be allowed to stay for a maximum period of 6 weeks.
To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the St Lucian government’s entry requirements. You’ll need to go to the Immigration Department in Castries to apply to extend your stay.
It’s illegal to overstay the entry period or to work without a work permit.
Online immigration form
Fill in an online immigration form no more than 3 days before you arrive. If you do not complete it before you arrive, you’ll be asked to fill in the electronic form on arrival or fill in a paper form, if available.
Vaccine requirements
To enter St Lucia, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s St Lucia guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of St Lucia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorism in St Lucia
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in St Lucia, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Crime
Large-scale events
Most visits are trouble free but robberies and opportunistic crime may occur during the periods of and around large-scale events such as the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival in May and Saint Lucia Carnival in July. If you are attending a large-scale event take sensible precautions and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid displaying jewellery or valuable items that may attract attention of criminals. Do not leave your drinks unattended, practice caution at crowded events and have a clear plan to return home safely after attending any events.
Crime and assault
There have been incidents of crime in St Lucia including murder, armed robbery and sexual assault.
There is a continuing serious risk of homicides, primarily gang related and involving guns. Some incidents have taken place in public areas.
Take precautions to protect your personal safety:
- make sure your accommodation is secure – this also applies if you’re staying on a yacht
- take care when walking alone off main roads
- take particular care around large gatherings, including street and beach parties, especially after dark or during the festival season
- avoid isolated areas, including beaches, after dark
- only use licensed taxis
- do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery
- leave valuables and travel documents in your hotel safe or a safety deposit box
Laws and cultural differences
Laws on clothing
It’s illegal for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.
Illegal drugs penalties
There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.
LGBT+ travellers
Attitudes towards the LGBT+ community are mostly conservative throughout the Caribbean. Certain same-sex sexual acts are illegal in St Lucia. Showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention. It is uncommon for opposite or same-sex couples to show affection in public in St Lucia.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
Swimming safety
Currents can be deceptively strong and not all beaches have lifeguards or warning flags. Monitor all beaches carefully and obey any local warnings.
Transport risks
Road travel
If you’re planning to drive in St Lucia, see information on driving abroad.
Travellers without a St Lucian driving licence must get a temporary driving permit. You will need a:
- driving licence
- passport
- passport size photo of yourself
- 54 Eastern Caribbean dollars or 20 US dollars
You must go in person to the Department of Transport at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ports, Transport, Physical Development and Urban Renewal at the Union Complex, in Union, Castries. Telephone +1 758 468 4300 for the latest opening hours.
Some hire car companies can get the permit for you. Ask your hire company if this is a service they can provide.
Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience or a higher minimum age.
Roads can have potholes and speed bumps. Minor roads and roads in rural areas are often narrow, with steep gradients, hairpin bends and blind corners. Drivers do not always use indicators. Pedestrians often walk on the roads.
Some roads are unlit at night. Road signs and hazards may not be easily visible.
Do not stop if you’re flagged down by pedestrians. Keep car doors locked when driving.
Accidents often happen on the main east coast road to and from Hewanorra International Airport.
In the event of an accident, call the police and do not move the vehicle.
Taxis and minibuses
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 East Caribbean dollars.
Minibus drivers often drive above the speed limit.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
Hurricanes
The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. Monitor local news and check the World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Hurricane Center.
The hurricane season often brings heavy rains, which may cause flash floods and landslides. After a storm or hurricane, power, communications, transport and water supplies can be disrupted. Even in holiday resorts, utility services cannot be guaranteed. Flights to and from the UK may be delayed or cancelled.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes are a risk in the Caribbean and tremors are occasionally felt in St Lucia. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
Volcanoes
Check the alert level of the underwater volcano ‘Kick ‘em Jenny’, located 5 miles off the coast of Grenada. Observe any maritime exclusion zones and follow the advice of the local authorities if there is increased activity or an eruption.
Check the alert level for La Soufriere volcano, located on the nearby island of St Vincent. Its eruption in 2021 sent ash over St Lucia, which caused some disruption.
Before you travel check that:
- your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
- you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Emergency medical number
Call 911 and ask for an ambulance.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Vaccine recommendations and health risks
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
- check the latest vaccine recommendations for St Lucia
- see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page
Medication
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
Carry a copy of your prescription for any medications you bring with you, especially any that may be classed as controlled drugs.
Healthcare in St Lucia
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 you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.
Before choosing to be treated at a private facility, check their policies on pre-payment. Some private clinics may not accept medical travel insurance as payment for treatment. The Tapion Hospital does not accept travel or foreign medical insurance for payment.
FCDO has a list of medical providers in St Lucia.
COVID-19 healthcare in St Lucia
Social distancing and mask mandates have been lifted. Medical facilities, police stations, businesses and government offices can require them.
Travel and mental health
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
Emergency services in St Lucia
Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
Contact your travel provider and insurer
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
Refunds and changes to travel
For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
- where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
- how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim
Support from FCDO
FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
- finding lawyers and funeral directors in St Lucia
- dealing with a death in St Lucia
- being arrested or imprisoned in St Lucia
- getting help if you’re a victim of crime
- what to do if you’re in hospital
- if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack
Contacting FCDO
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
You can also contact FCDO online.
Help abroad in an emergency
If you’re in St Lucia and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British High Commission in Castries.
FCDO in London
You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
