St. Lucia possesses a topography of stunning beauty, matched by no other location in the Caribbean. The island's pride in its natural resources is evident in the country's ongoing protection and conservation efforts.
TRAVELING TO THE ISLAND OF SAINT LUCIA
When you travel to St. Lucia, you'll be surprised at how beautiful the island is upon arrival...the St. Lucia Customs and Immigration is usually a breeze. If you fly into the Hewannorra International Airport, and are staying in the North,
U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport when traveling by air, including to or from Mexico. All sea or land travelers are now required to have a U.S. passport or passport card.
http://www.stlucia.org/planner/travel.asp
Airports
Hewanorra International Airport at Vieux Fort is located 40 miles south of Castries. George F. L Charles Inter Island Airport in Castries.
Automobile Rental
Cars, four wheel drive vehicles and scooters can be booked in advance through your travel agent or at the airports, hotels or car rental offices on the island.
Currency
The currency of Saint Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which is linked to the US Dollar at the exchange rate of 1 US$ to 2.70 EC$. United States Dollars are widely accepted on the island. The guaranteed rate at the commercial banks is 1 US$ to 2.67 EC$ less applied bank charges in some instances. The local vendor may offer a slightly lower rate.
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Customs Regulations
The duty free allowance into Saint Lucia is 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco or 50 cigars, one litre of spirit or wine. Duty free shopping is available at Pointe Seraphine, La Place Carenage, The Marina Village at Marigot, some hotels and at the departure lounge of Hewanorra Airport. Luxury items include Jewelery, Batiks, Giftware,Local Crafts, Liquor, Cigarettes and Cigars.
Departure Tax
Departure Tax of EC $68 (US $26) for all passengers over 12 years is applied to ticket prices at the time of purchase.
Domestic Travel within the Island
Minibuses serve as the main ground transportation medium for the island. The service times vary depending on the destination or the route one desires to ply. Buses to Rodney Bay/Gros Islet, for example, run until around 11.00pm: (longer on Friday nights when the weekly "jump-up" takes place at Gros Islet). However, there is no scheduled bus timetable.
Electricity
220 volts, 50 cycles AC, most hotels accommodate 110 volts, 60 cycles . Most sockets take 3 pin square plugs (UK standard) but some take 2 pin round plugs or flat American plugs, which are more rare. Adaptors are generally available at the hotels.
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Police, Fire and Ambulance - Tel: 911. Police Headquarters - Bridge Street, Castries, Tel: 758 456 3990 You may also contact the Saint Lucia Tourist Board - Tel: 758 452 4094.
Entry Requirements
Visitors must carry valid passports. Visas are not required where the visitor is a citizen of the USA or certain Commonwealth countries (please click here for visa exempted countries), or where there is agreement for exemption between the home country and Saint Lucia.
Government
Saint Lucia is an independent democratic nation and part of the British Commonwealth. The Head of Government is the Prime Minister, The Honorable Stephenson King of the United Workers Party, appointed Prime Minister in September 2007 after the passing of then Prime Minister Sir John George Melvin Compton. Sir John Compton had led his party to victory in December of 2006 succeeding Dr. Kenny D. Anthony whose Saint Lucia Labour Party was voted out by the electorate after nine years in power.
The Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II but a Ceremonial Head of State: The Governor-General represents the queen at official proceedings.
In addition to the Office of the Governor General, a two-house system of Parliament exists. It is made up of a Senate and a House of Assembly. The Senate consists of eleven nominated members whilst the House of Assembly consists of seventeen elected Members
Language
English is the official language, but Saint Lucians speak a French Creole commonly called Patois. Most hotels also have in-house specialist which would be able to comprehend some other languages.
Ports
The main sea port is Castries at the Castries Habour and many cruise ships anchor at Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage. There is an additional deepwater anchorage for cargo and container ships at Vieux Fort in the south near the airport.
Service Charges & Tax
On hotel and restaurant bills there is a Government tax of 8%. A service charge of 10% is also applicable. In some instances these charges are included in prices quoted, so it is best to clarify. The prices on labels in shops are what you pay.
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