General information briefly from A to Z

Some simply beautiful visits to Saint Lucia....

Visits along the West Side.

Pigeon Island:

This protected National Park is of major archaeological and historical value. There is also a small museum, worth a visit. Fort Rodney is located on the smaller of the two hills. Climbing the hill you are rewarded with a wide view.

Gros Islet:

This quiet fishing village undergoes a metamorphosis each Friday evening when a vast street dance party takes place. A not to be missed spectacle for those who want to experience the true St. Lucian atmosphere.

Rodney Bay:

This marina has been built in a large inland lagoon. In the neighborhood there are all kinds of shops, banks and a wide choice of restaurants offering a varied cuisine: Creole, French, Asian and Continental.

Reduit Beach:

This area is renowned for its long white sandy beach sheltered by tropical greenery. The beach stretches to Pigeon Island but it is crossed close to Gros Islet by the waterway to the marina. Water sports facilities are available.

Choc Bay beach:

A nice sandy beach, sheltered by palm trees, with water sports facilities and close to the large hotels. Here you can look out at little Rat Island. The Gablewood shopping center is in the neighborhood.

Vigie beach:

A nice sandy beach, well sheltered, stretching alongside the landing strip of Georges Charles (Vigie) airport. Popular with St. Lucians.

Castries, the capital:

From the Morne Fortune you have a grandiose view over the city and its surrounding green hills. At the daily market of Castries, you can find all kinds of handicraft, clothing, meat, fish and a variety of fresh tropical fruits.

From Derek Walcott Square you can view the old part of the city on one side and the newer part on the other. Daily the cruise-liners moor in the harbor at Pointe Seraphine, the Tax-free Shopping Center.

Marigot Bay:

St. Lucia's most picturesque bay. The surrounding green hills embrace the turquoise waters of the bay where yachts shelter in the natural harbor.

The true St. Lucian atmosphere can be experienced at JJ's bar on top of the hill close to Marigot Bay and at their waterfront restaurant downhill. In front of JJ's bar, a superb view of Marigot Bay awaits you.

Anse La Raye:

A quiet fishing village where you can find typical wooden houses, some very colorful, others weather-stained with the passage of time.

Canaries:

Another quiet fishing village. On the beach lie the colorful fishermen's boats.

Anse Chastanet beach:

One of the finest dark sandy beaches of St. Lucia and also an excellent place for the scuba diver or snorkeler.

Soufriere (± 9000 inhabitants):

This town, the oldest settlement of the island, was founded in 1746 by the French. Situated in the shade of the Petit Piton, this old capital was rebuilt after being destroyed by a hurricane in 1780.
The Soufrière coast has a long stretch of dark sandy beach. Between the palm trees you have a grandiose view of one of the Pitons. Local people mostly use the beach.

Diamond Botanical Gardens:

At the entrance, you will find some stalls where local artists sell their hand made goods.
The botanical garden of the Diamond Estate offers lush greenery and many colorful flowers where tourists can stroll at ease. The rust brown colored rocks of the beautiful waterfall surrounded by the tropical green are worth the visit.

Morne Coubaril Estate:

An old plantation which has been transformed into an open-air museum. There, a guide explains how people used to work and live. You will learn more about the processing of sugar cane, cacao and coconuts.

Sulphur Springs:

They originate from a weak spot in the crust of the earth of an enormous collapsed crater. These smoking sulfur vapors have unpleasant penetrating odors. The water in the craters, blackened by sulfate, still maintains a temperature of 171 ° Centigrade or 340 ° Fahrenheit.

Choiseul:

This fishing village is also an art and craft center. Here, inhabitants make very nice woodcarvings out of local wood, make baskets and work in the potter's workshop. Fishing boats lie on the sandy beach with the colorful wooden houses in the background.

Laborie:

Tourists seldom visit this fishing village. Here, you will find mostly weather-beaten wooden houses.
This village has a beautiful white sandy beach. The North side is suitable for sunbathing and snorkeling around the reef.

Cas En Bas beach :

One of the pre-eminent places for wind surfing (bring down your own wind surfing board). There are constant on shore trade winds. Locals provide "bar" facilities next to the stretched white sandy beach.

The Eastern Nature trail:

Developed in 1999 by the St. Lucia National Trust within the Praslin protected landscape - some 871 hectares of outstanding natural beauty. This 3.5 mile or 5.5 km skirts the east coast offering panoramic views across the Atlantic and some spectacular scenery between Dennery and Praslin.

Click here to read an article from St. Lucia's Tropical Traveller.

Frigate Islands Nature Reserve :

This National Park is a protected area. After a hike through rich vegetation including mangroves and yards high cacti you arrive at an observation post. Nearby, there is a small sandy beach where the waves of the sometimes-tempestuous Atlantic Ocean roll onto the sand.

Praslin Bay :

The fishing village of the same name has a mini beach in the sheltered bay, where wooden boats are made from the gummier tree.
The nearby little Praslin Island is home to a colorful lizard, originating from the Maria Islands. We can arrange for a trip to this beautiful small protected island.

Mamiku Botanical Gardens:

Close to Praslin Bay you can visit the colourful Mamiku Botanical Gardens offering nice views over Praslin Bay.

Rain forest hiking:

A number of walks or journeys in the mountains can be undertaken, lasting from half an hour to a complete day. More information available on request.

Vieux Fort:

This small town has a Saturday market with a colorful fish seller at the small beach. It has some supermarkets, shops and banks.
Many bananas are shipped from here. North of Vieux Fort there are long sandy beaches, however parts have been washed away.

Vieux Fort - Anse de Sables beach (eastside):

An easy to reach, beautiful but windy, white sandy beach looking out over the Maria Islands. This is one of the pre-eminent places for wind surfing. There are constant on shore trade winds. At the 'The Reef' bar and restaurant you can hire wind surf boards from Club Mistral. There are nice sheltered terraces. This beach is recommended for wind surfers and sun-worshippers.

Vieux Fort - Maria Islands (eastside):

This protected National Park can only be visited with a guide. It is not accessible to the public between May 15th and July 31st (bird breeding season). Two endemic reptiles live on this little island: the colorful lizard and the rare but small harmless Kouwes snake.

Vieux Fort - Cap Moule à Chique (South island tip):

From the top you have a spectacular seascape of the West coast, the East coast, the Maria Islands, the airport and far away in the distance the green mountains. There is a lighthouse on top of the hill.

Airports:

St. Lucia has two airports:

1. Hewanorra Airport: The international airport situated in the South of the island close to Vieux Fort. To reach the Fox Grove Inn takes 20 minutes.

2. Charles Airport (Vigie): the Caribbean airport situated in the North of the island close to Castries. To reach the Fox Grove Inn takes one hour.

Car rental:

The Fox Grove Inn works with a car rental company who delivers the cars to the hotel free of charge.

A local driving license is mandatory, the cost is EC$ 54 (US$ 20). The validity is 3 months.
We can arrange this for you, just let us know your requirements.

Climate:

St. Lucia's tropical climate guarantees pleasant temperatures throughout the year. Temperatures vary between 18° C and 35° C (64° F and 95° F). Short rain showers regularly occur especially during the summer period. July to November is the rainy season.

Currency:

Prices are mostly indicated in local currency, the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. The EC$ has a fixed rating against the US$ (2.67 EC$ = 1 US$).
US$ as well as Travelers Checks and Credit Cards are widely accepted in most hotels and restaurants. The hotel rates are indicated in US$.

Drinking water:

Tap water is safe but to avoid possible intestinal complaints it is recommended to drink bottled water.

Economy:

St. Lucia's economy is traditionally based on agriculture.
Tourism with its very solid infrastructure, and respect for nature conservation, is now the most important economical pillar.

Electricity:

Everywhere 220 Volts 50 Hz. The same type of plugs as in the United Kingdom are used, these differ from most other European countries.

Good to know:

The St. Lucians are generally very friendly and obliging, but St. Lucia is not free of crime. By way of precaution do not show off your wealth.

Possession of drugs and their usage can incur heavy penalties.

Topless sun-bathing is prohibited and rarely seen on public beaches.

If you want to take pictures of, or film individuals, ask their prior permission. Some are proud that you take a picture, but others do not want to have pictures taken.

In the surroundings of Soufrière some local Rastas can be blatant in offering their services. A clear and friendly 'no' is sufficient. Alternatively you can accept their offer; but take our advice: agree on a fee in advance!

Health:

No vaccinations are required (no malaria).
The sun burns easily, so use suntan lotions with a high protection factor.
For emergencies dial the emergency number: 911.

History of St. Lucia in a nutshell:

The first visitors that set foot on the island's lovely beaches were the peaceful Arawak Indians. The Europeans discovered this paradise island at the time of Columbus.
During the 17th and 18th centuries the French and English battled to become masters. In 1814 St. Lucia was finally ceded to the British and later, English became the official language.
In February 1979 Saint Lucia acquired full independence from the British with a stable parliamentary democracy.

Passports and Visa:

Proof of identity is sufficient for residents of the United Kingdom, the USA and Canada for a period of stay of a maximum of 6 months, and also for the residents of the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States).

A valid passport is required to enter St. Lucia for the residents of all countries of the European Union (except those of the United Kingdom), all Scandinavian countries, Switzerland and some others.

Attention!!

- You need to have proof of a valid return ticket.

- On departure you need to pay a 'departure tax' of 54 EC$.

Population:

The island's 160.000 inhabitants are mainly of African origin. The St. Lucians are generally very charming and kind.
English is the official language. The people also speak a kind of French Patois.

Situation:

This green volcanic island is situated between Martinique and St. Vincent, shaped like a mango and is 43 km (27 miles) long, 23 km (14 miles) wide.
Significant are its twin mountains Gros Piton (2619 ft) and Petit Piton (2460 ft) rising steeply from the sea.

Time difference:

St. Lucia uses Atlantic Standard Time, which is 4 hours behind GMT.
As St. Lucia is close to the equator, daylight duration remains more or less the same throughout the year

Top festivities:

In May: the yearly Jazz Festival.
In July: Carnival festivities with, as highpoint, the election of the Calypso King and Queen.