Before you set off on your next memory-making trip, it’s important to know the do’s and don’ts in St Lucia. Like with every country, they have their own way of living, so we’ve got some top tips for making your getaway as smooth as possible.
St Lucia is a magnificent country, with rich culture, natural beauty, and friendly locals. If you are planning a holiday to this beautiful place, it’s handy to learn some of the ways that they operate in their everyday lives.
Of course, when you are enjoying a trip away in a foreign country, you want to feel as safe as possible. So, by taking on board our do’s and don’t in St Lucia, you should feel as cool as a cucumber.
The do’s and don’ts in St Lucia
To make your St Lucian break plain sailing, here are some of our handy hints which should help out. These should make you get the most out of your stay on this incredible island paradise!
DO:
- Know the road rules of St Lucia
- Have some currency or money withdrawn
- Visit the beaches- they are all public
- Try the local food
DON’T:
- Dress inappropriately
- Venture into unknown territory alone
- Pet the stray animals
- Forget to check the weather forecast
Let’s get more information on the do’s…
Know the road rules of St Lucia
For those travelling from the US to St Lucia, driving a car might come as a bit of an issue. However, those from the UK do have a big advantage. Due to being a former British colony, there are a few British rules which still remain.
Cars drive on the left-hand side, so there will be no confusion when you’re out and about driving. You also give way to cars coming from the right on a roundabout, another driving rule that you will be used to.
It’s important to note that to rent a car in St Lucia, there are different minimum age restrictions depending on the car rental’s company policy. For example, some places have the minimum age as 25, whereas others have it as 21. In addition, if you do not have an international driver’s license, you must get a temporary driving license, which the rental company usually help with.
Renting a car is a good idea if you are planning on seeing a lot of the fantastic island. It’s a good way of saving money too, as opposed to booking a lot of taxis. Some of the roads can be a little uneven, so we’d highly recommend renting a 4×4. (However, if you’re used to driving on the UK roads with all the potholes, you should be fine.)
Have some currency or money withdrawn
The local currency in St Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, however the US dollar is widely accepted. If you do use US dollars, expect your change to be in EC dollars. Most establishments will also take credit cards, but we would just recommend having some cash withdrawn to save any worry.
If you exchange some money before your travels, you will at least know you’re covered should you need it. You can do this at the post office, the travel money counter at a supermarket, or even at the airport before you leave.
There are cash machines widely available across the island, so should you need to withdraw any money there is no need to panic. You could also nip into the local bank and get your money exchanged there.
If you do want to exchange some of your pound notes into US dollars, a lot of places do not like to accept larger notes such as $50 or $100. Be sure to get those notes exchanged into smaller ones, such as $5, $10 and $20.
Visit the beaches- they are all public
What’s a getaway to St Lucia without a visit to one of the magnificent beaches? There are numerous mile long sandy stretches to explore, and the best part is they’re all open to the public!
No need to worry if you’re on a members-only beach, or if a member of staff is about to shoo you away. You may find that some beaches have resort-only sun loungers and parasols, but we know from experience that a lilo works great as a sun lounger anyway.
One of the top beaches to explore is Grand Anse Beach. It is hidden away in the northeast of St Lucia and its secluded location means the beach has a long stretch of unspoiled sand.
Enjoy the calming atmosphere of the soothing ocean sounds paired with the panoramic views. With it’s off the beaten track location, it can be a bit tricky to get to. But, this is where your 4×4 rental car comes in handy.
Plus, you could catch a glimpse of an endangered leatherback turtle! They come out of the sea and lay their eggs during their nesting season, from March until August. What an experience…
When it comes to do’s and don’ts in St Lucia, this is definitely on our DO list.
Try the local food
We know sometimes it can be tempting to just stick to what you know. But sometimes what you know, isn’t always the best option! When you’re on your holidays, it’s the time to indulge in all of the different types of food you can get your hands on. St Lucia definitely doesn’t disappoint in this category!
If you’re staying at any of the Caribbean Warehouse St Lucia all-inclusive resorts, you’re in for a treat as you will be able to eat to your heart’s content. I mean, take a look at this seafood dish from Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa. 😍
The food in St Lucia is a combination of Creole with French, British and West Indian influences. The flavours are strong but delicious, and you will find that there are a lot of seafood dishes.
One of the most popular foods that you will find on many menus is Lambi. The main ingredient for this is the meat from a large shellfish called conch. It’s cooked with a spicy and well-seasoned Caribbean sauce. If you are wanting to try this dish out, we’d recommend going to a street food stall during a Friday night street party to get a real authentic taste!
The don’ts when visiting St Lucia…
Dress inappropriately
Most resorts have their own dress codes, especially for the restaurants, so it’s always best to find out what they are before you pack your bags.
You might get some funny stares if you are walking around the streets in just a bikini and flip flops, as this is not something the locals do. Of course, use your own discretion depending on the weather and situation you’re in, so we’re not saying you need to cover yourself head to toe everywhere you go.
We’d recommend bringing a hat of some kind, along with coverups such as a sarong. It can get very hot and humid so thinner materials are always the best option. If you are planning a hike or going through an area with a lot of greenery, long sleeve tops can be useful to keep the bugs off.
Did you know that it is illegal to wear or carry any kind of army/camouflage print in several Caribbean countries, including St Lucia? So, unless you want to be fined or put in a prison cell, for our do’s and don’ts in St Lucia, this one is a definite DON’T.
Venture into unknown territory alone
Wherever you find yourself in the world, it’s usually a best bet to not travel around unknown territory alone, so this is why we recommend it in St Lucia. We’re not saying that the locals aren’t friendly, and the crime rates are high- it’s in fact the opposite.
It’s a welcoming country and you’ll find warm locals wherever you go. But it’s always best to keep your wits about you. If you find it getting dark and you have a long walk back to your resort, we’d recommend catching a taxi. We would also suggest avoiding unlit streets when it’s late at night, try to find the busier areas where there are plenty of streetlights or shops and bars.
Friday nights can get wild during the weekly Gros Islet street party “Jump-Up”. Come rain or shine, the town becomes a giant party for locals and tourists. A great time is had by everyone, so we’d definitely recommend checking it out.
However, with all of the fun and introduction of alcohol, it’s sometimes easy to forget that you need to be cautious. Make sure your belongings are always in sight, and don’t flash expensive items or large amounts of cash in public.
Pet the stray animals
As tempting as it is to fuss all of the stray animals you see, it’s usually best to watch them from afar. You won’t know if they are carrying fleas or other kinds of infections, so this is why we recommend to not pet them.
If you find that there are animals roaming the resort and you would like to feed them, we’d suggest asking the resort first if that would be okay. Of course, if you see a stray animal out and about on the streets, if you believe they’re not being fed elsewhere you could feed them something suitable.
There are several charities in St Lucia who try to help keep the population of stray animals down and find suitable homes for each animal they find. Helpaws are dedicated to enriching the quality of life that the animals have, and they focus on rescuing any animals in need. If you find an animal on the island which you think needs help, these are a great charity to get in contact with.
Forget to check the weather
If you’re anything like us, you check the weather forecast every day before you jet off on your hols. However, if you’re more relaxed about the weather, the best time to visit St Lucia is, well, anytime really.
The weather in St Lucia is consistently warm throughout the whole year, and you’ll find that the temperature ranges from 23-31 degrees. Although you’ll find the warmer weather throughout the year, during June to November it is the wet season. This is where you will find there is more rainfall, especially in the rainforests. You will still see plenty of sunny skies during the wet season, and sometimes the rain is welcome when it gets too hot!
Hurricane season is also during the wet season, but the event of a hurricane is actually very rare. Even though St Lucia is in the hurricane belt, most activity passes through. Don’t be discouraged to visit the island because of the small chance of a tropical storm. St Lucia is very well equipped if there is any danger, locals and tourists would be warned and precautions would take place.
DO book a trip to St Lucia!
How could we forget the most important do of them all: do book a trip to the magnificent country that is St Lucia.
We hope our list of do’s and don’ts in St Lucia help you with your trip away. Most importantly, a lot of these tips can be applied to any getaway you find yourself going on.
If you’re ready to hop on that plane and get out of here, check out all of our St Lucia resorts. Give our team a call on 01782 645091 or click on that big round blue button below.
