St. Lucia is the sort of island that travellers to the Caribbean dream about - a small, lush tropical gem that is still relatively unknown.

The Pitons are the stunning and famous landmark of the Caribbean. Sheer beauty, and one of the reasons why it is known as “The Helen of the West.” Called Pitons because they rise vertically out of the sea to nearly 3000 feet in height and descend vertically to 2000 feet below sea level.

St. Lucia is rich in natural beauty – and there is so much to see and do. This tropical island beckons the visitor to explore. Historical, cultural and heritage sites can be found throughout the island.

Where to go

Deep in St Lucia's mountainous, tropical islands interior almost 1,800 feet above sea level, lies 19,000 acres of rainforest and the 29 miles of trails that run through it.

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Like to climb rocks and swim under waterfalls?

Adventure

St. Lucia has an abundance of caribbean vacation accommodation choices to suit individual tastes and budgets from all-inclusive resorts, luxury villas and conventional hotels to charming small hotels, intimate inns and simple guesthouses.

The World Traveler Choice

St Lucia lies at latitude 13 54’ north of the Equator and 60 50’ west. One of the Windward Islands, it is located in the middle of the Eastern Caribbean chain of islands and is approximately 21 miles south of Martinique and 90 miles northwest of Barbados. The island is 238 sq. miles (616 sq. km), 27 miles long, 14 miles wide with a combination of high mountains, forests, low lying lands and beaches. A central mountain range runs the length of the island, with peaks ranging between 1000 and 3145 feet. Forests dominate the mountains, while jasmine, scarlet chenille and wild orchids provide splashes of colour to the lush green slopes. The two towering volcanic cones on the southwest coast, Gros Piton (797m) and Petit Piton (750m) are one of the Caribbean’s most famous landmarks. The volcanic origin of the island provides visitors with an opportunity to visit a “drive-in volcano” and take a dip in the reputedly therapeutic Sulphur springs.

St Lucia is an Independent country and a member of the British Commonwealth. The Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II but a Ceremonial Head of State: The Governor-General represents the queen at 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.

Castries (population 50,000) is the island’s capital and is situated North-west of the island.

The main language in Saint Lucia is English although many St. Lucians also speak French and Spanish. Kwéyòl, St Lucia's second language, is widely spoken by the St. Lucian people including all walks of life such as doctors, bankers, government ministers and the man on the street! Kwéyòl is not just a patois or broken French, but a language in its own right, with its own rules of grammar and syntax. The language is being preserved by its everyday use in day-to-day affairs and by special radio programmes and news read entirely in Kwéyòl.

The currency of St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which is linked to the US Dollar at the exchange rate of 1 US$ to 2.70 EC$. US$ are widely accepted on the island. For more detailed information on this topic

Hewanorra International Airport at Vieux Fort is located 40 miles south of Castries. George F. L . Charles Inter Island Airport is just outside Castries.

Visitors must carry valid passports, except USA and Canadian citizens who possess valid return tickets and I.D., staying for less than 6 months.

The climate on island is tropical with temperatures ranging from 70 – 90 Fahrenheit. The rainy season is from June to November and the drier period between December and May. Average rainfall is between 160-360cm depending on altitude.

220 volts, 50 cycles AC (a few hotels are 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.