Some 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, St. Lucia lies in the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles between Martinique and St. Vincent roughly between 60° and 61° West longitude and 13° and 14° North latitude.

An island rich in history and natural beauty, St. Lucia was inhabited initially by the Arawaks and later by the Caribs. Early European explorers Christopher Columbus and Juan de la Cosa, Columbus’ navigator were first to discover the island though the exact dates of their voyages to the West Indies remain in dispute. However, it is recorded that 67 English settlers arrived on St. Lucia in 1606, after being blown off course in a storm on their way to what was then British Guiana.

England and France subsequently battled over the possession of St. Lucia, which changed hands some 14 times with England finally securing ownership in 1815. This ‘tug-of-war’ inspired one British historian to give St. Lucia the sobriquet ‘Helen of the West Indies’, comparing the island to Helen of Troy, a mythical Greek character whose beauty mobilised an entire navy. St. Lucia became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1979.

St. Lucia’s rich history has resulted in an extraordinary melange of cultures. English is the official language, but the locally spoken patois is French Creole, which is often sprinkled with English.

Abundant with natural beauty, St. Lucia’s most famous landmarks are the dramatic twin coastal peaks known as the Pitons. They soar some 2,000 feet up from the sea, sheltering magnificent rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns, and birds of paradise flourish. A volcanic island in origin, St. Lucia also boasts one of the world’s only drive-in volcano’s located in the nearby town of Soufriere which literally translates as ‘Sulphur Air.’

Inland, the rainforest preserves of St. Lucia’s mountainous interior are a goldmine for the nature enthusiasts. Hiking trails are plentiful in varying levels of difficulty and for bird-watchers there are brilliantly plumed tropical birds abound, including endangered species like the indigenous St. Lucia parrot.

Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the East Coast and the calm Caribbean Sea to the west. The islands coastlines also offer a plethora of activities. The steep coastlines and lovely reefs offer excellent snorkelling and scuba diving and the calm coastal waters of the Caribbean Sea are perfect for Dolphin & Whale watching or indeed for the sports fishing enthusiast. And of course, the white sand beaches and warm tropical shallows are ideal for those who wish only to relax.

When entering St. Lucia, all American and Commonwealth citizens are required to carry a passport, and a return or onward ticket. Some countries do require visas. Valid vaccination certificates are required of travellers entering from infectious areas. When leaving St. Lucia, non-nationals are required to pay a departure tax of EC$68 (US$26) per person (credit cards not accepted).

St. Lucia’s currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar though the US dollar is widely accepted though change will most often be given in the local currency.
Currency exchanges can be made at banks and most hotels.
The exchange rate for the US dollar is fixed at $2.70 EC to $1.00 US; however, commercial banks change at $2.68 EC to $1.00 US. The rate is around $2.60 EC if you purchase local currency at stores or hotels. Most major credit cards are accepted in St. Lucia. All ATM machines on the island distribute Eastern Caribbean dollars.

St. Lucia lies in the Atlantic Standard Time zone - four hours behind Europe, five during daylight saving time. It is one hour ahead of North American Eastern Standard Time all year round.

The climate is tropical, with temperatures ranging from the mid-seventies to the mid-eighties (25 to 30 Celsius). During the hottest time of the year, from June to August, temperatures can reach the mid-nineties (32 Celsius). Things are kept pretty cool, however, by the constant trade-winds. Average rainfall ranges from 60 inches in the coastal regions to 160 inches in the interior rain forests. The rainy season is from June to October.

Due to the tropical climate, light summer clothes are worn all year round. During the cooler evenings, you might need a pullover. Swimwear should be reserved for the beach and is not appropriate for the street or in town.