St. Lucia in one Caribbean island that balances nature and development

St. Lucia (pronounced"loo-sha"), one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, is a Windward Island just south of Martinique. The island has managed to maintain an amazing balance between touristic development and natural beauty and preservation.

On St. Lucia you'll find top-notch resorts as well as amazing plant and animal life. The culture of the island is a distinct blend of British, Creole, French, and Indian influences. For more information, visit the Official Site of the St. Lucia Tourist Board or the CIA World Factbook for St. Lucia.

Getting There

Typically, Caribbean travelers arrive via air at George F. L. Charles Airport in Castries, but they may also arrive at the larger Hewanorra International Airport near the city of Vieux Fort. Direct flights from the U.S. and Canada to both airports are available. Flights generally connect through San Juan if they originate outside the U.S.

Visitors to the northern portion of the island are generally advised to arrive via George F. L. Charles Airport since taxi rides from Hewanorra International Airport can be lengthy and expensive. Visitors to the south are advised to arrive at Hewanorra International Airport. Taxis are available at both airports.

Entry Requirements

All visitors to St. Lucia, including those from within the Caribbean, must have a valid passport and an ongoing or return ticket, regardless of their country of origin.

Climate

This Caribbean island experiences about 75.9 inches of rainfall annually. Temperatures are pleasantly moderate due to trade winds, with January averages ranging from 76 to 82, and July averages ranging from 80 to 85 (all in degrees Fahrenheit).

Geography

The interior of St. Lucia is a forested mountain range with peaks that range from 1,000 to 3,145 feet in height. Tropical forests cover the mountainsides down to the flat land around the island's exterior. The capital city of Castries lies in the northwestern portion of the island. The southwest coast boasts two famous Caribbean landmarks: the volcanoes of Gros Piton and Petit Piton. Visitors to St. Lucia can experience unique geographical adventures such as driving into a volcano or taking a dip in the Sulphur Springs.

Health and Safety

St. Lucia has about as much crime as major metropolitan areas like London or New York. Use common sense when traveling to this island. Don't flaunt cash or expensive jewelry, don't carry large amounts of cash on your person, and don't leave valuables unattended. Be wary of hitchhikers. Also keep in mind that the use of narcotic drugs is illegal, and your government cannot help you much if you are arrested for their use or possession. Local prisons are not a great way to spend your visit.

People

The culture of St. Lucia undoubtedly plays a major role in its popularity. The island's culture evolved from the influences of highly contrasting groups of people. This diversity of experience draws tourists from across the globe. Indian food, British manners, Caribbean music, and varied languages are all present on the same block, if not in the same building.

Two St. Lucians are Nobel Prize winners. Sir W. Arthur Lewis won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1979, and Derek Walcott won the Nobel Prize for Literature for his poetry in 1992.

Cuisine is a proud point for locals. The soil of St. Lucia is rich and fertile due to past volcanic activity, and the island is famed for its produce. Bananas, mangoes, pineapples, and many other tropical fruits grow on the island. Locals blend Indian spices and Creole methods with fresh and delicious seafood to create a distinct flavor found nowhere else in the world.