Last updated: 23 Oct 2025
St Lucia
About
| Travel back in time on a Plantation tour. Fond d'Or Nature Historic Park covers the Amerindian settlements and historic buildings of the sugar age and the tropical forest surrounding it. Get active at the sandy beach of Anse de Sable which offers ideal windsurfing conditions for both novices and experts. The waves at Cas en Bas and Vieux Fort are a challenge even for the most experienced. Island guests can enjoy water-skiing and parasailing above Rodney Bay. Head out to sea on a turtle and whale watching trip - a great experience for all animal lovers. St Lucia is said to be one of the best places in the world to see whales - 20 species can be seen off the coast, including sperm whales, pilot whales and humpbacks. Walk up Morne Fortune, which affords the visitor the chance to inspect the fortification which defends Castries. It also provides a magnificent panorama of the city and the surrounding area. Marvel at the Diamond Waterfalls in the Diamond Botanical Gardens and Sulphur Springs - St Lucia's 'drive-in volcano'. Visit the picturesque little villages of Choiseul and Laborie, which are surrounded by splendid vegetation. The Morne Coubaril Estate is also worth a visit. |
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| Capital: | Castries (SLU) |
| Currency: | Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) |
| Language: | English. French patois is widely spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 1 758 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT -4 (6 hours behind South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Left. |
| Best Time to go: | May – June. Peak season is December - April |
| Best For: | Island relaxation, adventure sports |
| Plugs: | 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs generally have three square pins (as in the UK), but some sockets do take American flat-pin plugs |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. Bottled water is available. |
| Health: | There are good health care facilities, but serious cases will need to be taken to another country. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. Doctors will require cash payment regardless of whether you have health insurance. |
| Customs: | Casual wear is acceptable, but some hotels and restaurants may require more formal attire for dinner. Beachwear should be reserved for the beach/ poolside. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | It is illegal to wear camouflage clothing. Homosexuality is illegal. |
| Travel Warnings / Tips: | Credit cards are widely accepted and most banks have ATM’s. |
| Duty Free: | The following items may be imported into St Lucia by travellers over the age of 18 without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco • 1.2L of alcoholic beverages • Other gifts or souvenirs to the value of US$250 |
| Prohibited Imports: | The following items may not be brought into the St Lucia: • Counterfeit currency and coins. • Indecent or obscene photographs, painting or objects. • Any narcotics including marijuana, morphine, LSD, opium and morphine. • Flick knives and blades. • Shaving brushes made in or exported from Japan. • All matter associated with black magic and occultism. |
| Prohibited Exports: | The following items may not be exported from St Lucia without the correct consent: • Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. • Ginger and dry coconuts. • Any goods that have the coat of arms or the flag of St Lucia. • Rare or threatened species of animals or plants, their products and derivatives. For a comprehensive list of prohibited imports and exports see the St Lucia Customs departmental website www.customs.gov.lc. |
Issuing Authorities
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1-2; Feb 22; Apr 18, 21; May 1; Jun 9, 19; Aug 1; Oct 6; Dec 13, 25-26
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1-2; Feb 22; Apr 3, 6; May 1, 25; Jun 4; Aug 1; Oct 5; Dec 13, 25-26
Visa Requirements
SA passport holders do not require a visa for entry into St Lucia.
For passengers arriving by air, you are required to complete the electronic entry form up to 3 days before arrival: travelslu.govt.lc. Complete 1 form per family to receive a QR code by email to be presented to the authorities on arrival.
You will need the following:
- Flight Information
- Passport details for all family members travelling with you
- A photo of the travel documents, more specifically your passport bio page or ID card for OECS citizens only
- A valid email address
SA Representative
Representation accredited from Kingston, Jamaica
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended: | Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, Polio |
