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Introduction
St. Lucia (in English, Saint Lucia) is a small country made up of a volcanic island in the Eastern caribbean. Saint Lucia is located south of Martinique, to the north of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and northwest of Barbados. Tourism has increasingly become a relevant industry in Saint Lucia, receiving more and more cruise ships and tourists eager to enjoy its beaches, forests and thermal centers.
Understand
Tourism is your source of income on the island of Santa Lucia. Its economic importance stands out in the market with the sale of bananas, which makes it a highly competitive country.
History
The first known inhabitants of Saint Lucia were the Arawaks, who are believed to have come from northern South America around 200-400 CE. Numerous archaeological sites on the island have produced specimens of the well-developed pottery of the Arawak. The Caribs gradually replaced Arawak during the period from 800 to 1000 CE.
Europeans first arrived on the island in 1492 or 1502 during Spain's early exploration of the Caribbean. The British failed in their first attempts at colonization in the early 17th century. The island was colonized by the French, who signed a treaty with the local Caribs in 1660. Like the British and Dutch, the French began to develop the island for growing sugar cane on extensive plantations.
Conditions in the Caribbean were difficult, and many slaves died before living long enough to have children. The French (and later the British) continued to import slaves until the latter nation abolished trade, and then the legal institution. At that time, people of ethnic African descent greatly outnumbered those of European ethnic origin. After the abolition of slavery, the British brought in many Indian contract laborers to work on the plantations, and a significant minority of the inhabitants of Saint Lucia are of at least partial Indian descent.
Later, Saint Lucia was much disputed by the two European powers until the British secured it in 1814. It was part of the British colony of the Windward Islands. It joined the Federation of the West Indies (1958–62) when the colony was dissolved. In 1967, Saint Lucia became one of the six members of the Associated States of the West Indies, with internal self-government. In 1979 it obtained total independence.
Weather
Tropical, moderated by the northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August; Hurricane experiences.
Ground
Volcanic and mountainous with some wide and fertile valleys.
Natural hazards: volcanic activity.Highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m
Regions
The main cities are:
- *1 Castries
- Castries the capital. - *2 Gros Islet - Gros Islet (Rodney Bay) (North)
- *3 Soufriere - Soufriere (halfway up the west coast) -, old capital. At the foot of the "Python Management Area" of the World Heritage site
- *4 Vieux Fort - Old fort (in the extreme south)
- *5 Marigot bay -Marigot bay
To get
Arrival requirements
Citizens of the following countries do not need visas: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Beglium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic , Denmark (includes Faroe Islands and Greenland), Dominica, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia , Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, United Kingdom , United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Zambia.
For dependencies:
- The Dutch municipalities of Bonaire, Saba, Saint Eustatius and the Dutch constitute countries of Aruba, Curaçao, Saint Martin
- The French Overseas Communities of French Polynesia and Saint Martin
- The French overseas regions of Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique
- The British Overseas Territories of Anguilla, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Saint Helena and the Turks and Caicos Islands
- The three dependencies of the British crown
- Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
If your nationality is not mentioned above, you will need to apply for a visa. At the moment, citizens of Haiti do not need visas, but this is temporary.
Most nationalities pay $ 50 for a single entry tourist visa. It lasts 6 weeks and sometimes extensions can be done at the St. Lucia immigration department.
You must have a completed application form, passport, 1 passport size photo, funds to cover your stay, the $ 50 fee, and St. Lucia to obtain the visa.
Everyone will need a passport, except citizens of OECS countries. For stays of 6 months or less, citizens of Canada or the United States of America with an identification card and proof of a ticket onwards.
By plane
Saint Lucia has two airports:
- George FL Charles Airport (SLU IATA ), which is close to Castries.
- Hewanorra International (UVF IATA), which is close to Old Fort.
George FL Charles Airport is closer to many of the all-inclusive resorts, has a modest terminal, and is easily accessible. For less experienced pilots in high-performance aircraft, the approach over the water and the hills on both sides of the sea appear to be favorable. The airport is right next to Vigie beach, so it is possible to take off. The terminal is about two miles from downtown Castries, so it's walkable if you don't have a lot of luggage.
Hewanorra is the larger of the two airports in Saint Lucia. International flights from North America arrive at this airport. Many of the resorts in St. Lucia require a 1 to 1.5 hour drive from Hewanorra. However, the trip is a good way to see the island unless you arrive at night. It is recommended to be inconsistent throughout the island. Expect to pay $ 80- $ 90 for a taxi ride to the Rodney Bay resort in the north of the island.
More information about both airports can be found on the official website of the St Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority
Boat
Cruise ships (usually one or two at a time) are frequent visitors to the quaint little port of Castries. An open-air mall adjoins the main pier and offers "duty-free" shopping. See "Buy" below. Visiting Saint Lucia is a popular choice for travelers. During cruise season, many attractions around the world can be crowded.
Ferries to and from neighboring islands are available, although they are quite expensive.
The most extensive official service is operated by Isles Express, which offers services to Martinique, Guadeloupe, etc. For example, one way to get to Martinique is € 69 online EC $ 33 port tax to be paid at the ferry terminal.
Channel Shuttles Inc. operates a slightly lower ferry service (235 ECD, including departure tax) to Martinique operating from Castries at 10am on Wednesdays and 3pm on Thursdays. They can be contacted at 7139701/4518161 or their office can be found at the ferry terminal just outside of Castries.
Catamaran trips from Soufriere to Rodney Bay are also offered through a local tour company.
Travel
The main way for tourists to get around Saint Lucia is by taxi, either arranged by the hotel, the taxi agency, or individual operators. Tours organized by resorts are usually the most expensive to provide food and drink. Using a local taxi operator to plan your own adventure will be much cheaper. Your hotel staff must provide you with a series of services that they use regularly. Prices are generally fixed, but you can get a better deal if you are given multiple numbers. Many taxi drivers ranging from resorts to market for $ 145 per van load. Each van will have between 6 and 12 people.
For budget travelers or more adventurous tourists. They are small, seating around 10-14 people, and vary in quality. They run from the cities, to Soufriere to Castries, Soufriere to Old Fort, Old Fort to Castries), every day in the afternoon and late to Soufriere in the late afternoon. They are very affordable and provide a unique experience every time; The landscape of the country and its own music, a mixture of Caribbean or country flavors. If you want to try and take a trip with your local bus system. Many of them can be transported to and from work.
Water taxis are a convenient source of income, and they are much more convenient and convenient. Many water taxi operators in the town of Soufriere can be found at the pier. The rates for these drivers are a bit high and can be negotiated. There are some taxi owners who regularly play dominoes and sell drinks near the Hummingbird Hotel and Soufriere beach. They can offer a much cheaper rate. From Soufriere, you can take a water taxi to the beaches of Anse Chastenet and Jalousie.
A helicopter taxi can be taken from Hewannora Airport to Vigie Airport and is a fast and spectacular way to get to the resorts on the north end of the island.
It is also possible to rent a car in the United States or Canada. Driver's license (US $ 12 for one day, US $ 21 for 3 months).
- Windward Islands - Windward Islands, the yacht charter company, from Saint Lucia (starting Rodney Bay and Marigot Bay), Martinique and Saint Vincent. Operating from 8 offices (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Caribbean, Monaco).
To buy
Money
| Exchange rates for East Caribbean dollars As of January 2019:
Exchange rates fluctuate. Current rates for these and other currencies are available at XE.com |
The country's currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, denoted by the symbol: "$" or "EC $" (ISO currency code: XCD), which is also used by other Caribbean nations. The EC dollar is subdivided into 100 cents. It is pegged to the United States dollar at an exchange rate of US $ 1 = EC $ 2.70.
The coins circulate in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 cents and 1 dollar. The banknotes circulate in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars.
Shopping
Castries is a good place to shop at the JQ Shopping on Rodney Bay. There is also Place Carenage, a duty free gift house located in the main port of Castries. There you will find fine arts and crafts, ideal for gifts.
The supermarkets do quite well on the island, for example, Elements 8, Almirante Rodney, and especially Reserva del Presidente.
Ditside, Point Seraphine, Castries with jewelry, souvenirs, art, spirits / rums and other offerings.
You can also find lower, "duty-free" prices at malls and resorts. You may need visitor identification for tax-free treatment.
Eat and drink
To eat
Local food
St. Lucia's food consists mainly of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and a variety of curries, jerk, rice, and stewed dishes. Coffee is a delicious stew, traditional to native Caribbean cultures and can be found in many local restaurants in Castries, Soufriere and Old Fort. Vegetarian and meat rotis can be found in local restaurants. Ask any local for the best roti shop and he or she will tell you how to get there. Rotis are usually made fresh in the morning, so it is highly recommended. Local cuisine is prepared all over the island, depending on where you are staying, where you can get local food, and be close to you. Many rum shacks in rural towns also prepare food if given advance notice. Fish, vegetable, chicken, and goat meals are very common and generally include salad, banana, breadfruit, macaroni, and rice.
For a quick snack, a barbecue with chicken and pork can be found in any community on Friday nights. The food is well marinated and seasoned. Soak the sauce with an oven roasted or fried. You can also find fried chicken and fish, which are quite delicious.
Weekly parties and festivals are held in various communities around the world, including seafood, grilled meats, salads, and beverages. These festivals are full of dancing, drinks, food, and music. Let your hair down, try cooking and lime. Be sure to ask what's in the pots before you taste the food. For those with an environmental conscience, the black fish is a porpoise.
- Friday night: Anse La Raye "Seafood Friday"
- Friday Night: Rodney Bay Jump-up
- Every second Saturday: Canarias Creole Pot
- Saturday: Dennery Fish Fry
International food
Rodney Bay is full of people from all over the world and the restaurants reflect the diversity. You can find a wide variety of cuisines, from the East Indies to local dishes, in a small area.
To drink
Saint Lucia Distillers produces a variety of rums in a wide price range.
- 1931 - A super premium rum series that is produced in limited quantities each year
- Reserva del Presidente: Premium rum that includes a spiced rum, a white rum and two dark rums
- Crystal Lime: a rum-based lime liqueur
- Bounty - A mass market red rum commonly drunk on the island
- Marigot Bay Liqueurs - Rum-based cream liqueurs. Varieties include coconut and banana
In addition to rums, Piton Lager beer is made and bottled on the island and is quite good. It has 5% alcohol by volume, slightly more than most European beers.
external links
Wikipedia has an article on St. Lucia.w: Saint Lucia
Wikimedia Commons houses multimedia content about St. Lucia. Commons
