An independent nation since 1979, St Lucia has a distinctive Anglo-French cultural flavour to mix with its Caribbean roots, due to a long history of colonial disputes between the two empires involving this tiny island. Today it sits like an emerald amid the jewels of the Antilles archipelago, with dramatic volcanic mountains covered in lush greenery, making it a hiker’s paradise that is far more than just a posh beach resort.
Urban life is very much in the Creole mould; calypso-reggae beats permeate the air with the sound of busy car horns and the smell of street vendors selling barbecued treats. There’s a rhythm here, more full of life than many of the sleepier islands in the region, as if the whole nation were high on the effects of volcanic water. Out of town, there are thermal pools at Sulfur Springs and a host of ‘secret waterfalls’ where lovers bath in hot, natural torrents. Windsurfers make the most of the warm, still ocean and a catamaran trip can be the ideal way to see the island in a day.
Tourism is a major industry here, but so are banana production and light manufacturing, while it has become a popular international financial centre. The workforce is highly educated, making it an attractive location for foreign investment and overseas business, while the infrastructure has developed a great deal in the last thirty years.
Fluctuations in banana prices during the 2008 recession place great pressure on the economy, however, and the government is now actively encouraging diversification, both within the agricultural sector and throughout the country as a whole. New incentives are likely to make this an attractive investment environment for years to come.
Getting there
George FL Charles Airport serves the capital Castries, while Hewanorra International near Vieux Fort is in the remote southern tip of the island. There are regular ferry trips to Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique.
Getting around
Privately owned minivans are the staple public transport. They can be waved down away from bus stops and are the only option for getting around other than hiring a car; cheapest car hire rates can be found online.
Local information
Language: English, French
Time: UTC-4
Climate: Tropical. Hot and wet throughout year. Temperature: Max 22-32°C (January-December) Rainfall: Max 265mm (August), Min 80mm (April)
Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Business etiquette: Dress in a lightweight suit. Greet with a handshake. Local business folk are laid-back and event- rather than deadline-driven, in the financial sector practices are similar to the UK.
Tipping: 10 percent in restaurants, $1 minimum for maids, bellhops, room service etc.
Duty free: 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco products; 50 cigars; 1l of alcoholic beverage
Safety: Use only licensed taxis.
Laws: Checks are in place for drug trafficking and penalties are severe. It is an offence to dress in camouflage clothing.
Healthcare: Vaccination required for tetanus. Healthcare cost is high and full health insurance is essential.
Socket type: Type G
