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How do you get around Castries St Lucia?

ST LUCIA - GETTING AROUND
  1. By Car. For rental cars, a temporary driving license is required for visitors and may be obtained with a valid driving license upon arrival at the airport, at the police station in Castries or at the car rental offices. ...
  2. By Minibuses. ...
  3. By Taxi. ...
  4. By Bicycle. ...
  5. By Boat.




Getting around Castries and the surrounding island of St. Lucia in 2026 involves a mix of public and private options. Within the city center, walking is easy for shopping at the Central Market or visiting the Cathedral. For longer distances, the most popular local option is the minibus system; these vans have green "M" plates and follow set routes for very low fares (EC$2.50 to $8.00). Taxis (identifiable by light blue "TX" plates) are abundant but do not use meters, so you must negotiate the fare beforehand. To explore the coast, water taxis are the most scenic and efficient way to reach Marigot Bay or the Pitons in Soufrière. For maximum flexibility, car rentals are available at the airport, but be prepared for steep, winding roads and remember that driving is on the left. High-end travelers also utilize helicopter transfers between the north and south airports to bypass the 90-minute road journey.

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Taxis are a great alternative to hiring a car You will recognize an authorized taxi by the light blue number plate with a TX prefix. You can also telephone or organize a pick-up via your accommodation – the fare varies by destination. Taxis in St Lucia are not metered and prices are not completely regulated.

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Castries St Lucia is a safe place to visit. There is a low crime rate and the city is generally safe for tourists. However, as with any place, it's always important to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings. When in doubt, consult with your hotel or accommodation about the best areas to go and avoid.

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Taxis in St. Lucia are not metered, but have fixed fares for standard trips. For example, the fare for up to four people from Castries to Hewanorra Airport is EC$120, about $45(USD). Up to four people can travel from Castries to Rodney Bay for EC$40, about $15(USD).

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Taxi. This is going to be the most common way (for tourists) to get around the island as there is no uber or other app based driving systems. Although taxis are the most common mode of transportation, they're also the most expensive so if you are on a backpacker's budget, taxis are probably not the best way to go.

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Driving in St Lucia is perfectly safe. You can expect to find quite a bit of traffic around Rodney Bay and Castries, but it's nothing too dissimilar to the traffic you'll find at home. Other than that, we found little difficulty.

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As a general rule, it is wise to abstain from strolling alone in unknown locations during the night and carrying a large amount of cash or expensive items. Crime rates are frequently high in tourist hotspots, particularly at late hours, so caution needs to be taken when traveling through such areas.

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The official hurricane season is July to November, and although the risk of hurricanes is very small, there are also tropical storms in the Caribbean region in this period. April and May are often great times to visit as prices are much lower than earlier in the year but the weather is still very similar.

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St. Lucia has a hurricane season because the Caribbean has one that goes from June 1 to Nov. 30. The worst two months are September and October.

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US currency is widely accepted on the island. There are currency exchange booths at the airport, and your hotel or resort might be able to exchange money at the front desk. Additionally, Saint Lucia has several banks that will exchange your funds.

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The local currency in St Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, however the US dollar is widely accepted. If you do use US dollars, expect your change to be in EC dollars. Most establishments will also take credit cards, but we would just recommend having some cash withdrawn to save any worry.

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The drivers have special training that allows them to serve as guides. Their cabs are unmetered, but the government fixes tariffs for all standard trips. Typical fares -- say, from Castries to Hewanorra Airport -- are $90, or else from Castries to Rodney Bay, $20 to $25.

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For mid-range travelers, if you choose to do some activities, plan for around $4,205 for a single person, or $6,700 for a couple for a week-long trip budget for Saint Lucia. And for luxury travelers, this could cost upwards of $9,420+ for a single traveler, or $12,540+ for a couple.

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You don't have to go on a cruise to visit St. Lucia. In fact, you're probably better off not doing so. Dive in and explore this special island on your own with this 5-day itinerary, perfect for adventurous travelers looking to see the highlights of the island while still making time for rest and relaxation.

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Update 2021-08-20: The hours of the night-time curfew in Saint Lucia have been adjusted. From Mondays to Thursdays it is between 09:00 p.m. and 04:00 a.m. (local time), on Fridays and Saturdays between 07:00 p.m. and 04:00 a.m. (local time) and on Sundays from 04:00 p.m. to 04:00 a.m. (local time).

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Lucia, and crime is generally not a major cause for concern for tourists. The main concern for tourists is theft. Therefore, you should be cautious and avoid carrying valuables. Tourists should use common sense and travel in groups when they must leave their resort or other accommodations.

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Methodology: We looked at the guest reviews of each Sandals Resort and calculated the percentage of 'very good' and 'excellent' reviews. In Saint Lucia, you can expect this percentage to be somewhere between 84% and 88%, so you'll have a good time no matter which Sandals Resort you pick!

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You will need a special driver's license to drive in St. Lucia. A temporary driver's permit is available from all car rental companies at the airport or a local police station. Your car rental company will provide you with one upon your arrival.

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