Entry requirements for some European visitors and US visitors is a valid passport and a return ticket or proof of intention to exit to a forwarding destination (airways or maritime.) Upon arrival customs will permit a 42 days visitors stay. Australians will need a Visa.

Upon departure from St Lucia by air travel the exit tax is included in the price of your airline ticket. By maritime means the exit tax is 30 EC.
Payable in cash, both EC and US is accepted.
For driving a local temporary driving license is needed. This can be got from the immigration office in the airport, or through the main local police stations or via the hire car company. The cost is 54EC and is valid for 3 months.

From St Lucia Cable & Wireless (WI) let you make international calls and local mobile calls. Telephone boxes/booths let you call out by credit card. Digicel has the most coverage on the island.
Internet is widely available from most touristic buildings and more than often a Wi Fi connection.
 

Local prefix St. Lucia: 758

International prefix: +1-758-XXXXXXX

Exchange rates from St Lucia Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC or XCD)

1 EC$ = 0.280204 EUR

1 EC$ = 0.370370 USD 

(exchange rates 15/11/11)

 Currency Converter

Major credit cards (Visa, American Express) are accepted in practically all hotels, restaurants and shops. You can take out cash from ATM/ cash points with your credit cards. Banks charge a fee for this most banks will display the fee on the screen at the time of withdrawal.

Restaurant, hotels, guest houses and hire car companies have to add a compulsory 8% tax. Add a further 10% service charge on restaurant prices. Often in smaller restaurants service charge is not added, so if you can leave a tip it will be gesture well appreciated, this is also true for taxi drivers and tour guide’s you meet on your excursions around St Lucia. Bear in mind that the average wage in St Lucia is around 800 EC a month.

In St Lucia the climate is tropical and breezy. The season is divided into winter and summer. There is an identifiable dry period which starts in February and leads through to May and a wet season starting in June and leading through to October. Annual rainfall on average is between 1500/1750 mm on the coastline, 4000mm in the tropical forested areas. The average annual temperature is between 25/30 but during the wet season it can reach 32.

For the local weather fore cast and hurricane activity:

National Hurricane Center       Meteo France Antilles-Guyane

It is left hand drive in St Lucia. The roads are generally in a good state of repair. Be careful always of the deep cannels on the road side. In the rush hour especially in the morning, there is a lot of traffic in the Castries zone. The local driving is quiet reckless so be careful when walking along the side of the road.
 

The tap water has been declared potable/drinkable.
The electricity voltage is 220 Volt, 50 Hertz
The plugs are in a 3 point type G (British a 3 Pole) equip yourself with a adapter before leaving for St Lucia or ask the hotel ahead if they have them at disposition.
 

The public health system in St Lucia is quiet lacking, there are hospitals and private clinics which you can turn to should you need to. In grave situations you should consider a transfer to Martinique. In case of emergency call 911, there are several hospitals: Victoria Hospital at Castries- St.Jude's Hospital at Vieux Fort -
Dennery Hospital at Dennery - Soufrière Hospital at Soufrière
A private clinic Tapion Hospital at Castries, with an A &E department 24h/24 758-4592000.
In St Lucia there is risk of bilharzias, it is advised not to swim in stagnant water. The viper fer-de-lance lives on the island and its bite can be fatal. Be careful of your belongings, especially if you go on Friday night to Gros Islet. Don’t wear too many jewels and only take the cash needed for the night. Stay aware and don’t stray too far from the centre of the party. It’s advised to wear fresh and light clothing, in the colder evenings you may need a cardigan or sweater. Swimwear is not advised in the town centers or villages or for getting round the island. Topless is forbidden.