St Lucia is a volcanic island and one of the more mountainous in the Caribbean. At only 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, the island is small enough to get from one end to the other in less than two hours.
But with sights like the Sulphur Springs, the famed Pitons, multiple cascading waterfalls and the opportunity for reef diving and snorkeling, you’ll want to spend more than a few hours exploring every lush corner of the island. Walking is not practical for longer distances but there are several other ways to get around the Helen of the West Indies.
Driving is probably the ideal way to explore the island at your leisure. But, as a visitor, you will need a temporary permit to operate a vehicle in St Lucia. That can be obtained at the airport’s immigration station, a rental car company or a police station. It costs US$20 or EC$54 (Eastern Caribbean dollar) and is valid for three months.
If you have an international driving permit, it will need to be stamped at either Hewanorra International Airport on the southern end of the island or George F.L. Charles Airport in Castries. Some rental car companies require drivers to be over the age of 25 for insurance purposes. Rental rates average between US$50 and $100 a day.
St Lucia is very mountainous with sharp turns, blind corners and narrow roads so drive carefully, especially at night. There are also a handful of roundabouts which can be confusing. For adventurous explorations, a 4WD vehicle is highly recommended. Parking is free on the majority of the island. However, it’s difficult to find parking in the capital city of Castries during the day except for the paid spots in the central part.
Tips for driving in St Lucia: Traffic tends to be heaviest between the capital and the north during the morning commute between 7am and 8am, at midday and during the afternoon from 4:30pm to 6pm. Be sure to allocate enough time to get to your destination.
Bus stops are not always clearly marked so approach with caution if a bus is momentarily parked off the shoulder of the road. Bus drivers tend to pull back into traffic with little warning. Always be aware and on the lookout for local dogs sleeping along the roadside in residential neighborhoods as well as an errant cow or horse attempting to cross the highway.
There are usually ongoing roadworks in multiple areas so keep an eye out for that and deep potholes as well. Most importantly, remember to drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Water taxis are an alternative to traditional land transportation and an efficient way to get around the beaches, waterside towns and villages. Services are available from Reduit Beach in the north and Marigot Bay on the west coast.
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