ST. LUCIA TRAVEL REPORT.

  

To reach St Lucia, from Martinique (France), the cheapest solution is to take the ferry of the company L'Express Des Iles, which leaves from the ferry terminal of Fort de France, located in the center of the capital, sometimes the week at 13.30 at the minimum cost of 69 Euros. Reservations can also be made via the internet. The journey takes approximately 1h and 30 '.

Before embarking it is necessary and then to pass through the security control (metal detector).

 

I therefore arrive at 3.00 pm at the Castries (St Lucia) ferry terminal, located about 1 km east of the historic center of the capital. There are 5 hours of time zone, compared to Italy.

 

A visa is not required to enter St Lucia for tourism purposes and for a period not exceeding 90 days. It is sufficient to be in possession of a passport, with at least 6 months of residual validity at the time of entry into the country. Sometimes you will be asked for a return or onward flight ticket and a hotel reservation.

 

It is necessary to fill out a form to be delivered to customs, part of which must be returned when leaving the country.

 

There is no bank to change money at the airport, but you can withdraw cash with an ATM or credit card.

 

The currency of St Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC $), but American Dollars (USD) are accepted everywhere (Hotels, Buses, Taxis, Shops, Restaurants, Supermarkets, Ferries, etc.), even if using this. the latter are considered with the following value 1 USD = 2.5 EC $ instead of the official rate which is 1 USD = 2.7 EC $.

 

In St Lucia, the official language is English.

 

In St Lucia, driving is on the left and is driven by Minivans, which have written on the windshield containing the route number and the final destination, from 6.00 to 19.00 (until 23.00 and even later on Friday evening on the Castries - Gros Islet.). You pay the driver before getting off. The service is very reliable and the waits to wait for the vehicle to fill up to leave are usually short. On Sunday the service is more efficient but still good.

 

In St Lucia I slept at Somewhere Special Guesthouse, run by a German couple, located in 18 Marie Therese St., Gros Islet, about 10 km north of Castries. Free Wi. At 50 mt. from the sea and 50 mt. from the bus stop. Price per night: 45 USD. To reach it from the capital take a Minivan x Gros Islet near the Central Market and get off at the end of the race at Gros Islet at 50 meters. about from Somewhere Special Guesthouse. Travel cost 2.5 EC $. You pay the driver before getting off.

 

To reach the beautiful villages of Anse La Raye (2.5 EC $), Canaries (5 EC $) and Soufriere (8 EC $), located on the west coast, you need to take a Minivan x Soufriere near the Central Market of Castries. You pay the driver before getting off. Frequent rides from 6.00 to 18.00. In Soufriere you arrive and depart from Henry Belmar Street, near the Parish Church.

 

To reach Vieux Fort, the second largest city of St Lucia by population, located on the west coast, at the southernmost point of the island 75 km from Castries, you need to take a Minivan x Soufriere (8 EC $) near the Central Market of Castries and then change and take another one to Vieux Fort (6 EC $), or take the direct (14 EC $) which starts from Micoud Street in Castries. You pay the driver before getting off. Frequent rides from 6.00 to 18.00. In Soufriere they arrive and depart from Henry Belmar Street, near the Parish Church. In Vieux Fort instead from the square on the northern outskirts of the city in St Judes Street adjacent to the landing strip of the International Airport.

 

Here are some indicative prices of minivans that travel along the west coast:

 

The ride from Soufriere to Choiseul costs (EC $ 3.75).

 

The ride from Choiseul to Vieux Fort costs (EC $ 3.50).

 

The ride from Soufriere to Anse La Raye costs (6 EC $).

 

The ride from Anse La Raye to Castries costs (2.5 EC $).

 

If you want to visit Pigeon Island National Park, which offers fantastic views, keep in mind that the park is open every day from 9.00 to 17.00 and admission costs 19 EC $. There is no public transport to reach it but you have to walk from Gros Islet for about 2km or take a taxi for 20 EC $.

 

When flying with Liat, keep in mind that we generally depart from George FL Charles Airport, located on the northern outskirts of Castries. There is no public transport to take you to the front of the terminal but if you are traveling on a budget you need to take a minivan operating between Castries and Gros Islet or vice versa and get off at the roundabout between Peninsular Road and John Compton Street, adjacent to the end of the runway landing and walk over a kilometer on Peninsular Road.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2017/11/traversata-dei-caraibi-da-nord-sud.html