Location

Oprah’s O Magazine named St. Lucia as number one of the 5 Places to See In Your Lifetime and the island lives up to that title and more. The island was also voted World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination 2007 in the World Travel Awards and voted fourth Most Beautiful Island in the World by the readers of Conde Naste Travel Magazine.

St. Lucia Quick Facts

• Location – St. Lucia is in the Eastern Caribbean between St. Martinique and St. Vincent Islands and approximately 1300 miles from Miami.
• Size – 43 km (27 miles) in length and 22 (14 miles) wide, approximately 616 sq km (238 sq. miles)
• Population – 160,000
• Capital – Castries
• Towns – Gros Islet, Soufrière and Vieux Fort
• Language – English and a French dialect are widely spoken
• Government – Parliamentary democracy (part of the British Commonwealth)
• Currency – Eastern Caribbean Dollar linked to US Dollar at exchange rate of $1USD to $2.65EC. US dollars widely accepted.
• Time Zone – Atlantic Time (GMT minus 4 hours)

St. Lucia Map

St Lucia lies at latitude 13 54’ north of the Equator and 60 50’ west.

Climate and Weather

St. Lucia’s temperatures range from 18-29°C (65-85°F) from December to May and between 24-35°C (65-85°F) from June to November. Its dry season runs from January to July and the rainy season from August to December.

Modern St. Lucia

Adventure travelers are discovering St. Lucia and its volcanic paradise. The island’s majestic twin Piton Mountains have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. With its tropical climate, and breathtaking scenery, St Lucia is a popular vacation and honeymoon destination, especially with the US market.

Recognizing the island’s growing tourism industry, the St. Lucia government has committed to expanding the island’s infrastructure with transportation upgrades, improvements to the two airports and three harbors, and creating an international plaza and pedestrian promenade in the business district of Castries. As well as tourism, the island also receives significant revenue from Hess Oil’s petroleum storage and transhipment terminal.

At least five 5-star international hotel and spas, seven signature golf courses, three casions, and five marinas are planned for the island in the next 3-5 years.

Local Highlights

St. Lucia’s rainforest is a lush habitat for rare birds and plants. Twenty-nine miles of trails make watching the island’s national bird, the Amazona Veriscolor or Jacquot, parrots, hummingbirds and other colorful birds easily accessible amid the orchids, heliconia and other exotic flora.

History

Before the arrival of Europeans, the island was settled by the Arawak Indians around AD 200 and then the Caribs by AD 800. St. Lucia was known as the “Island of the Iguanas”, or Iouanalao and Hewanorra.

Around AD 1500 it is believed that the island was discovered by Juan de la Cosa, who had been Columbus’ navigator. The first European settler in the 1550s was a pirate by the name of Francois le Clerc or Peg-leg le Clerc. The Dutch established Vieux Fort in 1600.

The English and the French fought over the island for more than one hundred years with the English getting final control around 1814 and they remained in possession until 1979 when St. Lucia became independent. However, the island’s culture retains a French influence with a Creole dialect being used by many of the islanders, as well as African flavor from slaves brought to work on European plantations.

Getting Here

Le Paradis is located just 20 minutes from St. Lucia’s International airport, Hewannora and one hour from the regional airstrip at George F.L. Charles Airport. St. Lucia is one of the most accessible Caribbean islands with direct flights from North America and the UK.

Typical Flight Times

• London, 8 Hours
• New York, 4 Hours
• Miami, 3 ½ Hours
• Toronto, 5 Hours

Airlines and Flights

• Delta Airlines from Atlanta – twice weekly
• Air Jamaica from JFK – 3 days per week, 2/day
• Virgin Atlantic from Manchester – 3 days per week
• Caribbean Airlines from London Heathrow – 2/week 2/day
• US Airways from Philadelphia – 1/week 2/day
• American Airlines from Miami – 7 days per week
• British Airways from London Gatwick – 2/week
• American Eagle from Glen Falls, New York – 7/week 4/day
• LIAT Air from Glen Falls, New York – 7/week 11/day
• Air Canada from Toronto – 1/week
• Liat/Air Caraibes from France – 7/week 2/day

Charters

• Air Transat from Toronto – 1/week
• Excel Airways from London Gatwick – 1/week
• Sunwing from Toronto – 1/week
• Sunquest from Toronto – 1/week
• Suntur from Milan – 1/week
• Westjet from Toronto – 1/week

By Sea

Convenient hydrofoil service runs between Martinique and St. Lucia. Cruise ships tie up daily at Port Castries and Soufirere. Visitors arriving by private or chartered yacht, will find moorings available at Le Paradis Marina.