St. Lucia is the Caribbean's most dramatic honeymoon island: the twin volcanic Pitons rising straight from the sea, rainforest in every direction, and a handful of jaw-dropping resorts (Jade Mountain among them). It's lush, romantic, and a bit more adventurous than the flat coral islands. Here's what to know before you book.
- Language
- English
- Currency
- East Caribbean dollar
- USD widely accepted
- Power
- 240V, UK-style Type G plugs
- Driving
- On the left
- Main airport
- Hewanorra
- UVF
Where St. Lucia splits
The resort areas are not interchangeable. What each one is actually for.
Rodney Bay
First St. Lucia trips, families, walk-to-dinner travelers
Start with Cap Maison Resort & Spa, five-star.
Soufrière & South St. Lucia
Honeymoons, the view, snorkelling off Anse Chastanet, a resort beside the airport
Start with Serenity at Coconut Bay, five-star, adults-only.
When to go to St. Lucia
Climate normals for Northwest coast (Rodney Bay–Soufrière), and our verdict on each month.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 84 degrees Fahrenheit | 84 degrees Fahrenheit | 85 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 86 degrees Fahrenheit | 84 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Rainfall | 3.7″ | 2.6″ | 2.4″ | 3.4″ | 4.4″ | 7.5″ | 8.1″ | 8.9″ | 8.4″ | 9.2″ | 7.7″ | 5.2″ |
| Verdict | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Shoulder | Shoulder | Off-peak | Off-peak | Off-peak | Shoulder | Prime |
Sweet spot. December–April; rainy season runs June–November, heaviest September–October.
Storm risk. In the belt, June–November; the lush green interior is the flip side of real wet-season rainfall.
Sargassum. The Atlantic east coast catches it; the west-coast resort strip (where nearly all the all-inclusives are) is generally clear.
Figures are long-term climate normals for Northwest coast (Rodney Bay–Soufrière), good for planning. They are not a forecast.
Do you need a passport, visa, or entry form?
U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport but no visa for tourist stays of up to six months.
St. Lucia uses an online Electronic Immigration Form; complete it before you arrive (you can even do it onboard) at the official travelslu.govt.lc and save the confirmation.
Is St. Lucia safe?
St. Lucia is generally safe and welcoming, and the resort areas around Soufrière and the north are tourism-focused. Exercise normal precautions: secure valuables, take licensed taxis, and don't wander isolated areas at night. The island's roads are steep and winding, so most visitors leave the driving to transfers and tours. Check travel.state.gov for the current advisory.
Currency and tipping
The East Caribbean dollar (EC$) is the official currency, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted. A 10% service charge is often added to bills; beyond that, 10–15% for good service and a few dollars for housekeeping and drivers is customary.
When to visit
December through April is the dry, peak season. May and June offer good weather and lower prices ahead of hurricane season (June–November). The Pitons look spectacular year-round.
Getting there & around
Most resort travelers fly into Hewanorra International (UVF) in the south, closest to the Soufrière and Pitons resorts (about an hour's drive). The smaller George Charles airport (SLU) near Castries serves regional flights. St. Lucia drives on the left, and the mountain roads are no joke; resort transfers are the stress-free choice.
What to do beyond the resort
This is one of the Caribbean's best islands for getting out: hike or photograph the Pitons, bathe in the warm mud of the Sulphur Springs 'drive-in volcano,' chase waterfalls, zip-line through rainforest, sail down the west coast, and snorkel the protected reefs at Anse Chastanet.
Good to know
Power & plugs: 240V with UK-style Type G plugs; bring an adapter, as U.S. plugs won't fit. Language: English. Water: resort water is fine, bottled is common. Sunscreen: reef-safe. Dress: beach-casual, smart-casual at dinner.
Getting to St. Lucia
Indicative round-trip fares into Hewanorra (UVF) from the major US gateways, cheapest first. Tap through for live prices and dates.
| From | Airport | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| New York | JFK | $518Cheapest |
| Chicago | ORD | $642 |
| Boston | BOS | $660 |
| Atlanta | ATL | $666 |
| Dallas | DFW | $685 |
| Miami | MIA | $730 |
| Los Angeles | LAX | $739 |
| Newark | EWR | $1168 |
Where the St. Lucia resorts are
17 resorts mapped stars are five-star properties
The best all-inclusive resorts in St. Lucia
The St. Lucia properties we would actually book. For the full numbered ranking, see the best all-inclusive resorts in St. Lucia.
Where to stay in St. Lucia
The resort areas we cover, and which properties sit in each.
Resort chains in St. Lucia
The brands operating here. The ones we rank in full link through to the chain, what its plan really covers, and every resort of theirs we track.
Where these companies came from
Almost nobody in this category publishes it. Read oldest first and the list is a short history of how St. Lucia came to look the way it does.
St. Lucia, head to head
Price, flights, sand, food and safety, compared honestly.
St. Lucia vs JamaicaMexicoDominican RepublicMaldivesGreeceSpainTurks & CaicosArubaBarbadosItalyPortugalTurkeyAntiguaCuraçaoBrazilCosta RicaPhilippinesFrench PolynesiaMoroccoEgyptSouth AfricaMauritiusKenyaTanzaniaMozambiqueThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaPunta CanaCancúnRiviera MayaLos CabosPuerto VallartaMontego BayNegrilOcho RiosGuanacasteCreteBahiaBora BoraMalé AtollsBarbados South CoastBarbados West CoastViti LevuVanua LevuCanary IslandsBalearic IslandsCosta del SolSharm el-SheikhHurghada & the Red Sea CoastBelekRhodesLara & AntalyaMaldives Outer AtollsCorfuHalkidikiKosGrenadaFijiCroatiaU.S. Virgin IslandsSri LankaSeychellesBahamasChileArgentinaUnited States
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport for St. Lucia?
Yes, a valid passport, but no visa for tourist stays up to six months. You should also complete the online Electronic Immigration Form before arrival at travelslu.govt.lc.
Is St. Lucia safe?
Generally yes, with tourism-focused resort areas around Soufrière and the north. Use normal precautions, take licensed taxis, and leave the steep mountain driving to transfers. Check travel.state.gov for the latest.
Can I use U.S. dollars in St. Lucia?
Yes: the East Caribbean dollar is official, but USD is widely accepted. Keep small bills for tips.
Do you tip in St. Lucia?
A 10% service charge is often added; beyond that, 10–15% for good service and a few dollars for housekeeping and drivers is customary.
Do I need a plug adapter for St. Lucia?
Yes: St. Lucia uses 240V UK-style Type G plugs, so U.S. plugs won't fit. Bring a universal adapter (and check your devices handle 240V; most chargers do).
Which airport should I fly into?
Hewanorra (UVF) in the south is closest to the Soufrière/Pitons resorts (about an hour). George Charles (SLU) near Castries handles regional flights.