| AIRPORT |
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| St Lucia has two airports. Hewanorra Intentional Airport
at View Fort - some 40 miles south of the capital Castries
and Vigie Airport, five minutes from the center of Castries. |
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| AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX |
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| EC$54 for all destinations, should be paid in EC currency.
Banking facilities are available at Hewanorra International
Airport and Vigie Airport. |
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| BANANAS |
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| With more of the St Lucia countryside cultivated with
bananas, this fruit is a major contributor to the island's
economy. In 1998 bananas brought in some EC$91.5 million,
which accounts for its nickname Green Gold! The fruit, scientifically
classified as a herb, originated in India and has been essential
to St Lucia since the mid 1900's. Banana estate tours are
available. |
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| CALYPSO |
| |
| This music form is to us what Rock is to the United States.
Visitors may not catch the drift of the lyrics, which speaks
out about local events, politics outright gossip, and of
course, the "act of love". However, if the lyrics don't
grab ya, no sweat, the calypso beat will. Carnival is a
great time to catch the calypso fever, as local calysonians
vie for the Calypso King title. |
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| CARNIVAL |
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| This is St Lucia's largest extravaganza and takes place
in July with beauty contests, children parades, calypso
tents, and a grand parade of dazzling and colourful costumes
through the streets of Castries. Prizes are awarded for
the best band , and the King and queen of the Bands. Many
events are free. |
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| CHURCHES |
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| 85 - 90 per cent of St Lucians are Roman Catholics. Other
religions include: Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Seventh
Day Adventist , Church of the Nazarene, Church of Christ,
Christian Science and the Salvation Army. Times vary at
individual churches, so it's best to phone before attending.
|
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| CLIMATE |
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| From November to February the day temperature is approximately
27 degrees centigrade, with a night temperature of approximately
21 - 22 degrees centigrade. December and January are the
coolest months. From April to October the day temperature
is approximately 23C to 29C. June to August is the hottest
period. Our climate is tempered by constant cooling trade
winds. |
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| COCONUTS |
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| If the only coconuts you ever tasted had chocolate wrapped
around it, you're in for a treat when you taste one right
off the tree. You'll also want to sample coconut water,
the juice of the coconut while it is still green. The inside
of the immature nut is soft and jelly like, but still makes
a wonderful snack. As the outside of the green coconut dries
and turns light brown, it is shucked away to reveal the
little dark brown coconut that you find in your super markets
back home. The oil is extracted from these dry nuts to make
soups, cooking oil, body lotion, and suntan oil. |
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| CREDIT CARDS |
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| Widely accepted at all major centres, restaurants, hotels,
etc. Restaurant listings in the RESTAURANT GUIDE show which
of them accept credit cards. |
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| CURRENCY |
| |
| Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) referred locally as "Ecee".
St Lucia is tied to the US dollar. Bank exchange on US Traveler
cheques is EC$2.68 and on US cash EC$2.67. Please check
banks for daily rates on currencies other than US, as all
currencies are subject to market fluctuations. |
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| DRINKING WATER |
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| Water is safe for drinking. |
| |
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| DRIVING |
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| We drive on the left-Hand-Side of the road. |
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| DRIVING LICENSE |
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| Visitors must have a Temporary Driving Permit, obtainable
from the immigration Office at either George Charles or
Hewanorra Airport or Gros Islet Police Station. Present
cost for a 3 month permit is EC$54. Driving permits are
also issued by major car rental firms. |
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| DRUGS |
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| Use or sale of narcotic drugs is highly illegal and carries
severe penalties. |
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| ELECTRICITY |
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| Generally 220 volts 50 cycles, with square three-pin plug
(same as the United Kingdom). Converters/adapters are available
from local shops. A few hotels, and villas offer both 220
volts and 110 volts. |
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| FLAG |
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| The St Lucian flag. |
 |
Meaning of the Flag:
1. The blue represents fidelity, reflecting out tropical
sky and emerald surrounding waters - the Caribbean Sea and
the Atlantic Ocean.
2. The Gold represents the prevailing sunshine in the Caribbean
Prosperity.
3. The black and white stands for the cultural influences.
4. The design impresses the dominance of the Black culture
vis a vis that of Europe, against a background of sunshine
and the blue sea - this symbolises the three pitons.
5. The triangle, the shape of which is an isosceles triangle,
is reminiscent of the islands's famous twin Pitons at Soufriere,
rising out of the sea, towards the sky - themeselves a symbol
of hope and the aspirations of the people. |
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| GEOGRAPHY |
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| Our neighbours are Martinique, 21 miles from our north
tip and St Vincent, 26 miles from our Southern tip (both
are visible on clear days). Also Barbados 100 miles Southeast.
The island is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, a total of
238 sq miles. |
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| GOVERNMENT |
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| Our prime minister is Dr Kenny D. Anthony. Since 1979
St Lucian has been an independent state within the British
Commonwealth. |
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| SHOPPING ADVICE |
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| If you plan to buy duty free items at duty free shopping
malls such as La Place Carenage, Pointe Seraphine or J.Q.
Mall Rodney Bay, you need to show your airline ticket and
identification. |
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| LANGUAGE |
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| English is the official and working language, however
most St Lucians speak a local French based patios. |
| |
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| NEWSPAPERS |
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| PAPER PUBLISHED |
| The STAR Saturdays. |
| The Voice Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays. |
| The Crusader Saturdays |
| One Caribbean Saturdays |
| The Mirror Fridays |
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| RODNEY BAY |
| |
| Rodney Bay is home to a beautiful marina and is the most
touristy part of St Lucia, in terms of amenities. There
are some 18 restaurants in the beachfront part of the Rodney
Bay within a square mile and the largest and most modern
shopping mall on the island is located here. The most beautiful
beach on the island, the Reduit Beach, is also in Rodney
Bay. Most amenities are walking distance from our villas. |
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| TAXIS |
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| Our taxi drivers take special courses, so you will find
they make friendly |
| Knowledgeable guides of the island. If you intend hiring
a taxi for the whole day negotiate a price with the driver. |
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| TELEVISION |
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| HTS Channel 4 and DBS Channels 2 and 10, and cable TV
(Cable Vision). |
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| TIMEZONE DIFFERENCES |
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| Europe is 4-5 hours ahead during October to April, and
5-6 hours ahead April to October. North America is 3-4 hours
behind. Asia and the South Pacific is up to 16 hours ahead. |
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| TIPPING |
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| Most establishments include a 10% standard tip. Check
your bill for the inclusion of service charge as a guide. |
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| TOURISM INFORMATION |
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| St Lucia Tourist Board, head office Tel: 452-4094, George
Charles Airport Tel: 452-2595, Hewanorra Airport Tel:454-6644
or pay them a visit at the head office, St Lucia Hotel &
Tourism Association, located at Vide Boutielle, Tel: 452-5978. |
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| VACCINATION |
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| No vaccination is required, unless transiting or coming
from an infected area within six days of arrival. |
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| VISITORS/VISAS |
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| Permits are issued on arrival, provided the visitor holds
the correct documentation. Passports are required by all
except British subjects and Canadian and US subjects holding
return tickets to their respective countries. All such visitors
must hold some valid documentation. |
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| VISA EXTENSION |
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| For a visa extension, applicants must hold a valid passport
with an expiration date after the applied for extension
period. Applicants must also have a valid return airline
ticket showing the intended extension date. Applicants must
contact the immigration office for an application form and
may have to arrange an interview with an immigration officer.
The cost is EC$40 for every extension granted up to 21 days. |
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