St. Lucia
Travel tips for St. Lucia: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cards widely accepted. While cards work at hotels, restaurants, and for taxis via the PickUp app, travelers strongly advise carrying local XCD cash for small vendors, markets, and tips, especially since ATMs can be sparse outside main towns.
Try the food
- Green Fig and Saltfish: Boiled unripe bananas served with flaked salted cod that has been sautéed with onions, peppers, and local spices.
- Bouyon: A thick, hearty stew made with pork or beef, dumplings, and various ground provisions like yams and sweet potatoes.
- Lambi: Tenderized conch meat stewed in a rich, heavily spiced Creole sauce.
Essentials
- Plugs
- Type G
- Voltage
- 230V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Left side
- Tap water
- Usually safe
- Emergency
- 911 (all emergencies), 999 (police)
- SIM tip
- Purchase a Digicel or Flow prepaid SIM card at Hewanorra International Airport, or download a regional eSIM before your trip for immediate data access.
Etiquette
A 10 percent service charge is typically added to restaurant and hotel bills, but leaving an extra 5 percent in cash for excellent service is highly appreciated.