Saint Lucia travel advice

Risk level

Safety and security

Crime

Violent Crime  

Violent crime, including gun violence, has increased over the past year, particularly in Vieux Fort. Incidents of murders, sexual assaults, robberies, and gang-related violence have occurred.  

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times  
• Avoid walking alone after dark 
• Avoid isolated areas  
• Avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery  
• Avoid carrying large sums of cash or unnecessary valuables 
• Stay in accommodations with adequate security measures 
• Check with local authorities to determine which beaches are safe 

Petty Crime  

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs and increases with the approach of annual festivities, such as:  

• festivals, including the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival in May  
• carnival celebrations in July  
• the winter holiday season  

Fraud

Fraud involving use of credit cards, debit cards and ATMs may occur. 

Overseas fraud

Women's safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment, verbal abuse and sexual assault.

Advice for women travellers

Demonstrations

Demonstrations may occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

2SLGBTQI+ persons

2SLGBTQI+ persons have been verbally harassed.

Public displays of affection are not socially acceptable.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Water shortages

Saint Lucia regularly experiences water shortages. Local authorities may impose water rationing measures.

If you are in Saint Lucia:

• keep a sufficient supply of water on hand
• monitor local media for the latest information

Swimming

Coastal waters can be dangerous as riptides are common. Beaches are unsupervised and don’t have warning flags to warn of unsafe conditions.   

• Never swim alone   
• Always maintain a safe distance from boats and restricted areas  
• Consult residents and tour operators for information on possible hazards and safe swimming areas 
• Don’t dive in unfamiliar waters as hidden rocks or shallow water can cause serious injury or death 

Water safety abroad

Adventure tourism

Outdoor activities, such as zip lining, hiking, mountain biking, and other adventure activities can be dangerous if unprepared. Trails are not always marked, and weather conditions can change rapidly, even during summer.   

Road safety

Road safety is overall good throughout the island. 

Road conditions

Road conditions are generally good across the island. 

Driving habits

Drivers don’t always respect traffic laws. They can be reckless.  

Public transportation

Minibuses

Regular minibus services are reliable but can be unsafe due to driving speeds.

Taxis 

Taxis are available at airports and resort areas. They don’t use meters.

• Only use registered taxis with a blue number plate 
• Negotiate the fare in advance 
• Have small bills available for payment 

Ride-sharing apps 

Ride-sharing apps are available in Saint Lucia. 

Ferries

Ferry services are available weekly between Martinique and Saint Lucia and between Saint Vincent and Saint Lucia. 

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the authorities of Saint Lucia. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules. 

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave Saint Lucia.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 6 weeks
Business visa: not required 
Student visa: not required

Electronic Immigration Form 

If you are travelling by air, you must complete one electronic immigration form per family or group within 3 days prior to your arrival. 

You will need the following information to complete the form: 

• flight details 
• passport information for all family of group members 
• a valid email address 

Electronic Immigration Form – Saint Lucia Tourism Authority 

Other entry requirements 

Customs officials may ask you to show them: 

• a return or onward ticket 
• proof that you have a place to stay 
• proof that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay 

Children travelling unaccompanied or with only one parent may have to present: 

• a notarized consent letter confirming that the child has permission to travel 
• proof of parentage, such as a birth certificate showing the names of the parents 

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section). 

Health

Routine vaccines

Make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel, no matter where you’re going.

These may include vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, varicella (chickenpox), meningococcal disease, seasonal flu, and others.

Provincial and Territorial Immunization Information

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

When travelling in this destination, you might be at risk for diseases that can be prevented with vaccines or medications. Talk to a travel health care provider about which ones are right for you based on your travel plans.

The highlights below will also tell you if your destination may require that vaccine for entering or exiting.

Safe food and water precautions

Eating or drinking unsafe food or water, or swimming in contaminated water can make you sick while travelling. Take precautions by following these tips:

• Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it (only eat food that is prepared safely)
• Avoid, if possible, getting water in your eyes, mouth, or nose when swimming in freshwater (like streams, lakes, or canals), especially after heavy rain or flooding - the water might look clean but can still be contaminated 
• Don’t swallow water when bathing, showering, swimming in pools, or using hot tubs 

Eat and drink safely abroad

Tick and insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by bites from infected ticks and insects like mosquitoes, fleas, or flies. Before you travel, find out what types of ticks or insects are in the area, when they’re most active, and what diseases they can spread.

To protect yourself from bites:

• use an approved bug spray (insect repellent) on exposed skin
• wear light-coloured, loose clothing made of tightly woven materials like nylon or polyester
• wear socks and closed-toe shoes
• sleep under mosquito netting if you’re outdoors or staying in places that aren’t fully enclosed
• do a full body tick check on yourself, your children, your gear, and any pets you’re travelling with when you return from outdoor activities

Insect bite and pest prevention
Personal insect repellents

Animal precautions

Some infections can spread directly from animals to people, like rabies or bird flu (avian influenza). Others don’t spread directly from animals but can infect people who visit areas animals have contaminated with their droppings or body fluids.

Certain activities can increase your chances of coming into contact with animals, their droppings, or their body fluids, like:

• travelling in rural or forested areas
• camping, hiking, or visiting caves
• visiting places where live animals are sold or killed for food, like wet markets

To reduce your risk of getting sick:

• avoid contact with animals like stray dogs, livestock (such as pigs and cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats.
• stay away from places where animal waste can build up, such as caves
• avoid eating undercooked meat

Make sure to closely watch children; they are more likely to try to touch animals.

Person-to-person infections

When travelling, you can reduce your risk of getting or spreading respiratory infections, like the flu or COVID-19, by:

• staying at your accommodation and limiting contact with others if you’re sick
• wearing a well-fitting mask, especially: 
  
  • if you’re sick and need to be around others 
  • when you’re at large indoor events or in crowded settings, like sporting events, concerts, and airports
• cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
• covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)
Clean your hands to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases
Respiratory infectious diseases: How to reduce the spread with personal protective measures

To lower your risk of getting sexually transmissible infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox, you can:

• get vaccinated against mpox if you’re eligible
• practise safer sex methods
  • use barrier protection during sexual activity, like condoms and dental dams.

Mpox vaccines
Sexual health and travel
HIV and AIDS: Travel health advice

Medical services and facilities

Good health care is limited. Medical facilities are underequipped. They may lack of medical equipment, supplies and trained professionals. Medical services in Saint Lucia are expensive and often expect immediate cash payments for services.  

There are two public hospitals, Victoria Hospital in Castries and St. Jude’s Hospital in Vieux Fort, and one private hospital, Tapion Hospital near Castries.  

Emergency services in St. Lucia are underequipped and can be slow due to traffic. Ambulance services are provided by the fire department and not by hospitals. 

Travellers requiring specialized care or having sustained serious injury may need to be evacuated to Miami or Martinique.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

No transfer of offenders treaty exists between Canada and Saint Lucia. If you’re convicted of a serious crime, you must serve your jail sentence in Saint Lucia. You may also have to remain in the island for a parole period after your release.

Drugs

There are severe penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs. If you are convicted, you can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.  

• Pack your own luggage and monitor it closely at all times 
• Never transport other people’s packages, bags or suitcases 

Drugs, alcohol and travel

2SLGBTQI+ persons

Saint Lucian law criminalize sexual acts and relationships between persons of the same sex. 

2SLGBTQI+ persons could be discriminated against or detained based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. They could also be detained and face other charges such as:

• cross-dressing 
• gross indecency 
• offence to public morals 

2SLGBTQI+ persons could face up lengthy jail sentence. They should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Saint Lucia.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Saint Lucia.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Saint Lucia, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Dual citizens

Investments

Disputes related to property acquisition or other investments are costly and take time to resolve.

If you plan on buying property, or making other investments in Saint Lucia: 

• seek legal advice in Canada and in Saint Lucia before making commitments 
• choose your own lawyer 
• avoid hiring a lawyer recommended by a seller 

Death penalty 

The authorities of Saint Lucia apply the death penalty for serious offences, though it is rarely enforced. 

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Saint Lucia.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Saint Lucia by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Saint Lucia to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

Useful links

• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Children and travel
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Camouflage clothing

It’s illegal for anyone who isn’t a member of the police force to wear camouflage clothing or to carry items that may look like military equipment.

Driving

You need a temporary permit to drive in Saint Lucia. You can buy it upon presentation of a valid Canadian driver’s licence through: 

• most car rental agencies 
• the airport immigration desk 
• any local police station 

You should ensure you rent a car from a reputable company and you sign a rental contract that includes car insurance.   

International Driving Permit

Traffic drives on the left.  

Traffic regulation is different from Canada: 

• legal age to drive is 17 
• legal age to rent a car is 25 

Natural disasters and climate

Hurricane season

Hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.

These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services. You could face serious safety risks during a hurricane.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season:

• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities

Useful links

• Severe storms outside Canada
• Large-scale emergencies outside Canada
• Active storm tracking and hurricane watches and warnings – U.S. National Hurricane Center

Earthquakes and tsunamis 

Saint Lucia is located in an active seismic zone. It is subject to earthquakes and is at risk of tsunamis. 

A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. However, the risk of tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. If you’re staying on the coast, familiarize yourself with the region’s evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami warning. 

In the event of an earthquake: 

• monitor local media to stay informed of the evolving situation 
• follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders 

Useful links 

• Earthquakes – What to Do?  
• Latest Earthquakes  – U.S. Geological Survey 
• U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers – U.S. National Weather Service