Getting Around Saint Lucia
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use affordable minibuses for Castries and Rodney Bay. Rural: Rent a car for Pitons and Soufriere exploration. Beaches: Taxis and water taxis. For convenience, book airport transfers from Hewanorra to your destination.
Bus Travel
Public Minibuses
Affordable and frequent minibus network connecting major towns with colorful routes along the coast.
Cost: Castries to Soufriere $2-5, journeys 1-2 hours between most destinations.
Tickets: Pay cash to driver upon boarding, no advance purchase needed, exact change recommended.
Peak Times: Avoid 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM for less crowding and faster rides.
Multi-Ride Options
Informal passes via repeated rides, or organized tours for unlimited travel on select routes for $20-30/day.
Best For: Multiple stops over a day, savings for beach hopping or town visits.
Where to Buy: Board at main terminals like Castries Market, or book tours via hotels/apps.
Water Taxi Services
Ferries and water taxis connect Rodney Bay to Soufriere and other coastal spots.
Booking: Reserve in advance for peak season, discounts for groups up to 30%.
Main Hubs: Castries Port and Vigie Cove, with links to George F.L. Charles Airport.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Ideal for exploring rainforests and beaches independently. Compare rental prices from $40-70/day at Hewanorra Airport and Castries.
Requirements: Valid license (international recommended), credit card, minimum age 25.
Insurance: Full coverage advised due to narrow roads, verify collision damage waiver.
Driving Rules
Drive on the left, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, 100 km/h highways.
Tolls: Minimal, mainly on East-West Highway, pay cash $1-2.
Priority: Yield to uphill traffic on steep Pitons roads, roundabouts common.
Parking: Free in rural areas, $2-5/hour in tourist spots like Rodney Bay.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations available at $4-5/gallon for petrol, $4-4.50 for diesel, more expensive in south.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Maps.me for navigation, download offline maps.
Traffic: Heavy in Castries mornings, watch for potholes on rural routes.
Urban Transport
Taxis in Castries
Readily available fixed-rate taxis covering the capital, single ride $5-10, day pass $50 for unlimited.
Validation: Agree fare before boarding, official taxis have yellow license plates.
Apps: Use local taxi apps or hotel concierges for reliable pickups and tracking.
Bike Rentals
Bike-sharing and rentals in Rodney Bay and Soufriere, $10-20/day with stations at resorts.
Routes: Scenic coastal paths, especially around Anse Chastanet and Gros Islet.
Tours: Guided e-bike tours for Pitons hikes, including safety gear and guides.
Minibuses & Local Services
Informal minibus networks cover Castries, Vieux Fort, and beach areas with frequent stops.
Tickets: $1-3 per ride, pay driver, services run 6 AM-8 PM daily.
Water Taxis: Popular for Marigot Bay to Castries, $10-15 for short coastal hops.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near bus routes in Castries for easy access, Rodney Bay for nightlife, Soufriere for nature.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for winter (Dec-Apr) and events like Jazz Festival.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for hurricane season travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for AC, pool inclusion, and proximity to taxis before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G/5G in urban areas like Castries, 3G/4G in rural spots including Pitons.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from $5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Digicel and Flow offer prepaid SIMs from $10-25 with island-wide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, shops, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for $20, 10GB for $35, unlimited for $50/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi common in resorts, cafes, and ports, paid in some rural guesthouses.
Public Hotspots: Airports and main squares in Castries have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally 10-50 Mbps in tourist areas, suitable for browsing and calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST), UTC-4, no daylight saving observed.
- Airport Transfers: Hewanorra Airport 65km from Castries, minibus $20 (2 hours), taxi $100, or book private transfer for $80-120.
- Luggage Storage: Available at airports ($5-10/day) and hotels in major towns.
- Accessibility: Buses and taxis limited, resorts often accessible, hilly terrain challenging.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed in taxis with fee ($10-20), check resort policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes can be rented separately, taxis accommodate for $5 extra fee.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Saint Lucia
Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) is the main gateway. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Hewanorra International (UVF): Primary hub in south, 65km from Castries with shuttle services.
George F.L. Charles (SLU): Domestic and regional airport near Castries, 10km from city center.
Regional Access: Small airstrips for inter-island flights, convenient for northern arrivals.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for winter travel (Dec-Apr) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Barbados or Antigua and taking regional flight for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
LIAT, Caribbean Airlines, and JetBlue serve UVF with regional connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and ground transport when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee $2-5, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted at resorts, cash preferred in markets.
- Contactless Payment: Limited, growing in urban areas, Apple Pay at major hotels.
- Cash: Essential for buses, taxis, and vendors, keep $50-100 in small denominations.
- Tipping: 10-15% in restaurants, $1-2 for taxis, round up for good service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchanges with poor rates. XCD or USD accepted.