Saint Lucia is on the prime of everybody’s dream listing of Caribbean island getaways. The island is blessed with lovely seashores, fascinating volcanic geography, and spectacular climbing trails. It’s no surprise you’re debating a visit; Saint Lucia is one in all our favourite locations, too.
Nonetheless, these planning levels do beg the query: Is Saint Lucia secure? What do you have to count on out of your journey when it comes to crime and pure catastrophe danger? As an entire, we’d inform you to train regular precautions, however that’s straightforward sufficient to say. What precisely are “regular” precautions anyway?
On this information, we’ll look at security in Saint Lucia. Get able to dive deeply into particular crime charges, pure catastrophe danger, and extra. We can assist make Saint Lucia one of many most secure locations you might presumably go to.
Is St Lucia Protected?
We all know that not everybody has the posh of limitless time to analysis Saint Lucia. In order for you fast solutions, don’t fear; we’ve acquired you.
Listed here are the principle issues you need to know in regards to the danger of journey in Saint Lucia:
As an entire, Saint Lucia is among the most secure island nations to go to within the Caribbean. The most important resort areas and most neighborhoods are extremely secure, with tens of millions of tourists touring to Saint Lucia hassle-free annually.
There are some pure risks in Saint Lucia, together with a hurricane danger from June till November. The island additionally has the chance of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The possibility of a extreme catastrophe occurring is low however can’t be dominated out. It’s clever to know the right protocols earlier than touring, have ample insurance coverage, and keep away from high-risk occasions, like August till October for hurricane danger.
There are crime incidents in Saint Lucia, particularly at massive occasions just like the Saint Lucia Carnival. Be cautious of petty crimes like bag snatching and pickpocketing in heavy crowds. Nonetheless, additionally bear in mind that there’s a severe crime danger, together with armed theft. These are fortunately rare incidents usually occurring in distant areas or after darkish.
There are some strict cultural variations, enforceable by regulation. The principle factor to notice may be very conservative attitudes to LGBTQ+ relations throughout the nation. Whereas members of the LGBTQ+ can nonetheless journey to Saint Lucia, it’s advisable to be conscious of issues like public shows of affection. You must also observe that drug offenses carry extreme penalties, typically together with the demise penalty. It’s additionally unlawful for anybody to put on camouflage clothes, a rule not even youngsters are exempt from.
Talking of issues which are enforceable by regulation, you want a brief driving license to lease a automobile in Saint Lucia. Some rent firms can receive this move for you, but it surely’s good to ask upfront; in any other case, you’ll must think about an in-person go to to the official Division of Tourism. Fast aspect observe: by no means cease for pedestrians flagging down your car, and at all times hold your doorways locked whereas driving.
St Lucia Crime Charges
Sadly, there’s truly been a spike in Saint Lucia’s crime charges previously three years, just lately scoring a murder rating of 77.6 % in 2022. There’s an total crime rating of 70.24 on Numbeo, which is deemed excessive danger, and the protection rating falls by half whenever you stroll in the course of the day versus strolling at evening. that being mentioned, we felt extremely secure after we had been visiting the island.
As a basic rule, its remoted areas entice opportunistic assaults and theft. Within the capital of Castries, there’s a extra clockwork sample of normal crime, like medicine and armed theft, in locations just like the (paradoxically named) Serenity Park and Vieux Fort. That is typical amongst huge cities, and we’d advise you to maintain your wits about you. It’s clever to take a look at the particular crime hotspots of explicit locations in Saint Lucia that you just’re visiting.
As at all times, take additional care or just keep away from touring after darkish. Solo evening walks on seashores and drunken rides in taxis with out a pre-agreed fare are all recipes for catastrophe. Equally, take additional care within the daytime when main occasions just like the Saint Lucia Carnival are happening.
Hold jewellery and costly gadgets at residence or well-concealed when in Saint Lucia. Regardless of precise occasions of focused vacationers being low on this lovely nation, a very good rule when touring anyplace is “deliver it in case you’re ready to lose it”. Within the case of a mugging, by no means attempt to struggle on your belongings.
Police Drive Presence
As an entire, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Drive is an efficient system on the island. It’s a little short-staffed and underfunded, with occasional accusations of corruption within the type of bribes. Nonetheless, the police pressure receives help from the US in its operations and does a very good job of dealing with justice on the island. You’ll be able to contact the Royal Saint Lucia Police Drive on 911 and know that they’re the most effective level of contact in a harmful state of affairs.
Nonetheless, we advocate reviewing the foundations and cultural variations in Saint Lucia earlier than touring. These are the next legal guidelines you need to know:
It’s essential to carry a brief Saint Lucia license if renting and driving a automobile on the island.
Medicine, together with marijuana, aren’t authorized in Saint Lucia and carry extreme authorized repercussions, together with the demise penalty.
It’s unlawful for anybody to put on camouflaged garments.
LGBTQ+ exercise is presently not authorized, and displaying affection in public is doubtlessly harmful.
The police are efficient in Saint Lucia, so don’t get on the improper aspect of them both! That is significantly true in case you’re driving moderately than utilizing public transportation.
Pure Disasters in St Lucia
Saint Lucia isn’t resistant to pure disasters, though there’s often minimal disruption or extreme occasions. Typically talking, these are the three major dangers:
Volcanic exercise
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
Volcanic exercise and earthquakes are uncommon and fairly arduous to foretell. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to subscribe to alerts when touring to Saint Lucia, which is able to promptly notify you of updates and emergency programs of motion. It’s one thing to be conscious of and subscribe to earlier than flying to the island.
Hurricanes are extra common, and Saint Lucia has a hurricane season between June and November. There are hardly ever actually harmful hurricanes in Saint Lucia. Nonetheless, flash flooding, journey disruption, and harm are an actual danger. In a perfect world, you need to keep away from this era, particularly from August till October, when hurricanes are at a peak.
If that isn’t attainable, although, be sure to take a look at our subsequent part.
Hurricanes in St Lucia
So, if you’re lifeless set on holidaying in Saint Lucia between June and November, right here’s what you want to know. Hurricanes are measured on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This ranks between 1 and 5 in severity and helps to categorise damages and decide whether or not hurricanes are a severe risk.
Right here’s the rating system you’ll be able to count on:
Class 1: Winds of 74-95 mph are harmful and might trigger harm, equivalent to harm to powerlines that might trigger outages.
Class 2: Winds of 96-110 mph which are very harmful and can trigger harm, like all powerlines destroyed and energy out for weeks.
Class 3: Winds of 112-129 mph that trigger devastating impression with electrical energy and water entry broken for weeks.
Class 4: Winds of 130-156 mph that trigger catastrophic harm and a few areas to be uninhabitable for a lot of months. There could also be harm to some homes.
Class 5: Winds of 157 mph that can trigger catastrophic harm, with most areas uninhabitable for a lot of months. A excessive proportion of homes will likely be destroyed with collapsed roofs and partitions.
Staying Protected in St Lucia Hurricanes
So, how do you keep secure on this situation? Properly, you’ll be able to take some easy steps to maximise your probabilities of security in Saint Lucia’s hurricane season. On this part, we’ll provide the prime three.
Practically all hurricanes impacting Saint Lucia are in class 1 or 2, so that you shouldn’t expertise essentially the most extreme finish of the dimensions. However you ought to be ready for issues like energy outages and impacted flights. It’s a good suggestion to have insurance coverage to cowl you for any surprising prices and to be versatile together with your itinerary. Cancellation insurance coverage is at all times a useful card to have up your sleeve!
Listed here are some additional recommendation for you.
1. Carry a Charged Powerbank
A charged energy financial institution is important for energy cuts. Your cellphone is your lifeline; it’s a method to contact the police or an ambulance and navigate to locations like hospitals (you need to have already got discovered the place they’re as a precautionary measure). Carrying or maintaining an influence financial institution charged is an effective way to guard your self in case of an outage.
2. Know Your Lodge or Lodging’s Emergency Insurance policies
Does your resort or lodging have a selected procedures plan? In the event that they don’t inform you whenever you arrive or whenever you get your reserving affirmation, then ask. Just be sure you know the way individuals round you’ll act if there’s a hurricane and if there are any accommodation-specific methods to remain secure.
3. Consider Having No WiFi
This will likely sound apparent, however there’s no WiFi if there’s no energy. This implies you’ll lose entry to issues like Google Maps, your banking app, and even simply contact with family and friends again residence. Having a backup plan, like offline maps or the power to only textual content your ISP to improve to a roaming package deal, is important. It’s best to by no means assume that you just’ll have WiFi to remain secure.
Staying Protected on St Lucia Seashores
You’ll be able to by no means be too cautious on the subject of the ocean. There’s at all times a slight danger, and the ocean could be harmful. When staying secure on St Lucia’s seashores, a very powerful factor to know is that the island doesn’t use warning flags. This implies that you could be not be warned if there are areas unsuitable for swimming or with riptides.
Off the again of this, the island’s jap shoreline additionally opens out onto the Atlantic Ocean. This implies waves can get critically uneven, particularly in hurricane season when winds choose up usually.
Not having restricted areas means you should use your frequent sense when deciding the place to swim. And in case you’re uncertain, ask your resort for recommendation or go to a extra protected seaside, like one of many non-public resort seashores with a 24/7 lifeguard.
Want some inspiration? Take a look at the most effective seashores right here.
Climate in St Lucia
Understanding the climate of your vacation spot earlier than departure can actually be a lifesaver. In the event you go to St Lucia in July, you’ll know that it’s hurricane season with a excessive storm danger. Climate issues, as it may well massively impression your journey. Understanding your vacation spot inside out is the true means ahead.
St Lucia has two major seasons: the moist season from June till December and the dry season from December till late Could. Temperatures are additionally fixed at 78-83 levels Fahrenheit. However we’ll take a more in-depth take a look at the seasonal variation month by month.
Spring
That is the preferred time to go to St Lucia and falls into the Spring Break dates. March is the driest month in St Lucia, with April additionally pretty dry and Could beginning to see just a bit extra rain. It’s best to go to throughout this time if you need clear skies for sightseeing and loads of hikes and seaside days.
Summer season
St Lucia just isn’t all people’s cup of tea in summer time, and it’s proper in the course of the June to November hurricane season. July and August have the very best ranges of humidity, with common arduous spells of downpours. That mentioned, costs are decrease, and sights are quieter.
In the event you really feel like an low season vacation, it’s nonetheless worthwhile. You’ll be able to restrict the chance of being impacted by a hurricane with ample analysis beforehand and cancellation insurance coverage. Simply be ready to take just a few taxis on moist days.
Fall
The hurricane season grinds to a gradual halt round November, which suggests fall solely falls into the class of “hurricane danger”. We wouldn’t actually advocate this time of yr. Even when there are not any hurricanes, it falls clearly into the moist season (which runs from June to December), so that you’re taking a look at plenty of wet days.
Winter
December to February is when issues begin to change in St Lucia. You’ll be able to wave goodbye to the hurricane danger and whats up to the transition from moist to dry season. December is prone to nonetheless expertise loads of moist days (a mean of 16), however January drops (a mean of 14 moist days), and February drops even additional (simply 9). You might undoubtedly have enjoyable reserving to go to St Lucia in winter; simply intention for that later window.
5 Ideas To Keep Protected in St Lucia
Staying secure in St Lucia is completely manageable. It’s only a case of doing analysis and taking primary precautions. It’s a secure vacation spot; it simply requires a little bit of pre-departure prep and in-country savviness.
Right here’s our recommendation on the highest 5 methods to remain secure when touring to St Lucia.
1. A Be aware on Money
It’s value noting that credit score and debit playing cards are solely accepted at some retailers, in native taxis, and in some resorts. To keep away from this, we’d recommend at all times carrying {dollars} as unfastened money. This manner, you don’t have to attract out cash anyplace harmful or get into altercations by accident.
Carrying a pockets of money can also be useful when managing the chance of a harmful mugging assault. So many individuals hail the usage of a dummy pockets trick, which simply entails carrying a pretend pockets with fewer {dollars} or non-valuable playing cards in it. Within the occasion of a mugging, you’ll be able to hand over that pockets as an alternative of your actual one – good, proper? You would possibly as nicely use this money to double up as a dummy pockets when touring to St Lucia.
2. Sensible Lodging
It’s value reiterating that the place you might be situated issues. Ensure you’re a secure distance from any tough areas, whether or not you’re in cities or extra rural cities. Doing that analysis earlier than committing to lodging is a recreation changer relating to security. You’ll thank your self later when you’ll be able to stroll hassle-free to the principle sights and facilities.
3. Registered Taxis
We shouldn’t have to emphasise this, but it surely’s so essential that we add it to this listing anyway. Solely ever use registered taxis, that are marked by a light-weight blue quantity plate. Frankly talking, in case you get into an unregistered taxi, no one is aware of who you’re with or the place you’ll find yourself. It isn’t a secure touring apply, so don’t take the chance.
4. Know Your Climate
The numerous danger of this lovely island is the climate. So do your analysis and know the climate danger of the month you’re visiting. This little bit of preparation could make all of the distinction. In the event you sense there’s “one thing within the air,” you’ll be taking the lead in maintaining your self secure.
5. Know the Native Legal guidelines
A lot of staying secure is simply being avenue savvy. However in case you resolve to go to St Lucia, you must also know the native legal guidelines, which require some analysis. You need to be conscious of the restrictions round drug use, the foundations for renting vehicles, and the conservative attitudes in direction of LGBTQ+ relationships. This manner, you’ll be able to hold the police in your aspect.
Tips about St Lucia For Solo Vacationers
Saint Lucia is such an enchanting vacation spot. And in case you don’t consider that straight off the bat, simply take a look at these enjoyable info. There are some things to notice as a solo traveler, although:
You’re extra interesting to criminals finishing up muggings, particularly in case you’re utilizing your cellphone for instructions with no “second pair of eyes”.
There’s no one to fall again on in case you get spiked or drink an excessive amount of.
There’s no one to look at your issues on the seaside or whenever you use bogs.
Mainly, you ought to be conscious which you could be seen as a little bit of a sitting duck. Don’t grow to be bait; be savvy and conscious of what’s round you.
A Be aware For Feminine Solo Vacationers
Any skilled solo feminine traveler is aware of how staying secure works. When touring to Saint Lucia, normal precautions are mandatory. You need to be conscious of strolling alone in quiet areas or neighborhoods infamous for crime, stay vigilant of your environment always, and restrict your consumption of alcohol. You must also at all times keep away from strolling alone at evening.
When touring to Saint Lucia, reserving group excursions and day journeys could be worthwhile, particularly in case you don’t really feel assured managing public transportation solo. Strolling isn’t essentially the most environment friendly means of getting round, leaving you weak to isolation. The information on sexual assault stats are just a little regarding, so it pays to be just a little cautious.
In the event you do your analysis on “unhealthy areas” and stick by the same old solo feminine handbook guidelines, you’ll love this tropical island.
Tips about St Lucia For Households
St Lucia might need a barely spiked crime fee, however as an entire, it’s nonetheless nice for a household vacation. It’s because there’s a strong infrastructure of family-friendly resorts, and even problematic areas are secure within the daytime. A household with younger youngsters isn’t going to be out and about at evening anyway. Therefore, you might be in a wonderful place to discover Saint Lucia safely.
When you have accountable and skilled grownup vacationers, you’ll love visiting Saint Lucia as a household. Simply be cautious of issues like riptides on the seaside (shallow water can nonetheless be deceptively sturdy), select the place your resort is situated rigorously, and keep away from remoted areas or famend city districts at evening.
It could be value sticking to the north aspect of Saint Lucia, the place loads of family-friendly resorts exist.
Visiting St Lucia: FAQs
When planning a safe journey to St Lucia, it’s essential to think about when you’re going, who you’re going with, and what you’re going to do there. All of those elements play an enormous half in how secure your time in Saint Lucia will likely be.
In the event you’re an skilled traveler, you received’t have any points navigating Saint Lucia. Listed here are some fast FAQs to solidify all the security ideas we’ve run over.
General, very secure. Simply be cautious of particular areas like Anse Le Raye (recognized for armed robberies) and take care at evening and in distant areas, the place there’s a heightened danger of assault and theft.
St Lucia is barely extra harmful than Jamaica, with a spiked murder fee of 77.6 % versus Jamaica’s 52.9 % in 2022.
The climate in Saint Lucia from August to October is fairly horrific. That is whenever you get essentially the most rain, and it’s the height of hurricane season, which means there’s a danger of disruption and a severe danger of flash floods.
Completely. Saint Lucia is an excellent place to go to. Its fascinating geographical format affords plenty of actions, like climbing and driving into the world’s solely drive-in volcano.
Is St Lucia Protected? Ultimate Ideas
As you’ll be able to see, Saint Lucia is a rustic with some crime dangers and risks. Whereas there’s a danger of hurricanes and volcanoes, extra extreme occasions are uncommon. At all times choose respected lodging, analysis hurricane season, and take normal journey precautions, and also you’ll have a improbable time. Saint Lucia actually is a good looking nation whenever you go to together with your head firmly screwed on.
That’s all from us; Saint Lucia is one in all our prime suggestions for island holidays within the Caribbean. The rugged volcanic panorama with jutting peaks behind white sand seashores is iconic. And its luxurious lodging scene is equally spectacular. In the event you’d like additional inspiration on touring to Saint Lucia, take a look at our complete information to the greatest issues to do in Saint Lucia – together with the one drive-in volcano on the planet.