St. Lucia is an island for the tourist who prefers to spend their holiday on activities such as hiking. There are numerous trails of which some have a perfect 360 degrees view on the entire island, truly breathtaking sights. Apart from the wonders, this island has to offer there are some risks and hazards that visitors should beware of.

Traveling info

In order to enter the island, most nationals will require a visa. Visitors from certain nations will be exempt from this requirement however they all must present a valid passport and return or continuation ticket. (List of nations exempt from visas in sources). Visitors who choose to drive must obtain a temporary driving permit. Such document is valid for 3 months and can be obtained at either the airport, most car rentals and any police station in the country for a price of roughly 20 (USD). When renting a car, the visitor must be at least 25 years of age. St. Lucia used the left-hand side of the road for driving.

Travel hazards

Roads in St. Lucia are in the decent condition being well paved and well marked in cities however they do tend to be poorly marked in the rural areas. Some rural roads can be also very steep and narrow. There are few guardrails at dangerous drop-off, this means that extreme caution is advised when driving at night outside of the city. Beware that public communication is operated by a private company using minibusses that operate mainly during weekends and during the daytime. These are rarely available during the night. Taxis are widely available however tourists are vulnerable to being overcharged for a fare.

Environmental hazards

St. Lucia has one poisonous snake know to be dangerous for humans. Fer de lance or spearhead snake is the only venomous snake on the island known to be capable of killing a human. Although fatal cases are rare, small children or the elderly would be in much more trouble when bit than an adult man or woman. Mosquitoes are a serious problem in St. Lucia especially since the reports of Zika virus. Pregnant women should reconsider travel or exercise increased caution and protection against bug bites. Waters are generally safe, the only dangers are sea urchins that might be accidentally stepped on or a lionfish that’s becoming more and more widespread in the Caribbean. This fish can sting with its spinal spikes sticking out around its body. Such sting may cause temporary paralysis which may be deadly when in either deep or shallow water. It is advised not to swim after dusk as sharks are most active at that time and although shark attacks are very rare they are still a possibility.
Just like all of the Caribbean, this island experiences the cyclone season. During that time tropical cyclones may occur and damage the island’s infrastructure.

Health hazards

All nationals visiting the island from the countries with a risk of yellow fever must provide proof of a yellow fever vaccine upon entry. (list of risk countries in sources). There are several other vaccines that are recommended but not required. and these include the routine vaccines, Hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies vaccine. Healthcare is on a decent level and will cope with most difficulties however in case of a serious emergency medical evacuation may be required. Make sure to have health insurance that will cover the cost of treatment as these can be very expensive also it is very important to make sure that the insurance covers medical evacuation as these reach extreme prices.
In case of an emergency dial 911.

Crime

Serious crime is rare on the island and even more rarely affects tourists, US travel advisory rates the island as safe petty crime however still does happen and it does affect tourists. Pickpocketing, theft or scams are committed just like anywhere else in the world. To avoid being pickpocketed it is advised to wear a money belt which is the best way to safely carry money. Avoiding wearing flashy jewelry can also prevent attracting unwanted attention. Leaving bags unattended may result in theft. Drug laws on the island state that possession of any kind of drugs is punishable.

Summary

St. Lucia is generally a safe island preferred by the active tourists who choose hiking over sunbathing. Many beautiful nature parks and botanical gardens make it a perfect place for such activities. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa countries)
http://archive.stlucia.gov.lc/faq/do_i_need_a_visa_to_enter_saint_lucia.htm
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/saint-lucia
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291