Saint Lucia is on the prime of everybody’s dream record of Caribbean island getaways. The island is blessed with stunning seashores, fascinating volcanic geography, and spectacular mountain climbing trails. It’s no marvel you’re debating a visit; Saint Lucia is one in every of our favourite locations, too.
Nevertheless, these planning levels do beg the query: Is Saint Lucia protected? What must you count on out of your journey by way of crime and pure catastrophe danger? As an entire, we’d let you know to train regular precautions, however that’s straightforward sufficient to say. What precisely are “regular” precautions anyway?
On this information, we’ll study security in Saint Lucia. Get able to dive deeply into particular crime charges, pure catastrophe danger, and extra. We may also help make Saint Lucia one of many most secure locations you could possibly probably go to.
Is St Lucia Secure?
We all know that not everybody has the luxurious of limitless time to analysis Saint Lucia. If you’d like fast solutions, don’t fear; we’ve bought you.
Listed here are the primary issues it’s best to know in regards to the danger of journey in Saint Lucia:
As an entire, Saint Lucia is among the most secure island international locations to go to within the Caribbean. The main resort areas and most neighborhoods are extremely protected, with thousands and thousands of tourists touring to Saint Lucia hassle-free every year.
There are some pure risks in Saint Lucia, together with a hurricane danger from June till November. The island additionally has the danger of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The prospect of a extreme catastrophe occurring is low however can’t be dominated out. It’s sensible to know the right protocols earlier than touring, have enough insurance coverage, and keep away from high-risk instances, 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. Nevertheless, additionally remember that there’s a severe crime danger, together with armed theft. These are fortunately rare incidents sometimes occurring in distant areas or after darkish.
There are some strict cultural variations, enforceable by legislation. The primary factor to notice could 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 aware of issues like public shows of affection. You also needs to observe that drug offenses carry extreme penalties, typically together with the dying penalty. It’s additionally unlawful for anybody to put on camouflage clothes, a rule not even kids are exempt from.
Talking of issues which are enforceable by legislation, you want a short lived driving license to hire a automotive in Saint Lucia. Some rent corporations can acquire this go for you, nevertheless it’s good to ask upfront; in any other case, you’ll should consider an in-person go to to the official Division of Tourism. Fast aspect observe: by no means cease for pedestrians flagging down your automobile, and all the time hold your doorways locked whereas driving.
St Lucia Crime Charges
Sadly, there’s really been a spike in Saint Lucia’s crime charges previously three years, lately scoring a murder rating of 77.6 p.c in 2022. There’s an total crime rating of 70.24 on Numbeo, which is deemed excessive danger, and the security rating falls by half once you stroll throughout the day versus strolling at evening. that being stated, we felt extremely protected once we have been visiting the island.
As a normal 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 large cities, and we’d advise you to maintain your wits about you. It’s sensible to take a look at the precise crime hotspots of explicit locations in Saint Lucia that you just’re visiting.
As all the time, take further care or just keep away from touring after darkish. Solo evening walks on seashores and drunken rides in taxis with no pre-agreed fare are all recipes for catastrophe. Equally, take further care within the daytime when main occasions just like the Saint Lucia Carnival are going down.
Maintain jewellery and costly gadgets at dwelling or well-concealed when in Saint Lucia. Regardless of precise occasions of focused vacationers being low on this stunning nation, an excellent rule when touring wherever is “convey it when you’re ready to lose it”. Within the case of a mugging, by no means attempt to battle to your belongings.
Police Pressure Presence
As an entire, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Pressure 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. Nevertheless, the police pressure receives assist from the US in its operations and does an excellent job of dealing with justice on the island. You’ll be able to contact the Royal Saint Lucia Police Pressure on 911 and know that they’re the perfect level of contact in a harmful scenario.
Nevertheless, we advocate reviewing the foundations and cultural variations in Saint Lucia earlier than touring. These are the next legal guidelines it’s best to know:
You need to carry a short lived Saint Lucia license if renting and driving a automotive on the island.
Medication, together with marijuana, aren’t authorized in Saint Lucia and carry extreme authorized repercussions, together with the dying penalty.
It’s unlawful for anybody to put on camouflaged garments.
LGBTQ+ exercise is at present not authorized, and exhibiting affection in public is doubtlessly harmful.
The police are efficient in Saint Lucia, so don’t get on the mistaken aspect of them both! That is notably true when you’re driving somewhat than utilizing public transportation.
Pure Disasters in St Lucia
Saint Lucia isn’t proof against pure disasters, though there’s normally minimal disruption or extreme occasions. Usually talking, these are the three most important dangers:
Volcanic exercise
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
Volcanic exercise and earthquakes are uncommon and fairly exhausting to foretell. Nevertheless, you possibly can subscribe to alerts when touring to Saint Lucia, which can promptly notify you of updates and emergency programs of motion. It’s one thing to be aware 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 really harmful hurricanes in Saint Lucia. Nonetheless, flash flooding, journey disruption, and harm are an actual danger. In a really perfect world, it’s best to keep away from this era, particularly from August till October, when hurricanes are at a peak.
If that isn’t potential, although, be sure that 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 might 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 possibly can count on:
Class 1: Winds of 74-95 mph are harmful and may trigger harm, resembling 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 share of homes can be destroyed with collapsed roofs and partitions.
Staying Secure in St Lucia Hurricanes
So, how do you keep protected on this state of affairs? Effectively, you possibly can 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.
Almost all hurricanes impacting Saint Lucia are in class 1 or 2, so that you shouldn’t expertise probably the most extreme finish of the dimensions. However try 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 sudden prices and to be versatile along with your itinerary. Cancellation insurance coverage is all the time a useful card to have up your sleeve!
Listed here are some further recommendation for you.
1. Carry a Charged Powerbank
A charged energy financial institution is crucial for energy cuts. Your cellphone is your lifeline; it’s a technique to contact the police or an ambulance and navigate to locations like hospitals (it’s best to have already got realized the place they’re as a precautionary measure). Carrying or protecting an influence financial institution charged is a good way to guard your self in case of an outage.
2. Know Your Resort or Lodging’s Emergency Insurance policies
Does your resort or lodging have a selected procedures plan? In the event that they don’t let you know once you arrive or once you get your reserving affirmation, then ask. Just be sure you understand how individuals round you’ll act if there’s a hurricane and if there are any accommodation-specific methods to remain protected.
3. Think about Having No WiFi
This will 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 dwelling. Having a backup plan, like offline maps or the power to only textual content your ISP to improve to a roaming package deal, is significant. It is best to by no means assume that you just’ll have WiFi to remain protected.
Staying Secure on St Lucia Seashores
You’ll be able to by no means be too cautious in relation to the ocean. There’s all the time a slight danger, and the ocean will be harmful. When staying protected 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 typically.
Not having restricted areas means you should use your frequent sense when deciding the place to swim. And when you’re not sure, 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? Try the perfect seashores right here.
Climate in St Lucia
Figuring out the climate of your vacation spot earlier than departure can actually be a lifesaver. Should you go to St Lucia in July, you’ll know that it’s hurricane season with a excessive storm danger. Climate issues, as it might probably vastly impression your journey. Figuring out your vacation spot inside out is the actual manner ahead.
St Lucia has two most important seasons: the moist season from June till December and the dry season from December till late Might. Temperatures are additionally fixed at 78-83 levels Fahrenheit. However we’ll take a better have a look at the seasonal variation month by month.
Spring
That is the most well-liked 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 Might beginning to see just a bit extra rain. It is best to go to throughout this time if you would like clear skies for sightseeing and loads of hikes and seaside days.
Summer time
St Lucia just isn’t all people’s cup of tea in summer season, and it’s proper in the midst of the June to November hurricane season. July and August have the best ranges of humidity, with common exhausting spells of downpours. That stated, costs are decrease, and sights are quieter.
Should you really feel like an low season vacation, it’s nonetheless worthwhile. You’ll be able to restrict the danger of being impacted by a hurricane with enough 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 implies fall solely falls into the class of “hurricane danger”. We wouldn’t actually advocate this time of 12 months. 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 a lot 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 good day to the transition from moist to dry season. December is prone to nonetheless expertise loads of moist days (a median of 16), however January drops (a median of 14 moist days), and February drops even additional (simply 9). You would undoubtedly have enjoyable reserving to go to St Lucia in winter; simply purpose for that later window.
5 Ideas To Keep Secure in St Lucia
Staying protected in St Lucia is completely manageable. It’s only a case of doing analysis and taking fundamental precautions. It’s a protected 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 protected when touring to St Lucia.
1. A Notice on Money
It’s price noting that credit score and debit playing cards are solely accepted at some retailers, in native taxis, and in some inns. To keep away from this, we’d counsel all the time carrying {dollars} as free money. This manner, you don’t have to attract out cash wherever harmful or get into altercations by chance.
Carrying a pockets of money can also be useful when managing the danger of a harmful mugging assault. So many individuals hail using a dummy pockets trick, which simply includes carrying a faux pockets with fewer {dollars} or non-valuable playing cards in it. Within the occasion of a mugging, you possibly can hand over that pockets as an alternative of your actual one – good, proper? You may as effectively use this money to double up as a dummy pockets when touring to St Lucia.
2. Sensible Lodging
It’s price reiterating that the place you’re situated issues. Be sure to’re a protected 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 sport changer relating to security. You’ll thank your self later when you possibly can stroll hassle-free to the primary sights and facilities.
3. Registered Taxis
We shouldn’t have to emphasise this, nevertheless it’s so vital that we add it to this record anyway. Solely ever use registered taxis, that are marked by a light-weight blue quantity plate. Frankly talking, when 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 protected touring follow, so don’t take the danger.
4. Know Your Climate
The numerous danger of this stunning 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. Should you sense there’s “one thing within the air,” you’ll be taking the lead in protecting your self protected.
5. Know the Native Legal guidelines
A lot of staying protected is simply being road savvy. However when you resolve to go to St Lucia, you also needs to know the native legal guidelines, which require some analysis. You ought to be aware of the restrictions round drug use, the foundations for renting automobiles, and the conservative attitudes in direction of LGBTQ+ relationships. This manner, you possibly can hold the police in your aspect.
Recommendations on St Lucia For Solo Vacationers
Saint Lucia is such a captivating vacation spot. And when you don’t imagine that straight off the bat, simply try these enjoyable info. There are some things to notice as a solo traveler, although:
You’re extra interesting to criminals finishing up muggings, particularly when you’re utilizing your cellphone for instructions with no “second pair of eyes”.
There’s no one to fall again on when you get spiked or drink an excessive amount of.
There’s no one to look at your issues on the seaside or once you use bogs.
Mainly, try to be conscious which you could be seen as a little bit of a sitting duck. Don’t turn into bait; be savvy and conscious of what’s round you.
A Notice For Feminine Solo Vacationers
Any skilled solo feminine traveler is aware of how staying protected works. When touring to Saint Lucia, normal precautions are essential. You ought to be aware of strolling alone in quiet areas or neighborhoods infamous for crime, stay vigilant of your environment always, and restrict your consumption of alcohol. You also needs to all the time keep away from strolling alone at evening.
When touring to Saint Lucia, reserving group excursions and day journeys may be worthwhile, particularly when you don’t really feel assured managing public transportation solo. Strolling isn’t probably the most environment friendly manner 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.
Should you do your analysis on “unhealthy areas” and stick by the standard solo feminine handbook guidelines, you’ll love this tropical island.
Recommendations on 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 stable infrastructure of family-friendly resorts, and even problematic areas are protected within the daytime. A household with younger kids isn’t going to be out and about at evening anyway. Therefore, you’re in a superb place to discover Saint Lucia safely.
When you’ve got 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 fastidiously, and keep away from remoted areas or famend city districts at evening.
It may be price 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 vital to consider 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 protected your time in Saint Lucia can be.
Should 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.
Total, very protected. Simply be cautious of particular areas like Anse Le Raye (identified 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 p.c versus Jamaica’s 52.9 p.c in 2022.
The climate in Saint Lucia from August to October is fairly horrific. That is once you get probably the most rain, and it’s the height of hurricane season, that means there’s a danger of disruption and a severe danger of flash floods.
Completely. Saint Lucia is a superb place to go to. Its fascinating geographical format gives a lot of actions, like mountain climbing and driving into the world’s solely drive-in volcano.
Is St Lucia Secure? Closing Ideas
As you possibly can 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 incredible time. Saint Lucia actually is a gorgeous nation once you go to along with your head firmly screwed on.
That’s all from us; Saint Lucia is one in every of 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. Should you’d like additional inspiration on touring to Saint Lucia, try our complete information to the greatest issues to do in Saint Lucia – together with the one drive-in volcano on the earth.