Saint Lucia is on the prime of everybody’s dream record of Caribbean island getaways. The island is blessed with lovely seashores, fascinating volcanic geography, and spectacular mountaineering trails. It’s no marvel you’re debating a visit; Saint Lucia is one in all our favourite locations, too.
Nevertheless, these planning levels do beg the query: Is Saint Lucia protected? What do you have to anticipate out of your journey by way of crime and pure catastrophe threat? 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 threat, and extra. We may help make Saint Lucia one of many most secure locations you could possibly presumably go to.
Is St Lucia Secure?
We all know that not everybody has the luxurious of limitless time to analysis Saint Lucia. If you would like fast solutions, don’t fear; we’ve obtained you.
Listed here are the primary issues it’s best to know concerning the threat of journey in Saint Lucia:
As an entire, Saint Lucia is without doubt one of the most secure island international locations to go to within the Caribbean. The most important resort areas and most neighborhoods are extremely protected, with tens of millions of holiday makers touring to Saint Lucia hassle-free annually.
There are some pure risks in Saint Lucia, together with a hurricane threat from June till November. The island additionally has the chance of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The prospect 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 satisfactory insurance coverage, and keep away from high-risk occasions, like August till October for hurricane threat.
There are crime incidents in Saint Lucia, particularly at giant occasions just like the Saint Lucia Carnival. Be cautious of petty crimes like bag snatching and pickpocketing in heavy crowds. Nevertheless, additionally bear in mind that there’s a severe crime threat, 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 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 word 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 can be enforceable by legislation, you want a brief driving license to lease a automotive in Saint Lucia. Some rent corporations can receive this go for you, but it surely’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 facet word: by no means cease for pedestrians flagging down your car, 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 prior to now three years, not too long ago scoring a murder rating of 77.6 % in 2022. There’s an general crime rating of 70.24 on Numbeo, which is deemed excessive threat, and the protection rating falls by half once you stroll through the day versus strolling at evening. that being mentioned, we felt extremely protected after we have 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 standard crime, like medicine and armed theft, in locations just like the (mockingly 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 clever to take a look at the particular crime hotspots of specific locations in Saint Lucia that you just’re visiting.
As all the time, 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.
Preserve 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 “carry it when you’re ready to lose it”. Within the case of a mugging, by no means attempt to struggle in your belongings.
Police Power Presence
As an entire, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Power 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 help from the US in its operations and does a very good job of dealing with justice on the island. You possibly can contact the Royal Saint Lucia Police Power 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 will need to carry a brief Saint Lucia license if renting and driving a automotive on the island.
Medicine, 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 presently not authorized, and exhibiting affection in public is probably harmful.
The police are efficient in Saint Lucia, so don’t get on the flawed facet of them both! That is significantly true when you’re driving fairly 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. Usually talking, these are the three principal dangers:
Volcanic exercise
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
Volcanic exercise and earthquakes are uncommon and fairly arduous to foretell. Nevertheless, you may 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 not often really harmful hurricanes in Saint Lucia. Nonetheless, flash flooding, journey disruption, and injury are an actual threat. In a super 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 doable, although, be sure to take a look at our subsequent part.
Hurricanes in St Lucia
So, in case you are lifeless set on holidaying in Saint Lucia between June and November, right here’s what it’s good 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 menace.
Right here’s the rating system you may anticipate:
Class 1: Winds of 74-95 mph are harmful and may trigger injury, akin to injury to powerlines that might trigger outages.
Class 2: Winds of 96-110 mph which can be very harmful and can trigger injury, like all powerlines destroyed and energy out for weeks.
Class 3: Winds of 112-129 mph that trigger devastating influence with electrical energy and water entry broken for weeks.
Class 4: Winds of 130-156 mph that trigger catastrophic injury and a few areas to be uninhabitable for a lot of months. There could also be injury to some homes.
Class 5: Winds of 157 mph that may trigger catastrophic injury, with most areas uninhabitable for a lot of months. A excessive proportion 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? Nicely, you may 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 essentially the most extreme finish of the dimensions. However you have 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 along with your itinerary. Cancellation insurance coverage is all the time 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 telephone 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 an effective way to guard your self in case of an outage.
2. Know Your Resort or Lodging’s Emergency Insurance policies
Does your lodge or lodging have a selected procedures plan? In the event that they don’t inform you 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. Consider Having No WiFi
This may increasingly 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 flexibility to simply textual content your ISP to improve to a roaming bundle, 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 possibly can by no means be too cautious relating to the ocean. There’s all the time a slight threat, and the ocean could be harmful. When staying protected on St Lucia’s seashores, an important 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 significantly uneven, particularly in hurricane season when winds decide up usually.
Not having restricted areas means you should use your widespread sense when deciding the place to swim. And when you’re uncertain, ask your lodge for recommendation or go to a extra protected seashore, like one of many personal resort seashores with a 24/7 lifeguard.
Want some inspiration? Take a look at the perfect seashores right here.
Climate in St Lucia
Understanding the climate of your vacation spot earlier than departure can actually be a lifesaver. If you happen to go to St Lucia in July, you’ll know that it’s hurricane season with a excessive storm threat. Climate issues, as it might massively influence your journey. Understanding your vacation spot inside out is the true manner ahead.
St Lucia has two principal 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 have 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 is best to go to throughout this time if you’d like clear skies for sightseeing and loads of hikes and seashore days.
Summer time
St Lucia just isn’t everyone’s cup of tea in summer time, and it’s proper in the midst 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.
If you happen to really feel like an low season vacation, it’s nonetheless worthwhile. You possibly can restrict the chance of being impacted by a hurricane with satisfactory analysis beforehand and cancellation insurance coverage. Simply be ready to take a number of taxis on moist days.
Fall
The hurricane season grinds to a gradual halt round November, which suggests fall totally falls into the class of “hurricane threat”. We wouldn’t actually advocate this time of 12 months. Even when there aren’t 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 possibly can wave goodbye to the hurricane threat and hey 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 may positively have enjoyable reserving to go to St Lucia in winter; simply goal 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 primary 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 Word 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 all the time carrying {dollars} as unfastened money. This fashion, you don’t have to attract out cash anyplace harmful or get into altercations unintentionally.
Carrying a pockets of money can also be useful when managing the chance of a harmful mugging assault. So many individuals hail using a dummy pockets trick, which simply entails carrying a faux pockets with fewer {dollars} or non-valuable playing cards in it. Within the occasion of a mugging, you may 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’re positioned issues. Be sure you’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 may stroll hassle-free to the primary sights and facilities.
3. Registered Taxis
We shouldn’t have to emphasise this, but it surely’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 observe, so don’t take the chance.
4. Know Your Climate
The numerous threat of this lovely island is the climate. So do your analysis and know the climate threat of the month you’re visiting. This little bit of preparation could make all of the distinction. If you happen to 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 must also know the native legal guidelines, which require some analysis. You ought to be conscious of the restrictions round drug use, the foundations for renting automobiles, and the conservative attitudes in direction of LGBTQ+ relationships. This fashion, you may hold the police in your facet.
Recommendations on St Lucia For Solo Vacationers
Saint Lucia is such an interesting 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 might be extra interesting to criminals finishing up muggings, particularly when you’re utilizing your telephone 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 observe your issues on the seashore or once you use loos.
Principally, you have to be conscious that you could be considered as a little bit of a sitting duck. Don’t turn into bait; be savvy and conscious of what’s round you.
A Word For Feminine Solo Vacationers
Any skilled solo feminine traveler is aware of how staying protected works. When touring to Saint Lucia, normal precautions are crucial. You ought 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 all the time keep away from strolling alone at evening.
When touring to Saint Lucia, reserving group excursions and day journeys could be worthwhile, particularly when you don’t really feel assured managing public transportation solo. Strolling isn’t essentially the most environment friendly manner of getting round, leaving you susceptible to isolation. The information on sexual assault stats are slightly regarding, so it pays to be slightly cautious.
If you happen to do your analysis on “unhealthy areas” and stick by the same old solo feminine handbook guidelines, you’ll love this tropical island.
Recommendations on St Lucia For Households
St Lucia may need a barely spiked crime fee, however as an entire, it’s nonetheless nice for a household vacation. It is because there’s a strong 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.
You probably have accountable and skilled grownup vacationers, you’ll love visiting Saint Lucia as a household. Simply be cautious of issues like riptides on the seashore (shallow water can nonetheless be deceptively robust), select the place your lodge is positioned fastidiously, and keep away from remoted areas or famend city districts at evening.
It could be value sticking to the north facet 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.
If you happen to’re an skilled traveler, you received’t have any points navigating Saint Lucia. Listed here are some fast FAQs to solidify all the security suggestions we’ve run over.
General, very protected. 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 threat 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 once you get essentially the most rain, and it’s the height of hurricane season, that means there’s a threat of disruption and a severe threat of flash floods.
Completely. Saint Lucia is a superb place to go to. Its fascinating geographical structure provides a lot of actions, like mountaineering and driving into the world’s solely drive-in volcano.
Is St Lucia Secure? Last Ideas
As you may see, Saint Lucia is a rustic with some crime dangers and risks. Whereas there’s a threat of hurricanes and volcanoes, extra extreme occasions are uncommon. All the time decide respected lodging, analysis hurricane season, and take normal journey precautions, and also you’ll have a incredible time. Saint Lucia actually is a wonderful nation once you go to along 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. If you happen to’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 this planet.