Saint Lucia Travel Safety
Travel Safety in Saint Lucia
General travel safety in Saint Lucia on a scale of 1 to 4 — where 1 is safe and 4 is dangerous. Data compiled on the basis of Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs.
Country
Saint Lucia
Updates
Updated: 13 Mar 2024 • Still current at: 25 Mar 2024
Status
LEVEL 1 - Exercise normal safety precautions
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour. Monitor the media and other sources for changes to local travelling conditions, safety and security concerns. Laws and social customs could differ significantly. You could face terrorist attacks, civil unrest, violent crime, or unique health threats - but overall, the risks are not great.
Safety and Security Tips
Precautions
Avoid showing signs of affluence, carry minimal sums of money and leave your passport and other valuables in your hotel safe. Avoid unpopulated areas and unpatrolled beaches, especially after dark, and avoid staying in hotels or villas in isolated areas, which may have inadequate security. Check with local authorities to determine which beaches are safe. Avoid the districts of Marchand, Broglie, St. Grass, St. Leslie Land, and Wilton Yard, located off of Chausee Road which have high rates of crime.
Road safety
Roads are narrow and steep, with few guardrails. Do not pick up hitchhikers. Roadside assistance is not widely available.
Public transportation
Taxis are available at airports and resort areas. Confirm fares before departing. Regular minibus services are fast and inexpensive.
Women's safety
Saint Lucia is generally safe, women travelling alone should maintain personal security awareness. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Women, particularly foreigners may be subject to unwanted male attention and catcalls in certain places. Be vigilant if approached by strangers seeking assistance and exercise increased caution throughout your travel.
Crime
Petty crime occurs and increases with the approach of annual festivities, such as the jazz festival in May, carnival celebrations in July and during the winter holiday season. Muggings have occurred in areas frequented by tourists.
Update 1 November 2020Emergency Calls
- Police911 or 999
- Fire911 or 999
- Ambulance911 or 999
Local Law and Culture
LGBT
The laws of Saint Lucia prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. LGBT travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Saint Lucia.
Illegal drugs
Drug trafficking is a serious offence. Pack all of your baggages yourself and do not carry items that do not belong to you. Possession of illegal drugs, including marijuana, could lead to a large fine or imprisonment.
Driving
An International Driving Permit is required. Traffic drives on the left. There are strict laws concerning the use of seat belts and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Update 1 November 2020Vaccinations and Medications
A doctor's consultation is required prior to any vaccinations being administered. This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Please contact your doctor for complete information on this subject.
Stay Healthy and Safe
Act in advance of to prevent. Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least 4-8 weeks before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need.
All travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Saint Lucia.
Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Reduce your exposure to germs
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.
It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.
The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.
Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.
The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Keep away from animals
Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements
Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥1 year of age.
We have made every effort to ensure that the information presented reliably reflects the general safety situation in a given place. However, the data is provided for informational purposes only and we do not take responsibility for any damages or losses resulting from incorrect risk assessment. Before each trip, we recommend checking the current situation in the country of destination on the websites of the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
