Saint Lucia is on the prime of everybody’s dream checklist of Caribbean island getaways. The island is blessed with lovely seashores, fascinating volcanic geography, and spectacular mountain climbing 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 secure? What do you have to count on 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 study security in Saint Lucia. Get able to dive deeply into particular crime charges, pure catastrophe threat, and extra. We might help make Saint Lucia one of many most secure locations you would probably go to.
Is St Lucia Secure?
We all know that not everybody has the posh of limitless time to analysis Saint Lucia. If you would like fast solutions, don’t fear; we’ve received you.
Listed here are the primary issues it’s best to know in regards to 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 secure, with tens of millions of tourists touring to Saint Lucia hassle-free every year.
There are some pure risks in Saint Lucia, together with a hurricane threat 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 clever to know the correct protocols earlier than touring, have enough 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 remember that there’s a severe crime threat, 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 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 conscious of issues like public shows of affection. You must also word that drug offenses carry extreme penalties, typically together with the loss of life penalty. It’s additionally unlawful for anybody to put on camouflage clothes, a rule not even kids are exempt from.
Talking of issues which might be enforceable by legislation, you want a brief driving license to lease a automobile in Saint Lucia. Some rent corporations can acquire this go for you, however it’s good to ask prematurely; in any other case, you’ll must consider an in-person go to to the official Division of Tourism. Fast aspect word: by no means cease for pedestrians flagging down your car, and all the time maintain your doorways locked whereas driving.
St Lucia Crime Charges
Sadly, there’s truly been a spike in Saint Lucia’s crime charges up to now three years, lately 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 security rating falls by half once you stroll in the course of the day versus strolling at evening. that being stated, we felt extremely secure once we had 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 (sarcastically named) Serenity Park and Vieux Fort. That is typical amongst massive cities, and we’d advise you to maintain your wits about you. It’s clever to take a look at the precise crime hotspots of specific locations in Saint Lucia that you simply’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 out a 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.
Hold jewellery and costly objects at house or well-concealed when in Saint Lucia. Regardless of precise occasions of focused vacationers being low on this lovely nation, a superb rule when touring anyplace is “carry it should you’re ready to lose it”. Within the case of a mugging, by no means attempt to battle on 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 drive receives help from the US in its operations and does a superb job of dealing with justice on the island. You may contact the Royal Saint Lucia Police Pressure on 911 and know that they’re the perfect level of contact in a harmful state of affairs.
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 could carry a brief Saint Lucia license if renting and driving a automobile on the island.
Medication, together with marijuana, aren’t authorized in Saint Lucia and carry extreme authorized repercussions, together with the loss of life penalty.
It’s unlawful for anybody to put on camouflaged garments.
LGBTQ+ exercise is presently not authorized, and exhibiting 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 notably true should you’re driving quite than utilizing public transportation.
Pure Disasters in St Lucia
Saint Lucia isn’t resistant to pure disasters, though there’s normally minimal disruption or extreme occasions. Usually talking, these are the three essential dangers:
Volcanic exercise
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
Volcanic exercise and earthquakes are uncommon and fairly exhausting to foretell. Nevertheless, 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 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 potential, although, make sure that to take a look at our subsequent part.
Hurricanes in St Lucia
So, in case you are useless 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’ll be able to count on:
Class 1: Winds of 74-95 mph are harmful and may trigger harm, comparable to harm to powerlines that might trigger outages.
Class 2: Winds of 96-110 mph which might be 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 may trigger catastrophic harm, with most areas uninhabitable for a lot of months. A excessive proportion of homes shall be destroyed with collapsed roofs and partitions.
Staying Secure in St Lucia Hurricanes
So, how do you keep secure on this state of affairs? Nicely, you’ll be able to take some easy steps to maximise your possibilities 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 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 together 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 telephone is your lifeline; it’s a strategy to contact the police or an ambulance and navigate to locations like hospitals (it’s best to have already got discovered the place they’re as a precautionary measure). Carrying or retaining 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 particular 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 know the way folks 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 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 house. Having a backup plan, like offline maps or the flexibility to only textual content your ISP to improve to a roaming bundle, is important. You must by no means assume that you simply’ll have WiFi to remain secure.
Staying Secure on St Lucia Seashores
You may by no means be too cautious with regards to the ocean. There’s all the time a slight threat, and the ocean will 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 japanese shoreline additionally opens out onto the Atlantic Ocean. This implies waves can get severely uneven, particularly in hurricane season when winds choose up usually.
Not having restricted areas means you need to use your widespread sense when deciding the place to swim. And should you’re not sure, ask your lodge 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 perfect seashores right here.
Climate in St Lucia
Realizing 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 could possibly massively impression your journey. Realizing your vacation spot inside out is the true method ahead.
St Lucia has two essential 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 more in-depth 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. You must 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 everyone’s cup of tea in summer season, 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 exhausting spells of downpours. That stated, costs are decrease, and points of interest are quieter.
If you happen to really feel like an low season vacation, it’s nonetheless worthwhile. You may 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 sluggish 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 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 number of wet days.
Winter
December to February is when issues begin to change in St Lucia. You may wave goodbye to the hurricane threat and whats up 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 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 Notice on Money
It’s value noting that credit score and debit playing cards are solely accepted at some outlets, in native taxis, and in some accommodations. 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 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 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 properly 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 concerning security. You’ll thank your self later when you’ll be able to stroll hassle-free to the primary points of interest and facilities.
3. Registered Taxis
We shouldn’t have to emphasise this, however it’s so vital that we add it to this checklist anyway. Solely ever use registered taxis, that are marked by a lightweight blue quantity plate. Frankly talking, should you get into an unregistered taxi, no person 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 danger.
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 retaining your self secure.
5. Know the Native Legal guidelines
A lot of staying secure is simply being avenue savvy. However should you determine to go to St Lucia, you must also know the native legal guidelines, which require some analysis. You have 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’ll be able to maintain the police in your aspect.
Tips about St Lucia For Solo Vacationers
Saint Lucia is such an enchanting vacation spot. And should you don’t imagine that straight off the bat, simply take a look at these enjoyable information. There are some things to notice as a solo traveler, although:
You’re extra interesting to criminals finishing up muggings, particularly should you’re utilizing your telephone for instructions with no “second pair of eyes”.
There’s no person to fall again on should you get spiked or drink an excessive amount of.
There’s no person to observe your issues on the seaside or once you use loos.
Principally, try to be conscious that you would be able to be considered as a little bit of a sitting duck. Don’t turn out to be 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 secure works. When touring to Saint Lucia, commonplace precautions are crucial. You have 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 is likely to be worthwhile, particularly should you don’t really feel assured managing public transportation solo. Strolling isn’t probably the most environment friendly method of getting round, leaving you weak to isolation. The info on sexual assault stats are a bit of regarding, so it pays to be a bit of cautious.
If you happen to do your analysis on “dangerous 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 may 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 kids isn’t going to be out and about at evening anyway. Therefore, you might be 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 lodge is situated rigorously, and keep away from remoted areas or famend city districts at evening.
It is likely to 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 vital to consider when you’re going, who you’re going with, and what you’re going to do there. All of those components play an enormous half in how secure your time in Saint Lucia shall 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 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 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 probably 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 format affords a number of actions, like mountain climbing and driving into the world’s solely drive-in volcano.
Is St Lucia Secure? Ultimate Ideas
As you’ll be able to 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 choose respected lodging, analysis hurricane season, and take commonplace journey precautions, and also you’ll have a incredible time. Saint Lucia actually is a good looking nation once 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. If you happen to’d like additional inspiration on touring to Saint Lucia, take a look at our complete information to the finest issues to do in Saint Lucia – together with the one drive-in volcano on the planet.