Wondering whether St Lucia is a US Virgin Island? You’ve come to the right place!
St Lucia is not a US Virgin Island, but an island state part of the British Commonwealth. But, I’ve found these islands share many similarities during my time visiting both.
This article will cover what St Lucia’s known for, it’s location, currency, and more important travel tips to help you plan your next trip!
So, read on to learn everything you need to know about St Lucia.
What is St Lucia known for?
St Lucia is known for its breathtaking natural attractions, rich Caribbean culture, and adventurous tourist activities.
Whether it’s touring a cocoa plantation or exploring an active volcano, you won’t struggle finding something fun to do in St Lucia.
Similar to the US Virgin Islands, St Lucia has upscale resorts, great seafood restaurants, and picturesque Caribbean beaches.
The major difference between St Lucia and the US Virgin Islands is that St Lucia has more adventurous activities because of its diverse landscape.
Is St Lucia a US Virgin Island?
Is St Lucia a US Virgin Island?
No, St Lucia is not a US Virgin Island but rather an island state that’s part of the British Commonwealth.
St Lucia achieved independence in 1979, and has been a federated state in the British Commonwealth since 1967.
After reading this article, see our post on St Lucia vs St Thomas for more information on how St Lucia differs from the most popular US Virgin Island!
Is St Lucia a US Virgin Island?
What are the US Virgin Islands?
The US Virgin Islands (USVI) are an unincorporated territory within the United States.
They make up 50 islands in total, with three main islands (St. Croix, St. John, & St Thomas).
Although they’re considered a US territory, they retain a local government so they don’t follow every federal law in the United States.
For example, the legal drinking age in the USVI is 18 years old, whereas the legal drinking age in the US is 21.
Is St Lucia a US Virgin Island?
Is St Lucia a British Virgin Island?
No, St Lucia is not a British Virgin Island, but an independent state within the British Commonwealth.
The British Virgin Islands are located just east of Puerto Rico, whereas St Lucia is located northwest of Barbados.
Similar to the USVI, the British Virgin Islands consists of 50 islands, with four main islands (Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, & Jost Van Dyke).
Is St Lucia a US Virgin Island?
Is St Lucia French or British?
Despite St Lucia being a former British colony, its culture and languages are heavily influenced by the French till this day.
In fact, Saint Lucian French Creole is spoken by 95% of the population!
What’s the legal drinking age in St Lucia?
The legal drinking age in St Lucia is 16 years old.
However, the legal drinking age at most resorts is 18 years old.
The drinking laws are generally more relaxed in St Lucia than the US Virgin Islands and other countries.
Do you need a passport to visit St Lucia?
Yes, you need a passport to visit St Lucia.
If traveling from the United States, you’ll need an up to date passport that’s valid for six months after your travel date.
Is St Lucia safe for tourists?
St Lucia is generally a very safe destination for travelers. As with any other travel destination, it’s important to follow safety precautions.
These are some important safety tips to consider while in St Lucia.
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Conceal your cash and belongings
- Avoid isolated areas
- Don’t walk alone at night
- Read about the areas you visit
What should you pack for St Lucia?
St Lucia is full of outdoor adventures so it’s important to pack the right gear!
These are some important things you’ll want to pack during your trip.
- Water Shoes
- Bug Spray
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Snorkeling Gear
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuits
- Sunglasses
- Sun Hats
For more helpful packing tips, check out the St Lucian packing guide for women.
What should you wear in St Lucia?
You should wear lightweight and breathable clothing in St Lucia, since it has a warm tropical climate year round.
Most people in St Lucia wear shorts, skirts, shirts, and beachwear. For shoes, sandals or flip flops are great options.
However, you’ll want to pack comfortable shoes for walking and hiking if you plan on doing outdoor adventures on your trip!
What is the best currency to use in St Lucia?
What is the best currency to use in St Lucia?
The best currency to use in St Lucia is their local currency, the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$).
If you don’t have EC Dollars on hand, there are easy ways to convert your currency. However, US Dollars, Euro Dollars, and British Pounds are widely accepted.
Since the US Dollar is fixed to the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, US Dollars are accepted nearly everywhere throughout the island.
Keep in mind that you’ll often receive cash back in Eastern Caribbean Dollars if you pay with US Dollars. Because of this, you may want to keep some of their currency on hand.
What is the best currency to use in St Lucia?
What is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar?
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) is St Lucia’s official currency. It’s the most common form of currency used amongst locals, and one Eastern Caribbean Dollar is worth 0.37 US Dollars.
Eastern Caribbean Dollars are also the official currency of the following eight islands.
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Montserrat
- Saint Kitts
- Nevis
- Saint Vincent
What is the best currency to use in St Lucia?
Where can you exchange currency in St Lucia?
You can get Eastern Caribbean Dollars from banks, ATMs, and most hotels and acommodations in St Lucia.
When arriving in St Lucia, you can convert your foreign currency to the Eastern Caribbean Dollar at an ATM.
A good tip when converting currency to Eastern Caribbean Dollars is to keep enough foreign currency for large purchases, and use EC Dollars for small purchases.
This will help to avoid receiving large amounts of change in EC Dollars.
Does St Lucia accept US dollars?
Yes, St Lucia widely accepts US dollars since Eastern Caribbean Dollars were fixed to the US Dollar in 1976.
What is the best currency to use in St Lucia?
Are credit and debit cards accepted in St Lucia?
Yes, credit and debit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and large stores in St Lucia. However, local stores and small vendors often do not.
It’s a good idea to keep enough St cash for taxis, small stores, street food vendors, and tourist activities.
What is the best currency to use in St Lucia?
How do you tip in St Lucia?
Tipping in St Lucia is optional, but it is a local standard to tip around 10 to 15%, reflecting the quality of service you received.
A good amount to tip for taxis and restaurant service is between 10 and 12%.
The best currency to use for tipping in St Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar.
Is St Lucia expensive?
The cost of living in St Lucia is relatively low compared to the United States and United Kingdom.
When it comes to visiting, it can be expensive depending on where you stay and the activities you choose.
St Lucia has upscale resorts and restaurants, and many tourist activities that ramp up prices.
But St Lucia has plenty of cheap accommodations, budget-friendly eats, and free activities if you’re traveling on a budget.
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