Saint Lucia uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, known as the EC dollar and abbreviated as XCD. The currency is shared among eight member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. The exchange rate is fixed to the United States dollar at approximately 2.70 XCD to 1 USD, a peg maintained since 1976. United States dollars are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and tourist-oriented businesses, though change typically comes back in Eastern Caribbean dollars at rates less favorable than official bank rates. The Central Bank of the Eastern Caribbean States issues banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, and 100 EC dollars. Coins circulate in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 25 cents, plus 1 dollar.
ATMs dispense Eastern Caribbean dollars and connect to international networks including Cirrus, Plus, Maestro, and major credit card systems. Machines are concentrated in Castries, Rodney Bay, and Vieux Fort, with fewer options in smaller towns like Soufrière and Gros Islet. Most ATMs impose withdrawal limits between 500 and 1,000 EC dollars per transaction. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, car rental agencies, and established restaurants, with Visa and Mastercard having broader acceptance than American Express or Discover. Businesses in fishing villages such as Anse la Raye and in smaller communities along the eastern coast often operate on a cash-only basis.
Banks operate Monday through Thursday from approximately 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM, with Friday hours sometimes extended to 5:00 PM. Major banks include the Bank of Saint Lucia, First Citizens Bank, and Republic Bank. Currency exchange services are available at banks and at Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort. Hotels exchange currency but typically at rates 5 to 10 percent less favorable than banks.
Saint Lucia requires all visitors to hold a passport valid for the duration of their stay. Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and European Union member states do not require a visa for tourist visits up to six weeks. Extensions beyond six weeks require application to the Immigration Department in Castries. Visitors from countries not on the visa-exempt list must apply for a visa at a Saint Lucia High Commission or through the country's online visa application system. The Ministry of Home Affairs maintains the current visa policy at stlucia.gov.kn under immigration services.
All travelers must complete a pre-arrival registration through the Saint Lucia Travel Registration system, accessible at www.stlucia.org/en/covid-19, though the requirement was initially created for pandemic tracking and may be modified. Proof of onward or return travel is officially required for entry but enforcement varies. Immigration officers may request evidence of accommodation and sufficient funds for the intended stay.
Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort serves as the primary gateway for international flights, located approximately 67 kilometers south of Castries on the island's southeastern tip. George F. L. Charles Airport, formerly known as Vigie Airport, sits immediately north of Castries and handles inter-island flights and smaller aircraft. Airlines connecting Saint Lucia to North America include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Air Canada. Caribbean Airlines, InterCaribbean Airways, and LIAT operate regional connections. Flight time from Miami is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. From Toronto, the flight takes roughly 5 hours.
Hewanorra International Airport has no direct bus service to the main tourism areas or to Castries. Taxis queue outside the arrivals hall operating on government-regulated fixed fares. The fare from Hewanorra to Rodney Bay ranges from 75 to 90 US dollars for up to four passengers. The trip to Castries costs approximately 75 US dollars. To Soufrière, the fare runs 95 to 110 US dollars. The drive to Rodney Bay or Castries takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic and route, following either the winding west coast road or the faster but still mountainous east coast highway.
Shared shuttle vans offer lower per-person rates but require coordination with other arriving passengers. Pre-arranged transfers through hotels or tour operators typically cost 10 to 20 percent more than taxi rank prices but include confirmed pickup. Car rental agencies at Hewanorra include international chains such as Avis, Budget, and Hertz, plus local operators. Rental rates start around 50 to 70 US dollars per day for basic compact vehicles. Saint Lucia requires either a valid international driving permit or a temporary local permit, which costs 21 US dollars and can be purchased at rental agency desks.
George F. L. Charles Airport sits within 3 kilometers of downtown Castries. Taxis to hotels in central Castries or nearby areas charge approximately 20 to 30 US dollars. The airport primarily serves passengers on short inter-island flights, making onward ground connections generally simpler than from Hewanorra.