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FAQs
What is the population?
The population of St Lucia is estimated at 150,000.
How big is the country/island?
St Lucia is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, for a total of 238 sq miles.
Can I drink the tap water?
Tap water is safe to drink.
What are the best things to buy here?
Duty-free items include designer resort wear, leather goods and accessories, jewellery and gemstones, watches, cosmetics, perfumes, crystal, china, electronics, liquor, cigarettes and cigars.
For souvenirs with local flavour look for shell necklaces, stamps, carved wooden sculptures, paintings by local artists, hot sauces and seasonings, handwoven straw items, dolls, batik and screen-printed clothing, jewellery and local perfumes.
Local crafts, produce and fresh seafood are available at the century-old Castries Market.
What are the main industries?
The main industries are tourism, agriculture (coconuts and bananas), light manufacturing (clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes) and lime processing.
What native dishes should I try?
Traditional dishes include callaloo soup (made from a leafy green similar to spinach), pepperpot stew (a stew of squash, okra, aubergine, spinach, pumpkin, pork, beef, casareep and grated cassava), green figs and salt fish, flying fish, lambi (conch, pronounced konk), accras (fried codfish balls in a piquant sauce), Caribbean lobster, scampi, pumpkin, breadfruit and groundnut soups, pumpkin soufflé, tablette (a sweetmeat made of coconut), poile dudon (a chicken dish), jerk chicken, curried goat and fresh fruit, such as guavas, mangoes, passion fruit, papayas, pineapples and soursops.
Can I use my calling card from here?
Directory assistance:
Operator assistance, 0
Directory enquiries, 411
AT&T: Service is available from pay phones and/or select hotels for calls to the US only using AT&T Calling Cards, AT&T Corporate Cards, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. Dial 1-800-872-2881 + area code + local number and follow the voice prompts. Pay phones may require a local coin payment for the duration of the call.
You can also dial 1-800 CALL USA or 1-800-225-5872 to use US calling cards and major credit cards.
BT: Dial 1-800-744-1144, input your account number and PIN, then dial the number you require.
Canada Direct: Dial 1-800-744-2580 for direct access to a Canadian operator. Service is available on public pay phones only and can be used with calling cards from Bell, MTS, Aliant, SaskTel and Telus.
MCI MinutePass: no service available
Sprint: Dial 1-800-277-7468 and follow the voice prompts.
For more information see the section in General Info: Telecommunications.
How should I dress to go out?
Dress in St Lucia is casual. Still, it is unacceptable to wear bathing suits, short shorts and short tank tops in public, and men should wear shirts in public. Lightweight, cotton clothing is suitable. Casually elegant is appropriate for evenings out. You may want to bring a light sweater/jacket for evenings.
Can I use my hair dryer and electric shaver?
Electricity is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC, which is the European standard. Some hotels also have 110 volts, 60 cycles.
How much should I tip?
Tip wait staff, bell hops, taxi drivers and other service providers about 10-15%. Some hotels and restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge to your bill. It is not necessary to leave more unless you feel the service was above average.
| Disclaimer:
Information is provided as a service to visitors and is updated regularly. All information should be verified prior to travel.
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