Exposing Paradise, Living Like a Lucian

The ecstasy you feel as the water caresses your skin, the soft sand squishing between your toes, the cool mist spraying from the waterfalls, and never-ending, heart-stopping adventures, this is what paradise is made of. This is the vision I was carrying with me as I ran towards my friend with open arms ecstatic to be back in the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia once again.

Unfortunately, my elation was quickly crushed as my naivety became my new reality for my week in St. Lucia. Beneath all of the glitter and glimmer of island life and the luxury boutique hotels in St. Lucia, there lies some untold truths.

Quick Facts

Before we dig beneath the surface to expose the realities of living in paradise, here are some quick facts you need to know:

• St. Lucia is part of the commonwealth
• Gained independence in 1979
• The island is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide
• Population is 182,790
• Average annual salary is XCD $75,874 ($28,022 US)
• Currency is Eastern Caribbean Dollars (or EC Dollars)
• Primary language is English with some Creole (also referred to as Patwa, which is very similar to French). This language remains prominent among the older generation.
• Capital city is Castries
• Main source of revenue is tourism and banana production
• St. Lucia is a popular honeymoon destination

Just One Tip: Be aware that when using public washrooms in downtown Castries, there is a fee for toilet paper

Is St. Lucia a Safe Destination for Female Solo Travellers?

The answer to this question totally depends on the comfort zone of the solo traveller. My first solo trip to St. Lucia was in 2010. Being a newbie to solo travel, I was completely naïve, and quite frankly, very surprised to learn the downside to this beautiful Caribbean Island.

Despite feeling uncomfortable, I have returned to St. Lucia three more times by myself. I’ve stayed at friends, in resorts, and I’ve rented a property.

In order to travel to St. Lucia safely as a solo female traveller, I have the following recommendations:

• stay at a resort rather than booking an independent stay
• use a tour company or a trusted tour guide
• remain in tourist areas and don’t wander into unknown territory
• listen to your gut instincts. They usually aren’t wrong
• learn a little self defense for solo travellers
• don’t explore the island alone after dark

Transportation and Driving in St. Lucia

The island is extremely hilly, and I’m not talking rolling hills. The roads are like a roller coaster, and yes, if you are prone to car sickness, it will happen. Driving in St. Lucia is completely opposite to North America. They drive on the other side of the road and car than we do. I avoid driving in St. Lucia at all costs and take the bus or a taxi wherever I need to go.

The buses are minivans and are a reliable form of transportation which will take you from any part of the island to the main downtown hub in Castries. There are multiple bus stops scattered throughout the island, as this is the main means of transportation for the locals.

There are very few, if any, rules of the road in St. Lucia which makes driving extremely treacherous, and some would even say dangerous.

Solo Traveler Safety in Developing Countries

Housing and Infrastructure

At first glance it appears that the housing in St. Lucia is very similar to our homes in North America. Unfortunately this is not so for the majority of the islands residents. There is no planning when it comes to the development of the residential areas. If there is a vacant piece of land, a home will be built which makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to service. My friend’s home, as well as most other homes, was built high up on a hill which did provide a front row seat while watching the sun sink into the ocean every night, but that is where the magic ended. There are no roads that lead to the majority of these homes which means climbing an endless amount of hills for egress and ingress. There are no street lights or other form of lighting system, which makes it difficult and dangerous to maneuver throughout the evening hours.

I was dismayed to learn that the island does not have a very sophisticated water management system, and in many areas, no water management system at all. Many of the home owners are left to fend for themselves to create their own form of waste management system. Many of the homes have installed rubber or plastic tubing and the waste is often left to flow freely. I learned this the hard way, by stepping in it and going for a joy ride the rest of the way down the hill. Care should be taken especially with small children, as waste often accumulates along the water’s edge which has been known to cause various diseases.

Heating is another North American luxury that the island does without, which left me with the privilege of bathing in freezing cold water. The wealthier folk have installed solar panels to warm their bath water, but I was not fortunate to bath in warm water during this particular visit.

JUST ONE TIP: School supplies are difficult to come by for the locals. When visiting, bring pencils, pencils crayons, note books, erasers, etc. and drop them off at one of the local schools or give them to a worker at your resort who provided exemplary service

Education

While it is necessary for some children to drop out of school at an early age to help support their families, many visitors have the incorrect perception that the residents of St. Lucia are undereducated. In St. Lucia, it is mandatory that all children attend school from the ages of 5 to 15, with a large number of children continuing their studies in university. St. Lucia does has one university, but the majority of students opt to leave the island in pursuit of their post-secondary education. Students of all ages are required to wear uniforms, including those students attending pre-school.

Crime and Safety

Even though St. Lucia has a relatively low crime rate, it is not uncommon to see the police patrolling certain areas in a mass amount of numbers, especially in Castries. The police officers will be people you see walking around wearing army fatigues and carrying rifles.

Just One Tip: I had a police escort to the public washroom in downtown Castries. Stay in the tourist area!

When visiting the capital city of Castries, it is prudent that you stay within the tourist area, as it doesn’t take much to wonder into forbidden territory. In particular, avoid visiting the area of Morne du Don, just outside of Castries. You guessed it correctly, this is the area I stayed when visiting my friend. I was unable to wander, or even leave the house without protection. The people in this area do not take kindly to tourists, especially white tourists. Whenever leaving the house on my own, my friend arranged to have a policeman escort me to my destination. Not all visitors will be afforded this luxury, so wander with extreme caution.

JUST ONE UPDATE: Since 2021, there has been an uprise in crime, including murder, sexual assault and armed robbery, which are mostly gang related. If you stay in the tourists areas, you’ll be fine.

People

The Lucian’s are extremely hard working people, often working 6 day weeks, 12 hour days, under difficult working conditions, and for very little money. Despite this, they are extremely happy people that know how to let loose and have fun. Join in their Friday night “jump ups” to see for yourself….a true Lucian experience.

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Know Before You Go

When is the Best Time to Visit St. Lucia

St. Lucia is beautiful at any time of the year, however, it’s important to remember that it is a Caribbean Island. The best time to visit the beautiful Caribbean Island of St. Lucia is between November and February when the temperatures tender to be a bit “cooler”.

March, April, October, and November are the best months if you want to avoid the large amount of tourists, however, this is also known as the rainy season.

Hurricane season is known to be during the months of August, September, and October.

Is St. Lucia Expensive

The short answer is yes. It’s very expensive. When visiting St. Lucia, you can expect to pay from $350.00 per night to over $1,000.00 a night. There are no ” budget” resorts to be found on this island.

Lucian Food to Try

The National food of St. Lucia is green fig and salt fish. Green fig is made by boiling raw bananas and then paired with salt cured boiled or flaked cod.

Things to Do in St. Lucia

St. Lucia offers the adventure enthusiast with a plethora of activities to keep busy for a week. With so many options, it will be difficult to choose. These are my personal recommendations:

• take a tour and climb the world famous Gros of Petite Piton. A guide is not necessary, however, the hike is difficult and at points can be treacherous. A local guide is highly recommended.
• visit an active volcano
• take a mud bath at Sulphur Springs
• ziplining in Dennery
• visit Pigeon Island National Park
• Friday Night Jump Up in Gros Islet is a must
• book a snorkelling tour
• spend time on the beach

Living Like a Local in Beautiful St. Lucia

I won’t say that my time living among the locals was all sugar and spice and everything nice. I faced multiple challenges and experienced more racism than I would have liked, but it did teach me not to take my own lifestyle for granted.

Despite some of the difficulties that I experienced along the way, I have absolutely no regrets. There is no better way to experience the true culture and lifestyle of your destination than to live among the locals and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

SAFE TRAVELS 🙂

PIN TO VISIT ST. LUCIA