Best time to travel to Saint Lucia

Location

Climate

Saint Lucia, a paradise island in the Caribbean, is the ideal destination for a sunny, relaxing vacation.

The climate in Saint Lucia: when is the best time to go?

Saint Lucia enjoys a warm tropical climate all year round. However, there are two distinct seasons:

• The dry seasonDecember to May is the most pleasant time to visit the island, with average temperatures around 28°C and relatively low humidity. Rainfall is rare and the sun shines generously, providing ideal conditions for enjoying the beaches and water sports.
• The rainy seasonThe summer season, from June to November, is characterized by more frequent showers and slightly higher temperatures, around 30°C. It should be noted that this period also coincides with the region's hurricane season, although Saint Lucia is generally spared the most destructive cyclonic phenomena.

So.., the ideal time to visit Saint Lucia is between December and May. However, if you don't mind a few showers and want to avoid the tourist crowds, the rainy season can also be an interesting option.

Major cultural events not to be missed

Saint Lucia is an island rich in traditions and cultural events. Here are a few must-see events to consider when planning your stay:

• Saint Lucia Carnival Caribbean: usually held in June or July, this colorful event celebrates Caribbean culture and music with costume parades, dance performances and open-air concerts.
• Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival Jazz: every year in May, this international festival brings together artists from all over the world for jazz concerts, artistic performances and contemporary art exhibitions.
• Rose and Daisy Festival This traditional celebration takes place in October and consists of a parade of floral floats and folk groups representing the two rival societies, La Rose and La Marguerite.
• Festival of Lights In December, the capital Castries lights up to celebrate the approach of the festive season, with music and dance performances and a night market.

It's a good idea to organize your trip to Saint Lucia around one of these cultural events, to make the most of the island's festive and friendly atmosphere.

Public holidays in Saint Lucia: when are they and how can you avoid them?

As in all countries, certain dates are marked by public holidays, which can have an impact on the opening of shops and tourist sites. Here is a list of the main public holidays in Saint Lucia:

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Independence Day (February 22)
• Good Friday and Easter Monday (dates vary from year to year)
• Labour Day (first Monday in May)
• Queen's Day (second Monday in June)
• International Day of the World's Indigenous People (August 9)
• National Day (December 13)
• Christmas and Boxing Day (December 25 and 26)

To avoid the inconvenience of public holidays, we recommend that you check the calendar carefully before booking your stay, and plan your activities accordingly.

Low and high season in Saint Lucia

Tourist numbers in Saint Lucia vary according to the season:

• High season The summer season runs from December to April, with a peak during the Christmas and February vacations. Accommodation prices are generally higher during this period, and it's advisable to book in advance to get the best rates.
• Low season It runs from May to November, corresponding to the rainy season. It is also during this period that the risk of hurricanes is highest, although relatively low in Saint Lucia compared to other islands in the region. Accommodation prices are lower and beaches less crowded, which can be appreciated if you're looking for a quiet break.

Saint Lucia is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, thanks to its paradisiacal beaches, lush nature and rich cultural heritage.

Most popular visas in Saint Lucia

Foreign nationals wishing to visit Saint Lucia must obtain a visa, the category of which will depend on the length and purpose of the intended stay. Among the most popular visas for Saint Lucia are :

• Visitor's visa This is the most common visa, issued for short-term stays (up to three months) for tourist, family or business purposes.
• Work visa St. Lucia visa: this visa is required for foreign nationals wishing to work in St. Lucia, whether as employees or self-employed.
• Student visa For foreign students wishing to pursue higher education in Saint Lucia, this visa is generally valid for the duration of the study program.
• Permanent residence visa It allows foreigners to settle permanently in Saint Lucia, provided they meet certain conditions, notably in terms of investment and economic contribution to the country.

It is important to note that nationals of certain countries are exempt from visa requirements for short-term stays in Saint Lucia, including those from the Schengen area, the UK, Canada and the USA.

Key figures on immigration to Saint Lucia

Statistics on immigration to Saint Lucia provide a better understanding of migration flows and the profiles of people who choose to settle in this Caribbean country. Here are some key figures:

• About 40 % of immigrants to Saint Lucia are from other Caribbean countriesmainly from Dominica Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica. Other immigrants come mainly from Africa, Asia and Europe.
• The immigrant population represents around 6 % of Saint Lucia's total population.
• The industries that employ the most immigrants in Saint Lucia are tourism, construction and agriculture.
• On average, immigrants have a higher level of education than the local population, with a higher proportion of tertiary graduates.

International tourism figures for Saint Lucia

The tourism sector is a mainstay of Saint Lucia's economy, welcoming hundreds of thousands of international visitors every year. Here are some facts about tourism in Saint Lucia:

• In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Saint Lucia recorded nearly 422,000 international tourist arrivalsThis represents an increase of 7 % compared with 2018.
• The main outbound markets for tourists to Saint Lucia are the United States (around 45 % of arrivals), the United Kingdom (18 %) and the United States. Canada (13 %).
• The average length of stay for tourists in Saint Lucia is 7 days.
• About 60 % of international tourists stay in hotelsOther types of accommodation, such as vacation apartments, villas and guesthouses, account for 40 % of overnight stays.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism in Saint Lucia

As in many other countries, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the tourism sector in Saint Lucia. Travel restrictions and border closures led to a drastic drop in international arrivals in 2020.

• International tourist arrivals fell by 70 % in 2020 compared with 2019from 422,000 to around 126,000 visitors.
• Tourism revenues also fell, by an estimated 60 % between 2019 and 2020.
• The government of Saint Lucia has put in place several measures to support the tourism sector during the pandemic, including financial aid for businesses, training for workers in the sector and targeted promotional campaigns to encourage bookings.

Although the situation remains uncertain due to the evolution of the pandemic, the outlook for tourism in Saint Lucia is positive overall, with a gradual recovery expected over the next few years. The country is continuing to invest in the development of its tourism offering, and is counting on the diversification of its outbound markets to attract more international visitors.