The private hospital Tapiou in the capital Castries has an emergency room and can organize an emergency flight to Martinique (10 minutes flight time) if necessary. The treatment costs are high. It is recommended to take out travel health insurance and travel repatriation insurance. Check findjobdescriptions for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers who intend to enter within six days of staying in the infected areas designated by the WHO and who are over 9 months old. Excluded are travelers who have not left the transit area in the infected areas and transit travelers who do not leave the airport in St. Lucia. [2] Typhoid fever can occur. Typhoid vaccination is recommended for backpacking and long-term stays. [3] Drinking water is chlorinated and may cause mild stomach upset. During the first days of vacation you should drink bottled water, which is available everywhere. When purchasing bottled water, care should be taken that the original packaging has not been opened. Travelers should pay attention to hygiene measures before consuming fruit, vegetables and meat as well as fish and seafood.
Other risks
The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci, poliomyelitis and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. Chikungunya fever, also transmitted by mosquitoes, occurs nationwide. Mosquito repellent is required. Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, occurs nationwide. An effective insect repellent is recommended. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. HIV/AIDS is widespread and a great danger for everyone who takes the risk of infection: Unprotected sexual contacts, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain and conjunctivitis. The infection often goes unnoticed or only has mild symptoms. The isolated deaths documented so far were mainly related to other pre-existing conditions. The Federal Foreign Office advises pregnant women against non-essential travel to areas with current Zika outbreaks because the virus is suspected of causing microcephaly in the unborn child. There is neither a vaccination nor a medicinal prophylaxis.
Money
Currency
1 East Caribbean Dollar = 100 cents. Currency code: EC$, XCD (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of EC$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5; Coins in circulation: 1 EC$ and 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere. The East Caribbean Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar.
Credit cards
American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club and Visa are accepted in all major shopping malls, restaurants, hotels etc. You can withdraw cash from ATMs in most banks using a credit or debit card. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Girocard The Girocard (formerly EC card) with the Maestro symbol is accepted in St. Lucia. It can be used at the few ATMs with the Maestro symbol. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are hardly available in Austria. Travelers checks can be cashed at banks and bureaux de change in a few major towns in St. Lucia. Travelers checks in US dollars are recommended.
Bank opening hours
Usually Mon-Thu 08.00-15.00 and Fri 08.00-17.00. Some are also open on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
