Antigua and Barbuda, nicknamed the Land of 365 Beaches,is a sovereign statein the Americas and British Commonwealth. For example, you shouldnt leave your belongings unattended on the beach whilst you go for a swim and you shouldnt leave your bag on a table whilst you use the restroom. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. How Safe is Saint Lucia to Visit? (2023 Guide) - The Broke Backpacker To be able to drive in Saint Lucia, first of all, you will need to purchase a Temporary Driving License; you can buy these at the car rental company you plan to use and costs $22 USD. Other slayings in May have frightened citizens. The U.S. Department of State warns against traveling to troubled spots like Spanish Town and parts of Montego Bay or Kingston, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To stay safe, you should always opt for hot meals cooked thoroughly and avoid raw fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. To get a sense of what the city is like, take a look at the below video. I never felt unsafe and never felt like I was being followed or targeted. 11 years ago Save We went on a Cruise in February where we stopped in St. Lucia as one of the ports. To be honest, public transportation in Saint Lucia isnt that developed. Is Castries St Lucia Safe In 2023? All You Need To Know Stick to the main tourist spots and you should be fine. It seems paradise comes at a price! Page 10. US firearms are also smuggled into the country. When it comes to safety,pay attention to the weather, not just in terms of hurricane season and downpours, but the sun. Be aware, however, that they are not metered. In 2018, the homicide rate in Jamaica was 47 per 100,000 residents and that number increased more than 3 percent in 2019. was three times higher than the rest of Central and South America and the Caribbean, but 70 percent of all crime is linked to the drug trade. An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! They will usually try to sell you souvenirs or tours. It wont be down to the wire cutting edge info on the most current events, but it is layered in the expertise of veteran travellers. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter. The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has been criticized for its low murder clearance rate, and public complaints have been made about the absence or reduction of on-duty officers. Its also essential to have an emergency plan and be prepared for any catastrophe. Generally, Saint Lucia is fairly safe, but lets get into the details. The non-emergency line for the police headquarters is 758-452-2595. The Cost of Crime. To protect yourself while visiting St. Lucia, paying attention to your environment and taking the necessary steps to avoid becoming a victim of crime is critical. St. Lucia has several medical centers that provide excellent healthcare services if you become unwell during your stay. the victims are shocked. I am just wondering if they will be safe along with the rest of us? Sid Lipsey The Caribbean's Most Dangerous Cruise Stops Will Surprise You Sid Lipsey October 8, 2015 at 3:30 AM Cruise ships docked in the Bahamas, one of the most popular and, some say,. Theres a lot of nightlife you can get involved with in Saint Lucia, and the nature is always beautiful to explore from the rainforests of the interior, to the beaches. Youll get a local guide who will show you around all of the citys best attractions and keep you safe. The government of St. Lucia apologized for an attack on three gay men visiting the island. Most crime occurs after dark so dont walk around Castries alone late at night. Its probably a good idea to be a digital nomad, already employed by somebody on the island, or otherwise remote working. Top 10 Most Dangerous Cruise Destinations in the World Additionally, staying hydrated during the journey and getting enough sleep are essential for sustaining good health. January 25, 2021, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Another way to get around is a water taxi. 1. It's also a popular destination for cruise ships and a favorite with honeymooning couples. Still, its one of the safest and most relaxed areas in Saint Lucia. Saint Lucia is one of the Caribbean island paradises that is becoming increasingly popular with independent travellers. Murders often go unsolved. The most extensive database on organized crime in the Americas. Speaking of hazards, when driving be careful at night time; in fact, its best not to drive after dark as a lot of the roads are unlit and there are hazards that you will be unable to see. This British territory in the Leeward Islands is considered to be one of the safest Caribbean destinations, its biggest threat being the active Soufrire Hills volcano and hurricanes that roll in between June and November. Combine this with pristine beaches, a laid back lifestyle, plenty of rum, street parties and Creole culture and cuisine and we have Saint Lucia a destination thats so much more than just all inclusive resorts. In this article, well look at the crime rate in St. Lucia and its comparison to other Caribbean nations. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Have you ever been to St. Lucia? Posted in Crime Two German passengers from a the AidaPerla were reportedly attacked in a botched robbery in Castries, St Lucia yesterday morning, according to a local newspaper in St Lucia. Savor the Flavors of Our Island with this St. Lucia Spiced Rum Recipe, Is St. Lucia Safe? Furthermore, well discuss the likely risks of natural disasters and advise when is the best time to visit St. Lucia to avoid them. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. St Lucia has other types of creepy crawlies too like mosquitos, spiders and tarantulas but they dont really pose much of a safety risk (theyre just a bit annoying really). What factors affect the market for synthetic drugs in Latin America? But when it does. Worryingly, the murder rate in St Lucia has hit an all time high recently. And yes, we have a functioning real police force . One man is in custody in connection with the incident, police said. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). The President of the Gros Islet Vendors Association Nehemiah Charles said the report he received indicated that five young men . SLHTA Official Says Crime A 'Clear And Present Danger' To Tourism - St It ranked lowest among all Barbados nations in sexual assaults, shootings, and residential burglaries, too. The Caribbean has seen a few high-profile incidents in its day, prompting the U.S. State Department to tack travel advisories onto quite a few of its islands. Tips on Saint Lucia Warnings or Dangers - Stay Safe! - SmarterTravel Additionally, having an emergency plan set up during this period can help you prepare for whatever comes your way. Is Saint Lucia safe for solo female travellers? Please support our mission investigating organized crime. Most people left them alone after they said no. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. All rights reserved. Firstly, St Lucia is in the hurricane belt meaning tropical storms and hurricanes can hit the island . Whilst this is all well and good, sometimes whats been sitting around in a metal tray all morning wont be as good for you as, say, a freshly cooked plate of Creole cuisine from outside your resort compound. November 3, 2022 DONATE TO SUPPORT OUR WORK - Advertisement - Former Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee has expressed concern over the spike in crime in Saint Lucia, declaring that criminal activity is spiralling out of control. What to Know Before You Visit, 2020 Travel Warnings for Countries in Africa, Guide to Which Islands 21 Caribbean Cruise Lines Visit. You may be approached and asked for money but a polite no usually does the trick. There was a nice beach/park about a 1 mile walk near airport landing strip. While St. Lucia is not known for its high crime rate, its best to stay alert and follow safety measures for your protection. We have several proper ports, including one if the safest hurricane holes in the entire Caribbean, Castries Harbor which is a major shipping and cruise port, etc. Some travelers, like the one below, said they had visited St Lucia 25 times and had never encountered any issues at all. Its fine to walk around Castries in the daytime but its essential that you keep your wits about you and avoid flashing valuables. Having a plan in case of emergencies and avoiding the hurricane season are also ways to ensure a safe trip. That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we dont believe are up to scratch. TheBritish Virgin Islands(BVI) consist of Tortola (the largest and most inhabited island), Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, andmore than 50 smaller islands and cays. St.Barts St.Barts St. Barts is short for Saint Barthlemy. They are ideal for storing important things like credit cards, IDs and a bit of cash. Enjoy your travels! One visitor even said they were told by a police officer to leave the area as they were being targeted and escorted them back to safety. The most common form of crime against tourists is pickpocketing and occasionally mugging. While St. Lucia is not as prone to earthquakes, they can still happen, so its best to be prepared. 15 reviews. It is pretty safe to drive in Saint Lucia; you can do it and it is pretty fun to do so, but unless you have the necessary experience or you love driving, we would recommend sticking to taxis. 9 Popular Tourist Destinations With Surprisingly High Murder Rates Kelsey Blodget February 1, 2016 Andr Gustavo Stumpf, Flickr When planning a trip abroad, safety is a primary concern for many -- especially with the terrorist attacks in Jakarta, Istanbul, and Paris making headlines of late. 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In response, the Ministry of Tourism has collaborated with the Royal Saint Lucia Police to put in place a system of security at hotels, with regular checks and safeguarding measures put in place to help protect tourists from the threat of crime. Always stick to the main tourist areas like Rodney Bay and youll never see a snake. Hurricanes are a massive threat to locals and tourists alike. Safest Caribbean Islands and Ones To Avoid - SailingEurope If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. The majority of the killings in St. Lucia are committed with firearms. 5), Jamaica (no. You should also avoid dimly lit areas in the day and evening time. The hurricane season peaks in August/September and there are active volcanoes on the island. Answer 1 of 8: Researching for a trip to St. Lucia and came across some posts about crime against tourists? This has made it an ideal destination for travelers who value safety and security during their vacation. ST. LUCIA TIMES is a news website owned by the public relations company Big Feat Media. With that in mind, insider knowledge is key. Exercise normal precautions in Saint Lucia. However, this makes the South a little bit more remote and therefore more peaceful and relaxed. The frequency of crime in St Lucia has the potential to have a significant negative impact on the tourism industry and as such, the study concludes by making a number of recommendations that are based on the research findings, as well as what is currently being prescribed by other Caribbean countries. Your sailor friend is wildly mistaken. Police are investigating a stabbing on Dauphin Street, Gros Islet, on Friday night that led to the hospitalisation of a Canadian tourist. document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Is Saint Lucia Safe for Travel? Youre left with either using local taxis or trying out the recent addition to the private transport scene in Saint Lucia: PayCab. "Very troubling, very worrying, and very concerning," Senator Noorani Azeez declared on the sidelines of a Senate meeting on Tuesday . More of a vacation destination than somewhere thats famous for being a liveable expat haven, Saint Lucia is in fact a pretty safe place for people to be living. The country recorded 25 killings during the first five months of this year and a record 74 homicides in 2021. St. Lucia, situated in the Caribbean Sea, is susceptible to severe hurricanes, tropical storms, and earthquakes due to its location in a seismic zone. Saint Lucia may seem like a scary place from what we have already said, but in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. St. lucia crime rate??? - St. Lucia Forum - Tripadvisor Our aim is to provide Saint . Your only option is a bus minibuses, to be exact. Avoid going into unfamiliar residential areas and stay on the main streets that are patrolled by local police officers. Key words: tourism crime However, that natural world is offset by human problems like a high unemployment rate and not enough jobs to go around. Dont go all in! If you want to increase your safety during your stay, read on for our insider travel tips. This Caribbean island is definitely known as a couples getaway and family holiday destination. Note that you have to be over the age of 25 years in order to rent a car, and have at least 3 years worth of driving experience under your belt. Going at lunchtime will mean a high turnover of customers, a hot grill, and things being freshly cooked. While hotels and resorts are pretty expensive, you also get plenty of guesthouse and homestay options. Visit Felly Belly in Rodney Bay, St. Lucia. This places it among fellow Caribbean nations Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica in the top five countries with the highest homicide rates in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2021. All in all, St. Lucia is considered a secure travel spot. However, there are some things that you should keep in mind when you are visiting to make sure that you have the as safe a trip to Saint Lucia as possible. My guide was absolutely fantastic he told me so many interesting things about the city and took me to all of its hidden gems. Bull sharks have never been spotted in St Lucia so this isnt a concern at all. Unfortunately, not all places in Saint Lucia are safe. In the Caribbean, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados have seen gun violence and homicides increase in the past years. Hence, regular preparation and safety protocols must be followed to protect against these natural disasters. The record 74 murders recorded last year in St. Lucia means the country had a homicide rate of 40 per 100,000 people. But with the proper precautions, you can still have an enjoyable and healthy trip to the island. About a week before, the body of 54-year-old Mary Gimie was discovered outside her home in the western town of Soufrire. It began in Antigua in 2018 and helps people earn a second income. This could make you more of a target. When visiting St. Lucia, travelers should be aware of the health and medical safety risks. We know the food is amazingly tasty here, but the spiciness of it all, coupled with the probably extreme change in diet with eating food youre not used to, can do crazy things to your stomach. Tourists are more at risk of petty crimes and pickpocketing than anything. Stick to those and you wont have a single issue in Saint Lucia. Its a bit of a no-brainer, but if an area or a street looks like tourists dont belong here, you should probably stay away too. In November 2021, Anthony wrote in a Facebook post that the town of Vieux Fort had virtually become a war zone., SEE ALSO: Jamaica Hatches New Plan to Seize Illegal Guns as Murders Soar. Crime rates are frequently high in tourist hotspots, particularly at late hours, so caution needs to be taken when traveling through such areas. However, it can be done and it is safe to Saint Lucia travel alone. PDF TOURISM AND CRIME IN THE CARIBBEAN - Arizona State University Be wary of sellers offering you things as a gift and then asking for a donation. That doesnt mean that all is good here. Its generally pretty easy to get around if you know what youre doing. To maintain your health, its essential to steer clear of eating at street vendors or restaurants that do not follow proper hygiene standards. Crime in St. Lucia - St. Lucia Forum - Tripadvisor Tourism and Crime in the Caribbean: A case study of St Lucia The tourists were at their villa in Soufriere, St. Lucia, on March 3 when five masked and armed men burst in and robbed them of 5,000 East Caribbean dollars (about $1,870) and personal items, according to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.