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. Unfortunately, its not safe to visit many cities around the world if youre a tourist so I spent a lot of time figuring out if it was safe to visit Castries. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. PDF TOURISM AND CRIME IN THE CARIBBEAN - Arizona State University Only one in five killings were cleared in 2020, according to the Central Statistical Office of St. Lucia. Even with the levels of crime, St Lucia, for the most part, is safe for visitors. That being said, most theft against tourists is low-key including pickpocketing or taking something that has been left unattended. These are rare and can easily be avoided by visiting outside of the hurricane season which runs from June until November each year. 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. However, by some accounts, it seems as though some car rental agencies are accepting International Driving Licenses. Traffickers draw on local gangs to receive and protect drug shipments. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers. On May 23, Catharine Charles, 56, was found dead inside her home in Laborie, a village on the countrys southern coast. A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic booooring. Tropical islands of paradise! There were a few people who reported they were approached by locals who asked them for money. St Lucia is 'a safe place to go' - The Telegraph Most of them are friendly enough and will leave you alone if you ask them to. I did research the city extensively beforehand so I knew what I was getting into and I discovered that the crime rate against tourists is very low so its safe to walk around by yourself. The Caribbean's Most Dangerous Cruise Stops Will Surprise You - Yahoo Whilst sharks arent a concern, unfortunately jellyfish are. This has made it an ideal destination for travelers who value safety and security during their vacation. Hurricane season runs from June to November and can batter this part of the Caribbean; if you are heading to Saint Lucia at this time of year, you should pay attention to the local news and follow international advice. I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpackers. A video of Blanchards killing showed him sitting by the side of the road with another man on the night of May 28, when a gunman walked up to them and shot Blanchard several times. 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. Catherine Morris. Its worth noting though that this statistic refers to St Lucia as a whole (not just Castries) and tourists arent really being targeted. They will usually leave you alone when they realize that youre not interested. Be wary of sellers offering you things as a gift and then asking for a donation. Overall Castries is perfectly safe to visit if youre a tourist. We have never felt unsafe on any of our trips. In addition to reporting the incident to the police . Another thing to note is the necessity of protecting against mosquito bites. 5), Jamaica (no. Travel to the Caribbean: A Reopening Timeline, Country by Country, U.S. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). The Caribbean islands have some pretty tasty food on offer and Saint Lucian cuisine is no different. Crime in St. Lucia - St. Lucia Forum - Tripadvisor They are ideal for storing important things like credit cards, IDs and a bit of cash. St. Lucia, situated in the Caribbean Sea, is susceptible to severe hurricanes, tropical storms, and earthquakes due to its location in a seismic zone. TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. St Lucia, as a whole, is also perfectly safe to visit. Violent crime against tourists isnt unheard of and neither is petty theft. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Have you ever been to St. Lucia? St. Lucia is not alone in the region in its struggles with rising violence. You can prevent most instances by keeping your valuables out of sight. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The island dates back to British and French rule in the 18th century. If you want to increase your safety during your stay, read on for our insider travel tips. By Jim Walker on September 29, 2015 Posted in Caribbean Islands, Crime The St. Lucia Times reports today that, according to the the Saint Lucia Vendors Association, crime is escalating to the point that cruise lines may consider dropping Saint Lucia from their itinerary. If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. All rights reserved. If security and peace of mind are a priority for your next vacation, Holidaying in St. Lucia is a great choice. Can anyone shed some light on issues with the island and crime? Rodney Bay, or Rodney Bay Village is a little paradise spot in the North of Saint Lucia. He is also a dedicated father and husband. The U.S. Department of State lists the dual-island country as a Level 1, meaning to exercise normal precautions. Having a plan in case of emergencies and avoiding the hurricane season are also ways to ensure a safe trip. Is Castries St Lucia Safe In 2023? All You Need To Know Sometimes you might have to ask them a few times to leave you alone. One man is in custody in connection with the incident, police said. St Lucia is a friendly and welcoming eastern Caribbean country, home to the world's only drive-in volcano (which is thankfully dormant) and an annual jazz festival held each year in May. St Lucias jellyfish are not the type that can fatally wound you (thankfully) but they could give you an unpleasant sting if youre not careful so watch out for them. Pickpocketing is the most common crime against tourists (as it is in most cities around the world). Dont add to the worlds plastic problem and instead bring a refillable water bottle, where you can fill up at your hotel or accommodation as much as you want; they may even have filtered water, too. In the Caribbean, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados have seen gun violence and homicides increase in the past years. That doesnt mean that its an unsafe place to visit; plenty of people come here, have a blast, and then leave without any trouble whatsoever. We decided to walk because most, if not all, of the taxi drivers were as high as a kite. There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. St Lucia: A Small Island With A Big Problem With Violent Crime Leave them in the hotel room or keep them concealed when walking around. Luckily, volcanic eruptions dont just happen suddenly. Hotspots for crimes against yachtspeople in St Lucia Crime definitely does still exist in the city and Ill get into it more later in the post. Gang violence is the main cause for the increase in murders meaning most deaths occur to locals involved in the gangs and not tourists. It is also known for its unique cuisine, exciting sports and adventure activities. Other slayings in May have frightened citizens. I read through tons of forums beforehand to figure out where to avoid and I also asked my local guide to confirm where I should avoid. Fine art from an iPhone? The attackers used an anti-gay slur and threatened to kill the men, said Baker, according to the report. US firearms are also smuggled into the country. Aside from one incident in which two people were murdered within 24 hours in 2017, Bonaire doesn't have much major crime. Safest Caribbean Islands and Ones To Avoid - SailingEurope However, that natural world is offset by human problems like a high unemployment rate and not enough jobs to go around. Women should be particularly careful. As long as youre aware of the potential health risks and take the necessary precautions, you can still have a great time in St. Lucia, despite some health concerns. Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. 12 years ago Save Heading to St. Lucia next weekend and will be staying in a villa. The most common form of crime against tourists is pickpocketing and occasionally mugging. 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After visiting for myself, I can say that Castries is definitely safe for tourists but there are a few things to be aware of. Were not saying this to scare you, just to let you know that Saint Lucia isnt a playground: its a real place with its own issues. There is plenty of nightlife in Saint Lucia, but unfortunately none targeted towards the LGBTQ+ community. 3), El Salvador (No. Between the pandemic, ever-worsening cultural division, and a click-hungry media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism. The Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) has expressed concern over the impact of crime, asserting that it was a 'clear and present danger' to tourism. Its really. Although it can be a bit irritating being approached all the time, it isnt much of a safety concern. Saint Lucia is one of the Caribbean island paradises that is becoming increasingly popular with independent travellers. SafetyWing is convenient, cheap, and trouble-free Insurance was never this easy! Emergency medical services are available around the island to help ensure your safety and peace of mind. Though you will notice pedestrians standing at the side of the road trying to get a lift (travelling by hitchhiking is fairly common in Saint Lucia), its not a good idea for you a tourist to be picking up passengers. St Lucias economy relies heavily on tourism and most locals know that so they dont want to do anything that might put tourists off from visiting. The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola withthe country of Haiti. If possible, avoid it completely or opt to go out with a big group. Saint Lucia may not be the best destination in the world for solo female travellers. The majority of the killings in St. Lucia are committed with firearms. You should also avoid dimly lit areas in the day and evening time. However, times have changed a little bit. Stick with the busy tourist areas or get yourself a guide. Besides the occasional theft, which is a concern for any tourist-popular region, St. Barts doesn't have much crime. To stay safe from pickpocketing and other forms of theft, its best to remain vigilant and mindful of your surroundings, especially in busy or touristic locations. Some dishes to try: accra(fried fish, usually salted cod, served with greens), green fig salad (like a potato salad, but with boiled green bananas in place of potatoes), the national dish of green figs and salted fish (unripe bananas and preserved fish), French-influenced bouyon(a red bean soup with meat and vegetables), and cocoa tea and bakes (breadfruit served with chicken or fish).

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