English is the official language, but St Lucian Creole is widely spoken.
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The unit of currency in Saint Lucia is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), which is tied to the U.S. Dollar. The EC$ is divided into 100 cents. U.S.$ are also accepted and ensure a better exchange rate. ATMs are available in Castries, Rodney Bay, Soufriere and Vieux Fort. Banks are open Monday to Friday. Major credit cards are accepted at all major hotels, shops and restaurants. Most hotels will exchange foreign currency, and there are change bureaus in Castries.
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The international access code for St Lucia is +1 758. The The outgoing code is not needed for calls to Canada and the U.S. City/area codes are not in use. Pay phones accept coins and pre-paid card phones, available at shops throughout the island. AT&T calling cards can be used for cheaper international calls. Mobile phone operators provide good GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 network coverage of the island. Email and Internet access is available at Internet cafes throughout the island.
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A service charge is not automatically added to bills and about 10 percent of the bill is expected. Taxi drivers, porters and chambermaids also expect to receive tips.
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Most visits to Saint Lucia are trouble-free, but visitors should take common-sense precautions against robbery and theft. Isolated areas, such as beaches, should be avoided after dark. Hurricane season is generally from June to November.
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There are few health risks associated with travel to St Lucia, although the mosquito-carried dengue fever is a risk throughout the island. HIV is prevalent and precautions are advised. No vaccinations are required, however a yellow fever certificate is necessary for travelers arriving from infected areas. Health carecosts are high on the island and health insurance is recommended, which should cover medical evacuation.
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240 volts, 50Hz. Three square-pin plugs are standard.
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