St. Lucia is an ideal vacation spot. The country offers beautiful views and an air of mystique. However, it can be quite costly to vacation there. The average price of a 7-day trip to St Lucia will cost around $1,871 (£1350) for a solo traveller, $3,360 (£2450) for a couple, and $6,300 (£4560) for a family of four. Here are a few tips and tricks to help plan a budget-friendly vacation to St. Lucia.
Aeroplane Tickets:
Flights are usually said to be the absolute cheapest, Tuesday at 3:00 pm six weeks before the scheduled flight. This is a money-saving hack that would save you a few dollars on your flight.
Accommodation:
The country experiences what is called a low season or a drop in the season during May to June and September to early November. The hotels usually advertise a decrease in rates and try to make their resort look more attractive to potential clients, as the competition is steep during this time. It would also be wise to book a hotel which offers food with their packages: breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Airbnbs usually have the same decline in their rates.
If your flight is booked during the busy or high season, it would be a good idea to book accommodation through Airbnb or VRBO. It would be a lot more cost-effective. It would save you hundreds!
Mobility:
If you plan on moving around the island, hoping to explore and discover more about the country’s culture, it would be a wise idea to have access to a rental car. During the low season, car rentals usually have a significant decrease in their rates. Shop around and compare prices. If you are coming to the island during the busy season, try to book your rental vehicle during the slow season the same year or the year before.
Shuttles or Transfers would be ideal for tourists who are coming to the island to simply relax or idle around at the beach, etc. Shopping around for the best prices would save you money. Also, you get a chance to ask the driver about anything you wish to know about the island.
Car Rental Tip 1:
Obtaining a rental car requires the driver to purchase a local permit, as it is required to drive around. If you own an international driver’s license or international driver’s permit, you will not require this. This will save you from spending up to but not limited to US$22 (£15).
Car Rental Tip 2:
It is a good idea to purchase insurance when looking to drive on the island because you need to be covered in case anything happens. It will save you hundreds if you have your own. Credit card companies usually offer coverage. Make your inquiries.
Food and Drinks:
If you have decided to go with rental accommodation, the supermarkets are yours to explore. I would advise taking a trip to local food markets for fresh produce. The prices are more cost-effective, and you can negotiate with the vendors to decrease the price. Some vendors even throw in a few free items out of gratitude.
Hotel or resort accommodations?
I would recommend dining at local eateries for cost-effective prices. Restaurants like the Beacon in Soufriere (all you can eat lunch), or the Mall’s food court in Vieux Fort or Food vendors near the Castries Market or the Food Court at the Blue Coral Mall. Their usual customers are the locals, (business lunch rush), so the prices are very affordable.
It is much cheaper to purchase your preferred beverages at the supermarket than anywhere else on the island and the coconut water is freshly available from roadside vendors (bottled or straight from the coconuts).
For Alcoholic drinks, there are many duty-free liquor shops dotted around tourist accommodations. All you need is your ID and proof of return ticket. You can save up to 50% of the supermarket’s liquor prices.
Top Tip:
If you are planning to partake in any tours when sending inquiries to the various companies, be sure to mention your budget. In most cases, they will try to accommodate your limit.
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