Saint Lucia is at the top of the dream list of all Caribbean island vacations. The island is endowed with beautiful beaches, fascinating volcanic geography, and impressive hiking trails. It’s no wonder they are discussing a trip; St. Lucia is also one of our favorite places.
However, these planning steps raise the question: Is Saint Lucia safe? What should you expect from your trip in terms of crime and natural disaster risk? All in all, we would tell you to take normal precautions, but that’s pretty easy to say. What exactly are the “normal” precautions anyway?
In this guide, we will take a look at security in Saint Lucia. Get ready to dig deeper into specific crime rates, natural disaster risks, etc. We can help make St. Lucia one of the safest destinations you can visit.
Saint Lucia Crime Rate
Unfortunately, there has been an increase in crime rates in Saint Lucia over the past three years, which recently reached a homicide rate of 77.6% in 2022. There is an overall crime score of 70.24 on Numbeo, which is considered high risk, and the safety score decreases by half if you walk during the day compared to walking at night. that being said, we felt incredibly safe when we visited the Island.
As a rule, its isolated areas attract opportunistic strikes and robberies. In the capital, Castries, there is a more horological pattern of regular crime, such as drugs and armed robberies, in places like Serenity Park (ironically named) and Vieux Fort. This is typical of big cities, and we advise you to keep your mind with you. It is advisable to check the specific crime centers of some destinations in Saint Lucia that you are visiting.
As always, be very careful or just avoid traveling after dark. Solo night walks on the beaches and tipsy taxi rides without a pre-established fare are all recipes for disasters. Also, be especially careful during the day when major events such as the St. Lucia Carnival take place.
Keep jewelry and expensive items at home or well hidden when you are in St. Lucia. Despite the real events where the targeted tourists are few in this beautiful country, a good rule for traveling anywhere is “bring it if you are willing to lose it”. In the event of a burglary, never try to action for your belongings.
Police presence
Overall, the Royal Saint Lucia Police is an effective system on the Island. It’s a bit understaffed and underfunded, with occasional accusations of bribery in the form of bribes. However, the police receive the support of the United States in their operations and are doing a good job with the justice system on the Island. You can contact the Royal Saint Lucia Police at 911 knowing that they are the best place to go in a Peril Situation.
Natural disasters in Saint Lucia
Volcanic activity and temblor are rare and quite difficult to predict. However, you can subscribe to notifications when you travel to Saint Lucia that will quickly inform you of updates and emergency measures. This is something to watch out for and subscribe to before you fly to the Island.
Hurricanes are more regular and Saint Lucia has a hurricane season between June and November. There are rarely really Peril hurricanes in St. Lucia. Yet flash floods, travel interruptions and damage are a real risk. In an ideal world, avoid this period, especially from August to October, when hurricanes reach their peak.
