If you are looking for the best parking spots in Saint Lucia, the capital Castries offers several paid parking spaces and car lots, which cost between 1.50 and 3 XCD (0.56-1.11 USD) an hour, while at Rodney Bay in the Gros Islet area, you can park along the roadside. Elsewhere on the island, you may park anywhere, as long as you are not obstructing anything.
If you plan to bring your children on vacation to Saint Lucia, you will need to bring a car seat, because children younger than seven must use a car seat. Children are required to sit in a car seat as soon as they leave the airport. You will have the opportunity to rent one from your car hire company for about 15 XCD (5 USD) per day.
Offering independent travel and flexibility, renting a car in Saint Lucia is the best way to see the Caribbean island. Rather than relying on group tours and avoiding the high taxi fares, you can comfortably drive around the whole island in a day. Driving from Gros Islet in the north to Vieux Fort in the south is 67.8 km (42 mi) and should take around 1h 30m in a car.
Because Saint Lucia lacks road signs, it is a good idea to invest in a GPS. You may rent one from your car hire agency for around 30 XCD (11 USD) per day. This will help you negotiate much of the island’s rural and mountain roads, which require the use of a four-wheel drive vehicle. You might consider renting an off-road car if you plan to visit the more remote areas, like Anse Cochon Beach.
Book your rental car in Saint Lucia at least 2 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Mini rental cars in Saint Lucia are around 28% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Saint Lucia
Mini (Chevrolet Spark or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Saint Lucia.
You will drive on the left-hand side of the road when you rent a car in Saint Lucia. You will find that the road system is modern and that there are two major roads that cover the island: to the east, the Castries Vieux Highway links Hewanorra Airport to the north, and farther west, the Castries Gros Isle Highway connects the north to the south. All passengers traveling in a car must wear seatbelts; in addition, using your phone while driving is illegal, unless you use a hands-free kit.
If you plan to rent a car in Saint Lucia, the minimum age for drivers is 21 years old, while the maximum age for car rental is 65 years old. You will need a valid driver’s license that you have held for at least three years. If you do not have an International Driver’s License, then you are also required to apply for a local driver’s permit for 54 XCD (20 USD), which allows you to drive on the island for three months.
You will find that the average price of petrol is 3.04 XCD (1.12 USD) per liter, when you rent a car in Saint Lucia. Petrol stations are well distributed around the island and are generally open from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm
Before you drive in Saint Lucia, you will need to observe the national speed limits. When you drive on open roads, you can go a maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph), whereas on urban roads, the maximum speed limit is 50 km/h (31 mph). There are not very many speed cameras on the island; however, the police often use hand-held speed devices and can demand an on-the-spot fine.
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for car rentals for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 24 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car rentals listed or dates of travel. Some car rental providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the car rental providers' sites.