Car Hire in Castries

About Castries

Castries is the capital and largest city of Saint Lucia, an island in the West Indies bordering the Caribbean Sea to the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Castries is located in a flood plain and is built on reclaimed land. In 1814 the British finally took control of the island Saint Lucia and in 1835 the British built the western wharf to facilitate the coal trade.

Castries is one of the major tourist destinations on St Lucia and is visited by cruise ships. Castries landmarks include the Cathedral Immaculate Conception, Derek Walcott Square, City Library, Government House and Fort Charlotte, at the top of Morne Fortune. Castries also has beaches that are worth visiting including Vigie Beach, Malabar Beach, Choc Beach, and La Toc Beach.

Basic info and car hire in Castries

• Location: Saint Lucia
• Population: 20,000 (2013)
• Official language: English
• Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
• Weather: Castries has a tropical climate that is hot all year round, with a relatively cool, dry season from January to mid-April and a hot, humid and rainy season from mid-June to November. November is the hottest month in Castries with an average temperature of 28.5°C. The coldest month is January at 26°C and the most daily sunshine hours are in March with 10 hours. The wettest month is September with an average of 193mm of rain. The best month for swimming in the sea is August with an average water temperature of 29°C.
• Holidays in Castries: With Castries' year-round tropical climate, beautiful scenery, great food and exceptional and unique accommodation options, Castries is a marvellous place to explore.
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions: The roads are reasonably well surfaced, but can be poorly marked in places, are narrow and winding and have steep inclines and declines throughout the island. There are few guardrails in areas that drop steeply from the road.
• Car hire in Castries: Hiring a car at Saint Lucia George F. L. Charles Airport with Orbit Car Hire gives you plenty of freedom to get around Castries. With a wide range of vehicles to choose from, you can be sure to find the one that suits your needs and gives you the most benefit on your trip.

Driving in Castries

If you are an independent traveller, renting a vehicle and driving around Castries is a great way to explore the city, visit areas you might not get to see on a package tour, and truly experience Castries like a local. But it's always good to do some homework in advance so you are better prepared for the driving experience. The roads are safe to drive on, but they are mountainous and there are some elevation changes when you are in Castries. The local drivers tend to speed sometimes, so you should be aware of that and be on your guard. There is left-hand traffic as you would expect in the UK.

• Age limits: The age limit is between 21 and 25, depending on the car rental agency. Many agencies will either charge a young driver fee if you are under this age or not allow you to rent the car at all. 
• International Driving Permit: Yes, if your driver's license is not identifiable as Driving License, for example, if it is written in a non-Latin alphabet (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese).  
• Additional papers: Identification (passport), a valid driver's license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to take out insurance with the car rental company in case your policy does not cover you when driving in Saint Lucia). 
• Additional requirements: Warning triangles, spare wheels and a hands-free kit with hearing aids are required if you are talking on the phone while driving.
• Children in the car: All vehicle occupants must wear a seat belt. Children under twelve years of age or over 5 feet tall may ride in the front passenger seat. 
• Driving side of the road: Left.
• Lights: Headlights must be on at all times (day and night).
• General speed limits: 80 mph / 130 km/h on motorways, 49 mph / 80 km/h on main roads outside built-up areas and 31 mph/50 km/h inside built-up areas.
• Parking suggestions: Almost all car parks are metered, with the average price per hour being around GBP 1.90/ € 2.20.

Popular day trips in Castries

The city of Castries has a lot to offer and there are many day trips, activities and fun things to do that you should consider!

From Castries: Full-Day Catamaran Tour of Saint Lucia. Sail along the west coast of Saint Lucia on this full-day catamaran tour. Departing from Castries, visit Soufrière and Marigot Bay, explore the natural volcanoes and waterfalls, and visit Morne Coubaril Estate for a Creole buffet lunch. The duration of the tour is 8 hours.

Private Pitons Tour: Mud Bath, Snorkeling and Waterfalls. Experience the island Saint Lucia by speedboat. See the Piton Mountains, go snorkelling and enjoy a Creole lunch. Enjoy the natural beauty of Soufrière during a private tour with an experienced local guide and a steadfast captain. The duration of the tour is 7 hours.

St Lucia Full-Day Dream Tour. Spend a day exploring the breathtaking sights of St Lucia. Visit the colourful towns and famous banana plantations, explore the stunning rainforest, splash around at a waterfall, and sample local produce and a delicious Creole lunch along the way. The duration of the tour is 6 hours.

Gros Piton Mountain Climb St. Lucia. A scenic drive along the west coast of St. Lucia will take you to the base of Gros Piton, where you will be welcomed by the locals. Together with a knowledgeable guide, you will hike along a trail that winds around the mountain at a slight incline. The duration of the tour is 8 hours.

What to see in Castries

The interesting and beautiful city of Castries is very laid back and allows you to roam the streets of the city in a relaxed atmosphere and explore what Castries has to offer.
Aside from the fantastic shopping at Duty-Free Pointe Seraphine, Castries' vibrant and colourful Market has a lot to offer and it's no less fun to shop for all kinds of local produce there.
Make your way to visit the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The city's Catholic cathedral was built in 1897 and looks like a normal large stone church from the outside, but walk inside and you'll marvel at the magnificently painted interiors and colourful biblical scenes. The cathedral is located in Derek Walcott Square, a public square and park. The square was named after Nobel Prize winner Derek Walcott. The square is usually busy and well visited by both tourists and locals.
If you are tired of lounging on the beach but do not feel like hiking to the Pitons, a visit to Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens is certainly a relaxing compromise that's also easy on the eyes. The waterfall is a feast for the eyes, as the mixture of rainwater and volcanic minerals that flow down the waterfall makes for changing colours throughout the year. Here you can also take a dip in the on-site mineral baths or explore the Soufrière Estate.