Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling to Vieux Fort (PWK–UVF) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

US passport holders enter Saint Lucia visa-free for up to 6 weeks (42 days). No advance application is needed. Passport must be valid for the duration of the stay. A return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation are required. Saint Lucia has two airports: Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in the south near Vieux Fort, which handles most international flights, and George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU) near Castries in the north, which handles inter-island and smaller aircraft.

The 6-week stay can be extended at the Immigration Department in Castries for up to 12 months total. Saint Lucia's two volcanic peaks, Gros Piton (770m) and Petit Piton (743m), are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the island's defining landmark. The drive from UVF to the Pitons and Soufriere takes about 1 hour along coastal roads. Sulphur Springs, the Caribbean's only drive-in volcano, sits between the Pitons. Marigot Bay, Rodney Bay, and Sugar Beach are the main beach and resort areas.

Direct flights from Miami (MIA) to UVF run about 3 hours 30 minutes on American Airlines. New York JFK to UVF runs about 4 hours 30 minutes on JetBlue. Charlotte, Atlanta, and Fort Lauderdale also have direct service. Saint Lucia uses the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), pegged at XCD 2.70 per $1. US dollars are accepted at hotels, restaurants, and tourist businesses. ATMs in Castries, Rodney Bay, and Soufriere dispense XCD. Card payments work at most tourist-facing businesses. Taxis are not metered: government-set rates are posted at the airports. UVF to Soufriere costs about XCD 175 ($65). UVF to Rodney Bay costs about XCD 230 ($85). Minibuses run between towns for XCD 2 to XCD 8 per ride.