St Lucian food is a combination of Creole with French and West Indian influences. Most hotels have restaurants, in addition to a wide range in the major towns serving many different types of food. Waiter service is the norm.

National specialities:
• Fresh seafood, including langouste (local lobster) cooked in a variety of ways.
• Lambi (conch).
• Green figs.
• Salt fish.
• Fried plantain.

National drinks:
• Rum, often served in punch and cocktails.
• Caribbean beer, including the locally brewed Piton and Heineken.

Tipping: An optional 10 to 12% is sometimes added to bills.

St Lucia's nightlife is based mainly in hotels and restaurants. On Friday nights, the village of Gros Islet hosts a weekly ‘jump up’, popular with locals and visitors alike; Anse La Raye hold their Friday Night Fish Fry BBQ. Indies and The Late Lime are two of St Lucia’s most popular nightclubs, both featuring live entertainment. There is little nightlife during the summer, but during the winter the resorts are lively, with plenty of local music and dance.

Special purchases include unique batik and silkscreen designs made into shifts, sports shirts, table mats, cocktail napkins and shopping bags produced at a studio on the road between Castries and La Toc. Other craft outlets sell locally made bowls, beads, straw hats, flour-sack shirts, sisal rugs, bags, sandals and woodwork. Pointe Seraphine features over 30 duty-free shops (open seven days a week), bars and restaurants placed around an open piazza. Another duty-free shopping complex is at La Place Carenage. Duty-free shopping is available to all visitors, provided they present their passport or airline ticket when purchasing goods.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1230 and 1330-1630, Sat 0830-1230 and 0900-2100 in shopping malls.