The local markets and crafts are a good reason to step away from your St. Lucia vacation rentals. Local artists and craftsmen dominate the shopping for guest of St. Lucia vacation rentals. Wood carvings are often found in the St. Lucia vacation rentals that guests are staying in, so you might get a good idea of what is out there to buy.  Outside of Cap Estate, where a cluster of St. Lucia vacation rentals are located, lies the Gablewoods Mall. This market houses an array of local crafts, island liquors and flavors that will make any St. Lucia shopping experience one to remember.

While there are individual shops dotted here and there around the island, for the most part the shops tend to be collected in specific, developed parts of the island and closer to St. Lucia vacation rentals. Duty-free shopping is available at Pointe Seraphine Shopping Complex which is located on the west side of Castries Harbour, very close to St. Lucia vacation rentals.  In order to be eligible to make duty-free purchases, you must bring your airline ticket with you.  Gift items and souvenirs are available at the Sea Island Cotton Shop in Castries, Bagshaws at La Toc and Noah's Arcade in Castries and at Reduit. Other notables include the wonderful cotton clothing at the Windjammer and the Caribelle Batik.  Bagshaws has a wonderful silk screen studio where you can shop, as well, for beautiful original designs in a wide variety of tropical clothing and gifts.
 
** Store hours vary, but are generally from 8:30 AM until 12:30 PM, and 1:30 -4:30PM on Mondays through Fridays.  Stores are usually only open a half day on Saturday from around 8:00AM until noon.  Most stores are closed on Sunday.

Banks:
Banks on the island are open Monday to Thursday, 8:00 Am-3:00 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Currency:
The currency of St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which is linked to the US Dollar with an exchange rate of 1 US $ to 2.70 ECS.
The U.S. dollar is widely accepted on the island as well as most major international credit cards.

Pre-Stocking and Food Packages:
Guests may have the villa pre-stocked with the food and beverages of their choice for their arrival for additional fees.

STARTER FOOD PACK
1 SMALL BOX OF TEABAGS
1 NESCAFE 50g
1 ORANGE JUICE – SMALL BOTTLE
1 PACKET OF CRACKERS
1 lb FLOUR
1 SMALL PACKET OF SALT
1 MAYONNAISE 250 ml
1 OIL (NOT COCONUT OIL)
1 KETCHUP SMALL
1 SALAD DRESSING
1 PACKET BLACK PEPPER
1 JAM OR MARMALADE
1 BOX OF CEREAL
1 BOTTLE OF LARGE SODA ( USUALLY COKE OR SPRITE)
1 BOTTLE OF WATER PER PERSON
1 BEER PER PAX.
1 LOAF OF BREAD
BUTTER
MILK
1 PACK BACON
1 PACK OF PORK SAUSAGES
CHICKEN LEGS OR BREAST OR FISH
½ LIT. ICE CREAM
1 DOZ. EGGS ( 2 – 3 PESONS – ½ DOZEN EGGS)
CHEDDER CHEESE
SALAD, FRUIT, VEGETABLES – LETTUCE, TOMATOES, ONIONS, GARLIC, PARSLEY, CARROTS, LOCAL FRUIT IF POSSIBLE
RICE OR PATATOES

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS TO BE USED AS A GUIDELINE AND WILL BE PROVIDED, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. Please delete from, or add to list. Cost approximately – US$40.00 per person and is subject to a 15% service and delivery charge which will be assessed on the total amount of your grocery order. Approximate cost of US$40.00 is for 1 person but this drops to approx. US$35.00 per person if buying for 2 or more persons.