Travel to Saint Lucia

At the moment there are no direct flights to the island of Saint Lucia but many indirect flights are available from most major UK airports with Delta, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways just a few of the airlines flying to the country. Flights are not cheap so make sure you book well in advance to get a good deal. You'll fly into one of two airports on the island - George FL Charles Airport is probably your best bet if you're planning on staying in one of the many all-inclusive resorts as they're close by. Hewanorra International is the larger out of the two but is further away from many of the most popular resorts.

Many of the taxis on Saint Lucia will offer tours of the island for around US$145 per van load. If you can find other tourists to come along too, this can work out fairly inexpensive as most vans sit between six to 12 people. Water taxis can also be a great way to get around the island and are a fantastic way of seeing the beautiful hidden beaches. Prices can be set quite high so make sure that you haggle to get a cheap deal.

A hotel in Saint Lucia doesn't have to break the bank; it's possible to find some amazing deals as long as you book well in advance. Just make sure you put aside some time to shop around to find the best deals.

If you're interested in seeing the local sights try not to organise your tours through your resort as these can be rather expensive. Instead use your local taxi operator if you need to stick to a tight budget as they'll either be able to arrange a tour for you or point you in the direction of another local who can help. Your hotel should be able to provide you with the phone number of a trusted driver.

The buses can be an great inexpensive way to explore the island during your holiday in Saint Lucia – they're also a great way to meet the locals. However the small vans offer quite a irregular service – not great if you're in a hurry!

If your holiday to Saint Lucia isn't at an all-inclusive resort, make sure you avoid heading to any of the big hotels for meals as they can be extortionately priced. Instead, look for local beach hut-style eateries or family-run, smaller restaurants to get affordable yet still delicious meals.