Saint Lucia is undoubtedly one of the best islands for retirement in the Caribbean due to its breath-taking beauty and incredible quality of life. Home to the impressive Piton mountains, the island has also plenty of first-class white sandy beaches, refreshing waterfalls, tropical rainforests, and scenic views to enjoy. From golfing, boating, shopping, eating and drinking out, to relaxing, going to the beach, hiking, and attending festivals, whatever you like doing, you will find it in Saint Lucia.
If you are looking for animation, and bustling activities, retire in Castries or Rodney Bay. If you are seeking relaxation and immersion in nature, retire in Soufriere or Marigot Bay, whatever better fits into your retirement plans.
Saint Lucia has everything Americans need to enjoy a quality retirement. There are several ways to relocate to Saint Lucia in the later years of your life.
A few residency options are available to Americans planning to move to Saint Lucia:
| Single Entry Visa | Allows foreigners to stay up to three months in Saint Lucia |
| Multiple Entry Visa | Allows foreigners to live up to a year in Saint Lucia |
| Permanent residency | After two years of renewing your Multiple Entry Visa or Single-Entry Visa, it is possible to apply for Saint Lucia permanent residency |
| Citizenship | After seven years of permanent residency on the island, you can apply for Saint Lucia citizenship |
Launched in 2016, the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme allows investors and their families obtain Saint Lucia citizenship providing that an investment is made into one of the below options:
| A contribution to the National Economic Fund (NEF) | Single applicant: US$100,000 |
| Pre-Approved Real Estate Option | Minimum investment: US$300,000 |
| Government Bonds Option | Single applicant US$250,000 (to be held for five years) |
| Enterprise Option | Minimum independent investment: US$3,500,000 and creating three permanent jobs, or minimum joint investment: US$1,000,000 per investor (resulting in a joint investment worth US$6,000,000 and creating six permanent jobs) |
Saint Lucia’s cost of living is affordable and globally cheaper than in the USA:
• You can rent a one-bedroom apartment in the capital city centre for US$480 per month and a three-bedroom apartment for US$1,000 per month.
• Basic utilities like electricity, heating, cooling, garbage, water – for an 85m2 apartment amounts to US$70 per month.
Note: Rent, utility, and food averages will decrease as you migrate away from the city centre. However, those prices could rise even higher than in the city centre of Castries in certain tourist-heavy resort destinations.
• Rice, loaves of fresh white bread, and local fresh fruits and vegetables are also cheap, while imported products such as milk, meat, and gasoline are more expensive than in the USA.
• One of Saint Lucia’s financial advantages for Americans is its favourable tax regime. There are no capital gains, inheritance tax, wealth tax on worldwide income, or assets.
• The local cuisine – a combination of French, East Indian, and British dishes – is very tasty and can be eaten anywhere in Saint Lucia. On average, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant amounts to US$5, while a three-course meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant amounts to US$30.
• Health care is crucial to take into account when retiring. There are health and wellness centres in all towns and villages, providing free medical treatments to all citizens and residents. However, health care is privately funded, and you can find a number of insurance companies providing affordable health insurance in Saint Lucia.
Saint Lucia is a small Caribbean Island of 184,961 inhabitants covering an area of 238 square miles, or 616 kilometres. The main language is English, and the currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar. With international flights to the US, Canada, and Europe, Saint Lucia is very well-connected to the rest of the world.
In Saint Lucia, you will find incredible beaches, pristine waters, refreshing waterfalls, and lush rainforests which allow for exciting sports activities. For those who prefer a cosmopolitan life, you will find plenty of restaurants, shopping places, and cultural events – such as jazz festivals and carnival – to go to.
| Government | Sovereign island country with a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy |
| Size | 238 sq mi (617 km2). The island is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide |
| Population | According to the 2022 estimate, 184,961 inhabitants |
| Language | Official language is English. Creole and French are also spoken |
| Geography | Saint Lucia is a volcanic island and one of the most mountainous in the Caribbean. The Piton Mountains, rising on the west coast, are readily recognizable and have become the island’s most famous landmark. There are also beautiful beaches along the coast |
| Climate | Tropical climate moderated by cooling trade winds |
| Economy | The offshore banking and tourism sectors are the island’s main source of revenue |
| Currency | East Caribbean dollar |
| Air travel | More than a dozen airlines from many international and local destinations service Saint Lucia’s two airports Hewanorra International Airport and George Charles Airport. There are direct flights from the USA, Canada, and Europe |
| Ports | The main seaport of Saint Lucia is Castries. Cruise ships anchor at Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage |
| Roads | Many of the major roads have been repaved but local roads may be in poor condition |
| Public transport | Minibuses are the primary means for getting around the island, but there are no fixed schedules. Taxis are also available |
| Medical facilities | The island has five hospitals offering fairly good quality health care. However, some medical problems require air evacuation to a larger hospital in another country. For this reason, health insurance that covers air evacuation is recommended for people who decide to retire in Saint Lucia |
