While traveling in St. Lucia, expect businesses to open and close early

Tourist-targeted businesses and local street vendors keep very different hours from each other, but no matter where you plan to shop or conduct business, try to get a head start on your day as many establishments open and close early.

While you will find some exceptions in the busiest of tourist areas, shops on St. Lucia are generally open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. For those wishing to shop a little later in the evening, shopping malls on the island are open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays.

Most shops are open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays but during the popular St. Lucia Jazz Festival and Carnival celebrations, shops will stay open much later on Saturdays. Shopping on Sunday can be particularly difficult because most businesses on St. Lucia are closed. However, you will find some hotel and marina shops stay open for visitors.

Banking hours in St. Lucia vary throughout the week. Banks are open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, most banks extend their hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Generally, banks on the island will be closed on the weekends, with the exception of banks in Rodney Bay, which are open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Banks on St. Lucia are not open on Sundays, but you can use one of the many ATMs located on the island that are available 24 hours a day for many of your banking needs.

No matter what you're craving, you're sure to find a restaurant in St. Lucia that satisfies. Most restaurants are open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for breakfast, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for lunch, and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner. On Sundays, most restaurants are closed, but hotel restaurants and those in high tourist areas will remain open for visitors. Note that during the off-season, many restaurants may reduce their hours or close completely.

Post offices on St. Lucia are open from 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Most other government offices on the island are open from 8:00 a.m until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Expect hours to vary, especially during the tourist season, so be sure to consult the St. Lucia Tourist Board information centers or your hotel concierge about current hours of operation.