Destination:
St Vincent and the Grenadines

Overview

The tropical treasures of St Vincent and the Grenadines are found near St Lucia and Grenada, part of the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea. This paradise of island destinations includes Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Petit St Vincent, Tobago Cays, Union Island and Palm Island, each with their own unique character and magnificent beaches to discover.

Thanks to its beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere, this stunning destination is an idyllic venue for that perfect island wedding, or a romantic honeymoon retreat; images of a barefoot bride on a soft white beach or newly-weds on a starry night, with waves breaking gently in the background, come to mind&

St Vincent and the Grenadines has its own soccer league, as well as a national soccer team, so sports fans are suitably indulged. The varied topography lends itself well to an array of adventures, from sailing and scuba diving to hiking and horse riding. There are also a few golf courses worth swinging a club at.

The island nation has a French and British colonial history; Carib Indians fought off European settlement on St Vincent until the 18th century, after which it was subjected to many years of colonial rule and slavery. On 27 October 1979, it finally became the last of the Windward Islands to gain independence.

Natural disasters have also hindered the island group's development, with serious volcanic eruptions and hurricanes recorded from as early as 1902; Hurricane Lenny caused extensive damage to the west coast in 1999. These have not, however, detracted from the beguiling setting and the restful sense of simplicity that washes lightly over sun-loving travellers.

Basics

Time
Local time is GMT -4.

Electricity
Grenadines 220 volts and St Vincent 230 volts, 50Hz. Three square-pin plugs are standard.

Language
English is the official language, but many of the locals speak Vincentian Creole.

Health
While there are few health risks associated with travel to St Vincent and the Grenadines, recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis B, yellow fever, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and tetanus-diphtheria. Dengue fever occurs rarely and there have been cases of Leptospirosis. HIV/AIDS is present and travellers should take the usual precautions. Ensure food is properly prepared and cooked, avoid un-pasteurised milk and drink only boiled or bottled water. There are pharmacies, hospitals and evacuation facilities available if needed; ensure health insurance is comprehensive.

Tipping
A 10 percent service charge is added onto most restaurant bills, in which case no further tipping is necessary.

Safety
Most visits to St Vincent and the Grenadines are trouble-free, but visitors should take general precautions against robbery and theft. Isolated areas, such as beaches, should be avoided after dark. Hurricane season is normally from about June to November.

Customs
It is an offence for anyone to dress in camouflage clothing. Homosexuality is illegal.

Communications
The international access code for St Vincent and the Grenadines is +1 784. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). North American mobile phones work on all the islands and network coverage is good. Email and Internet access is available at Internet cafés.

Duty Free
Visitors may import 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco, and 1.136 litres of alcoholic beverage.

Currency

St. Vincent and the Grenadines' currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), a regional currency shared among members of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). The US dollar is accepted in most hotels and some shops, and major credit cards are also widely accepted. Banking hours are from 8am to 3pm on Monday to Thursday, and till 5pm on Fridays. There are also ATM machines available.

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Health

Health Overview
While there are few health risks associated with travel to St Vincent and the Grenadines, recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis B, yellow fever, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and tetanus-diphtheria. Dengue fever occurs rarely and there have been cases of Leptospirosis. HIV/AIDS is present and travellers should take the usual precautions. Ensure food is properly prepared and cooked, avoid un-pasteurised milk and drink only boiled or bottled water. There are pharmacies, hospitals and evacuation facilities available if needed; ensure health insurance is comprehensive.

Visa

Americans


UK nationals


Canadians


Australians


South Africans


Irish nationals


New Zealanders

Passport/Visa Note
All visitors are required to hold an onward/return ticket, documents for their next destination and sufficient funds for the duration of their stay. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Contacts

St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism
St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourist Office: +1 784 457 1502 (Kingstown) or www.visitsvg.com.

Foreign Embassies in St Vincent and the Grenadines

St Vincent and the Grenadines Embassies

Regions and Cities