- Destinations
- Caribbean
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
St Vincent and the Grenadines
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.
Information & Facts
Climate
Like all Caribbean islands, St Vincent and the Grenadines has a
hot, tropical climate throughout the year. The average daily
temperatures of 80°F (27°C) tend to be tempered by trade winds. The
driest time on the island is between January and March but brief,
sporadic showers occur throughout the year. Hurricane season is
generally from June to October (most storms pass north of the
Grenadines).
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.
Customs
It is an offence for anyone to dress in camouflage clothing.
Homosexuality is illegal.
Duty Free
Visitors may import 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 225g of
tobacco, and 1.136 litres of alcoholic beverage.
Electricity
Grenadines 220 volts and St Vincent 230 volts, 50Hz.
Three square-pin plugs are standard.
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.
Language
English is the official language, but many of the locals
speak Vincentian Creole.
Money
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.
Passport Visa
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.
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.
Time
Tipping
A 10% service charge is added onto most restaurant bills, in
which case no further tipping is necessary.