General
Information
 One
of the major British Windward Islands, sleepy St.
Vincent is just beginning to awaken to tourism.
Sailors and the yachting set have long known of
St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and until recently
it was a well-kept vacation secret.
Situated about one hundred miles west of Barbados,
and nestled between St Lucia to the north and Grenada
to the south, the string of islands known collectively
as St Vincent and the Grenadines may be physically
close together, but vary enormously in character,
terrain and appeal.
 The
main centre of activity is St Vincent , the largest
and northernmost of the islands. As well as exploring
St Vincent's two distinct coastlines - the rugged
windward side and the gentle leeward side - and
lush, interior hiking trails, don't miss the opportunity
to spend time on the tiny isle of Bequia, just a
short ferry ride away, a yachters' haven that also
boasts shimmering beaches and a fascinating seafaring
history. The less developed and less populated islands
of Canouan, Mayreau and Union are all easily reachable
by ferry and offer a taste of the unspoiled Caribbean,
while Mustique , an island hideaway of the rich
and famous, makes for an affordable day trip of
swimming and snorkelling, though don't expect to
find a cheap place to stay.
The uninhabited national park of the Tobago Cays
, a cluster of islets which form the eastern point
of a triangle between Union Island and Mayreau,
are surrounded by coral reefs and unbelievably aquamarine
waters and make an excellent excursion from nearby
islands.
St. Vincent & Bequia offer incredible sheer
vertical walls, crevices, and extensive shallow
reefs, many virtually unexplored and accessible
by boat within 10 minutes from resorts. Diving in
the Southern Grenadines and Tobago Cays boasts impressive
dense shallow coral gardens and a profusion of fish
life.
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
No
Services Currently Listed
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New
Travel Regulations
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two
phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the
United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and
South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will
be required to present a valid passport, Air
NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner
Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form
I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including
ferries), may be required to present a valid
passport or other documents as determined by
the Department of Homeland Security. While recent
legislative changes permit a later deadline,
the Departments of State and Homeland Security
are working to meet all requirements as soon
as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided
to enable the public to obtain passports or
passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement
does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to
or returning directly from a U.S. territory.
U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S.
territory are not considered to have left the
United States and do not need to present a passport.
U.S. territories include the following: Guam,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American
Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands. More
Details... |
Getting
There
Flights touch down on St Vincent at E.T. Joshua Airport
in Arnos Vale, roughly 1.5 miles southeast of the
capital of Kingstown. The airport does not receive
international flights from outside the Caribbean,
so you'll need to fly first to Barbados, Grenada,
Martinique, St Lucia, Puerto Rico or Trinidad and
make a connection there. American
Eagle, BWIA,
Caribbean
Star, LIAT,
SVG
Airways and Mustique
Airways fly to St Vincent, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan
or Union Island. It's also possible to travel to Union
Island from Carriacou (one of Grenada's islands) by
boat.
Other Airports
Canouan Airport (Canouan). J.F. Mitchell Airport (Bequia).
Mustique Airport (Mustique). Union Island Airport
(Union Island). Small Aircraft. Bequia, Canouan and
St. Vincent - Dash 8 and ATR 42. Mustique and Union
Island - twin Ottor (D228) and (DHT 6).
Flight Times
Barbados/St. Vincent: 35 mins.
Grenada/St. Vincent: 30 mins.
London/Barbados: 8 hrs. 20 mins.
Martinique/St. Vincent: 40 mins.
Miami/Barbados: 3.5 hrs.
New York/Barbados: 5 hours.
New York/St. Lucia: 5 hrs.
Puerto Rico/St. Vincent: 2 hrs.
St. Lucia/St. Vincent: 30 mins.
Toronto/Barbados: 6.5 hrs.
Trinidad/St. Vincent: 1 hr.
The bus fare from Ashton to the airport is EC$3 and
a bus will be waiting when The Jasper docks to transfer
passengers. If you're arriving on Union Island from
Carriacou, you must board this bus as you'll need
to pass through immigration at the airport.
All visitors must have valid passport including nationals
of the United Kingdom, the USA and Canada. A return
or on-going ticket is required. Immigration visas
are required from nationals of the following countries:
Dominican Republic, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, The People's
Republic of China, Iraq, Iran and Nigeria.
Travel Tips
Getting Around
By Taxi
The government sets the rates for fares, but taxis
are unmetered and you should always check the fare
before setting off. Fares are raised for journeys
late at night or early in the morning. The average
fare from Indian Bay into Kingstown is approximately
EC$25 and EC$15-20 will get you to the E. T. Joshua
Airport from your Indian Bay or Villa hotel. Tipping
is suggested at 10% of the fare. You can also hire
taxis to take you to the island’s major attractions.
Expect to spend EC$40 to EC$50 per hour for a car
holding two to four passengers.
By Car
Driving in St. Vincent is on the left. While initially
driving on the narrow, twisting roads is a bit of
an adventure, you will quickly begin to enjoy the
challenge and start driving like a "Vincy".
There are limited road signs, but locals are usually
quite happy to point you in the right direction. Remember
to sound your horn as you make the sharp curves and
turns. Avis (784-456-4389) has an office at the airport
and the majority of local companies will be happy
to pick you up at your hotel or at the airport. Most
agencies, such as Rent and Drive (784-457-5601 and
David’s Auto Clinic (784-456-4026) offer similar rates
and terms.
A temporary driving licence, costing EC$50, must be
purchased at the police station on Bay Street, or
the Licensing Authority on Halifax Street, with the
presentation of a valid overseas driver’s licence.
If you have an International Driving Permit you must
get it stamped at the central police station.
By Bus
Flamboyantly painted buses travel the principal roads
of St. Vincent, linking the major towns and villages.
The central departure point is the bus terminal at
the New Kingstown Fish Market. Fares range from EC$1
to EC$6 (US$0.40 to US$2.20). Minibuses, which stop
on demand rather than at bus stops, run frequently
between Kingstown and the popular hotel areas of Indian
Bay and Villa.
The number of vans starting in Kingstown and running
to Owia or Fancy in the north is limited. The best
way is to take the early bus to Georgetown and try
to catch one of the two vans running between Georgetown
and Fancy (EC$10). To get to Richmond in the northwest
take a bus to Barrouallie and seek onward transport
from there. A day trip to Mesopotamia (Mespo) by bus
(EC$2.50) is definitely a worthwhile experience.
Ferry Service Between Islands
 Getting
between St Vincent & the Grenadines is easiest
by boat. A ferry makes a one-hour run between Kingstown
and Port Elizabeth on Bequia several times a day.
An inexpensive mailboat carries passengers and cargo
three times weekly between St Vincent, Bequia, Canouan,
Mayreau and Union Island. From St Vincent, times range
from one hour to Bequia to over four and a half hours
to Union Island.
You can also fly between St Vincent and Union Island
and Bequia, though it's more expensive and generally
less convenient than catching a boat.
Money and Banking
The official currency of St Vincent and the Grenadines
is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$) , although the
US dollar is also widely accepted, as are major credit
cards, at hotels and restaurants, and by car rental
agencies and dive and tour companies. The EC$ is divided
into 100 cents. Bills come in denominations of 5,
10, 20, 50 and 100 EC dollars; coins in 1, 2, 5, 10
and 25 cents. At the time of writing, the rate of
exchange was roughly EC$2.70 to US$1.
There are plenty of banks on St Vincent, including
Barclays Bank and Scotiabank on Halifax Street in
Kingstown, both of which have ATMs. E.T. Joshua Airport
has an exchange bureau which is open 8am-noon and
3-5pm on weekdays. There are also two banks on Bequia
and a branch of the National Commercial Bank on Union
Island; all have ATMs. Banking hours are generally
Monday to Thursday 9am-3pm and Friday 9am-5pm; however,
some banks close at 1pm.
Dress
Casual resort wear is the general rule for both men
and women during the day. Out of respect for local
customs, swimwear should not be worn on the street,
or in shops and restaurants.
Health
There are six public hospitals, including Kingstown
General Hospital, and Maryfield Hospital, Lowmans
and Bequia Casualty Hospital, Port Elizabeth, and
three privately owned hospitals. Community care is
provided by 38 outpatient clinics located throughout
the country. Each clinic serves about 3,000 people
and is easily accessible. Health centers are well
staffed and provide a wide range of services, including
midwifery, family planning, immunization and emergency
care. St. Vincent has a mental health center and a
home for the elderly.
Electricity
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a reliable supply
of electricity. Electricity is generally 220/240 volt,
50 cycle, except for Petit St. Vincent which has 110
volt, 60 cycle. Most hotels have 110 volt shaver outlets.
The standard electrical plug has 3 rectangular pins
so remember to pack an adapter.
Climate
Average temperatures range from 75 87 degrees F. Driest
season is January to April. Rainy season is June to
October. Average rainfall 80" per year on the
coast. 150" per year in the interior.
Water
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has an abundant supply
of potable water as the level of rainfall is high.
Taxes & Tipping
Hotels and restaurants will automatically add a 7
percent government tax and 10 percent service charge
to your bill. Tipping is at your discretion, but not
expected.
Telecommunications
St Vincent and the Grenadines has a state of the art
fibre optic digital telephone system. Internet, Boatphone,
Cellular service, telex, telegraph and facsimile access
are also available. The international area code is
1-784 followed by the local seven-digit number. Phonecards
are available through outlets islandwide as are Phonecard
booths. International Direct Dialing (IDD) service
is available to most destinations in the world and
International calls can be made using your credit
card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, AT & T and Bell
are accepted) by dialing the operator.
Postal Service
The main post office is on Halifax Street in Kingstown
(Mon-Fri 8.30am-3pm, Sat 8.30-11.30am). There are
also branches in smaller communities on St Vincent,
as well as on the other islands.
Internet/E-Mail
Kingstown has a couple of internet cafés ,
and others can be found on Bequia and Union Island.
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