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Steep mountains covered in a tangle of lush vegetation, cool waterfalls, black and white sand beaches, colorful bougainvillea, and turquoise water - this is St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Trailing along in the southern Caribbean, St. Vincent lies 24 miles south of St. Lucia and 100 miles west of Barbados. St. Vincent called "the mainland" by locals and the Grenadines, well over 30 smaller islands and cays (keys) resemble a large kite (St. Vincent) and a tail of islands stretching nearly 45 miles to the southwest. Some of the more popular Grenadine islands include Young Island, Bequia (Beck-way), Mustique (Mus-teek), Canouan (Can-nu-wan), Mayreau (My-ro), Union Island, Palm Island, and Petit (petty) St. Vincent. Part of the Windward Island chain, these tropical gems are just being discovered by travelers worldwide. If you plan to travel St. Vincent & the Grenadines, take a moment to brush up on the travel tips that will help you be more prepared to travel anywhere in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES GENERAL INFORMATION

Area: St Vincent: 344 sq km (133 sq miles). Grenadines: 45.3 sq km (17.3 sq miles). Total: 389.3 sq km (150.3 sq miles). Population: 119,000 (official estimate 2002). Population Density: 305.7 per sq km (2002). Capital: Kingstown. Population: 13,526 (2001). Language: English. Government: Constitutional monarachy. Gained independence from the UK in 1979. Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor General Frederick Ballantyne since 2002. Head of Government: Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves since March 2001.

Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz (except Petit St Vincent which has 110 volts AC, 60Hz).

Religion: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and other Christian denominations.

GEOGRAPHY: The islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are located in the Windward Islands about 20 miles south of St. Lucia and 100 miles west of Barbados. St. Vincent is highly cultivated and has a coastline which is varied having rugged and rocky areas as well as black or white sand beaches. The smaller 32 Grenadine Islands have total area of only 17 square miles and have white coral sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.

ST. VINCENT & THE GRANADINES ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

All visitors, including those from the Caribbean, should have a passport and a return or ongoing ticket. An original birth certificate (with raised seal) and a government-issued photo ID are sometimes accepted, but a passport is always recommended. Click here for more Visa Information

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GETTING AROUND ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES

By Taxi -- Because of the bad roads, most visitors use taxis to get around. The government sets the rates, but taxis are unmetered, so be sure to agree on the fare before getting in. Figure on spending US$10 or more to go from the airport to your hotel. You should tip about 12% of the fare.

You can also hire taxis to take you to the island's major attractions. Most drivers seem to be well-informed guides (it won't take you long to learn everything you need to know about St. Vincent). You'll spend from US$20 per hour for a car holding two to four passengers.

By Rental Car -- Driving on St. Vincent is a bit of an adventure because of the narrow, twisting roads (sound your horn as you make the sharp hairpin turns). Most importantly: Drive on the left. If you present your valid driver's license from home at the police department, on Bay Street in Kingstown, and pay an EC$76 (US$28) fee, you'll get a temporary permit to drive.

Avis (tel. 800/331-1212 in the U.S., or 784/456-2929 locally; www.avis.com) has a branch at the airport. One local rental firm is Star Garage, on Grenville Street in Kingstown (tel. 784/456-1743). Make sure your car has a spare tire because the roads are full of potholes.

By Bus -- Flamboyantly painted "alfresco" buses travel the principal roads of St. Vincent, linking the major towns and villages. The price is low, depending on where you're going, and the experience will connect you with the locals. The central departure point is the bus terminal at the New Kingstown Fish Market. Fares range from EC95¢ to EC$5.95 (US35¢-US$2.20).


ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES DUTY FREE

The following items may be imported into St Vincent & the Grenadines without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco; 1.136l of alcoholic beverage.


ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 1 784. Outgoing international code: 0.

Mobile telephone: Providers Cable & Wireless Caribbean Cellular and Digicel. Visitors from North America can roam on all the islands.

Fax: Faxes can be sent from most hotels.

Internet: ISPs include Caribsurf (website: www.caribsurf.com).

Telegram: Facilities are limited to main towns and hotels.

Post: Airmail to Western Europe takes up to two weeks. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1500, Sat 0830-1130.

Press: All newspapers are in English and most are published weekly. The most popular papers are The News, Searchlight and The Vincentian; The Herald is published daily.

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ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES BUSINESS PROFILE

Economy: St Vincent & the Grenadines is poor by Eastern Caribbean standards, with agriculture the main source of income and export earnings. Bananas are the main crop, but St Vincent is also the world’s leading producer of arrowroot and grows other exotic fruit, vegetables and root crops. Fishing has also been revitalised and a processing complex has been built with Japanese assistance. Agriculture is especially vulnerable to the unpredictable, often adverse weather patterns of the Caribbean.
Tourism is the other main component of the economy. By regional standards, this was relatively late to evolve and was initially hampered by the lack of a suitable infrastructure. This was addressed with the help of aid from the European Union and the industry is now growing rapidly: the most recent figures record its contribution to the economy at US$90 million. A small manufacturing sector and an embryonic ‘offshore’ financial services industry complete the country’s economic inventory.
St Vincent is a member of the regional trading bloc CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, which is assuming a growing economic role. In addition to the USA and the UK, St Vincent’s main trade links are with Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia and Martinique.

Business: Short- or long-sleeved shirt and tie or a safari suit are suitable for most business visits. Government office hours: These vary from department to department but generally Mon-Fri 0800-1615, with some opening for a few hours Saturday morning.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: St Vincent & the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce, PO Box 134, Coreas Building, Hillsborough Street, Kingstown (tel: 457 1464; fax: 456 2944; e-mail: svgcic@caribsurf.com; website: www.svgcic.com).

Conferences/Conventions: For information, contact the St Vincent & the Grenadines Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section).


ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES SOCIAL PROFILE

Food & Drink: St Vincent is one of the few islands where good West Indian cuisine can almost always be enjoyed in hotels. Specialities include red snapper, kingfish, lambi (conch), callalou soup, souse (pickled meat or seafood) and sea-moss drink. In addition there is plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and other seafood on offer. Lobster is available in season.
Vincentian beer and rum, a major ingredient in punch and cocktails, are the local drinks, as are a wide variety of local exotic fruit juices.

Nightlife: Most evening events take place in hotels and it is best to ask at individual hotels for a calendar of events. Nightclubs include the Aquatic club and the Buccama Club on the Leeward Coast. The Attic in Kingstown features a wide variety of music during the week and live entertainment at weekends. There is one casino on the island, at Peniston, on the Leeward side.

Special Events: For full details, contact the St Vincent & the Grenadines Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in St Vincent & the Grenadines in 2005:
Jan 19-Feb 2 Mustique Blues Festival. Jan 28-29 Blues Fest, St Vincent. Mar 24-28 Easterval, Union Island; Easter Regatta, Bequia. Apr 1-30 Gospel Fest Month. Jun 21 Music Day. Jun 24-Jul 5 Vincy Carnival (street parades, beauty show, King and Queen of Bands and calypso competition). Aug 1-30 Emancipation Month - Breadfruit Festival. Sep 1-30 Dance Festival Month. Sep 3 Fashion Caribbean. Nov 1-30 National Drama Festival.

Social Conventions: The Vincentians are fun-loving and easy-going people, and the informal and relaxed lifestyle combines many English influences with West Indian. The Saturday market in Kingstown is bustling with life, seemingly involving all islanders. All visitors are made welcome and casual wear is widely acceptable. Refrain, however, from wearing beachwear or mini shorts on the streets or while shopping.


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ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES BEACHES & ANCHORAGE

Leeward Coast Chateaubetair - The bay here, with its 40-foot deep reef and array of brightly coloured fish, is a snorkeller's dream. While usually a good anchorage, especially on the eastern half of the bay, the northerly swells in the winter months can cause difficulties. CumberLand Bay - The bay is very deep and those boats wishing to anchor will need to do so with a bow or sternrope to a palm tree. There is no customs clearance. Petit Byahaut - Four moorings are available at the resort al Petit Byahaut. There is a small beach, diving and snorkelling are superb. At Dinosaur Head (face of Byahaut point) you will find a 120-foot wall covered in sponges, seafans and coral. Troumaca Bay - This small well-protected bay, with room for only a handful of yachts, has some mooring posts on the beach. There is good snorkelling alone the northern shore. Wallilabou - This picturesque bay is a good diving spot and reliable line handlers are available to help secure yachts. Customs can be cleared here between 4.OOpm and 6.00 pm. Kingstown - Customs and immigration can be cleared at Kingstown Harbour and there is a tie-up for yachts. Mount Wynne - This expansive blacksand beach is a local favourite. It lies on the leeward coast thus the sea is very calm. There are toilet facilities , benches and huts. The ideal spot for a picnic and for anchoring speed boats and yachts.

ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES CURRENCY/MONEY

Banking: Banks are open from 8 am until 1 pm Monday through Thursday. On Friday s banks remain open until 5 pm. There are no Weekend hours.
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar

Money Exchange: If you have US$ it will not be necessary to exchange currency as US$ are readily accepted.

Credit & debit cards: All major credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES SHOPPING

Designs on sea-island cottons can be bought and made up into clothes within a few days at a number of shops. Handicrafts and all varieties of straw-made items, grass rugs and other souvenirs can be bought at a number of workshops and gift shops. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1600, Sat 0800-1200.


ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES TIPPING

10% is customary when the service charge is not included in the bill. Porters should be tipped EC$1 per bag. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.



ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES HEALTH & SAFETY

Bottled water is best for all visitors on St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as local water can cause upset stomachs. Kingstown General Hospital is the only major hospital on the islands.

The islands are very safe; the capital city Kingstown itself has a very low crime rate. Despite this, don't forget to follow basic safety precautions.

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ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES PEOPLE

Unlike the inhabitants of some Caribbean islands, locals on the Grenadines don't feel patronized by visitors. British manners and sensibilities dictate that guests be treated with politeness; a more welcoming attitude is hard to find anywhere in the world. In addition to the many British characteristics, look for some French and Indian influences as well. African cultural influences are also visible, since most of the island's population is descended from African slaves.

ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES CLIMATE & CLOTHING

Climate: Tropical, with trade winds tempering the hottest months, June and July.

Clothing: Casual resort wear is the general rule for both men and women during the day, while most restaurants do not require a jacket or tie for dinner, if there is a question, it's best to find out before departure. During the cooler months, a light wrap or pullover may be needed. Our of respect for local customs, swim wear should not be worn on the street, or in shops and restaurants.


ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

Watersports: These are a major pastime. Various sailing boats head south regularly through the Grenadines. For the novice, professionals are available to handle the sails. Visitors can, of course, bring their own yacht, or charter one, either with or without crew. Yachts are available for charter from Barefoot Yacht Charters (tel: 456 9526 or 9334; fax: 456 9238; e-mail: barebum@caribsurf.com; website: www.barefootyachts.com) or Sunsail St Vincent at the Lagoon Marina & Hotel (tel/fax: 458 4308; e-mail: sunsailsvg@caribsurf.com; website: www.lagoonmarina.com). Other watersports, particularly windsurfing and scuba diving, can be arranged through some hotels. Dive sites around St Vincent include New Guinea Reef, where sea horses swim around an abundance of black coral; and Bottle Reef, so called because the sea bed is dotted with antique gin and rum bottles thrown into the sea from the English fort above in centuries past. Deep-sea fishing excursions are available.

Hiking: This can be undertaken in the rainforest. Hiking to the Soufrière volcano (1200m/4000ft) in the north of the island is popular, though strenuous. The trip takes a full day.

Other: Cricket and football are very popular. Tennis courts are available at Kingstown Tennis Club and facilities may also be arranged through hotels. Horseriding can be arranged in Mustique. The only golf course is the Carenage Golf Course on Canouan, which is partly on the flat coastal plain and partly carved into the hillside.

ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES TIME ZONE

Saint Vincent are islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago. St Vincent Time Standard Time is GMT -4.

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