St. Vincent & the Grenadines Travel Tips

Overview

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles chain of the Caribbean Sea. Its 389-km² territory consists of the main island of Saint Vincent and the northern two-thirds of the Grenadines. The country has a British colonial history and now part of the Commonwealth of Nations and CARICOM. Its capital is at Kingstown on Saint Vincent.

Climate

St. Vincent has a mountainous interior, having La Soufriere, an active volcano in the north rising to 1,220 m (4,000 ft.) as its highest point, and a sheltered and indented coastline on the Leeward coast. St. Vincent is roughly 29 km (18 miles) long and 17.7 km (11 miles) wide and has an area of 344 sq. km (133 sq. miles), while the Grenadines comprise an additional 44 sq. km (17 square miles). Bequia covers 18 sq. km (7 sq. miles) and its highest peak is 268 m (881 ft.). The island of Mustique is 5 sq. km (1.9 sq. miles) and rises to 151 m (496 ft.) at its highest. Mount Royal at 274 m (900 ft.) is the highest point in the7.5 sq. km (3 sq. miles) island of Canouan. The 5.5 km (3 1/2 mile) long Union Island features as its highest peak Mt. Tobai which soars to 305 m (1,000 ft.)

The average yearly temperature is 27° C (81° F). The coolest months are between November and February. During the rainy season, May through October, rain is frequent in the mountains of St. Vincent with the annual average rainfall being 380 cm (150 inches) inland and 200 cm (80 inches) on the coast.

Population

Economy

Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of this economy. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. Recent growth has been stimulated by strong activity in the construction sector and an improvement in tourism. The continuing dependence on a single crop represents the biggest obstacle to the islands' development; tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in both 1994 and 1995. There is a small manufacturing sector and a small offshore financial sector. The GDP is growing at an annual rate of approximately 4%.

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.

Water

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has an abundant supply of potable water as the level of rainfall is high.

Telecommunications

Airports

There are six airports in St. Vincent and the Grenadines with E. T. Joshua Airport in Kingstown being the largest. The four small domestic airports are located in Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union Island. There is also a private airport on Palm Island.   These airports are serviced by LIAT, Caribbean Star, Caribbean Sun, BWIA Express, SVG Air, Mustique Airways, and TIA. American Eagle services Canouan. A departure tax of EC$40 is charged to all passengers leaving the country.

Money

The currency of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$). Notes are issued in denominations of $100, 50, 20,10, 5 and 2. Coins are issued in denominations of $1 and 25,10, 5 and 1 cents. The exchange rate is tied to the US dollar at a rate of $2.68.

Visas

All persons entering St Vincent & the Grenadines require valid passports, a return or onward ticket as well as sufficient funds to cover their stay for up to six months. A return or onward ticket is required of all visitors.

A common visa policy will apply in which citizens of all countries, except those found in the Exception List (below), are required to have a CARICOM Special Visa in order to enter the single domestic space during the period 15th January to 15th May 2007.

All CARICOM Nationals except Haiti Japan Canada Spain France South Africa Germany The Netherlands Ireland United Kingdom Italy United States of America