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Visitor
Information & 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.
Shopping
The capital city of Kingstown is located in the
southwestern part of the island, hugging a mile-wide
swath of land on Kingstown Bay backed up by a
ring of green hills and ridges. Nicknamed the
"City of Arches", Kingstown is full
of old world charm, with Cobblestone sidewalks,
old brick buildings and like many Caribbean capitals,
much of the color and bustle of the island can
be found in the market square at the corner of
Bay and Bedford Streets.
The city consists ot twelve small blocks that
are easy to walk and perfect for browsing. Shops
and stores range from simple to sophisticated,
selling local crafts, books, cameras, binoculars,
watches, crystal and bone china, gold and silver
jewellery, Sea Island cotton and batik. Port Elizabeth
is the commercial center on Bequia and boasts
a good selection of stores and shops.
Dining
St. Vincent boasts an eclectic range of dining
options from beachside grills and take-away pizzas
to simple, casual fare and more elaborate fine
gourmet cuisine. Hotel restaurants are generally
open to non-resident guests and further increase
your choices. Along the Villa and Indian Bay strip
is a delightful variety of local and international
restaurants. Moorings around the Young Island
Cut make many of these restaurants easily accessible
to yachtsmen. For those seeking a slightly more
adventurous lunch or dinner experience take the
picturesque drive out to Pebbles in Mount Pleasant
or take a boat ride over to Petit Byahaut or Young
Island. Dining in Bequia is more relaxed and informal
but there are plenty of choices from small intimate
restauants to the more sophisticated.
Night Life
While St. Vincent may not boast a raucous nightlife
scene, there are a few spots that offer evening
entertainment. A number of hotels feature live
weekly entertainment with local steel bands or
string bands usually on Fridays and Saturdays.
You would be wise to check with the venue before
hand for up to date information. The Attic and
Emotions are two well known, lively nightclubs
in Kingstown and Iguana and Marcomay located in
Villa. On Bequia, the waterfront in Port Elizabeth
has a good selection of bars and many hotels offer
lively "jump ups" each week.
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.
Tourism Organization Contact Information
St. Vincent
Ministry Of Tourism and Culture
Cruise Ship Terminal, Harbour Quay, Kingstown
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Tel: 784-457-1502
Fax: 784-451-2425
tourism@caribsurf.com
St. Vincent & The Grenadines Hotel & Tourism
Association
P.O. Box 834
E.T. Joshua Int'l Airport, Kingstown
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Tel:784-458-4379 Fax: 784-456-4456
e-mail: svghotels@caribsurf.com
office@svghotels.com
United States
801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10017
Toll free: 800-729-1726
Tel: 212-687-4981
Fax: 212-949-5946
svgtony@aol.com
Canada
333 Wilson Avenue
Suite 601
Toronto, M3H 1T2
Tel: 416-398-4277
Fax: 416-398-4199
svgtourismtoronto@rogers.com
United Kingdom
10 Kensington Court
London W8 5DL England
Tel: 207-937-6570
Fax: 207-937-3611
svgtourismeurope@aol.com
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