Country
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
First trip: 1–2 nights on St Vincent, then 4–5 on Bequia by ferry, with a day sail to the Tobago Cays; add a second Grenadine island only if you have 10 nights or more.
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More
Every region, city and park in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Atlas) →
Key facts
- Best months
- Nov–May by month →
- Currency
- Eastern Caribbean dollar
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- G · A · B · 230 V
- Time zone
- UTC−4 all year
Rules in force · 3Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…
- Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
- Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
- Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
Understand in one strip
- Capital
- Kingstown, on St Vincent's south-west coast
- Status
- Independent Commonwealth realm since 1979
- Language
- English; Vincentian Creole in daily speech
- Currency
- Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), fixed at 2.70 to the US dollar
- Plugs
- Type G (some A/B); 230 V 50 Hz
- Driving
- Left-hand side; local permit needed
- Emergency
- 911 or 999
- Time zone
- UTC−4 all year
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an independent state of one large volcanic island and a chain of small islands stretching south towards Grenada. Moving between islands depends on ferries and small planes that run less often than visitors expect, and weather cancels them first. Union Island and other southern Grenadines were hit hard by Hurricane Beryl in 2024, so check what has reopened; hurricane season (June–November) is the main planning constraint.
About Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
About 110,000 people (check) live on St Vincent (345 km²) and some 30 islands and cays of the Grenadines. St Vincent was a Kalinago and Garifuna stronghold until 1797, when Britain deported most Garifuna to Roatán. Sugar, then arrowroot and bananas, sustained the colony; independence came in 1979. Argyle International opened in 2017, La Soufrière erupted in 2021, and Hurricane Beryl hit the southern Grenadines in 2024.
Where's good this month
Season restarts; yachts return.
Where's good: no region is at its best; pick the fair ones below
- The GrenadinesBequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union, Tobago CaysFairFairok: workable
Small, drier islands; steady trade winds for sailing. Beryl (Cat 4) hit the southern Grenadines on 1 July 2024.
- St VincentKingstown, Leeward coast, La SoufrièrePoorPoorwet: daily rain
Mountainous and green; rain on the windward side and summit; 26–31 °C (79–88 °F) on the coast.Mountainous and green; rain on the windward side and summit; 79–88 °F (26–31 °C) on the coast.
Holidays and festivals in November
No national holiday that changes transport or opening hours in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines this month.
Pick a route
Grenadines to Grenada
- Kingstown, 2 nightsArrival + day plans
- Bequia, 4 nightsBasic guide
- Union Island, 2 nightsBasic guide
- Carriacou, 2 nightsNo guide yet
- St George's, 4 nightsArrival + day plans
Clear out at Union, in at Carriacou.
Top destinations in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, ranked
St Vincent for arrival and the volcano; Bequia for the base; the Cays for a day.
Kingstown
Arrival + day plansArrival, market, gardens.
1–2 nights in Kingstown · Best Dec–May
Bequia
Basic guideEasy island base.
4–5 nights in Bequia · Best Dec–Jun
Tobago Cays
No guide yetTurtles and reef.
Day sail nights in Tobago Cays · Best Dec–Jun
Canouan / Mayreau / Union
No guide yetQuiet southern islands.
2–4 nights in Canouan / Mayreau / Union · Best Dec–Jun
Decide the trip
What the country is like, who it suits and how long to give it
Open Decide the tripClose Decide the trip7 partsUnderstand in one strip · At a glance · Understand · First vs second trip · Good for · Time math · Fit my nights
Understand in one stripCapital · Status · Language · Currency · Plugs · Driving · Emergency · Time zone
- Capital
- Kingstown, on St Vincent's south-west coast
- Status
- Independent Commonwealth realm since 1979
- Language
- English; Vincentian Creole in daily speech
- Currency
- Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), fixed at 2.70 to the US dollar
- Plugs
- Type G (some A/B); 230 V 50 Hz
- Driving
- Left-hand side; local permit needed
- Emergency
- 911 or 999
- Time zone
- UTC−4 all year
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: open now, and what is next
2 regions planned
On this page
- 1 of 3 regions open, with where to sleep and for how long
- 1 trip line with arrival paths and day plans
- 3 basic city guides
- How to split 4, 7, 10 days
- Money: cash, cards and ATMs
- Safety notes and the rules that apply on every page below
Coming as the guide grows
- Bequia — Easiest Grenadine by ferry; boat-building and beaches · 3–5 nights
- Southern Grenadines (Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island) — Tobago Cays, sailing and small resorts · 2–4 nights
At a glance
Each bar is 1 to 5. Green means the score makes the trip easier, amber is middling, red is harder; the words next to each score say what that end of the scale means, so colour is never the only signal.
Cheap St Vincent, pricey private islands.
Cash for ferries, boat boys, small places.
Official language.
Good on main islands; patchy on small cays.
Ferries and small planes; weather matters.
Low tourist crime; some Kingstown gun crime.
Hot, breezy.
Understand
About 110,000 people (check) live on St Vincent (345 km² (133 sq mi)) and some 30 islands and cays of the Grenadines. St Vincent was a Kalinago and Garifuna stronghold until 1797, when Britain deported most Garifuna to Roatán. Sugar, then arrowroot and bananas, sustained the colony; independence came in 1979. Argyle International opened in 2017, La Soufrière erupted in 2021, and Hurricane Beryl hit the southern Grenadines in 2024.About 110,000 people (check) live on St Vincent (133 sq mi (345 km²)) and some 30 islands and cays of the Grenadines. St Vincent was a Kalinago and Garifuna stronghold until 1797, when Britain deported most Garifuna to Roatán. Sugar, then arrowroot and bananas, sustained the colony; independence came in 1979. Argyle International opened in 2017, La Soufrière erupted in 2021, and Hurricane Beryl hit the southern Grenadines in 2024.
- People
- About 110,000 (check).
- Government
- Parliamentary democracy; the British monarch is head of state.
- Economy
- Tourism, agriculture, remittances.
History that still shows on the ground · 7 dates
| When | What happened | Where you meet it today |
|---|---|---|
| 1795–1797 | Second Carib War; Chatoyer killed; Garifuna deported | Garifuna nations in Central America. |
| 1765 | Kingstown Botanic Gardens founded | Among the oldest in the Americas. |
| 1902 | La Soufrière eruption | About 1,600 deaths. |
| 1979 | Independence and a La Soufrière eruption | 27 October. |
| 2017 | Argyle International opens | Direct flights from North America and UK (check). |
| 2021 | La Soufrière erupts | North evacuated for months. |
| 2024 | Hurricane Beryl | Union, Mayreau and Canouan badly damaged. |
Read or watch before you go
- Wikivoyage and Discover SVG are the easiest introductions; Garifuna histories cover 1795–97.
First trip vs second trip
| Trip | Go to | Why | Leave for later |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bequia week (7 nights) | Kingstown 2 + Bequia 5 | Easy ferry, beaches, Tobago Cays sail. | The southern Grenadines on a short trip. |
| Island hopper (10–14 nights) | St Vincent, Bequia, Canouan or Union, Carriacou | Ferries south to Grenada. | Union until you confirm post-Beryl services. |
| Volcano and valleys (3–4 nights) | St Vincent | La Soufrière hike, Dark View Falls, Vermont trail. | Summit in heavy rain. |
Good for…
Verdict is how well SVG works for that traveller.
Rewarding, but ferries and small planes need planning.
- 1Kingstown — arrival and ferry hub.
- 1Kingstown — market and roast breadfruit.
- 1Kingstown — cheap guesthouses and buses.
- 1Kingstown — gateway to Bequia's calm bays.
- 1Kingstown — start of the Grenadines.
- 1Kingstown — ferries and friendly guesthouses.
- 1Kingstown — gardens; ferries need agility.
- 1Kingstown — connection to Mustique and Canouan.
Ferries, steps and hills.
- 1Kingstown — flat waterfront.
Time math
- 4 days in total
- St Vincent 1 + Bequia 3
- 7 days in total
- St Vincent 2 + Bequia 5 with a Tobago Cays day sail
- 10 days in total
- St Vincent 2 + Bequia 4 + a southern Grenadine 4
Which regions fit my nights?
Tick the regions you are weighing up. The nights are the ranges this guide gives for each region.
Tick the regions you are considering.
Cities
Regions, cities and the places between them
Open CitiesClose Cities5 partsRegions · Cities · Other destinations · See · Do
Regions
Main airport, capital, La Soufrière volcano hike and waterfalls
1–3 nights in this region
Easiest Grenadine by ferry; boat-building and beaches
3–5 nights in this region
Tobago Cays, sailing and small resorts
2–4 nights in this region
Cities
Capital: market, cathedrals, botanic gardens, Fort Charlotte and the ferry dock.
Admiralty Bay, ferry landing, restaurants and boat-builders.
Southern port of entry and kite beach; rebuilding after Beryl.
Other destinations
| Place | What | Getting there | Why go / verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bequia → | Island | Ferry 1 h | Beaches, boat-building, laid-back bars. |
| Tobago Cays | Marine park | Day sail | Turtles, reef and sandy cays. |
| La Soufrière | Active volcano | Guided hike from Rabacca or Richmond | Crater rim with a new 2021 dome (check access). |
| Dark View Falls | Waterfalls | Leeward coast | Twin falls via a bamboo bridge. |
| Mustique | Private island | Small plane | Celebrity villas; Basil's Bar (check). |
| Canouan | Resort island | Flight or ferry | High-end resorts reopened after Beryl. |
See
Kingstown
- Botanic Gardens · Kingstown
- Fort Charlotte · Kingstown
- Kingstown Market · Kingstown
- St George's Cathedral · Kingstown
- St Mary's Cathedral · Kingstown
One morning covers town; the gardens need an hour.
The Grenadines
- Princess Margaret Beach · Bequia
- Tobago Cays · South of Mayreau
- Salt Whistle Bay · Mayreau
Use Bequia as the base for a Cays day.
Do
| Activity | Where | Best months | Cost (2026 estimate) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tobago Cays snorkelling | Marine park | All year | US$120–200 day trip — check | Swim with turtles. |
| La Soufrière hike | St Vincent | Dec–May | Guide US$50–100 — check | 3–4 h up; check the alert level. |
| Sailing | The Grenadines | Dec–Jun | Charters from US$300+ a day | The chain's main draw. |
| Diving | Bequia, Canouan | All year | US$110–140 two-tank — check | Walls and reefs. |
| Kitesurfing | Union Island (Clifton) | Dec–Jun | Lessons US$80+ — check | Rebuilding after Beryl — check. |
Connect the cities
Ready-made routes, the route builder and the legs between cities
Open Connect the citiesClose Connect the cities3 partsItineraries · Route builder · Between cities
Itineraries by length
Ferries decide the order; end on St Vincent or Barbados.
7 days
St Vincent and Bequia
Kingstown → Bequia → Kingstown
Tobago Cays by day sail from Bequia.
10 days
Down the chain
Kingstown → Bequia → Canouan or Union → fly out
- Kingstown2n
- Bequia4n
- Canouan / Union4n
Check post-Beryl services on Union.
14 days
Grenadines to Grenada
Kingstown → Bequia → Union → Carriacou → St George's
Clear out at Union, in at Carriacou.
Build a route
Based on: Down the chain (10 days, itineraries by length)
- Kingstown2 nights
- Bequia4 nightsTransfer not on file yet: check the A-to-B tool.
- Canouan / Union4 nights
Check post-Beryl services on Union.
What this route costs
- Kingstown2 nightsUS$950
- Bequia4 nightsUS$1,900
- Canouan / Union4 nightsUS$1,900
Total, 2 travelers
US$5,000
Per person per day: US$250
2026 estimate (check): rooms for two, food, local transport and sights; international flights, visas and insurance excluded. Tweak it in the budget calculator.
Getting between cities
| Between | Fastest | Other ways | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingstown to Bequia | Ferry / boat · 1–1.5 hFerry about 1 h | — | All options → |
| Kingstown to Union Island | Ferry / boat · 2–2.5 hFerry | — | All options → |
How each mode works hereAny two places: A-to-BIs a rail pass worth it?
This month
Weather and crowds by month
Open This monthClose This month2 partsYear at a glance · Climate
Year at a glance
Every month in one list: how it rates, how busy and pricey it is, and which holidays land in it.
- Busiest or big holidays
- Jan–Apr, Jun, Jul, Dec
- Rated avoid
- Sep
Jan
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high- New Year's Day (medium impact)
Feb
GoodCrowds: highPrices: highMar
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high- Easter and the Bequia Easter Regatta (high impact)
- National Heroes Day (low impact)
Apr
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high- Easter and the Bequia Easter Regatta (high impact)
May
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium- Labour Day (low impact)
- Whit Monday (low impact)
Jun
CautionCrowds: mediumPrices: medium- Vincy Mas (Carnival) (high impact)
- Whit Monday (low impact)
Jul
CautionCrowds: mediumPrices: low- Vincy Mas (Carnival) (high impact)
Aug
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low- Emancipation Day (low impact)
Sep
AvoidCrowds: lowPrices: lowOct
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low- Independence Day (medium impact)
Nov
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: mediumDec
GoodCrowds: highPrices: high- Christmas and Boxing Day (high impact)
- Nine Mornings (medium impact)
Climate by region and month
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St VincentKingstown, Leeward coast, La Soufrière | best | best | best | best | ok | wet | wet | storm | storm | storm | wet | ok |
| The GrenadinesBequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union, Tobago Cays | best | best | best | best | best | ok | ok | storm | storm | storm | ok | best |
- St Vincent
- Mountainous and green; rain on the windward side and summit; 26–31 °C (79–88 °F) on the coast.Mountainous and green; rain on the windward side and summit; 79–88 °F (26–31 °C) on the coast.
- The Grenadines
- Small, drier islands; steady trade winds for sailing. Beryl (Cat 4) hit the southern Grenadines on 1 July 2024.
Winter 'Christmas winds' make crossings bumpy. Hurricanes are rarer this far south but not rare enough — Beryl proved it.
Cost
What a day costs, and how to pay
Open CostClose Cost4 partsMoney at a glance · Daily budget · Costs · Money & passes
Money at a glance
Currency and cash
Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), fixed at 2.70 to the US dollar
Card and cash both needed
Cash or card
ATMs
On landing: Withdraw EC$ in Kingstown.
A day, per person
- BudgetUS$70–140
- Mid-rangeUS$215–410
- ComfortUS$770–1,800
Per person per day, bed included
What that covers ↓Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% often added.
- Boat crews: 10–15%.
Money & passesCard, cash or ATM: the cheapest way to payTipping calculator
Budget per day, per person
Per person per day, sharing a room at mid and comfort. Flights excluded. 2026 estimate.
| Tier | Bed | Food | Transport | Sights | Extras | Total, bed included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BudgetGuesthouse, ferries, local food | US$30–60 | US$20–30 | US$10–20 | US$5–15 | US$5–15 | US$70–140 |
| Mid-rangeSmall hotel, restaurants, day sail | US$90–180 | US$50–70 | US$20–50 | US$40–80 | US$15–30 | US$215–410 |
| ComfortResort island, private charters | US$400–1,000 | US$120–250 | US$100–250 | US$100–200 | US$50–100 | US$770–1,800 |
Costs per day
Budget
US$80–110
Guesthouse, ferries, minibuses, local food.
Per person per day · Includes a bed
Mid-range
US$200–350
Small hotel, restaurants, one day sail.
Per person per day · Includes a bed
Comfort
US$600+
Canouan or Mustique resorts, private charters.
Per person per day
| Typical price | Amount |
|---|---|
| Kingstown – Bequia ferry | About EC$30–40 one way — check |
| Tobago Cays day sail | US$120–200 — check |
| Local plate | EC$20–30 |
| Hairoun beer | EC$5–8 |
| La Soufrière guide | US$50–100 — check |
2026 estimate, per person. Mustique and Canouan are far above these ranges.
Budget calculator
- Beds1 room × 10 nightsUS$1,500
- Food and drink2 × 10 daysUS$1,200
- Local transport2 × 10 daysUS$800
- Sights and tours2 × 10 daysUS$1,200
- Via Barbados or US – Argyle (SVD) return2 × 1US$1,300
Trip total, 2 travellers
US$6,000
Per person per day: US$300
2026 estimate. Beds priced per room for two; international flights, insurance and visas excluded. Inter-island flights and boat days are the swing costs.
Money & passes
Cash necessity: 3/5 (5 means cash for most things)
- Currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), pegged to the US dollar; US dollars are widely accepted.
- Cards work in larger hotels; ferries, minibuses, boat boys and small restaurants want cash.
- ATMs are limited on the small islands: bring cash from St Vincent or Bequia.
Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry
Getting in
Before you go, entry rules and the first day
Open Getting inClose Getting in5 partsBefore you go · Arrive · Entry · Documents · First 24 hours
Before you go
What to sort, and by when, before a trip to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Pick your passport and flight date; everything else follows.
Add your flight date to turn “weeks before” into dates.
No visa needed: 180 days
Visa-free; the officer sets the stay, up to 6 months (check). Return or onward ticket.
Vaccines and medicines
30 days beforeSome vaccines need weeks or two doses; carry prescriptions in their boxes.
eSIM or roaming
2 weeks beforeDigicel and Flow sell SIMs and eSIMs; coverage weak on small cays.
Cards and cash
2 weeks beforeCard and cash both needed (cash need 3/5). ATMs are limited on the small islands: bring cash from St Vincent or Bequia.
US plugs fit
7 days beforeSockets here: type G, A, B. Mains is 230 V against 120 V at home: phone and laptop chargers cope (check the label says 100–240 V); hair dryers and straighteners usually do not.
Arrival card or e-arrival form
3 days beforeOnline or paper ED form (check); departure tax usually in the fare.
Lead times are Voykit's safe margins, not official deadlines (check the official portal). The full countdown with calendar reminders: Before-you-go countdown · Passport check.
Arrive
SVD
Argyle International (St Vincent)
About 25–40 min by road to Kingstown and the Bequia ferry (check)
BQU
J. F. Mitchell (Bequia)
Small regional airstrip
CIW
Canouan
Regional and private flights for the southern Grenadines
Entry: visas and borders
Most Western passports enter visa-free; the stay is set on arrival (often a month, extendable, and up to 6 months for some nationalities — check). A few nationalities need a visa in advance. You need a return ticket and an address; an online ED form is used — check. Sailors clear in at Kingstown, Wallilabou, Bequia, Canouan or Union Island, and must clear out again before sailing to Carriacou (Grenada).
Visa-free; the officer sets the stay, up to 6 months (check).
- Cost
- Free
- Form to fill
- Passport, return ticket, address.
- Arrival card
- Online or paper ED form (check); departure tax usually in the fare.
- Passport
- Valid for 6 months is safest.
- Onward ticket
- Return or onward ticket.
| Who | Rule | Stay | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| US, UK, Canada, EU | Visa-free | Set on arrival, up to 6 months (check) | Show onward ticket. |
| Most other passports | Visa-free | Set on arrival; extend at Immigration | Check. |
| China, Nigeria and a few others | Visa in advance | As granted | Apply weeks ahead. |
By land and river
| Crossing | To / from | Mode | Visa there | Trap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union Island – Carriacou (Grenada) | Grenada | Water taxi or ferry, about 1 h (check) | Clear out at Clifton, clear in at Hillsborough | Union's services were hit by Beryl — check current operations. |
| Kingstown – Bequia | Domestic | Bequia Express / Admiral ferries, about 1 h | No checks | Last boats early evening. |
- Camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians.
- Hurricane Beryl (1 July 2024) damaged most buildings on Union Island and Mayreau and hit Canouan. Canouan's resorts reopened in late 2024; Union is rebuilding, with immigration, shops and some guesthouses open — check before booking the south.
Documents checklist
0/4 ready
First 24 hours
Do these on arrival.
Transfer: Taxi from Argyle to Kingstown or the ferry dock.
Few buses at night.
Cash: Withdraw EC$ in Kingstown.
Ferries and small islands want cash.
Ferry: Check the Bequia timetable at the dock.
Times change.
Volcano: Check the La Soufrière alert level before planning a hike.
Active volcano.
South: Confirm your Union/Canouan booking and transport.
Post-Beryl changes.
Getting around
Modes, times and the clock
Open Getting aroundClose Getting around2 partsGet around · Local time
Get around
| Mode | Kingstown → Bequia (1 h by ferry) | Cost | Use it when | What breaks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry to Bequia | About 1 h | About EC$30–40 one way — check | Several sailings daily; the easiest island hop. | Fewer on Sundays; winter swell. |
| Ferry to the southern Grenadines | Kingstown – Union 3–4 h via Canouan and Mayreau | EC$40–60 — check | Cargo-passenger boats a few days a week. | Schedules thin and changed after Beryl — check. |
| Small planes | SVD – Bequia, Canouan, Union 10–25 min | US$100–200 one way — check | SVG Air and Mustique Airways link the islands and Barbados. | Bag weight limits; weather. |
| Minibus (St Vincent) | Kingstown – Argyle 30 min | EC$2–6 — check | Cheap, loud and frequent by day. | Few at night; fast driving. |
| Water taxi | Around Bequia bays 5–15 min | EC$20–40 — check | Handy from Port Elizabeth to beaches. | Agree the fare first. |
| Day sail to the Tobago Cays | Full day from Bequia or Union | US$120–200 incl. park fee — check | Turtles and reef in the marine park. | Wind and waves in winter. |
Local time
What time it is there now, compared with the clock on your device.
Kingstown
…
Checking your clock…America/St Vincent
Practical
Money rules, safety, holidays, health, phones and phrases
Open PracticalClose Practical13 partsNext 90 days · Holidays · Safety & health · Safety · Safety by region · Health · Scams · Emergency card · Practical · Connect · Talk · Cope · Who travels
Holidays in the next 90 days
Dec 16
in 43 days
Nine MorningsSome impact
Dec 16–Dec 24
Pre-dawn street events and music in Kingstown.
Dec 25
in 52 days
Christmas and Boxing DayBig impact
Dec 25–Dec 26
Peak prices.
Jan 1
in 59 days
New Year's DaySome impact
Jan 1
Closures.
The full holiday listHolidays on your datesFestivals by month
Holidays and festivals
| When | What | Impact | What it does to a trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | New Year's Day | medium | Closures. |
| 14 Mar | National Heroes Day | low | Honours Chief Joseph Chatoyer. |
| Mar–Apr (varies) | Easter and the Bequia Easter Regatta | high | Bequia fills; ferries busy. |
| 1 May | Labour Day | low | Public holiday. |
| May–Jun (varies) | Whit Monday | low | Public holiday. |
| Late Jun – early Jul | Vincy Mas (Carnival) | high | Kingstown parades; ferries and flights fill. |
| 1 Aug | Emancipation Day | low | Public holiday. |
| 27 Oct | Independence Day | medium | Parades. |
| 16–24 Dec | Nine Mornings | medium | Pre-dawn street events and music in Kingstown. |
| 25–26 Dec | Christmas and Boxing Day | high | Peak prices. |
Safety and health at a glance
Emergency numbers
Where to take care
4/5 for a careful visitor · Low tourist crime; some Kingstown gun crime.
- medium St Vincent (Kingstown) · Some gun crime; avoid empty streets at night. Volcano alerts in the north.
Tap water
Health
Main risks: Volcanic hazards, Dengue, Seasickness, Medical care.
Top scams
- 1. Boat boys' fees · Agree price for moorings, ice and tours before accepting.
- 2. Taxi fare per person · Confirm per-car price and currency.
Safety
- Traffic drives on the left; St Vincent's roads are steep and winding.
- La Soufrière is an active volcano that last erupted in 2021: check the status before hiking.
- Choose licensed boat operators and check the weather before crossings.
- Sun and sea: the sun is strong all year; watch for currents and rip tides on unpatrolled beaches, and swim where locals swim.
- Hurricane season (Jun–Nov): follow local warnings and your airline; if a storm is forecast, leave early or shelter where your accommodation tells you.
- Emergency: 911 or 999 (police, ambulance); fire 998. Check the numbers on your hotel's card as well.
The Grenadines chain continues south into Grenada's Carriacou; Barbados and Saint Lucia are the nearest larger air hubs.
What four governments say
Comparison not available yet for this country
Strikes and disruptions
Official notices for the next 90 days. Open the full calendar.
No official-source strike or disruption notices for the next 90 days
Safety by region
Crime is low for visitors; nature is the bigger risk.
| Region | Risk | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| St Vincent (Kingstown) | medium | Some gun crime; avoid empty streets at night. Volcano alerts in the north. |
| Bequia | low | Petty theft from boats. |
| Southern Grenadines | low | Post-Beryl services limited — check. |
Stay healthy
| Risk | Where / when | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Volcanic hazards | La Soufrière | Check NEMO and UWI alert level; hike with a guide. |
| Dengue | All islands | Repellent. |
| Seasickness | Ferries in winter | Tablets before sailing. |
| Medical care | Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (Kingstown) | Small clinics on the Grenadines; insurance with evacuation cover. |
Scams and overcharges
| Trap | Where | Defence |
|---|---|---|
| Boat boys' fees | Anchorages | Agree price for moorings, ice and tours before accepting. |
| Taxi fare per person | Argyle, ferry dock | Confirm per-car price and currency. |
Emergency card
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines emergency numbers — screenshot this card
Natural and on-the-ground hazards
| Hazard | When / where | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Volcano | Any time | Follow NEMO and UWI Seismic Research alerts. |
| Hurricanes | Jun–Nov | Leave the small islands early if a storm is forecast. |
Alerts and apps
- Marine weather and airline apps.
Police, embassies, paperwork
- Serious cases go to Barbados or Martinique.
Emergency card · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- My passport
- — · find my embassy
- Insurance
- —
- Staying at
- —
Hospitals with emergency care
- Milton Cato Memorial Hospital · Kingstown, Kingstown
- Private clinics and doctors in Kingstown · Kingstown, Kingstown
Practical
230 V · 50 Hz
Mostly UK-style sockets.
- Tap water
- Tap water on St Vincent is generally fine; rainwater cisterns on the Grenadines — drink bottled.
- Toilets
- Hotels, restaurants, the ferry terminal.
- Weekly closing days
- Sundays quiet; fewer ferries.
Tipping by situation
| Situation | What locals do |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% often added. |
| Boat crews | 10–15%. |
Opening hours
| What | Typical hours | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Kingstown market | Mon–Sat, busiest Friday–Saturday | Closed Sunday. |
| Ferries | Early morning to early evening | Sunday schedule reduced. |
Connect
- Digicel and Flow sell SIMs and eSIMs; coverage weak on small cays.
- Wi-Fi in hotels; slower in the southern Grenadines.
- Numbers
- Country code +1 784.
Talk
English, with Vincentian Creole on the street.
| Where | Lingua franca | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| All islands | English, Vincentian Creole | Native | Garifuna heritage is being revived on St Vincent. |
- Vincy is the everyday word for a Vincentian.
Cope
- Supermarkets
- Kingstown and Bequia; small shops elsewhere.
- ATMs
- Kingstown, Bequia, Canouan; limited on Union — check.
Travellers with specific needs
| Traveller | On the ground | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Sailors | The Grenadines are a top cruising ground. | Clear in and out properly; Tobago Cays fees. |
| Hikers | La Soufrière, Vermont Nature Trail. | Check volcano status. |
| Families | Bequia's calm bays. | Princess Margaret Beach. |
| Wheelchair users | Hard: ferries, steps, hills. | Argyle airport is modern. |
Culture and food
Rules, manners, what to eat, where to sleep and what to buy
Open Culture and foodClose Culture and food6 partsRules · Respect & laws · Eat · Drink · Sleep · Buy
Country rules
- Check entry rules for your passport on official St Vincent and the Grenadines government sources before you fly.
- Camouflage-pattern clothing is illegal for civilians: leave it at home.
- The Tobago Cays are a marine park: visit with licensed operators and follow anchoring and no-take rules.
Etiquette
- Greet people before asking for anything.
- Dress modestly away from the beach, especially in Kingstown.
- Agree prices with boat boys and vendors before accepting a service.
- Vincy Mas carnival (late June–early July)
- Kingstown is busy; ferries and flights fill.
- Bequia Easter Regatta
- Bequia fills with sailors; book early.
- Hurricane season (Jun–Nov, peak Aug–Oct)
- Storms can close airports and ports for days; ferries and small flights are cancelled first.
Respect and laws that surprise
| Topic | The rule | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Camouflage | No camouflage clothing. | Confiscation or a fine. |
| Tobago Cays Marine Park | Pay the park fee, no anchoring on reef, no taking of anything. | Fines. |
| Whaling | Bequia has a small aboriginal humpback quota; don't lecture, ask. | Offence. |
| Dress | Cover up in Kingstown. | Disapproval. |
Everyday manners
| Situation | Do | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Good morning to everyone | Skipping greetings |
| Anchorages | Agree prices with boat boys | Accepting help without a price |
| Dress | Cover up in town | Swimwear or camouflage in Kingstown |
Eat
The national dish is roasted breadfruit and fried jackfish. St Vincent's volcanic soil grows provisions, arrowroot and fruit, and the Grenadines add lobster and conch. Kingstown's market and roadside roasters are the cheap way to eat.
| Region | Style | Order this |
|---|---|---|
| Kingstown | Market stalls, roti shops, roast breadfruit stands | Roast breadfruit and jackfish, roti |
| Bequia | Waterfront restaurants | Lobster, fish, conch |
| Southern Grenadines | Beach grills | Lobster on the beach |
Dish finder
Region
Diet
11 of 11 dishes
- Roast breadfruit and fried jackfishNational
Breadfruit an' jackfish
Coal-roasted breadfruit with fried small fish — the national dish.
Lunch · Usually has fish/seafood
- Callaloo soupNational
Callaloo
Dasheen-leaf soup with coconut, sometimes crab.
Lunch · Usually has fish/seafood · vegetarian version exists — ask
- BuljolNational
Buljol
Shredded saltfish with tomato, onion and pepper.
Breakfast · Usually has fish/seafood
- BakesNational
Bakes
Fried or baked bread.
Breakfast · Usually has milk · vegetarian version common
- PelauNational
Pelau
Browned chicken, rice and pigeon peas.
Lunch · Usually has chicken
- RotiKingstown
Roti
Curried chicken, goat or vegetables in flatbread.
Lunch · Usually has chicken, lamb · vegetarian version exists — ask
- LambieGrenadines
Lambie
Conch stewed or curried.
Dinner · Usually has fish/seafood
- Grilled lobsterGrenadines
Lobster
Spiny lobster on the beach grill, in season.
Dinner · Usually has fish/seafood, milk
- SouseNational
Souse
Pickled pork in a lime-cucumber broth.
Saturday · Usually has pork
- Black puddingNational
Black pudding
Blood-and-rice sausage.
Saturday · Usually has pork
- Arrowroot cakeSt Vincent
Arrowroot cake
Cake or biscuits made with local arrowroot starch.
Snack · Usually has egg, milk · vegetarian version common
Tags describe the usual recipe, not every kitchen. Stocks and sauces hide animal products: ask, or show the allergy card below.
Table manners
- Market stalls and roadside roasters are cash only.
Allergy / diet card — show it, do not say it
I have a severe allergy to ___. Does this dish contain ___, or is it cooked with it?
“English is the local language; show this to your server or cook.”
- Peanuts
- peanuts
- Shellfish
- shellfish (lambie/conch, lobster, crab, shrimp)
- Fish
- fish / saltfish / jackfish
- Milk
- dairy (milk, butter, cheese)
- Egg
- eggs
- Wheat / gluten
- wheat / flour
Diets: the reality
| Diet | On the ground | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetarian | Provisions and roti help. | Ask for ital (Rastafarian) food. |
| Shellfish allergy | Lobster and conch common in the Grenadines. | Ask about shared oil. |
Drink
- Legal age
- 18.
| Drink | What it is | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Hairoun beerHairoun | Local lager named after the Kalinago name of the island. | EC$5–8 |
| Sunset rumSunset Very Strong | Very high-strength local rum — sip carefully. | EC$5–10 |
| Rum punchRum punch | Rum, fruit, nutmeg. | US$6–10 |
| Sea mossSea moss | Seaweed, milk and spice drink. | EC$5–8 |
- Bequia's waterfront bars are the social centre of the Grenadines.
Sleep
| Type | Price (2026 estimate) | Use it for | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guesthouse | US$60–130 | Kingstown, Bequia | Book Bequia early in season. |
| Small hotel / villa | US$150–350 | Bequia, Villa (St Vincent) | Hills; taxis needed. |
| Luxury resort | US$700+ | Canouan, Mustique, Palm Island | Private flights often part of the deal. |
Registration and the law
- VAT and service are added — check.
Booking reality
- Easter Regatta and Carnival sell out; Union Island capacity is reduced after Beryl — check.
Buy
Model boats, arrowroot products, crafts.
Prices and bargaining
- Fixed prices; light haggling at stalls.
What to bring home
| Item | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Model boats | Bequia | Hand-built replicas. |
| Arrowroot starch | Kingstown | St Vincent's traditional crop. |
Customs allowances on arrival
| What | Limit or rule |
|---|---|
| Coral, turtle shell | Forbidden |
Deep dive
Questions, where next, photos, reading and every source
Open Deep diveClose Deep dive3 partsGo next · Deep dive · Sources
Go next
Sources compared: Wikivoyage — Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Wikipedia — Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Section coverage was checked against these community guides (CC BY-SA) as secondary sources; the text on this page is Voykit's own, with facts cross-checked against the official sources above.
Deep dive
One volcano island and a chain of small ones stretching towards Grenada. The five chapters cover the Garifuna who held St Vincent longest, La Soufrière, the seafaring Grenadines, the airport that changed access, and Hurricane Beryl and its aftermath.
1Chatoyer and the Garifuna1 min
St Vincent, which the Kalinago called Hairoun, resisted European settlement longer than almost any Caribbean island. Africans who escaped shipwrecks and slavery mixed with the Kalinago to form the Garifuna (called 'Black Caribs' by the British), who controlled much of the island into the late 18th century.
In the Second Carib War of 1795–96 the Garifuna, led by Paramount Chief Joseph Chatoyer and allied with the French, fought the British. Chatoyer was killed in 1795; after the defeat, about 5,000 Garifuna were held on Balliceaux and in 1797 the survivors were shipped to Roatán off Honduras. Their descendants now live along the Central American coast, and Chatoyer is St Vincent's first National Hero.
- Chatoyer killed
- 14 March 1795 (National Heroes Day)
- Deportation to Roatán
- 1797
2La Soufrière1 min
La Soufrière (1,234 m) fills the north of St Vincent. Its 1902 eruption killed about 1,600 people, most of them in Kalinago and Garifuna villages; it erupted again in 1979, and in April 2021 a series of explosive eruptions covered the island in ash and forced about 20,000 people to evacuate for months.
Trails to the crater rim start at Rabacca on the windward side and Richmond on the leeward side. The 2021 eruptions reshaped the crater and damaged trails; access reopened in stages. Check the current alert level with NEMO and the UWI Seismic Research Centre, and go with a guide.
- Height
- About 1,234 m
- Recent eruptions
- 1902, 1979, 2021
3Boats, whalers and the Grenadines1 min
The Grenadines were settled by sailors, fishermen and a few planters. Bequia built wooden schooners and sent men to sea on whalers, and it still holds one of the few aboriginal whaling quotas in the world, taking up to a handful of humpbacks a year under International Whaling Commission rules, though catches are rare.
Mustique became a private island for the rich in the 1960s, and Canouan and Palm Island followed with resorts, while Mayreau and Union remained small villages. The Tobago Cays Marine Park, created in 1997, protects the reef and turtles that draw day-sailors and yachts.
- Tobago Cays Marine Park
- 1997
4Argyle and the Botanic Gardens1 min
For decades St Vincent's only airport, E. T. Joshua at Arnos Vale, could take only small planes, so every visitor connected through Barbados or Saint Lucia. Argyle International opened on the windward coast in February 2017 after years of construction, with a runway for jets from North America and the UK (routes vary — check).
Kingstown itself is a working port town. Its Botanic Gardens, founded in 1765, are among the oldest in the Western Hemisphere; a breadfruit tree there descends from those brought by Captain Bligh in 1793 — the voyage after the Bounty mutiny.
- Argyle opened
- 14 February 2017
- Botanic Gardens
- 1765
5Hurricane Beryl and after1 min
On 1 July 2024 Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record, passed over the southern Grenadines at Category 4 strength. Most homes on Union Island and Mayreau were damaged or destroyed, Canouan was hit hard, and power, water and ferries stopped for weeks.
Recovery has been uneven. Canouan's resorts reopened from October 2024; on Union Island, Clifton's customs and immigration, shops, the fish market and some bars and guesthouses are working again, while houses, roads and public buildings are still being rebuilt with international help (check current status). Travellers who go now bring money into places that need it — but confirm bookings and transport before you sail south.
- Landfall
- 1 July 2024
- Worst hit
- Union Island, Mayreau, Canouan
Read, watch, wordsGlossary · Sources
Glossary
| Term | Local | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Vincy | Vincentian; also Vincy Mas, the carnival. | |
| Hairoun | Kalinago name for St Vincent; also the local beer. | |
| Boat boys | Locals who meet yachts offering moorings and services. | |
| Garifuna | Afro-indigenous people of St Vincent, deported to Central America in 1797. |
Read for this deep dive
- Discover SVG ↗
- NEMO St Vincent and the Grenadines ↗
- UWI Seismic Research Centre ↗
- Wikivoyage — Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ↗
Background reading only: the text above is written by Voykit, not copied from these pages.
Sources
- secondaryWikivoyage — Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- officialUK FCDO travel advice: St Vincent and the Grenadines
- officialDiscover SVG (tourism authority)
- officialNEMO — National Emergency Management Organisation (volcano and hurricane alerts)
- officialUWI Seismic Research Centre — La Soufrière status
- officialArgyle International Airport
Ask about Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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