Saint Vincent & The Grenadines Travel Guide
Useful Tips
Everything you need to know before you fly to Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
Average Trip Cost
NA
When To Go
December to May
Official Currency
Eastern Caribbean Dollar
Ideal Length Of Stay
7 to 14 days
About Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
Saint Vincent & The Grenadines is a collection of 32 islands that are located in the southern end of the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea, where the latter meets the Atlantic Ocean. Vastly different and offering an array of activities, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines is a destination you won’t soon forget.
Saint Vincent, the largest of the cluster of islands, is full of eco-adventures. Whether you want to hike Saint Vincent’s dormant volcano, La Soufriere, or go bird watching in the lush rainforest, Saint Vincent gives you an array of experiences to discover. Scuba dive in its beautifully clear turquoise water; Saint Vincent has been called the Critter Capital of the Caribbean. Discover the Falls of Baleine and enjoy the tranquility of the sound of rushing water.
If you are interested in a bit of history and a little kitsch, visit the locations where the blockbuster Hollywood movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl” was filmed.
The Grenadines offer a different experience than Saint Vincent. Of the 31 islands that comprise The Grenadines, eight are inhabited (Young Island, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Union Island, Mayreau, Palm Island, and Petit St Vincent).
Young Island is known for rest and relaxation. The snorkeling and diving off this island are exquisite.
Bequia has the party atmosphere that is special after hours. Enjoy the beach, take a tour of the island and learn about its rich history, and dance the night away in Bequia’s Easter Regatta.
Mustique combines luxury with the Caribbean experience. Known as a spot for the rich and famous, Mustique offers a luxurious respite from everyday life.
Canouan is known as the island where billionaires go to get away from the millionaires on Mustique, maintain a luxury resort and many private mansions and villas.
Mayreau takes quaint and remote to another level. If you are looking for a relaxing trip, this island will provide it. There is no airstrip on the island – it must be accessed via boat.
Union Island is off the beaten path and brimming with unspoiled beauty. Union Island gives interested travelers the chance to feel as if they were born in the Caribbean and explore than land as a native might a hundred years ago.
Palm Island is exclusive in nature. Enjoy this private resort and become one with the beauty of the Caribbean.
Petit St. Vincent is a luxury resort island that makes waves of its own. Chosen as one of the best luxury resorts in the Caribbean, Petit St. Vincent offers everything you could want in an island vacation.
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines is perfect for the sailing enthusiast. It is the ideal places to island-hop via boat, pick up a mooring, and explore a new island by day while enjoying the sway of the water at night. Saint Vincent and The Grenadines is a tropical paradise in more ways than one.
Where To Stay In Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
Visitors to Saint Vincent & The Grenadines stay in a wide variety of accommodations, including private rental, guesthouses, and luxurious all-inclusive hotels. Some of the best hotels in Saint Vincent & The Grenadines include:
- Beachcombers Hotel, St Vincent
- Young Island Resort
- Bequia Beach Hotel
- Cotton House, Mustique
- Mandarin Oriental Canouan
- Petit St Vincent Resort
- Palm Island Resort & Spa
Activities In Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
Major tourist activities in Saint Vincent & The Grenadines include:
- Exploring the historic capital city of Kingstown in St Vincent
- Admiring the flowers and fauna at St. Vincent Botanical Gardens
- Swimming at Dark View Falls
- Taking a rum tour at St Vincent Distillers
- Hiking the La Soufriere Cross Country Trail
- Sailing and exploring islands in The Grenadines
- Diving and snorkeling within the Tobago Cays Marine Park
Facts About Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
Size:
133 square miles
Population:
109,022
Official Language:
English
Demonym:
Vincentian
Capital City:
Kingstown
Government:
Parliamentary Democracy under British Constitutional Monarchy
Telephone Country Code:
784
Driving:
left side of the road
Local Beer:
Hairoun
National Dish:
Roasted breadfruit and fried jackfish
Main Airport:
Argyle International Airport (SVD)
Electricity:
240 V/50 Hz –plugs are a mix of types A, B & G
Visa Information For Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
All visitors to Saint Vincent & The Grenadines will need to have a valid passport and an onward or return ticket. Visas are not required for citizens of the United States, Canada, and most European and Commonwealth countries.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Visa For Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
With a valid passport and supporting documents, it typically takes 15 to 20 business days for a visa application to be processed by the nearest Saint Vincent & The Grenadines Embassy or High Commission.
Is It Safe In Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
Saint Vincent & The Grenadines is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. Crime levels in Saint Vincent & The Grenadines is extremely low, but visitors should take sensible precautions to secure their possessions.
How To Get To Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
Most visitors to Saint Lucia arrive via the Argyle International Airport (IATA: SVD, ICAO: TVSA) located about 5.17 miles from Kingstown. There are no direct flights from Europe to Saint Vincent. Also, direct flights from Canada and the United States are limited, so most international visitors first fly to Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) (IATA: BGI, ICAO: TBPB) in Barbados and then take a connecting flight one of the islands in Saint Vincent & The Grenadines.
From Canada, book flights to Saint Vincent & The Grenadines via:
- Air Canada Rouge : Toronto–Pearson
From the United States, book flights to Saint Vincent & The Grenadines via:
- American Airlines: Miami
Within the Caribbean region, book flights to Saint Vincent & The Grenadines via:
- Air Adelphi (Seasonal charter): Mustique
- Caribbean Airlines: Barbados, Grenada, New York–JFK, Port of Spain
- InterCaribbean Airways: Barbados
- Mustique Airways: Barbados, Bequia, Canouan, Mustique, Union Island (Charter: Grenada, Martinique, Saint Lucia–Charles, Saint Lucia–Hewanorra)
- One Caribbean: Barbados, Grenada, Tortola (Charter: Bequia, Canouan, Dominica–Douglas/Charles, Kingston–Norman Manley, Port of Spain, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia–Charles, San Juan, Sint Maarten, Saint Martin)
- SVG Air: Barbados, Bequia, Canouan, Mustique, Saint Lucia–Hewanorra, Union Island (Charter: Antigua, Carriacou, Dominica–Canefield, Grenada)
Note: To connect from the mainland Saint Vincent to islands in The Grenadines, in addition to flying, you can also take a ferry (M/V Bequia or M/V Admiral Express) between the islands. From Saint Vincent to Bequia, it is a 60-minute ferry ride.
When To Go To Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
The most popular time to visit Saint Vincent & The Grenadines is from mid-December to mid-April when the weather is warm, sunny, and typically dry. From August to late October is the low season as temperatures are hot and muggy; also, there is an increased risk of tropical storms. Some hotels close for renovations during this period, and others offer discounts.
Major events attracting visitors to Saint Vincent & The Grenadines include:
- January: Bequia Music Festival
- April: Bequia Easter Regatta
- June: Canouan Regatta
- June/July: Vincy Mas – Saint Vincent Carnival
- August: Breadfruit Festival
- December: Nine Mornings Festival, a unique Vincentian festival associated with the Christmas season
Weather In Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
The weather in Saint Vincent & The Grenadines is warm year-round. The average temperature is 81°F. The dry season runs approximately from January through May. The wet season is May through October.
Getting Married In Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
Marriage Requirements:
Couples wishing to get married in Saint Vincent and The Grenadines will need to apply for a special license from the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
Documents Required:
In addition to the completed application for marriage, both the bride and groom will need their:
- passports
- birth certificates along with driver’s licenses or other forms of identification
- certificates of no impediment or single status report
Also, if applicable:
- divorce papers i.e., decree absolute and/or death certificate of spouse
- proof of parental consent if under 18, stamped and signed by a solicitor
- proof of name change by Deed Poll, stamped and signed by a solicitor
Note: If any documents are not in English, an authenticated translation must be available.
Residency Requirement:
A minimum of 24 hours residency is required in St. Vincent and the Grenadines before applying for a license.
Fees:
Two types of licenses are available to non-residents. A Governor General License from the Ministry of Legal Affairs can be obtained one day before the wedding for approximately £138/EC$520. Alternatively, a Registry License can be obtained seven days period to the wedding date at a reduced cost of £3.80.
Witnesses:
Two witnesses must be present at the ceremony.
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