The Grenadines Travel Tips
Things You Need to Know When Traveling to The Grenadines
Passports & immigration
We strongly recommend that all members of your party travel with a passport with a validity date of at least six months past the date of your departure from the island. A valid passport is currently required for travelers going to Palm Island via Barbados and as of December 31, 2005, a passport will be required for all US and Canadian citizens to travel to the Caribbean. For information on obtaining or renewing a passport please go to: http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html. In our current times, passports are the most expeditious and reliable form of identification when traveling domestically or internationally.
Airlines
- American Eagle operates a scheduled service between San
Juan, Puerto Rico and Canouan.
- Air Caraibes, Caribbean Star and LIAT provide
scheduled services from other Caribbean islands to St Vincent
& the Grenadines.
- Mustique Airways, SVG Grenada Air and TIA are available
for charter.
- BWIA West Indies Airways also provide service.
Departure tax
There is a departure tax of EC$40—US$16.
Immigration
All visitors
must have valid passports. All visitors must also have a return
or ongoing ticket. Visas are not required.
Banking
The following banks operate in St. Vincent & The Grenadines:
- Bank of Nova Scotia
- Barclays Bank PLC
- First Caribbean International Bank
Ltd.
- Caribbean Banking Corporation Ltd
- National Commercial Bank of St. Vincent
Other Financial Institutions:
- First St. Vincent Bank
- St. Vincent Co-operative Bank
Capital
Kingstown, located on the southwest coast of St. Vincent,
is the seat of government and main commercial centre.
Clothing
Light informal clothing is appropriate. Visitors should not
wear swimsuits or mini shorts in the streets or stores. Bring
long pants and hiking shoes if you intend to hike.
Credit cards
Major credit cards are generally accepted by resorts and car
rental companies.
Currency
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) is linked to the US Dollar.
One US Dollar is worth about EC$2.70.
Customs regulations
Small quantities of alcohol and tobacco are duty free, as
are personal effects and tools of profession, trade or employment.
Other items are dutiable or restricted.
Driving
Visitors need a local driver’s permit, (available for
a fee of EC$75 — about US$28) at the Police Station
on Bay Street or the Licensing Authority on Halifax Street.
You must have your own driver’s permit. Please remember
to drive on the left side of the road.
Electricity
Voltage is 110 volts, 50 Cycles. Most hotels have dual voltage
shaver outlets.
Government (democratically elected)
On October 27, 1979 St. Vincent & The Grenadines gained
independence from Britain. The government is democratically
elected. The Crown is represented by an appointed Governor
General.
Language
English is the official language.
Marriage licenses
Non-nationals wishing to be married here must be resident
for at least 1 day before a marriage ceremony can take place.
A special license is required from the Ministry of Justice
or from the Registrar.
Population
St. Vincent and The Grenadines has a population of approximately
112,000 (January 1998). African, East Indian, Portuguese,
Carib and European heritages are present.
Telecommunications
The Grenadines have a modern, fully digital telephone system.
The international area code is 784.
Time zone
The Grenadines are in the Atlantic Standard Time zone —
the same as Eastern Daylight Savings Time, 1 hour ahead of
Eastern Standard Time and 4 hours behind GMT.
Water
The tap water is safe to drink. Bottled water is available at an additional cost. |
