North and Central America and Caribbean
St Vincent and the Grenadines
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Still current at: 08 January 2009
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Updated: 19 December 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary and Crime section (robbery and assault in Bequia). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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The hurricane season in St Vincent and the Grenadines normally runs from June to November. See the Natural Disasters (Hurricanes) section of this advice and
Tropical cyclones for more details.
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The British High Commission in Kingstown closed to the public on 30 March 2007. Emergency consular enquires should be directed to the
British High Commission in Bridgetown, Barbados
after that date. See the General section of this advice for more details.
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There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
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Around 16,000 British nationals visited St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2007 (Source: St Vincent and Grenadines Hotel Association). Most visits to St Vincent and the Grenadines are trouble free. However, you should not become complacent about safety and security as cases of robbery and other crimes do occur. A tourist couple were robbed and assaulted in Bequia in November 2008.
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Violent crime is a problem within local communities, and can occasionally affect tourists. Crimes include muggings, and thefts from hotels, holiday homes and in particular, yachts. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance, which includes medical evacuation, before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
You should take sensible precautions and be vigilant at all times. Avoid isolated areas, including beaches after dark. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. Valuables and travel documents should, where possible, be left in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes. A tourist couple were robbed and assaulted in Bequia in November 2008.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
St Vincent and the Grenadines Country Profile.
Road Travel
All drivers are required to hold a local driving licence. Car Hire companies sell temporary licences at the time of hiring a vehicle. A valid UK driving licence is required in order to obtain a local one.
Motorists drive on the left in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Most roads are narrow by UK standards and many are in need of repair. In mountainous areas the roads can be extremely steep and have sharp hairpin bends, many of which are not clearly marked. Automatic four-wheel drive vehicles are popular, and in some areas essential. Given local conditions, you should drive slowly and remain vigilant.
Driving standards differ from those of the UK and Vincentians have a more relaxed attitude to the rules of the road. You should be tolerant of this.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Air Travel
You will have to pay a departure tax of EC$40 (or US$15) per person when leaving St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Air Travel
You will have to pay a departure tax of EC$40 (or US$15) per person when leaving St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Local laws and customs
You should note that there are severe penalties for all drug offences. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.
You should be aware that it is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.
Certain homosexual acts are illegal under Vincentian laws.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
British passport holders do not need visas to enter St Vincent for visits up to three months. You should note that overstaying without permission is an offence and paid employment is prohibited without a work permit.
Passport validity
On the date of entry your passport should have at least six month validity remaining
Foot and mouth disease
St Vincent has not lifted the ban on the import of fresh beef. Import licences are required for the import of any foodstuffs to the island.
Passport validity
On the date of entry your passport should have at least six month validity remaining
Foot and mouth disease
St Vincent has not lifted the ban on the import of fresh beef. Import licences are required for the import of any foodstuffs to the island.
Health
Health care is generally good for basic illnesses in St Vincent and the Grenadines; services are available at the primary and secondary levels. There are 38 health centres, which facilitate the delivery of primary care. Secondary care is offered at the General Hospital in Kingstown. This is a 209-bed hospital offering some specialist care. For further specialist care it may be necessary to be medically evacuated by air ambulance to Barbados or Trinidad. Acute care, not requiring specialist intervention, is also provided by five rural hospitals.
Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region. Dengue Fever is found throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to St Vincent and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) [opens a new website] and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel [opens a new website] or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region. Dengue Fever is found throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to St Vincent and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) [opens a new website] and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel [opens a new website] or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Natural disasters
Earthquakes
An earthqake measuring 7.3 on theRichter Scale hit just off the coast of Martinique on 29 November 2007.The earthquake was felt throughout the region but there were no reportsof injury or major damage to property.
Hurricanes
An earthqake measuring 7.3 on theRichter Scale hit just off the coast of Martinique on 29 November 2007.The earthquake was felt throughout the region but there were no reportsof injury or major damage to property.
Hurricanes
Thehurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation [opens a new website] and the US National Hurricane Centre [opens a new website]. For more general information see Tropical cyclones.
St Vincent has an active volcano; the last major eruption of La Soufriere was in 1979.
General
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance, which includes medical evacuation by air ambulance, before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance, which includes medical evacuation by air ambulance, before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE [opens a new website] service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE [opens a new website] service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Package holidays
If you are on a package holiday, you must travel on the specified return date. If you fail to do so it is likely that you will have to pay for the return ticket yourself.
Replacing your passport
In the event of loss of your passport, you will need to apply to the Passport Office at the British High Commission, Barbados [opens a new website] for a replacement. Urgent applications can be speeded up if you pay for courier costs, but even so, the issue of a replacement passport could still take several days.
Keep a copy of the photo page of your passport and relevant visa stamp in case your documents are stolen.
Replacing your passport
In the event of loss of your passport, you will need to apply to the Passport Office at the British High Commission, Barbados [opens a new website] for a replacement. Urgent applications can be speeded up if you pay for courier costs, but even so, the issue of a replacement passport could still take several days.
Keep a copy of the photo page of your passport and relevant visa stamp in case your documents are stolen.
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
Change country
contacts
Barbados, Bridgetown, Department for International Development
Address:
Chelsea House
Chelsea Road
(PO Box 167)
St Michael
Telephone:
(001) (246) 430 7900
(001) (246) 430 7959
Fax:
Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 1200-2000, Fri: 1200-1700
Local Time:
Mon-Thurs: 0800-1600, Fri: 0800-1300
