Travel Summary
- 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 . See the General section of this Travel Advice.
- 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.
- Around 16,500 British nationals visited St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2007 and 9,781 from January to September 2008 (Source: St Vincent and Grenadines Ministry of Tourism). Most visits to St Vincent and the Grenadines are trouble-free. But you should be aware that cases of robbery and other crimes do occur.
- 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 Travel Advice.
- The hurricane season in St Vincent and the Grenadines normally runs from June to November. See the Natural Disasters (Hurricanes) section of this Travel Advice.
- We 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 Travel Advice .
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
The vast majority of visits are trouble-free. St Vincent and the Grenadines is a friendly and welcoming country and overall crime rates are relatively low. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, however, there have been incidents of violent crime including murder. These tend to occur within the local community but can sometimes affect tourists. Crimes including muggings and thefts from hotels, holiday homes and, in particular yachts do occur. A tourist couple were assaulted and robbed in Bequia in November 2008.
You should therefore maintain at least the same level of security awareness as you would in the UK and ensure that your living accommodation is secure. Apply the same measures if you are staying on a yacht. Avoid walking alone in 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.
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 Your Trip.
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 months' 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 months' 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.
There is a dedicated Swine Flu on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
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) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
There is a dedicated Swine Flu on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
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) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Natural disasters
Hurricanes
The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Hurricane Centre. Please also see Tropical cyclones for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane.
St Vincent has an active volcano; the last major eruption of La Soufriere was in 1979.
General
Insurance
We 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 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 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 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
Keep a copy of the photo page of your passport and relevant visa stamp in case your documents are stolen.
Replacing your passport
Keep a copy of the photo page of your passport and relevant visa stamp in case your documents are stolen.
The passport service for British nationals in St Vincent and the Grenadines has now moved from Barbados to the UK Passport Service Centre for the Americas and Caribbean in Washington D.C. (http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/passports).
If you are applying for a renewal of your UK passport and you are in St Vincent and the Grenadiines, your application, with the appropriate passport fee plus a return courier fee of US$21, should be sent direct to:
The UK Passport Service for the Americas and Caribbean
British Embassy
19 Observatory Circle, NW
Washington, DC 20008
The British High Commissioin in Bridgetown will continue to issue Emergency Passports for people who have lost their passports and who have an urgent need to travel to the UK.
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