Social ConventionsThe Vincentians are fun-loving and easy-going people, and the informal and relaxed lifestyle combines many English influences with West Indian. The Saturday market in Kingstown is bustling with life, seemingly involving all islanders. All visitors are made welcome and casual wear is widely acceptable. Refrain, however, from wearing beachwear or mini shorts on the streets or while shopping.
International Travel:Getting There by AirTravel to St Vincent & the Grenadines is via Barbados, Grenada, Martinique, St Lucia or Trinidad &
Tobago, and then on to St Vincent & the Grenadines in a prop plane.
LIAT (LI) is the main airline serving St Vincent & the Grenadines. Other airlines include
Air Martinique,
BWEE Express,
Caribbean Star,
Mustique Airways and
SVG Air.
Departure TaxEC$40 on all international departures; children under 12 years of age and passengers departing on the same day are exempt.
Main AirportsET Joshua (SVD) is 3km (2 miles) southeast of Kingstown.
To/from the airport: Buses and taxis go from the airport to the city. There are standard fares to a number of major hotels throughout the island.
Facilities: Car hire, restaurant, bar and duty-free shops.
There are also small airports on
Bequia,
Canouan,
Mustique and
Union Island for light aircraft.
Getting There by WaterSome of the Grenadines are ports of call for a number of
cruise lines.
OverviewThe following items may be imported into St Vincent & the Grenadines without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco;
1.136l of alcoholic beverage.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirLocal and charter services are available. Small planes can be chartered for inter-island travel.
Mustique Air,
SVG Air and
TIA run regular services to the Grenadines.
Getting Around by WaterYacht chartering is easily arranged and is one of the best ways to explore the Grenadines. Yachts can be hired locally, with or without crew. Two ferries make frequent sailings to Bequia (travel time – 60 minutes). The rest of the Grenadines are served regularly by a mailboat. The Tourist Office can help with all details.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the left.
Bus: Services run regularly throughout St Vincent. Small minibuses run a shared
route-taxi service with a standard fare anywhere along the route. Public transport is cheap but crowded.
Taxi: These are shared and charge standard rates (fixed by the Government). Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
Car hire: Easily arranged through a number of national and international firms.
Documentation: A local driving license is essential and can be obtained on presentation of a valid national or international license either at the airport or at the police station in Bay Street, Kingstown, or at the Licensing Authority in Halifax Street, Kingstown (Mon-Fri 0900-1500). The cost is around EC$75.
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