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St Vincent and the Grenadines map
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Telephone
The IDD code for St Vincent is 1 784, followed by a seven digit local number. On the island and between the Grenadines, dial the seven digit number.
St. Vincent’s telephone system is modern and effective and covers the entire island and the Grenadine islands. Phone cards are available through outlets island wide. International calls can be made using your credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, AT&T and Bell are accepted) by dialling the operator.
If you want to use a mobile telephone Cable & Wireless, AT&T and Digicel have a digital and GSM mobile network. Visitors from North America can roam in all the islands. |
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Time Zone
St Vincent and the Grenadines are in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, which is four hours behind GMT, ie Britain in winter, and five hours behind Europe. During the winter they are an hour ahead of the eastern seaboard of the USA.
St Vincent and the Grenadines have no daylight saving time, so when the clocks change in summer the island is five hours behind Britain, six behind Europe and on the same time as the eastern seaboard |
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Tour Operators
Several tour operators (UK and Europe) and US and Canadian wholesalers offer St Vincent and the Grenadines in their programmes. On DefinitiveCaribbean we will be picking out the best of the travel organisers for you - operators that are Caribbean specialists and give the best levels of service, in all price ranges. They put the holidays together that may subsequently be sold to the public via travel agents. We are currently researching the best options.
In the UK and Europe, all tour operators should be bonded for your financial protection. They sell flight inclusive holidays under licence from government bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority (UK). Some travel agents also have the required bonding and licences to put together flight inclusive holidays, and there are a few Caribbean specialists among them.
Message to Tour Operators, Wholesalers and specialist travel agents:
We invite any travel organiser working as a Caribbean specialist with a programme to St Vincent and the Grenadines to contact us if we are not already in communication with you. Initially please email us for further details.
| | CaribtoursA lovely company that has not diluted its high standards of personal service for the sake of profit; excellent brochure; fairly priced holidays. Strong following of repeat clients, some famous, some infamous and others simply seeking consistently reliable service and value for money. | | CV TravelA long established villa holiday specialist with an extensive Caribbean programme. CV Travel offers a broad range of Caribbean villas of all sizes and prices in twelve islands, ranging from simple beachfront homes to substantial staffed villas, estates, even private islands. Also a selection of the region’s finest villa resorts and characterful hotels and inns. |
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Tourist Information
Leaflets are displayed in the Arrivals Hall at ET Joshua International Airport for your arrival in St Vincent. If you are transiting in Barbados it might be useful to know that there is a St Vincent and the Grenadines information desk in the Arrivals Hall at Grantley Adams International Airport which can give you information before your connecting flight to St Vincent. The desk is manned daily from around 1pm until the last flight to St Vincent departs.
Tourism offices based in St Vincent & The Grenadines are located as follows -
St Vincent & The Grenadines Tourist Office, Ministry Of Tourism and Culture, Cruise Ship Terminal, Harbour Quay, Kingstown, St Vincent t 457 1502, tourism@vincysurf.com
St Vincent & The Grenadines Hotel & Tourism Association
ET Joshua International Airport, Kingstown, St Vincent, t 458 4379 or svghotels@vincysurf.com or office@svghotels.com
Bequia Tourism Association, Port Elizabeth, Bequia t 458 3286, f 458 3964, info@bequiatourism.com
Union Island Tourism Bureau, Clifton, Union Island, t 458 8350
Overseas there are St Vincent & The Grenadines Tourist Offices in -
UK/Europe:
10 Kensington Court, London W8 5DL, t 0207 937 6570, f 0207 937 3611, svgtourismeurope@aol.com
USA:
801 Second Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10017,
t 212 687 4981, f 212 949 5946, svgtony@aol.com
Canada:
333 Wilson Avenue, Suite 601, Toronto, M3H 1T2,
t 416 398 4277, f 416 398 4199, svgtourismtoronto@rogers.com
Please see below for a promotional video of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
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Tours of SVG
There is a fair bit to see around St Vincent and the Grenadines, particularly on the ‘mainland’ as the island of St Vincent itself is known. Here you can explore both coastlines, where there are simple local villages (also ports on the Caribbean side) and waterfalls, mountains and incredibly fertile forest inland. There are plenty of tour companies that organise tours of these places, though it is also possible to go with a taxi driver, many of whom know the history quite well and the places to see. In the Grenadines, tours tend to be by sea, of course. See Day Sails/Boat Trips.
St Vincent
Fantasea Tours, Villa Beach, t 456 4477, www.fantaseatours.com, fantaseatours@vincysurf.com
Husband and wife team, Kim and Earl Halbich have been offering a variety of tours and services since 1993, including hiking tours to the volcano La Soufriere, through the Vermont Nature Trail and to Trinity Falls.
HazEco Tours, Kingstown, t 457 8634, www.hazecotours.com, hazeco@vincysurf.com
Run by Clint and Millie Hazell who offer a range of tours and can provide guides for hiking excursions through the Vermont Nature Trail, La Soufriere volcano trail, and Trinity Falls.
Sailor's Wilderness Tours, Middlestreet, Kingstown, t 457 1712, after hours 457 9207/456 0399, www.sailortours.com, sailortours@hotmail.com
Starting out as Sailor’s Cycle Company, they have evolved and now offer not only mountain biking but a variety of tours both on land and sea, including a number of hikes.
Sam’s Taxi Tours, Cane Garden, t 456 4338, sam-taxi-tours@vincysurf.com
Experienced and knowledgeable company with a wide range of specialised sightseeing tours. Also taxi service, airport transfers and car rental.
Union Island
The only tours available in Union Island are the sea-based sailing tours to the nearby islands, mainly the Tobago Cays (Day Sails/Boat Trips.). If you wish to explore the island you will need to hire a taxi. |
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Water
The water in these islands is drinkable. On St Vincent itself it is sourced in the extremely well-watered interior, where rivers run from the rainforested heights.
On the Grenadines rain is collected on the roofs and pumped back into the houses on demand. The Grenadines do rely on conservation as water can get scarce.
If you prefer to drink bottled water by force of habit then numerous brands of bottled water are easily available in shops, including the Scottish sounding but locally sourced ‘Glen Elg’. |
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Weather
In St Vincent and the Grenadines the temperature varies by just a few degrees across the year, usually between 85 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit from winter to summer. The island rarely gets too hot, except occasionally in summer, particularly if it is still for a few days when it can become humid. Generally though, there is a breeze from the trade winds to take the edge off the heat.
There are two rainy seasons, a small one in July and the main one in November, but usually the sun comes out after the showers. Occasionally a blanket of cloud will spin off a weather system in the Northern Hemisphere and may cover the island with cloud for a few days |
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What to Pack
Consider taking the following when heading out to the Caribbean:
Sun protection including high factor sun cream, sunglasses, hat/cap and a lightweight shirt/blouse/t-shirt for the beach; suitable beach and walking shoes; mosquito repellent containing DEET suitable for use all day; cream for insect bites; toiletries including feminine items; beach mat/towel. The island can be quite wet, so if you are going walking take a lightweight waterproof coat.
Lightweight cotton is the best clothing, with elegant/casual attire for evenings. Note that most good restaurants and top hotels require men to wear long trousers and shirts with a collar in the evenings. At Christmas and New Year people tend to dress up more and the most exclusive establishments may request a jacket and tie. Women may wish to pack a lightweight wrap or jacket during the winter months, as the evenings (Jan/Feb) sometimes feel cool after the heat of the day.
St Vincent and the Grenadines is usually well stocked with general batteries, but do not depend on there being camera film or batteries. Also bring an electrical adapter and you may want to bring a small torch. Any prescription medication that needs to be taken on a regular basis should be carried in your hand luggage, and should remain in their original packaging for clear identification by customs should they need to check contents.
Don’t forget your passport, driving licence and insurance (medical and travel) documents. |
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Windsurfing/Kitesurfing
Despite offering ideal conditions for windsurfing, the two sports are not really that developed in the islands and there is not even that much equipment to borrow or for hire through the hotels.
In the Grenadines, the Tobago Cays in particular are a perfect setting for windsurfing. The lack of current makes them ideal for beginners, and there is a constant breeze. Some recommended spots around the islands include -
Canouan
Godahl beach, with a reliable onshore breeze, is considered the best area for windsurfers and is suitable for beginners. Raffles Resort will provide complimentary equipment for guests.
Mayreau
The windward beach at Saltwhistle Bay Club is a popular spot for windsurfers and kitesurfers but you will need to bring your own equipment as none is available at the hotel.
Union Is
The Bigsand Hotel, t 485 8447, has some windsurfing equipment for rent. The hotel was closed for renovation at the time of publication, but it is due to open for the 2008 season.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Definitive Caribbean is very grateful for the photographic contributions we received for the St Vincent and the Grenadines guide. Contributions came from the St Vincent and the Grenadines Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Raffles Canouan, Saltwhistle Bay Club, SVG Air, PSV Resort, Bequia Beachfront Villas, Frangipani Hotel, B&G Rentals, Alexander Gray, James Henderson and Will Orr.
Picture Editors, Alexander Gray & Will Orr |
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