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Major credit cards are not as widely used here as they are on other Caribbean islands, but they're accepted at most hotels, car rental agencies and dive shops.
When you cash traveler’s cheques you can take half in US dollars and half in EC dollars if you wish.
Lots of banks have 24-hr ATMs, but they will not necessarily accept your card.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age arriving from infected areas.
The banks on the island are:
St. Vincent
St. Vincent Cooperative Bank, Barclays Bank Plc, Scotia Bank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Commercial Bank of St Vincent, Caribbean Banking Corporation.
Port Elizabeth, Bequia
Barclays Bank.
National Commercial Bank. It has branches at ET Joshua airport, Georgetown, Barrouallie, on Bequia and Union Island and agencies at Layou and Chateaubeleair.
Canouan
National Commercial Bank.
Banking hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. On Fridays banks are also open 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
The bank at the Airport is open Monday-Saturday 0700-1700
Shopping hours are from 0800-1200, 1300-1600 Monday-Friday (0800-1200 only, Saturday)
Government offices are open 0800-1200, 1300-1615 Monday-Friday
The ideal season to visit these islands is between December and May.
The temperature is balmy and seldom changes. It averages between 77°F and 81°F (25-7°C) all the year round, moderated by the trade winds. An average daily high varies at about 1°F from January to July.
It rains quite frequently on the island with the average rainfall touching 60 inches on the coast and 150 inches in the interior. The monsoon period is from May to Nov. July is the wettest month, when there's measurable average rainfall for 26 days, while April is the driest month when, at an average, there is six days of rain. The low season is Jun to mid-Dec. Humidity is high in summer. Generally, the Grenadines tend to be drier than St Vincent.
The electricity is available at 220 volts.
Wear light, informal clothes, but do not wear bathing costumes or shorts in shops or on Kingstown’s streets. No topless or nude sunbathing. Pack long pants and comfortable hiking shoes if planning to hike.
For laundry services, call on VHF, or phone.
Daffodils or several other companies provide this service. Laundry mat is also available with several washers and dryers if you wish to do it yourself.
The government tax of 7% is added to all hotel and restaurant bills, and hotels often add a service charge of 10-15%. Restaurant tabs should be tipped 10-15%, if not already added. For taxis 10% is standard.
Tourist office
St. Vincent and The Grenadines Department of Tourism
Bay Street, Box 834
Kingstown, St. Vincent
T: 809-457-1502
F: 809-456-2610
