Location & Population

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is located 75 miles north of Grenada, 24 miles south of St. Lucia and 100 miles west of Barbados. SVG comprises of 32 islands and cays, spanning 44 miles from St. Vincent in the north to Petit St. Vincent in the south.

 

The inhabited islands are St. Vincent, Young Island, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent. The english speaking population hovers around 111 000 and are known as Vincentians or Vincies.

 

Staying on the Islands

ACCOMMODATION: The tallest building in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is just five stories high, so you won’t find high-rise resorts—or mega hotels.  The destination's largest luxury offering is a Sandals 50-acre development tucked away on the south west coast of the principal island, St. Vincent. The re-imagined resort is set to welcome guests in its private cove from 27 March, 2024. Dubbed Sandals 2.0, the all-inclusive will feature two-bedroom butler villas, overwater two-story villas, 12 dining concepts and 5 unique bars.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines' (SVG) properties cater to a wide range, from budget to ultra-luxury.  The varying mix of Island only resorts, boutique hotels; bed & breakfasts; villas and apartments are dotted throughout the 32 islands and cays. In St. Vincent, most properties, including Young Island Resort, are located near the south coast area, providing convenient access to the Kingstown and Argyle International Airport.

In Bequia there are numerous top-notch villas and independent boutique hotels like Bequia Beach Hotel and The Liming. A short distance away is Mustique, famed royal retreat, decked out with stunning villas and a lone hotel, Cotton House. Canouan, with its world class superyacht marina and swanky Mandarin Oriental and the like, is a well-kept secret, guarded by billionaires seeking to avoid the chaos of the millionaire crowds. The Southernmost are Palm Island Resort and Petit St. Vincent Resort, ideal for those craving intimacy and seclusion. 

 

Information on Tourism Approved accommodations in SVG can be found here: discoversvg.com

 

CLOTHING: Light informal clothing is required, long pants and suitable athletic shoes for adventurous activities and avoid wearing bathing suits & micro/mini shorts in the streets or stores. Camouflage clothing is illegal to wear or import.

WATER: Local water is safe to drink and bottled water is widely available.

ELECTRICITY: Voltage is 220/50 cycles 110 volts appliances work with transformers.

Drivers’ Licence

 

Holders of an international licence are required to register it with the traffic police at Argyle International Airport (AIA) or at the police headquarters in Kingstown, if they intend to drive in SVG

Clients who do not have an international licence must secure a temporary local driver’s licence. It can be obtained upon presentation of current driver’s licence at the Argyle International Airport (AIA), Police Headquarters on Bay Street in Kingstown or the Licensing Authority (Inland Revenue) on Halifax Street in Kingstown.

A temporary licence costs EC$100/USD$40 and is valid for six months.

Tourism Standards

 

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA) is responsible for developing and implementing tourism service standards under the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority Act (2007) and Tourism Licensing Regulations (2014).  Since its inception in 2009, five (5) tourism service standards have been developed:

Tourist Accommodation Standard

Code of Practice for Tour Guides

Code of Practice for Tour Operators

Code of Practice for Short-Term Vehicle Rentals

Standard for Taxi Services.

 

Being Tourism Approved simply means that a tourism service provider is offering a quality service that meets the minimum standards.

 

There are three (3) key elements involved in the process:

1. The service provider must comply with the guidelines in the minimum standard;

2. The service provider must undergo the necessary training components;

3. The service provider must undergo the requisite inspections.

 

Once approved, service providers will receive a licence along with badges or stickers that will bear the Tourism Approved logo. This licence must be displayed on their person(s), vehicle(s), and vessel or in a conspicuous place in the establishment.