St. Vincent and the Grenadines enjoys a humid tropical marine type climate, with little seasonal or diurnal variation and a fairly constant, strong wind out of the east. Being close to the equator the country does not experience a wide fluctuation in temperature. 

The average temperature throughout the year is 27° C (81° F). Rainfall averages about 200 cm (80 inches) on the coast and 380 centimetres (150 inches) inland annually. The dry season generally runs from January to May and the wet season from June to December. The coolest months of the year are between November and February. 

Click on this Weather link to view the current conditions in St. Vincent.

The International Dialling Code for St. Vincent & the Grenadines is +1-784. To dial overseas from within the country, dial 011, followed by the relevant country code and phone number.

Emergency numbers for Police, Fire & Ambulance within the country are 999. The police station in Kingstown can be contacted on 784-457-1211, and in Bequia on 784-458-3350.

Digitel and GSM mobile telephone networks are operated by AT&T, Cable & Wireless and Digicel. Global roaming is available - check with your local provider for more details. Internet, telegraph and facsimile, as well as International Direct Dial (IDD) services, are readily available.

If looking to send post overseas from the islands it takes approximately 2 weeks to get to major countries in Europe. Post offices are usually open 8.30-3pm (Mon-Fri) & 8.30-11.30 (Sat).

The East Caribbean Dollar is the official currency but US dollars are widely circulated and freely accepted. The rate of exchange is approximately EC$2.70 = US$1.00. Notes are in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in the denominations of $1 and 25, 10, 2, and 1 cents. US dollars, Canadian dollars, British pounds sterling, Travellers Cheques and Credit/Debit cards are also accepted. 

An exchange rate for the East Caribbean Dollar can be found at OANDA.com - The Currency Site

Electricity through the islands is normally 220/240 volt, 50 Hz, although Petit St. Vincent has 110 volt, 60 Hz. The standard plugs are 3 rectangular pins (similar to those used in the UK).

To view a list of St. Vincent & the Grenadines embassies around the world, including foreign embassies within the islands, click on this link to EmbassyWorld.com.

Population: 109,020, with 25% in Kingstown and another 8% residing on the Grenadines.
Area: 388 square kilometres (St. Vincent - 344 sq. km; the Grenadines - 44 sq. km)
Capital: Kingstown
Time Zone: GMT/UTC -4 hours.

To view the current time in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, click on this link to TimeAndDate.com.

The most common religious denomination present on St. Vincent & the Grenadines is Anglican, comprising 47% of the population. Methodists make up 28%, and Roman Catholics a further 13%. Hindus, Protestant and Seventh-Day Adventists are also present.

Nationals of the USA, EU countries, UK, Australia & Canada do not require visas for entry to the islands. The duration of your visit is determined by the immigration authorities on your arrival.

All persons entering St.Vincent & the Grenadines require valid passports,a return or onward ticket as well as sufficient funds to cover ones stay for up to six months. A return or onward ticket is required of all visitors. Work permits are available from the Prime Minister's office on Bay Street, Kingstown.

Immigration visas are required from nationals of the following countries: Dominican Republic. Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, The People's Republic of China, Iraq, Iran and Nigeria. For visa queries email: natsec@mail.gov.vc 

It is advisable to check this information with your relevant embassy before your travels.

The population is estimated to be 109,022 with about a quarter of the people living in the capital, Kingstown and its suburbs and 8% on the Grenadines. The ethnic mix consists of 66% percent of African descent, 19% of mixed race, 2% Amerindian/black, 6% East Indian and 4% European. The labour force is estimated at 41,000. Recent data indicates an unemployment rate of 22%.

St Vincent and the Grenadines is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth of Nations. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state and is represented on the island by a governor general. Independence was achieved on October 27th, 1979.

The unicameral parliament, the House of Assembly, has 15 elected representatives and six senators who are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The parliamentary term of office is five years, although the Prime Minister may call elections at any time.

Agriculture involving banana production is the mainstay of St.vVncent along with tourism which is a growing industry on the island.Recent growth has been stimulated by strong activity in the construction sector and an improvement in tourism. The continued dependence on banana production as a single crop has created some hindrances in the islands' development.Natural disasters such as  tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in both 1994 and 1995.

There is a small manufacturing sector and a small offshore financial sector. The GDP is growing at an annual rate of approximately 4%.

There are 6 airports in St.Vincent and the Grenadines with E.t. Joshua in Kingstown being the largest.  The four small domestic airports are located in Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union Island. There are also private airport in Palm Island. These airports are serviced by Caribbean Star, Caribbean Sun, BWIA Express, SVG Air, Mustique Airways and TIA. American Eagle Services Canouan. A departure tax EC $40 is charged to all passengers leaving the country.

There are 5 public hospitals:

Kingstown General Hospital
Maryfield Hospital
Lowmans
Bequia Casualty Hospital
Port Elizabeth

As well as this, there are also 3 privately owned hospitals. Community care is provided by 38 outpatient clinics located throughout the country.  Each serves 3,000 people and is easy accessible.  Health centres are well staffed and provide a wide range of services, including midwifery, family planning, immunization and emergency care. St. Vincent has a mental health centre and a home for the elderly. The life expectancy is 68 years for men and 72 years for women.

The  education system in St.Vincent is from British decent. One has to attend school up until the age of 15. Government schools at  primary and secondary level are free.  University level education is provided through polytechnics and  Kingstown Medical University  a close affiliate of St. George's University, located in the capital of Kingstown. The University maintains affiliation with hospitals for clinical programmes in  the United States, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean.

Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary

This is where former seaman, Orton King, saves  endangered Hawksbill turtles from extinction.

Owia Salt Pond

This consist of a huge bathing pool enclosed by lava peaks and ridges.  The pounding waves of the Atlantic ocean  crash into this barrier and then gently cascade into the pool.  Surrounded by mountains and the thundering surf , this area is an ideal stop for a picnic lunch, swimming and snorkelling.

The Botanical Gardens

The oldest in the Western Hemisphere, is a favourite stop for both visitors and locals. At the botanical gardens rare and exotic flowers, plants and trees can be found.  The garden was founded in 1762 as a commercial  breeding ground for plants brought  from other parts of the world.  Captain Blighs's completed a second voyage here and brought with him one of his original breadfruit trees which thrives in the garden today.  There is also an aviary for a close up view of the majestically coloured national bird, the St.Vincent parrot ( Amazona Guildingii).   Guides are available and will happily escort you on a short, half hour tour of the grounds for USd 2 a person, longer tours are available for USD 3 per person.

Buccament Valley's Vermont Nature Trails

This is an excellent area for hiking and bird watching, with more than 35 species having been spotted throughout the valley.  A comfortable two hour walk along the trails, pass cultivated fields and through evergreen and tropical rainforests, provides an opportunity to observe many species of wildlife, like the iguana and armadillo and more tha 250 plant species.

Trinity Falls

A 40 feet waterfall that descends in three cascades intoa circular pool, then drops another ten feet into a second pool perfect for swimming.

The Falls of Baleine

 This waterfall is only acessible via boat. It is located seven and a half miles north of Richmond beach, on rock lined pool formed by the falls.  Day trip  by boat, out of Villa beach or Kingstown, usually include a stopover along the coastline for lunch, swimming and snorkelling. 

La Soufrière Volcano

La Soufrière is one of two highly recommended tours which is on the eastern or windward side of the island. This  hike is a bit rigourous it  rim is about 4,048 feet .

"Below the river tumbles and  splashes away to meet the sea and all this is set in the framework of rock and fern and tree."