St Vincent and the Grenadines Travel Advice, Embassies & Tourist Offices

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and see support for British nationals abroad for information about specific travel topics.

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in St Vincent and the Grenadines set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact St Vincent and the Grenadines’ High Commission in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Passport validity requirements

To enter St Vincent and the Grenadines, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Importing food

Because of foot and mouth disease, you will need an import licence if you bring any food to the island.

Visa requirements

You do not need a visa to visit St Vincent and the Grenadines.

On entry, you will be granted a period of 6 months. To stay longer, you must apply and pay for an extension from the St Vincent Immigration Department.

It’s illegal to stay longer than the period allowed or to work without a work permit.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s St Vincent and the Grenadines guide.

Depending on your circumstances, this may include a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of St Vincent and the Grenadines. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.

Terrorism in St Vincent and the Grenadines

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in St Vincent and the Grenadines, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Crime

Protecting your belongings

Most visits are trouble-free, but there have been crimes including murder, armed robbery and assault.

Take precautions such as:

• avoiding isolated areas, including beaches, after dark
• keeping valuables secure and out of sight
• making sure your accommodation is secure, including if you’re staying on a yacht

Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. If possible, leave valuables and travel documents in a safety deposit box or hotel safe.

Carnival

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Vincy Mas carnival takes place in early July. Theft and opportunistic crime may increase during carnival. Only use licensed taxis and take particular care at late-night street parties.

Drink spiking

Do not leave drinks unattended. You should:

• be cautious at crowded events
• have a clear plan to get home safely after an evening out

Laws and cultural differences

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Pack your own luggage and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.

Laws on clothing 

It’s illegal for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing. 

LGBT+ travellers

Attitudes towards the LGBT+ community are mostly conservative throughout the Caribbean. LGBT+ travellers should be aware that showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention. Some homosexual acts are illegal.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Swimming safety

Some beaches may have strong undercurrents known as riptides. Not all beaches have lifeguards or flag warning systems. Make sure you follow any local advice.

See more information on safe swimming on ABTA’s swim safe webpages.

Transport risks

Road travel

If you’re planning to drive in St Vincent and the Grenadines, see information on driving abroad.

You must get a local temporary driving licence. Car hire companies will usually help with this process. You must show a valid UK driving licence to get your temporary licence.

Driving standards

You should:

• watch out for potholes and speed bumps
• take care on minor roads where there can be very steep drops with no safety barriers
• watch out for blind corners on narrow roads
• keep car doors locked when driving – do not stop if you’re flagged down by pedestrians

If you’re involved in an accident, call the police and do not move the vehicle. If the accident happens at night in a remote area, drive to the nearest police station.

Be aware that:

• pedestrians often walk on the roads
• drivers do not always use indicators
• some roads are unlit at night
• road signs and hazards may not be visible
• taxi vans make random stops

Taxis

Taxis are not metered. There are set fares for most destinations. Agree the fare in local currency with the driver before you set off. You can often pay in US dollars instead of East Caribbean dollars.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Hurricanes

The hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June to November. Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organization and the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are a risk. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

Volcanic eruptions

The last explosive eruption of La Soufrière volcano on St Vincent was in 2021.

You should also monitor the alert level of the underwater volcano Kick ‘em Jenny, located 5 miles off the coast of nearby Grenada. Keep out of maritime exclusion zones and follow the advice of local authorities if there is increased volcanic activity or an eruption.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 911 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip check:

• vaccination recommendations in TravelHealthPro’s St Vincent and the Grenadines guide
• health risks in TravelHealthPro’s St Vincent and the Grenadines guide
• where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

To avoid mosquito-borne viruses, such as dengue and Zika virus, take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad.

Healthcare facilities in St Vincent and the Grenadines

The main government hospital can cope with many types of treatment but serious cases may need emergency evacuation.

FCDO has a list of doctors in St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

There is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in St Vincent and the Grenadines

Telephone: 911 or 999 (ambulance, fire, police)

Ambulance: 911

Police: 999 or landline 457 1211

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• find lawyers and funeral directors in St Vincent and the Grenadines
• dealing with a death in St Vincent and the Grenadines
• being arrested or imprisoned in St Vincent and the Grenadines
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

You can also contact FCDO online.

Help abroad in an emergency

If you are in St Vincent and the Grenadines and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British High Commission in Barbados, which provides consular assistance for St Vincent and the Grenadines.

FCDO in London

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges