American Express
The local representatives are New Bank Ltd., Bay Street and Caribbean International Travel Services on Granby Street, Kingstown.

Banks
Bank of Nova Scotia
Halifax Street, Kingstown, 457-1601

Barclays Bank Plc.
Halifax Street, Kingstown, 456-1706
Bequia Branch, 458-3215

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Caribbean Ltd.
Halifax Street, Kingstown, 457-1587

Caribbean Banking Corporation Ltd.
South River Rd., Kingstown, 456-1501

First St. Vincent Bank
Granby Street, Kingstown, 456-1873

National Commercial Bank of St. Vincent
Bedford Street, Kingstown, 457-1844

New Bank Ltd
Bay Street, Kingstown, 457-1411

St. Vincent Cooperative Bank
Middle Street, Kingstown, 456-1894

Camping Facilities
There are no areas in St. Vincent and the Grenadines specifically marked as camping sites. Camping is not encouraged except by groups such as the Girl Guides, Boy Scouts.

Churches
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Roman Catholic
Methodist
Anglican
Salvation Army
Seventh Day Adventist
Streams of Power
Baha's Faith

Clothing
Light informal clothes. Visitors should not wear bathing suits or mini shorts in the streets or stores. Bring long pants and hiking shoes if you intend to hike.

Credit Cards
Major credit cards are generally accepted by hotels and car rental companies.

Currency
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), the local currency, is linked to the US$. The Banks give EC$2.67 for US$1.00 cash and EC$2.68 for US$1.00 travellers cheques. Shops and restaurants may accept your own currency but cannot give you the most favorable exchange rates (approximately EC$2.60).

Customs Regulations
Duty Free Items
The following items are duty free but must be fully declared. Baggage and household effects, including: wine or spirits not exceeding 1 quart in all; tobacco, not over half pound, or cigars, not over 50 in number, or cigarettes, not over 200 in number; used implements, instruments and tools of profession, trade, occupation or employment.

Personal Effects
Jewelry, binoculars, cameras, sports requisites, portable typewriter, toys, medicines and toiletries for personal use only.

Restricted Items
Drugs, arms and ammunition

Dutiable Items
Gifts, radios and other similar electrical equipment require a deposit pending re-exportation.

Firearms
Licensed firearms must be declared and the are subject to immigration and police regulations. An application must be made to the Commissioner Police for a local licence. Undeclared and unlicensed firearms will be seized by the authorities.

Driver's Licence
A local driving licence must be obtained at the Police Station in Bay Street or the Licensing Authority in Halifax Street and is obtained on production of your normal driving licence together with a fee of EC$50. International driving licences are accepted. Temporary driving licence valid for six months. Driving is on the left

Electricity
Voltage is 220 volts - 50 cycles. Appliances rated at 110 volts (US Standard) normally work satisfactorily with a transformer.  Most hotels provide dual voltage shaver units.

Inland Transportation
All parts of St. Vincent and Bequia are easily accessible with readily available bus and taxi services. St. Vincent and Bequia's tax and bus drivers have earned a reputation for being helpful and courteous. There is no train service.

Laundry Service
Black Cat Laundry
Middle Street, Kingstown, 456-1405

Magiklean Incorporated Ltd.
Lower Bay Street, Kingstown, 457-1514

Marine Supplies
Howard's Marine Ltd
Grenville Street, Kingstown, 456-2583

Villa, 457-4328

Marriage Licences
Non-Vincentians wishing to be married in St. Vincent and the Grenadines must be resident here for a minimum of three days before a Marriage Ceremony (civil or church) can take place. A special licence (a Governor General's licence) can be obtained from the Ministry of Justice for a minimum fee. This licence is valid for three months only. An ordinary licence can be obtained from the Registrar for a small fee, but a notice of the ceremony must be published in the Registry for a minimum of seven days.

Postal Information & Hours
Efficient local and regional mailing is enhanced by private carriers. Address to recipient, local street or P.O. Box, City, St. Vincent and Grenadines, West Indies. The General Post Office, on Halifax Street in Kingstown, is open Monday to Friday 8.30am - 3.00pm, Saturday 8.30am - 11.30am. There are sub-post offices in all towns and most villages.

Radio/Television
There are currently two television stations and four radio stations providing news, weather, sports and entertainment. Plus there is Cable and Wireless providing cable service of some 40 different channels.

Residency Permits
Residency Permits are issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.

Roads
St. Vincent has approximately 300 miles of paved roads, which encompass the island's perimeter. Other Grenadine islands have sufficient roads for the flow of traffic. All islands have well defined trails and minor roads, which are excellent for walking and hiking.

Shipping
Kingstown has a natural harbour. There is a regular service between St. Vincent and major international ports in North America, Europe and the Caribbean. The deep-water harbour has a wharf to accommodate two ocean-going ships. A new container park at Kingstown has been completed. A new container port at Campden Park has been completed and construction is underway for a new cruise ship facility in Kingstown.

Social Clubs
Jaycees, Lion Clubs, Rotary Club, Rotaract Club, Soroptomist

Taxes
There is a 7% Government Tax at hotels.

Telecommunications
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a fully digital telephone system. Cable & Wireless Ltd operates both the national and international services. Telex, telegraph, leased circuits, International Data Networks, cellular telephone service, computerised travel agents airline reservations system and facsimile are available. Facsimiles and telexes can be sent or received at Cable and Wireless offices. International Direct Dialling is available throughout the islands to most destinations in the world, and calls are charged on per minute minimum basis, with 10%, government tax. The IDD code is 784 followed by a seven digit number.

Payphones
Coin and Cardphone services are available throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. IDD calls and local calls, collect and credit card calls can be made from the cardphones by purchasing a prepaid phonecard at Cable & Wireless offices and from phonecard vendors near the Cardphones. These can be used in several other Caribbean islands.

Time
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is in the Atlantic standard time zone, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and four hours behind GMT.

Tipping
A 10% service charge is added by most hotels and restaurants. If no service charge is added leave 10% of the bill.

Water
The water is safe to drink. Bottled water is available

Work Permits
Work Permits are issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Administrative Centre, Bay Street, Kingstown

Medical Facilities
Public facilities
The Kingstown Hospital is equipped with an operating room, X-ray department, dental and eye clinics. There are smaller hospitals in Georgetown on the Winward coast, Chateaubelair on the Leeward cost and in Bequia. Clinics are situated throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Private facilities
Botanic Clinic, New Montrose, Maryfield Hospital, Gunn Hill. Medical Associates Clinic. Doctors are available all over the islands, ask your hotel for help.

Pet Regulations
No pet from North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia are allowed into St. Vincent and the Grenadines unless they were in a six month quarantine. They can come aboard yachts, but must remain on board at all times. Pets are allowed from the UK, New Zealand and Australia on condition that a health certificate is presented. Contact the Government Veterinary Officer.

Pharmacies
Kingstown
Barbours Pharmaceuticals
Sharp Street, 456-2455

Davis Drugmart Ltd
Corner Tyrrell & Mc Coy Street, 456-1174

Deane's Pharmacy
Middle Street, 456-2877

Gaymes Pharmacy
Grenville Street, 456-1861

Matthew Thomas Pharmaceuticals
Grenville Street, 456-2133

Medix Pharmacy
Grenville Street, 456-2989

People's Pharmacy
Bedford Street, 456-1170

Pharmco Ltd. Drug Store
Tyrrell Street, 456-1797