St Vincent and Grenadines
Business/social hints
Attire for business meetings: men should wear a lightweight suit or tropical suit, women a lightweight two-piece suit or equivalent.
Etiquette: it is customary to shake hands on meeting and taking leave. In business an informal attitude prevails.
Invitations: gratuities in restaurants, which may sometimes be added to the bill, are around 10%-15%. Dress is for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. Gratuities for taxis are not considered customary.
Laws: the minimum drinking age is 18 years.
Local time: GMT -4hrs.
Capital: Kingstown.
Language: English.
Electricity: 220/240V AC 50Hz.
Int. direct dialling code: 1 784.
Driving: is on the left. Local licence required and can be obtained at the police station or at the Licensing Authority in Kingstown on presentation of National Licence or International Driving Permit (fee XCD 40).
Currency: eastern caribbean dollar (XCD 1 = 100 cents).
Notes: XCD: 5; 10; 20; 50; 100.
Coins:XCD: 1. Cents: 1; 2; 5; 10; 25; 50.
Business hours
Banks:8am-3pm Mon-Thur, 8am-5pm Fri.
Shops:8am-12noon and 1pm-4pm Mon-Fri, 8am-12pm Sat
Emergency Services
Police and Fire: 999.
Clothing
It is advisable to wear lightweight cottons due to therelatively high heat and humidity.
Health
Compulsory vaccinations: yellow fever if arriving from infected areas. Infants under one year exempt.
Weather
Climate varies according to altitude. Although tropical, it can be cooler in the hills. The lowest temperatures occur between Nov-Feb, the driest season is Jan-Apr and the rainy season Jul-Oct.
Saint Vincent Temp C Humidity % Rain
Max/Min am pm (mm)
January 30 21 80 – 127
February 29 17 79 – 102
March 31 18 77 – 102
April 33 19 76 – 76
May 33 21 76 – 152
June 33 21 78 – 230
July 31 23 80 – 230
August 33 22 80 – 280
September 33 21 81 – 253
October 33 21 81 – 230
November 32 20 84 – 230
December 30 19 82 – 202
Airport check
Mustique MQS
Postal Address: The Mustique Co Ltd, PO Box 349 Saint Vincent.
Telephone:+1 784 458-4621.
Telex: 7549 MUSTICO VQ
Fax: +1 784 456 4565
Location: 18 miles north of Kingstown, Saint Vincent.
Transportation to city centre: taxi: fare USD 4, journey time 5mins.
Airport departure tax: International:XCD 20. Note: children under 12 years are exempt.
Flight information: tel: 458-4621 ext 336/346 available during airport operations.
Passport and Visas
Passport required. Visa not required. Length of stay to be determined by the Immigration Authority on arrival.
Customs
Import allowances:
a) 200 cigarettes or 225gr of tobacco products or 50 cigars.
b) 1.136 lit of alcoholic beverage.