Saint Vincent & Grenadines

Recommended Vaccinations For Saint Vincent & Grenadines

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Yellow Fever Vaccine

Vaccination against yellow fever is not recommended. However, this country requires all persons greater than 1 year of age to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Saint Vincent & Grenadines

There are no recommendations for Saint Vincent & Grenadines at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Saint Vincent & Grenadines

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Hepatitis A

There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in St. Vincent and the Grenadines through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

For Some Travellers

Zika Fever

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.

Rabies

Rabies may be present in bats, but has not been reported in domestic or wild animals in this country.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

There is no yellow fever transmission in this country. However, this country requires all persons 1 year of age and older to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination if arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Safety & Security in Saint Vincent & Grenadines

Personal Safety

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines recorded 54 homicides in 2024, maintaining its position as one of the countries with the highest homicide rates in the Western Hemisphere. The 2024 figure is slightly down from 55 homicides in 2023, which was a record year. Most homicides are gang-related and linked to the cocaine trade and gun culture among young males, with approximately 5 to 6 gangs operating on the main island. However, violent crime primarily affects locals rather than visitors, with most incidents occurring within specific communities. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs in more populated areas like Kingstown and at beaches. Thefts from docked and anchored yachts are reported regularly, with thieves targeting personal belongings, cash, and equipment including outboard engines. Overall crime statistics actually decreased in 2024, with 3,485 criminal incidents recorded by November compared to 4,134 in 2023. Exercise caution during the Vincy Mas carnival in early July when opportunistic crime increases. Northern areas of Saint Vincent including Falls of Baleine, La Soufriere, and Trinity Falls have limited police presence.

Extreme Violence

The homicide rate peaked at 55 deaths in 2023 and remained high at 54 in 2024. Gun violence is pervasive, with 43 of the 52 homicides in 2023 being firearm-related. Authorities link the increasing murder rate primarily to gun culture and the cocaine trade among youth. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines serves as a transit hub for cocaine traffickers moving drugs from South America to the United States and Europe. During 2022, police removed 35 firearms and 4,077 rounds of ammunition from circulation, resulting in 15 arrests for firearms offenses. A mass shooting incident occurred in uptown Kingstown on July 21, 2023, which prompted intensified law enforcement efforts. Women have increasingly become victims of violent deaths, drawing concern from the community, although men remain the primary victims of gun violence. Arms trafficking is driven by the cocaine trade and the need to protect drug stockpiles. The availability of weapons is related to the high homicide levels. Violent crime rarely affects tourists, with incidents primarily confined to specific local communities.

Political Unrest

Political demonstrations occur occasionally but are generally peaceful. In August 2021, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves was struck by an object while attempting to enter the legislature during a protest against COVID-19 policies, requiring medical attention. Following this incident, police raided homes of opposition supporters and two opposition activists were arrested and charged with public order offenses. Some protests in July 2021 involved forceful rhetoric, with allegations that police ordered subordinates to shoot protesters if they removed barricades during a Kingstown rally, though another officer contradicted this claim. A protest in July 2021 highlighted issues including crime rate, unemployment, and lack of justice, with several opposition members among protesters. Police in riot gear attempted to control crowds described as mob-like. Demonstrations can turn violent and lead to disruptions in traffic and public transportation. The country is a parliamentary democracy that has experienced multiple peaceful transfers of power between parties. Freedom of assembly is constitutionally protected and generally upheld. Civil liberties are generally respected, though some COVID-19 vaccine mandate policies sparked protests in 2021.

Areas To Avoid

Exercise caution in certain areas of Kingstown after dark, particularly those away from main tourist spots. Limited police presence exists in the northern part of Saint Vincent island, specifically at Falls of Baleine, La Soufriere volcano, and Trinity Falls. If trekking in these isolated northern areas, go with a group or trusted guide and inform someone of your itinerary. Do not venture off marked trails. Northern areas are isolated and police presence is limited, making them potentially attractive to thieves. Avoid traveling between and around eastern Caribbean islands at night as robberies can occur in these areas. Coastal waters can be dangerous with riptides being common, and not all beaches have lifeguards or warning flags. The La Soufriere volcano last erupted in 2021 and poses a constant threat. Monitor the alert level of the underwater volcano Kick ‘em Jenny, located 5 miles off the coast of nearby Grenada. Hurricane Beryl damaged infrastructure on Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island, and Petit Saint Vincent in July 2024, affecting hotel availability and services. Hurricane season runs from mid-May through November.