Kingstown

Introduction

Kingstown is the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and has a total population of about 20,000 inhabitants. It is located on the south coast of the main island of Saint Vincent and functions as the administrative, cultural and economical centre of the island nation. It also is a major port town with cargo ships exporting many of its agricultural products and cruise ships bringing in thousands of tourists annually. Everything in and around Kingstown is centred around this port function but if you want some more secluded places, there are many black and white sanded beaches nearby.

Sights and Activities

• Botanic Gardens St. Vincent (on the town's northern outskirts), ☏ +1 784 533 1657, ✉ [email protected]. Daily 7AM-^PM. Established in 1765, the botanic gardens are the oldest in the Western Hemisphere and in the tropics. It is worth paying for a guide (EC$10 per visitor) as they have intimate knowledge of the plants in the peaceful and lush gardens. EC$5 per adult, EC$2.50 for children (12 and under).

Events and Festivals

Vincy Mas

This is a typical Caribbean festival filled with parades and pageants, and dancing and music at street parties. It is held over two weeks at the end of June, and the beginning of July annually, and is St Vincent’s most well-known festival.

National Dance Festival

Many performances are held during the month of September to showcase traditional and other dance styles. Shows are put on by schools, community groups and professional dance companies. You can expect to see modern, traditional, creative folk and ballroom dances.

Independence Day

This is held on October 27 every year to celebrate the formation of St Vincent and the Grenadines as a sovereign nation in 1979. Many people are proud of this and use the public holiday to celebrate in public at community events.

Nine Days Festival

As the name may suggest, this festival is held over nine mornings, in the run-up to Christmas Day. It reflects an indigenous culture mixed with Christianity, and is unique to St Vincent and the Grenadines. You will be reminded exactly of where you are as you are woken to the uplifting sounds of traditional steel pan music played at pre-dawn street concerts. Later in the day fêtes and fairs are held in towns and villages around the islands.

Weather

Kingstown have a hot and humid tropical climate with average daytime temperatures between 28 °C and 30 °C and average nights around 23 °C. Most rain falls between June and October with a chance of hurricanes from August onwards. Therefore, the drier (and slightly cooler) December to April period is the best time to visit weatherwise. Unfortunately prices rise sharply during this period and the months of November and May still have good weather. So budgetwise these latter months may be a good option as well.

Getting There

By Plane

Air Canada, LIAT Airlines and Caribbean Airlines all fly to Argyle International Airport (SVD IATA), which is a 30 minute taxi ride to Kingstown's city centre.

By Boat

Admiralty Transport (phone 784 458 3348) and Bequia Express (phone 784 458 3472) have 4 boats togethere, travelling between the island of Bequia and Kingstown on Saint Vincent. There are 7 sailings on weekdays, 5 on Saturdays and 2 on Sundays.

Getting Around

Although not a very large island, St. Vincent has mountainous and rugged terrain, making it difficult to get around. Private vans or taxis are your best options. Car rental is also available. In terms of public transportation the island is served by a large number of privately owned vans that act as a bus service. These vans have an "H" at the beginning of their license plates, meaning they are "for hire". Cost to ride starts at EC$1. A van trip from Argyle airport to Kingstown is EC$3 (July 2019) as opposed to the EC$70 taxi ride. Walk up 300 m the slip road towards Windward Highway junction and hail a van. They ride fast and recklessly, hence you get a free rollercoaster ride for the fare. Many of the vans have graphics on the front and play loud music.

Eat

• Veejays, Bay St, ☏ +1 784-457-2845. Cheap traditional Vincentian Cajun/Creole cuisine.

Drink

• Flow Wine Bar and Kitchen, James St, ☏ +1 784-457-0809. As the name suggests, the bar specialises in wine. They also have a variety of pizzas which pair well.

Sleep

• Beachcombers Hotel, ☏ +1 784-458-4283, fax: +1 784-458-4385, ✉ [email protected]. Doubles $90/99 (Summer/Winter).
• Villa Lodge Hotel, Indian Bay, ☏ +1 784-458-4641, fax: +1 784-457-4468, ✉ [email protected]. Doubles $115/130 (Summer/Winter).

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

St. Vincent uses the North American style of calling codes, where all local numbers are seven digits. The area code for the islands is 784, which makes all international numbers for Saint Vincent in the form of 1-784-XXX-XXXX.

External Links