|
St. Vincent and the Grenadines - Consular Information Sheet
September 14, 1999
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: St. Vincent and The Grenadines is
a developing island nation. Tourism facilities are available,
but in some instances they are not highly developed.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: For stays up to six months, U.S.
citizens may enter St. Vincent and The Grenadines without a passport.
U.S. citizens must carry an original document proving U.S. citizenship
(a U.S. passport, certificate of naturalization, certificate of
citizenship or a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate).
Photo identification, a return/onward ticket and/or proof of sufficient
funds are also required. For further information concerning entry
requirements, travelers can contact the Embassy of St. Vincent
and The Grenadines, 3216 New Mexico Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C.
20016, telephone (202) 364-6730, or the consulates in Los Angeles,
New Orleans, and New York.
CRIME INFORMATION: Petty street crime occurs. From time
to time, property has been stolen from yachts anchored in The
Grenadines. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to
theft. Persons interested in nature walks or hikes in the northern
area of St. Vincent should contact local tour operators and guides
before going into such isolated areas because of limited police
presence.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's
pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad,
for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet
is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet
at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs,
or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are available,
but may be limited outside urban areas. Serious medical problems
requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the U.S.
can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often
expect immediate cash payment for health services, and U.S. medical
insurance is not always valid outside the U.S. U.S. Medicare and
Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services
outside the U.S.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Uninsured travelers who require medical
care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Please check with
your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies
overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Please ascertain
whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor
or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you
incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric
treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas
insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau
of Consular Affairs brochure Medical
Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via
the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations
and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international
travelers at (877) FYI-TRIP (394-8747); fax: (888) CDC-FAXX 232-3299);
or via their Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov.
TRAFFIC SAFETY/ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country,
U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly
from those in the U.S. The information below concerning St. Vincent
and The Grenadines is provided for general reference only, and
may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Fair to Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair to Poor
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Frequently Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Fair to Poor
Vehicles travel on the left, and traffic approaches from the
right. Roads are narrow, with steep inclines/declines throughout
the island. Taxis and buses tend to be relatively safe, but the
buses are often overcrowded. Vans are generally overcrowded and
frequently travel at high rates of speed. Rural mountainous roads
are the more dangerous areas for road travel. Night driving should
be done with great caution and is discouraged in mountainous areas
because the roads are not well marked, there are few, if any,
guardrails, and the roads are often steep and winding.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of St. Vincent
and The Grenadines' civil aviation authority as Category 2 --
not in compliance with international aviation safety standards
for oversight of St. Vincent and The Grenadines' air carrier operations.
While consultations to correct the deficiencies are ongoing, St.
Vincent and The Grenadines' air carriers are permitted to conduct
limited operations to the U.S. subject to heightened FAA surveillance.
CHILDRENS ISSUES: For information on international adoption
of children, international parental child abduction, and international
child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet
site at
http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone
(202) 736-7000.
EMBASSY LOCATION/REGISTRATION: The United States does
not maintain an Embassy in St. Vincent and The Grenadines. U.S.
citizens requiring assistance may contact the U.S. Embassy in
Bridgetown, Barbados; telephone 1 (246) 436-4950. The Consular
Section is located in the American Life Insurance Company (ALICO)
building, Cheapside, Bridgetown; telephone 1 (246) 431-0225. Americans
are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the Embassy
in Bridgetown and obtain updated information on travel and security
in St. Vincent and The Grenadines and within the area.
|
