St. Vincent & Grenadines
April 30 - May 4, 2025 (5D4N): Country #96…four more to go before meeting my goal of 100 countries in the year 2025. St. Vincent is not your typical white-sand, flat-beach island. It is a dramatic, rugged, and raw paradise. It is also where the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film crew found the perfect, untouched backdrop. It is the gateway to some of the most exclusive waters in the world, yet it remains one of the most authentic cultural experiences in the West Indies.
*Highly Recommended
Day 1
Afternoon arrival in SVD via JFK (Direct via JetBlue)
Pick-up rental @ Avis*
Check-in @ Point Bay Resort (a bit dated but a moderately priced stay)
Dinner @ Mint Cafe*
Cocktails @ Mangoz
Day 2
Breakfast @ Espresso*
Villa Beach (small local beach with limited parking)
Snorkel @ Indian Bay Beach* (bring water shoes)
Dinner @ Ada* (inside Beachcomber’s)
Day 3
Breakfast @ Espresso
Dark View Falls* (9 am - 5 pm; EC$5 for locals, $5 for non-residents; suggested duration: 1 hr)
Lunch @ Beach Front Restaurant & Bar
Pirates of the Caribbean dock/Wallilabou Anchorage* (free)
Vermont Nature Trail and Rain Forest* (9 am -5 pm; 2 miles; $5)
Dinner @ French Verandah
Day 4 (Bequia)
Coffee @ Espresso
8 am: Ferry from Kingstown to Bequia via Bequia Express (see schedule/pricing here; credit card accepted)
Breakfast @ Maria’s Cafe
Firefly Plantation Estate Tour* (45 mins, 11 am or 2 pm, E$15)
Hike Mt. Peggy* (Either start from Mt Peggy Trailhead and end at Lower Bay, or Out & Back from Mt Peggy Trailhead)
4 pm: Ferry from Bequia to Kingstown via Bequia Express
Dinner @ Damascino Restaurant*
Day 5
Belmont Lookout* (free)
Gas @ Sol* (credit card accepted)
SVD:
Return rental car @ Avis
Afternoon flight to JFK
Other points of interest & food:
Hike the La Soufrière volcano (start the hike at daybreak, at around 6:30 am)
Dine @ Sunset's Hideout Bar N' Grill in St. Vincent
Dine @ Jack's Beach Bar, Bequia
Tips:
Enjoy St. Vincent’s black-sand beaches, given its volcanic topography. But black sand gets very hot, so wear water shoes.
For an authentic local experience and to save money, hop on the brightly colored "Dollar Vans" (minibuses).
The breadfruit is a national symbol of St. Vincent. Look for roadside vendors roasting whole breadfruits over open fires.
