Cruise Diva Goes Ashore in the Caribbean
Sights to see & things to do
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Well known to yachties, European royals, and rock stars, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a multi-island nation off the beaten path for cruisers other than those on the smallest vessels.
Diversions
Buses are an inexpensive and reliable way of getting around St. Vincent. Cars are also available for rent; however driving is on the left and takes some practice. Taxis, which are usually pick-up trucks outfitted with benches in the back, are good options on St. Vincent, Bequia, and Union Island.
Located about a mile west of Kingstown is the St. Vincent Botanic Gardens, the oldest in the western hemisphere. The variety of tropical plant species is stunning as is the aviary housing precious St. Vincent parrots.
Tropical rainforest covers most of the interior of St. Vincent and abundant coconut trees nestle amongst banana estates in the lowlands. Northeast of Kingstown, some of the island's most fertile farmland and lush landscapes are found in the Mesopotamia Valley.
Shopping
Locally made handicrafts, including straw hats, bags, wooden bowls, West Indian dolls, dried flowers, and art made out of everything from straw to bananas are found throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Kingstown has the majority of shops, though Bequia, Mustique, and Union Island all have numerous boutiques.
Beaches
Exceptional white-sand beaches are abundant throughout all of the Grenadines and St. Vincent has some unique tan and black-sand beaches. The islands’ coral reefs offer first-rate diving and snorkeling in crystal clear waters. Buccament Bay, about twenty minutes from Kingstown, is good for swimming; south of Kingstown, Indian Bay has good snorkeling, but the sand is somewhat rocky so wear your water shoes.
Fodor's Caribbean Ports of Call 2013 is all you need to plan your days ashore, PLUS a cruise primer section and cruise line profiles by Cruise Diva, Linda Coffman
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