St Vincent and the Grenadines / Local Transport

Local transport is a useful way of getting around on some of the islands, as long as you want to go where the buses go. For example on St Vincent itself you can always get a ride between Kingstown and Villa or the Blue Lagoon, or even up the coasts, but in Bequia the buses don’t tend to go where a visitor wants to go (the beaches) and so it is not so useful. You will be left dependent on taxis. Mayreau is walkable if you want to explore. Several islands also have water taxis.

St Vincent

The ”mainland”, as St Vincent is known, is served by minibuses or dollar vans, which run along the main routes around the island. They are a lively way of getting around and a good introduction to the most popular recent tunes as well as a mode of transport. To hail one simply point at the ground when you see it heading your way, and when you want to get off shout for them to stop at your drop-off point. You may well hear the approaching music before you see the bus itself but they are easily recognisable by the fact that most have a name painted on the front such as Code Red, Xtreme and Freddy Zion.

The main minibus terminal is next to the taxi rank by the fish market on the waterfront off Upper Bay Street in Kingstown. Out on the main road, you are supposed to stand at a bus stop, but they will usually pick you up wherever you hail them. Fares, which are payable on exit, range from EC$1-6, which makes the dollar vans the most economical way of travelling the island. Taxis are also easily available, at the airport or at any hotel lobby.

Bequia

Getting around Bequia is easy, and the entertaining dollar vans will take you along a set route for EC$1-4 per person. You can flag them down wherever you see them and they follow the main road from Port Elizabeth to Lower Bay. Some divert to Paget Farm so ask once you get on board, but none go out to the east of the island.

There are plenty of taxis, including the open-backed variety which are fun in the day. You can also get water taxis to take you around the island.

Mustique

There is no public transport on Mustique. Villas usually come with their own “mule” (golf cart). There are also rental jeeps, but the Cotton House also has its own transport and will take you where you need to go.

Union Island

Minibuses run between Clifton and Ashton and sometimes around to Richmond Bay. Fare EC$2. To flag them down, just wave madly.

Tobago Cays

If you decide not to travel on one of the tours and are not on board a yacht then it is possible to arrange to be taken across in one of the water taxis out of Union Island or Mayreau. Make sure they know to come and pick you up again…