I had a serious case of Carnival Tabanca after my first-time visit to Vincy Mas. I regret not having more time there (due to circumstances beyond my control, ahem LIAT). Even though my trip passed too fast, I have some notable takeaways and tips for anyone looking to make the trip to St. Vincent for Carnival.
Tip 1: There Are Options Besides LIAT.
There are very limited direct flights to St. Vincent from major international cities. Most are connections from neighboring islands (mainly Barbados and Trinidad). Search engines such as Expedia will show itineraries with LIAT flight connections by default. However, a little off-the-beaten-path research may reveal options. On the way home, I learned about SVG Air, another regional carrier with a more reliable track record, from another passenger. There may be some cost comparison concerns, but the peace of mind that comes with knowing you will reach your destination on time may be well worth the price (LIAT got me to St. Vincent a day later due to a mishap that deserves its own post). The local joke is LIAT = LATE, IF AT ALL.
Tip 2: Stay at a Hotel near town.
I had my heart set on staying at Buccament Bay All-Inclusive Hotel during my trip to St. Vincent, but my friend, a native Vincentian, told me to stay in Villa (the name of a town) or in Arnos Vale. I split my stay between Blue Lagoon Hotel and Marina and Beachcomber Hotel. The beaches in these areas are lovely (black sand at the Blue Lagoon, golden sand at the Beachcomber) and you won’t spend a fortune on cab fare getting back and forth. (You could try to rent a car, but who wants to worry about parking and drinking responsibly when you’re in town to party and wuk up?!)
Tip 3: Speaking of Taxis, Consider Taking Dollar Vans.
Along the major roads heading to town, it’s easy enough to walk from your hotel to the main road and flag down a dollar van. They’re easy to spot because they look like Scooby Doo Mystery Mobiles (they’re usually painted groovy colors). Getting from one point to the next will cost no more than a few US dollars (roughly double EC). And they make stops like buses based on where the passengers need to get off. They can be a little cramped, but it’s a nice local experience to have and people are friendly. Disclaimer: I did not take a dollar van at night. I assume it’s safe, particularly if you’re traveling with a bunch of other passengers, but always use your best judgment.
Tip 4: Make Sure That You Have Enough Local Currency.
The dollar is widely respected throughout St. Vincent (as well as most of the islands). Still, it makes sense to carry the local Eastern Caribbean Dollar to do your cash transactions. If you pay for something in US Dollars, they will likely give you the currency back in EC Dollars. Beware, because the vendor might not give you a favorable exchange rate. So to avoid the argument (and the awful feeling that someone might be trying to get over on you) pay in EC. Plus, it’s helpful for paying those dollar vans!
Tip 5: Your Best Meals Might Be At the Hotel on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.
Carnival is an island-wide celebration and a public holiday, so many establishments close down for the two day period. Even though you’ll likely be going to all-inclusive parties that will serve food in addition to all the alcohol you can drink, and there are definitely roadside food vendors during Jouvert and Carnival Monday and Tuesday, for discerning palates, your hotel may be your best bet. I enjoyed a lovely breakfast at Blue Lagoon. The conch stew and grilled shrimp at Beachcomber were delicious and wonderfully presented (a photo made it to my IG page).
Tip 6: Build in a Couple of Days after Carnival Tuesday to Visit at Least One of the Neighboring Islands, mainly Bequia.
There are a plethora of quaint little island jewels that make up St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Bequia (pronounced Bek KWAY) is a charming, idyllic island with beautiful beaches and a very distinct personality from St. Vincent. It’s much more laid back, but that will likely change whenever St. Vincent gets enough money to finance a new airport capable of holding large, direct international flights. In the meantime, enjoy it if you have time. It’s easy to reach by ferry.
Tip 7: Ask About Getting a Permit for Your Costume at the Airport if you Plan to Take Your Costume Home.
I collect costumes. Particularly headpieces. On my way back to New York, a customs officer in Trinidad (where I had my connection) stopped me. He told me that I was not allowed to bring my costume into the country. Why? Feathers. Supposedly, feathers can pose an agricultural or environmental risk by harboring non-native organisms that could cause problems in the local ecosystem. Now, I’ll spare you how that altercation actually went down. In the end, the agents allowed me to depart with my costume—but apparently, I should have gotten a permit from St. Vincent certifying the costume’s safety. Or something to that effect.
These are the tips that most stand out in my mind. If you’ve traveled to St. Vincent for Vincy Mas or visited the island at another time and have tips you’d like to share, please leave them in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
UPDATE:
Tip 8: Book Early
Vincy Mas is growing in popularity. Hotels near town sell out quickly!
