St Vincent and Grenadines

White sand beaches, crystal blue waters, swaying palm trees — St. Vincent and the Grenadines offer all the hallmarks of a tropical getaway in the Caribbean, without the tourist traffic of its better-known isles. Located just south of St. Lucia, St. Vincent and its neighboring 32-island chain have long been the destination of choice for elite travelers (think Tommy Hilfiger and Mick Jagger) who moor their private yachts off its secluded shorelines. Now, an airport on the main island makes travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines a more democratic affair, but it’s still sufficiently off the beaten path to provided peace and quiet to all of its visitors. Let Travel + Leisure’s St. Vincent and the Grenadines travel guide lead you there.

Things Not to Miss in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

• A day spent sunbathing on the beaches of Bequia island
• A stroll through the public market in Kingstown, the region’s largest city
• A visit to the St Vincent Botanic Gardens, the oldest in the Western Hemisphere
• A swim with sea turtles at the Tobago Cays wildlife preserve

When to Go to St. Vincent and the Grenadines

An idyllic Caribbean climate and year-round temperatures hovering in the mid-80s means travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines is sure to satisfy, no matter the season. Most tourists visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines between December and April for a break from the winter cold, but hotel rates tend to drop at the beginning and end of this high season, in May and June and November. The area is at risk for hurricanes each July through