St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a small multi-island nation that has been independent since 1979, is the Caribbean as it is supposed to be. The main island is lush, mountianous and tropical, and frankly does not much cater to tourists, although it has some spectacular sights. (I make it a habit to spend one or two days every trip visiting the mainland.) The Grenadines are everybody's idea of a beach paradise. I have visited all of the main inhabited Grenadines save the resort on Petit St. Vincent, which I am saving for the proverbial "special someone." In addition, the Tobago Cays - four uninhabited islands - offer some of the most unspoiled beaches and snorkelling you'll ever want to see.
To be sure, the islanders are poor, but they are friendly and all of the resorts are elegant and unique, not the mass produced concrete monstrosities you see in more developed islands.
My strongest recommendations are:
On St. Vincent -
Young Island - a great resort and the best launch point for exploring the mainland. (Do not stay at the resort on Saturday nights if you are a light sleeper, as it is right across from the beachfront bars that start late and play loud and long. An option if you plan to stay over a Saturday night and are really bothered by loud music is the Grand View Beach Hotel, but it really is a second best, though less expensive, choice.)
In the Grenadines -
The islands of Bequia, specifically the Plantation Inn, and Canouan, specifically the Carenage Beach Resort and Golf Club, are the best bets. Mustique, with its Cotton House and Firefly Hotels, is wonderful, but somewhat confined, with only one bar - the world famous but somewhat overrated Basils - for evening entertainment. Finally, for couples, the resort on Petit St. Vincent is unmatched!!
In any case, forget about the rest of the Caribbean, SVG is the best of the West Indies in one package. |
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