St Vincent is one of the few islands where good West Indian cuisine can almost always be enjoyed in hotels. There is also plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood on offer.

National specialities:
• Red snapper.
• Kingfish.
• Lambi (conch).
• Callalou soup.
• Souse (pickled meat or seafood).

National drinks:
• Sea-moss drink.
• Vincentian beer and rum, a major ingredient in punch and cocktails.
• A wide variety of local exotic fruit juices.

Tipping: 10 to 15% service added to the bill.

Most evening events take place in hotels and it is best to ask at individual hotels for a calendar of events. Nightclubs include the Aquatic club and the Buccama Club on the Leeward Coast. The Attic in Kingstown features a wide variety of music during the week and live entertainment at weekends. There is one casino on the island, at Peniston, on the Leeward side.

Designs on sea-island cottons can be bought and made up into clothes within a few days at a number of shops. Handicrafts and all varieties of straw-made items, grass rugs and other souvenirs can be bought at a number of workshops and gift shops.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1600, Sat 0800-1200.