In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - any experiences?
We did a real backpacker trip to SVG. We couchsurfed for a lot of it and found a couple of cheap guesthouses on Union Island for around $30 USD per night. We ate at street food stands and small local restaurants to keep costs down. You can easily get by on $50 USD per day if you're strict. The local currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), but US dollars are also widely accepted. There are ScotiaBank and CIBC FirstCaribbean ATMs in Kingstown and some of the larger towns.
My experience in St. Vincent and the Grenadines was a mix of luxury and budget. We spent a few days on the main island, where our budget was about $80 USD a day, then splurged on a yacht charter to the Grenadines. Overall, I’d say a realistic daily budget is between $100 and $200 USD if you want to explore different islands. Taxis are pricey, so negotiate the fare upfront. I had no issues using my Visa card, but cash is good for local markets and small vendors.
Budgeting for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines really depends on which islands you want to visit. For Bequia, expect a daily cost of around $150 USD, while a private island like Canouan can be over $1000 a night. We stayed in a local guesthouse in Kingstown and spent about $70 USD a day, eating at local spots and taking the cheap minibuses. If you want to island-hop, I highly recommend checking out the Tobago Cays Marine Park, but tours will add to your cost.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a two-tiered destination. The main island, Saint Vincent, is more for backpackers and a daily budget of $50-$80 USD is doable. The Grenadines are where the cost explodes, easily pushing past $250 USD per day. My advice is to use the local minibuses on Saint Vincent, which are super cheap at about $1-$3 per ride. For inter-island travel, ferries are the most affordable option, but they still add up quickly.