st vincent investment information

Why Buy in St Vincent?

Current property prices on St Vincent are up to a quarter of those on neighbouring islands such as Barbados and St Lucia.

St Vincent has remained largely unspoilt from international development and as such the island remains exclusive and is a relatively undiscovered jewel in the Caribbean.

Whilst gaining notoriety as home to the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy and the 2007 Cricket World Cup, St Vincent excites the senses with its lush tropical rainforests, coconut groves and beautiful beaches.

Tourist numbers are growing year on year, and the Government is introducing more initiatives to further swell the numbers of visitors each year. Occupancy levels are very high for existing accommodation, however, there is a need for more quality holiday accommodation to satisfy the growing numbers of tourists.

The plans for St Vincent’s first international airport at Argyle are well underway, which will enable incoming flights from around the globe. The airport is anticipated to be open for business in 2011, and will open the gateway for more commerce and tourism.

Mortgages are generally available in the Caribbean at 70% loan to value, thus reducing the cash requirement for investment. Principal International firmly recommend St Vincent as a strong buy for capital appreciation and rental income for the foreseeable future.

St Vincent is also well known known for its superb sailing conditions. In addition diving conditions on the west coast of St Vincent, around the Buccament Bay area are excellent, and the island has some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean.

St. Vincent Tourism Information

The string of islands known collectively as St Vincent and the Grenadines may be physically close together, but vary enormously in character, terrain and appeal. Beautiful St Vincent has remained untouched by the ravages of mass-tourism and the hotels, restaurants and bars retain the charm of a family touch on this 18 by 11 mile island (500 sq km).

Buying Property in St. Vincent

Once the playground of the jet set, the Caribbean islands are becoming more and more affordable, with property prices sometimes even cheaper than in Spain or the Algarve.

The legal system differs from island to island but, in general, UK residents will be asked to obtain an Alien’s Licence. This requirement is very simple and involves obtaining evidence of any criminal record from UK police. This process is usually little more than a formality and most reputable developers have clauses inserted in their contracts to return funds to the clients in the event that the licence is refused

Location

St Vincent is the main population centre of the multi-island country of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The island is mountainous and lush with rainforests in the interior and an active volcano dominating the north. The islands are situated about one hundred miles west of Barbados, between St Lucia to the north and Grenada to the south.

Languages spoken in St. Vincent

English

Religions of St. Vincent

Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, other Protestant

St. Vincent Climate

The waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea are warm at all times of the year, being influenced by ocean currents from equatorial latitudes which unite to form the Gulf Stream to the north of the Caribbean. The area lies for the whole year under the influence of the northeast trade winds, or the North Atlantic anticyclone, which lies farthest south in the winter period.
The wettest months are from May to October. The area experiences no great extremes of temperature; winters are warm and sunny and summers are hot, but without excessively high temperatures so that heat stress is rarely felt.

Getting to St. Vincent

Flights to the Caribbean can now be booked from most major UK airports for as little as £399, BMI, BA and Virgin Atlantic all fly to the area and connecting flights to St Vincent can be made from several places including Puerto Rico and Barbados. There are currently no direct flights to St Vincent from outside the Caribbean but this will change in 2011 with the opening of the new International Airport at Argyle.

St. Vincent Currency

East Caribbean Dollar (XCD). The XCD has a fixed exchange rate with the US$.

For detail about any of our Barbados property investment opportunities visit our contact page or call us on +44 1483 748 629 (Freephone 0800 038 0000).