Last Updated: April 15, 2024
This report covers the Eastern Caribbean countries and territories of Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, served by the Barbados & Eastern Caribbean OSAC Chapter and the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown. OSAC Country Security Reports are available for these locations across the region:
- OSAC Barbados Country Security Report is country-specific.
- OSAC Grenada Country Security Report is country-specific.
- OSAC's French Caribbean Country Security report covers Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barthélemy, and French St. Martin.
- OSAC’s Dutch Caribbean Country Security Report includes Dutch Sint Maarten and Dutch territories outside of the Eastern Caribbean.
Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication indicates that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & The Grenadines.
Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.
Crime Environment
Although these Eastern Caribbean countries do not have official ratings for crime from the U.S. Department of State, they should be considered similar to Bridgetown, which the U.S. Department of State has assessed as being a high-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for any Eastern Caribbean country.
The crime emergency line are as follows:
- Anguilla: 911
- Antigua & Barbuda: (268) 462-0125/999
- British Virgin Islands: 999/911
- Dominica: 999
- Montserrat: 999
- Saint Kitts & Nevis: (869) 469-5391/911
- Saint Lucia: (758) 452-2854/999
- Saint Vincent & The Grenadines: (784) 457-1211/911
Review the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.
Crime: General Threat
Regional police forces usually cooperate with U.S. counterparts. However, response time to law enforcement and security requests can at times be quite slow due to inadequate funding, lack of equipment and training, and staffing shortages. Criminals do not specifically target U.S. travelers visiting the Eastern Caribbean. Tourism is a major contributor to regional economies. U.S. nationals residing in the Eastern Caribbean do not always enjoy the same level of police protection that regional governments provide to tourist areas.
While violent crime and homicide rates have increased slightly over the last two years, most violent crime occurs between members of rival groups, and does not target tourists or spill over into tourist areas. There is no serious risk to travelers from violent crime. There is also minimal risk of petty theft; while travelers should always exercise caution and guard their belongings, street crime targeting tourists is not common.
The Global Organized Crime Index is a tool designed to measure levels of organized crime in a given country and assess its resilience to organized criminal activity. The most recent index ranks 193 countries for criminality, with 1 being the worst possible ranking, and 193 countries for resilience, with 1 being the best possible ranking. The index rates Antigua & Barbuda 177 for criminality and 107 for resilience; Dominica 184 for criminality and 81 for resilience; St. Kitts & Nevis 167 for criminality and 91 for resilience; St. Lucia 166 for criminality and 54 for resilience; and St. Vincent & The Grenadines 174 for criminality and 67 for resilience.
Crime: Areas of Concern
There are no specific geographic areas of concern. Undertake travel outside of tourist areas with caution, especially at night, due to the prevalence of unmarked and unlighted roads. Be vigilant when using public telephones or ATMs, especially those located near roadsides or in secluded areas. Travelers should use extra caution in downtown and urban areas after dark.
Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, and Taking Credit.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Eastern Caribbean. Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips.
Kidnapping appears to be a relatively rare phenomenon in the Eastern Caribbean, consistently ranking near the bottom of reported crimes.
Drug Crime
Many tourists report being harassed by individuals attempting to sell illegal narcotics. In years past, there have been a few cases where U.S. tourists alleged that someone had slipped a “date rape” drug (e.g., Rohypnol or “roofies”, PCP, scopolamine) into their drinks or food. Do not leave drinks or food unattended while at public venues.
All Eastern Caribbean nations and territories have laws prohibiting the purchase, possession, transportation, sale, or use of illegal substances; but effective enforcement of these laws is hampered by lack of resources.
While local drug dealers do get involved in shootings, this type of activity is localized and not directed at bystanders. Regional countries are primarily drug transshipment points from South America (e.g., Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Venezuela) to Europe, West Africa, the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.
Consult with the CIA World Factbook’s section on Illicit Drugs for country-specific information.
Terrorism Environment
Although these Eastern Caribbean countries do not have official ratings for terrorism threat, they should be considered similar to Bridgetown, which the U.S. Department of State has assessed as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for the Eastern Caribbean countries.
Terrorism: General Threat
There is minimal risk from terrorism in the region. Though specific terrorism incident reporting from the Eastern Caribbean remains relatively low, the region has several vulnerabilities that terrorist elements could exploit, such as porous borders, established narcotic and alien smuggling routes, and limited counter-terrorism capabilities. The exploitation of one of these vulnerabilities could have serious implications for U.S. organizations based in the Caribbean, and the Caribbean tourism trade in general.
Notably, the threat of terrorism out of neighboring Trinidad & Tobago remains a regional concern, given a foiled ISIS terrorist attack in 2018, as well as the number of Trinidadians who have traveled to Syria and Iraq in recent years to fight alongside ISIS. Their return as foreign fighters and the general freedom of travel between the countries of the Eastern Caribbean continues to pose a security challenge to regional stability. The U.S. Embassy continues to work with its regional counterparts to develop and implement counter-terrorism strategies and capabilities.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest Environment
Although these Eastern Caribbean countries do not have official ratings for political violence and civil unrest, they should be considered similar to Bridgetown, which the U.S. Department of State has assessed as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisories for the Eastern Caribbean. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
The islands of the Eastern Caribbean are peaceful and have experienced little political violence or revolution. The political climates are stable, with little threat of political violence. Labor riots in the 1930s were the last major event to transcend the entire region.
- Antigua and Barbuda is a multiparty parliamentary democracy. 2018 parliamentary elections were deemed free and fair.
- Dominica is a multiparty parliamentary democracy. 2019 elections were deemed free and fair.
- Saint Kitts and Nevis is a multiparty parliamentary democracy and federation. August 2022 elections were deemed free and fair. Prime Minister Terrance Drew’s party won six of the 11 seats in the legislature, defeating the incumbent party..
- Saint Lucia is a multiparty parliamentary democracy. 2021 elections were deemed free and fair, with the opposition defeating the previously ruling United Workers Party. Philip J. Pierre was named the new prime minister.
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a multiparty, parliamentary democracy. In 2020, Ralph Gonsalves was elected to a fifth consecutive term as prime minister. Regional and local observers assessed the election as generally free and fair.
Protest & Demonstration Activity
While violent public protests and demonstrations are rare in the Eastern Caribbean, protests do occasionally occur.
In 2019, political violence flared in Dominica, reaching a point where roadblocks affecting the airport and port canceled flights and cruise ship visits; the State Department raised its Travel Advisory Level for Dominica at that time to Level 2, urging travelers to take increased precautions in the country. At the same time, there was a short period of civil unrest in (French) Saint Martin. During this period, protest activity and roadblocks (as a result of water quality issues and the implementation of post-2017 hurricane rebuilding efforts) affected tourists in Saint Martin as well as adjacent (Dutch) Sint Maarten.
In the summer of 2021, demonstrations occurred in St. Vincent, Antigua, Barbados, French St. Martin, and Martinique over proposed COVID-19 prevention measures, including mask and vaccine mandates. While most of these demonstrations were peaceful, there were isolated instances that escalated into violence.
The British royal family visited several Caribbean islands in spring 2022, drawing anti-monarchy protests and calls to remove Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.
Outside of this activity, very little civil unrest occurs throughout the islands. Most civil unrest is connected to labor issues, which are usually settled by union and government intervention.
Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.
Law Enforcement Concerns: Security Agencies
Antigua & Barbuda: Security forces consist of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, the prison guard service, immigration officers, airport and port security personnel, the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, and the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy. National security, including police and prison guards, falls under the supervision of the attorney general, who is also the minister of legal affairs, public safety, and labor. Immigration falls under the minister of foreign affairs, international trade, and immigration. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for money-laundering policy. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. There have been no reports that members of the security forces committed abuses.
Dominica: The Ministry of Justice, Immigration, and National Security oversees the police, the country’s only security force. The Financial Intelligence Unit reports to the Ministry of Legal Affairs; some of its officers have arrest authority. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. There were no credible reports of significant abuses by the security forces.
St. Kitts & Nevis: The security forces consist of a police force, which includes the paramilitary Special Services Unit, a drug unit, the Special Victims Unit, the Office of Professional Standards, and a white-collar crimes unit. These forces are responsible for internal security, including migration and border enforcement. In addition, there is a coast guard and a small defense force. The military and police report to the Ministry of National Security, which is under the prime minister’s jurisdiction. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. There were few credible reports that members of the security forces committed abuses.
St. Lucia: The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has responsibility for law enforcement and maintenance of order within the country. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. There have been credible reports that members of the security forces have committed some abuses.
St. Vincent & The Grenadines: The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police is the only security force in the country and is responsible for maintaining national security. Its forces include the Coast Guard, Special Services Unit, Rapid Response Unit, Drug Squad, and Antitrafficking Unit. Police report to the minister of national security, a portfolio held by the prime minister. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. There have been credible reports that members of the security forces have committed some abuses.
Police Response
The level of professionalism and quality of service can vary from island to island, and the level of protection is directly proportional to an incident’s possible impact on the tourist trade. Areas tourists frequent command a more visible police presence. Response delays to the non-touristed, less populated, and rural areas of the islands can be significant.
Generally, uniformed police are adequate to have an influence on crime deterrence, but uniformed police response to alarms or emergency calls are sometimes below U.S. standard. Police performance and conduct varies from poor to acceptable in professionalism and training, and regional police organizations have definite resource/manpower limitations that inhibit their deterrence and response effectiveness. It is not uncommon to wait an hour or more for police response.
Any U.S. citizen detained or harassed by police or other security services should immediately contact American Citizen Services (ACS) at the U.S. Embassy in Barbados during business hours, or the U.S. Embassy duty officer during non-business hours or holidays.
Law Enforcement Concerns: Emergency Contact/Information
- Anguilla: 911
- Antigua & Barbuda: (268) 462-0125/999
- British Virgin Islands: 999/911
- Dominica: 999
- Montserrat: 999
- Saint Kitts & Nevis: (869) 469-5391/911
- Saint Lucia: (758) 452-2854/999
- Saint Vincent & The Grenadines: (784) 457-1211/911
Transportation Security
Road Safety
In Antigua & Barbuda, driving is on the left side of the road. Major roads are in average to poor condition, and drivers may encounter wandering animals and slow-moving heavy equipment. Drivers often stop in the middle of the roadway without warning. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you and watch for signs of sudden braking. Automobiles may lack working safety and signaling devices. There is relatively little police enforcement of traffic regulations.
In the British Virgin Islands, driving is on the left side of the road. The law requires seatbelt use. Cell phone use while driving is illegal. Road signs are limited and drivers often fail to yield to pedestrians, even at painted crosswalks. Speeding and reckless driving are common. Drivers can encounter nighttime drag racing on main thoroughfares, and livestock on roads both day and night. Roads in Tortola's interior can be steep and extremely slippery when wet. Travelers planning to drive across the island should consider four-wheel drive vehicles and ensure that tires and brakes are in good operating condition.
In Dominica, driving is on the left side of the road. Driving requires a local temporary driver’s license, available for purchase at car rental offices or from the Traffic Department in Roseau. While much of the country’s road infrastructure is restored since the 2017 hurricane season, some secondary roads are not well paved making travel around the parts of the islands difficult.
In Montserrat, driving is on the left side of the road. For specific information concerning Montserrat driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, visit the Montserrat Tourist Board website.
In Saint Kitts & Nevis, Driving is on the left side of the road. Travelers must obtain a Visitor's Driver’s License, available from the Traffic Department or the Fire Station for a small fee on presentation of a valid home or international license.
In Saint Lucia, driving is on the left side of the road. A local temporary driver's license is mandatory, and available for purchase at all car rental offices and from the Transportation Office in Gros Islet.
In Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, driving is on the left-hand side of the road. There is relatively little police enforcement of traffic regulations. Major roads are in average to poor condition, and you may encounter wandering animals and slow moving heavy equipment. Drivers often stop in the middle of the roadway without warning. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you and watch for signs of sudden braking. Automobiles may lack working safety and signaling devices.
If you become involved in a vehicle accident, do not move vehicles unless absolutely necessary, remain calm, call police, call insurance or rental company, standby for insurance adjuster/or rental company representative, and wait to move vehicles until instructed by authorities.
For detailed, country-specific road and vehicle safety information, read the World Health Organization’s Global Status Report on Road Safety.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.
Public Transportation Safety
Antigua & Barbuda has buses and vans that are frequently crowded and may travel at excessive speeds. Make certain that taxi drivers are licensed and are members of the official taxi association. Unlicensed taxi operators have extorted money from passengers, despite having agreed to a fare beforehand. This can sometimes amount to double or triple the agreed-upon fare.
In the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, public transportation consists of minibuses and taxis. Established, reasonable fares are available from airport dispatchers and local hotels.
Aviation Concerns
There are no serious aviation concerns for the Eastern Caribbean.
Review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights; and consider the European Union Air Safety List.
Maritime Security
Throughout the region, small boat owners may offer to take you to between islands. Before accepting, check to be sure that the boat carries life preservers and a radio.
Generally, the threat to maritime security is low in the region. Piracy is a rare occurrence. The Regional Security System (RSS) works with several countries to secure the maritime environment through drug interdiction and search and rescue.
Personal Identity & Human Rights Concerns
Antigua & Barbuda: As of 2022, significant human rights issues included reports of government corruption and the existence of laws criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults, although those laws were not enforced, and the High Court ruled them unconstitutional in July 2022.
Dominica: Significant human rights issues included reports of the criminalization of libel and the criminalization of consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults, although there were no reported cases of enforcement during the year. St. Kitts & Nevis: Significant human rights issues included criminalization of same-sex sexual conduct between men, which was the law until August 2022, when the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court ruled the law was unconstitutional.
St. Lucia: Significant human rights issues include credible reports of criminalization of consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults, which are not enforced.
St. Vincent & The Grenadines: Significant human rights issues include the criminalization of libel and the criminalization of consensual same-sex conduct between men, which are not enforced.
Safety Concerns for Women Travelers
Antigua & Barbuda:
The law covers indecent assault, incest, rape, and indecent exposure but does not prohibit sexual harassment.
The law provides the same legal status and rights for women and men. Government officials declared that the law requires equal pay for equal work. The law does not specifically prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace. The labor code stipulates it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an individual because of his or her gender. The Ministry of Labour reported that it did not receive any complaints of employment discrimination during the year.
Dominica:
The law does not prohibit sexual harassment. Civil society groups reported it was a pervasive problem.
The constitution provides women with the same legal rights as men. The government generally enforced the law effectively, but property deeds continued to be given to heads of households, who were usually men. The law requires equal pay for civil service positions, but not for other positions. Women and men generally received equal salaries for comparable jobs. Women are excluded from working in some industries, including mining, construction, energy, water, and transportation. No laws prohibit gender discrimination or sexual harassment in employment.
St. Kitts & Nevis:
The law does not explicitly prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace. Sexual harassment cases are instead prosecuted under the Protection of Employment Act. The press reported that sexual harassment occurred in the workplace.
The law provides women the same legal status and rights as men except in the labor sector, where women are legally restricted from working in some industries, including mining, construction, factories, energy, and water. The law requires equal remuneration, and women and men generally receive equal salaries for comparable jobs. The government effectively enforces the law. Women have equal access to leadership roles in the private and public sectors.
St. Lucia:
The law prohibits sexual harassment, but sexual harassment remains a problem, and government enforcement is not an effective deterrent. Most cases of sexual harassment are handled in the workplace rather than prosecuted under the law. The law generally provides for the same legal status and rights for women and men. The law requires equal pay for equal work. Women are underrepresented in the labor force, have higher levels of unemployment than men, and sometimes receive lower pay or face additional informal hurdles gaining access to credit.
St. Vincent & The Grenadines:
The law does not specifically prohibit sexual harassment; authorities can prosecute such behavior under other laws. Sexual harassment is widespread, particularly in the workplace. Local human rights groups and women’s organizations consider enforcement in the workplace ineffective, citing a lack of sensitivity by government officials, particularly towards economically vulnerable populations.
The law requires equal pay for equal work, and authorities generally enforce it. No specific law prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex, but women remain restricted from working in some industries.
The Solo Female Travel Safety Index combines the experiences of solo female travelers with other reliable indices to award a single rating indicating the relative security female travelers might experience in a given country. The qualitative portion of the index examines risk of scam, theft, and harassment, as well as the country’s perceived attitude towards women. Countries are rated on a scale 1.0 (safest) to 4.0 (least safe), although the following ratings for Eastern Caribbean countries are based on incomplete information:
- Antigua & Barbuda: 1.0
- Dominica: 1.0
- Saint Kitts & Nevis: 1.0
- Saint Lucia: 1.0
- Saint Vincent & The Grenadines: 1.0
All solo female travelers are able to share their solo travel experiences by signing up with the Solo Female Travelers portal; the organization draws qualitative data from women traveling solo, depending on active participation and honest information.
Consider composite scores given to each country by the UN Development Program (UNDP) in its Gender Development Index, measuring the difference between average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development, and Gender Inequality Index, measuring inequality in achievement in reproductive health, empowerment, and the labor market. For more information on gender statistics in each country, see the World Bank's Gender Data Portal.
Review the State Department’s webpage for female travelers.
Safety Concerns for LGBTI+ Travelers
There are no known issues traveling on nonbinary X gender passports in the locations below.
Antigua & Barbuda:
In July 2022, the Antigua and Barbuda High Court ruled unconstitutional sections of the Sexual Offences Act that criminalize certain sexual activities between same-sex consenting adults. There were no reports of violence committed against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation. No law specifically prohibits discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons. Discrimination was widespread in the workplace, at school, and in access to health care.
British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, and Montserrat:
There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI+ events in the British Virgin Islands or other British territories.
Dominica:
Consensual same-sex sexual conduct for both men and women is illegal under indecency statutes. The law also prohibits anal intercourse between males. The government reported it rarely enforced either statute, with no instances of the law being enforced.
No laws prohibit discrimination against a person based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics in employment, housing, education, or health care.
Anecdotal evidence suggested that strong societal and employment discrimination were common against persons due to their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. Civil society representatives reported that LGBTI+ victims of violence or harassment avoided notifying police of abuse because of social stigma and fear of harassment. Representatives further reported that in cases where police were notified of attacks against LGBTI+ persons, police either rejected or poorly investigated some claims.
Saint Kitts & Nevis:
In August 2022, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) struck down the law that criminalized consensual same-sex sexual conduct among men, ruling that the law violates “one’s freedom of expression and personal privacy.” The government stated it received no reports of violence or discrimination based on sexual orientation, but some observers suggested there was underreporting due to negative societal attitudes. No laws prohibit discrimination against a person based on sexual orientation or gender identity in matters regarding essential goods and services and access to government services, such as health care.
Saint Lucia:
The law criminalizes consensual same-sex sexual acts of “gross indecency” (defined as sexual acts other than intercourse) as well as “buggery” (consensual intercourse between men) with a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Attempted consensual sexual intercourse between men is punishable by five years in prison. None of these laws was enforced in practice.
Post received no reports of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals being incited, perpetrated, condoned, or tolerated. The law does not extend antidiscrimination protections to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics, with two exceptions in the context of employment and domestic violence.
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines:
Consensual same-sex sexual conduct between adults is illegal under gross indecency statutes, and sexual conduct between men is illegal under anal intercourse laws. Indecency statutes carry a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, and anal intercourse carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, although these laws were rarely enforced. No laws prohibit discrimination against a person based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Equaldex Equality Index measures the status of LGBTI+ rights, laws, and freedoms, as well as public attitudes towards LGBTI+ people around the world. This report gives each country a score out of 100 and ranks them out of 198 countries:
- Antigua & Barbuda: 403100, ranked 88.
- Dominica: 22/100, ranked 148.
- St. Kitts & Nevis: 36/100, ranked 115.
- St. Lucia: 23/100, ranked 147.
- St. Vincent & The Grenadines: 18/100, ranked 157.
Consider information from Destination Pride, a data-driven search platform associated with PFLAG Canada that visualize the world's LGBTQ+ laws, rights, and social sentiment; as well as from ILGA World, a worldwide federation that produces an annual map showing sexual orientation laws from around the world, available in multiple languages.
Review OSAC’s report, Supporting LGBT+ Employee Security Abroad, and the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI travelers.
Safety Concerns for Travelers with Disabilities
Throughout the Eastern Caribbean, access to buildings, pedestrian paths, and transportation is extremely difficult for persons with mobility issues. Sidewalks (if they exist) are very uneven and will only occasionally have ramps or curb cuts at intersections. Pedestrian crossings are also very infrequent and can be poorly marked. Buses and taxis do not have special accommodations.
Laws generally prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities and are well-enforced, although they do not mandate physical accessibility for buildings and public spaces.
Antigua & Barbuda: The law prohibits any form of discrimination based on disability and stipulates a moderate fine or two years’ imprisonment for conviction of violations. Authorities stated the law requires that persons with disabilities must be able to access education, health services, public buildings, and transportation on an equal basis with all other persons; however, some public areas, including government buildings, were not in compliance with these requirements.
Dominica: The law does not specifically prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities. There were no reports of discrimination against persons with disabilities. There is no legal requirement mandating access to buildings for persons with disabilities. Few buildings, including public buildings, provided access for persons with physical disabilities.
St. Kitts & Nevis: The law does not explicitly prohibit discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities. Persons with disabilities experienced discrimination, particularly with access to buildings and public transportation. The law mandates access to buildings for persons with disabilities, but it was not consistently enforced.
St. Lucia: The law does not prohibit discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities. Government regulations require access for persons with disabilities to all public buildings, but only a few government buildings had access ramps. Persons with disabilities have the right to vote, but many polling stations were inaccessible for voters with impaired mobility. While there were no reports of discrimination, civil society representatives reported difficulty obtaining data on discrimination.
St. Vincent & The Grenadines: The law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, mental, and intellectual disabilities, and the government generally enforced these prohibitions. The law does not mandate access to buildings for persons with disabilities, and access to buildings generally was difficult. Government officials and NGOs reported government funding for organizations supporting persons with disabilities was insufficient to meet needs. No significant reports of violence, harassment, intimidation, or abuses against persons with disabilities by government officials or employees were received during the year. NGOs reported subtle discrimination in hiring practices throughout the economy.
Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.
Safety Concerns for Travelers Based on Race, Religion, & Ethnicity
Generally, there are no specific safety concerns for racial, religious, or ethnic minorities in the Eastern Caribbean.
Antigua & Barbuda: The law protects all citizens from broad forms of discrimination and the law is enforced. The country does not have a racially or ethnically diverse population. Approximately 91 %of the population is Black, and approximately 87% of the Black population is of African descent. According to the government, systemic racial or ethnic discrimination is not a concern. There were no reports of systemic discrimination.
Dominica: The constitution expressly prohibits discrimination based on sex, race, place of origin, political opinions, color, or creed. There were no reports of governmental or societal violence or discrimination against members of racial, ethnic, or national minorities during the year.
St. Kitts & Nevis: The constitution expressly prohibits discrimination based on race, place of origin, birth out of wedlock, political opinions or affiliations, color, and sex or creed.
There were no reports of governmental or societal violence or discrimination against members of racial, ethnic, or national minorities during the year. There were no reports of disproportionate access to education.
St. Lucia: There were no reports of systemic racial or ethnic violence and discrimination. The country is racially homogeneous; in the latest (2010) census, 96% of residents identified as being of full or partial African descent. Members of other communities, such as citizens of East Indian or Middle Eastern descent, had an equal role in society.
St. Vincent & The Grenadines: The law prohibits racial discrimination but does not specifically mention ethnicity. The country does not have a racially or ethnically diverse population. Approximately 71% of the population is Black, and 23% is mixed, primarily of African descent; 3% is indigenous.
Review the latest U.S Department of State Report on International Religious Freedom for country-specific information.
Review OSAC’s report, Freedom to Practice, and the State Department’s webpage on security for faith-based travelers.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
U.S. travelers and organizations in the Eastern Caribbean have not been the focus of terrorist actions, crime, or political violence based on their nationality. Peaceful protests are rare and do not target U.S. interests.
Concerns involving the Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption &/or Transparency
Antigua & Barbuda:
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but full implementation of the law was hindered during the pandemic. Media reported several allegations of corruption against officials during the year. Media and private citizens reported government corruption was widespread and endorsed at the highest levels of government.
Dominica:
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government implemented the law inconsistently. According to civil society representatives and members of the political opposition, officials sometimes engaged in corrupt practices.
St. Kitts & Nevis:
The constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and provides for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court. The government generally observes these requirements. Media and private citizens report government corruption is occasionally a problem.
St. Lucia:
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implemented these laws, but not always effectively. There were isolated reports of government corruption during the year.
St. Vincent & The Grenadines:
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government does not implement the law effectively.
The Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index ranks each country out of 180 worldwide, where 1 means most transparent:
- Antigua & Barbuda: no ranking
- Dominica: 42
- St. Kitts & Nevis: no ranking
- St. Lucia: 45
- St. Vincent & The Grenadines: 36
The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index measures how the rule of law is experienced and perceived worldwide based on surveys in 139 countries and jurisdictions, and is the leading source for original, independent data on the rule of law. The most recent index ranks each country out of 139 worldwide, where 1 means the strongest perceived rule of law.
- Antigua & Barbuda: 38
- Dominica: 53
- St. Kitts & Nevis: 39
- St. Lucia: 43
- St. Vincent & The Grenadines: 42
Communication Issues
Generally, there is little to no concern with press freedom, internet freedom, or freedom of speech in the Eastern Caribbean. There are no known issues traveling with satellite phones.
Antigua & Barbuda:
There were no privately owned print media. There were claims that the government was hostile to independent broadcast media outlets and did not provide them equal access to government officials. Observers claimed that the government and the prime minister in particular owned media outlets that were used exclusively to disseminate government information. Prime Minister Browne stated that although he was the founder of Pointe FM radio, he was no longer a shareholder; however, he did not reveal the ownership. Senior government officials routinely refused to grant interviews to media outlets that were critical of the ruling party and instead used government media exclusively.
Dominica:
The constitution provides for freedom of expression, including for the press, and the government generally respects this right. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combine to promote freedom of expression, including for the press. Defamation is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment or fines. There are no active defamation suits against local journalists. Media representatives report that public and private threats of lawsuits were made against media outlets and individual reporters, leading to some self-censorship. The government does not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content, and there are no credible reports that the government monitors private online communications without appropriate legal authority.
St. Kitts & Nevis:
The constitution provides for freedom of expression, including for the press, and the government generally respects this right. An independent press, an effective judicial system, and a functioning democratic political system combine to promote freedom of expression, including for the press. The government does not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content, and there are no credible reports that the government monitors private online communications without appropriate legal authority.
St. Lucia:
The constitution provides for freedom of expression, including for the press, and the government generally respects this right. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combine to promote freedom of expression, including for the press. The government does not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content, and there are no credible reports that the government monitors private online communications without appropriate legal authority.
St. Vincent & The Grenadines:
Civil society observers reported concerns about criticizing the government, primarily due to fear of facing libel charges, including under the cybercrime act. Civil society representatives indicated these fears resulted in media outlets practicing self-censorship. The act establishes criminal penalties, including imprisonment, for offenses including libel by electronic communication, cyberbullying, and illegal acquisition of data. The government did not restrict or disrupt access to the internet or censor online content, and there were no credible reports that the government monitored private online communications without appropriate legal authority.
The Freedom House Freedom in the World report rates each country’s freedom of speech.
- Antigua & Barbuda: Free
- Dominica: No ranking
- St. Kitts & Nevis: Free
- St. Lucia: Free
- St. Vincent & The Grenadines: Free
Health Concerns
Emergency Medical Service in the French West Indies, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia: 911
Emergency Medical Service in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines: 999
In the British Virgin Islands, a volunteer organization, Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR), responds to medical emergencies at sea or on the outer islands. VISAR transports casualties to the nearest point for transfer to ambulance. Reach VISAR at SOS (767) or call on Marine Channel 16.
Medical transport in Saint Kitts & Nevis can take hours to respond.
There is limited ambulance service on most Dominica; sea rescue service is available at the north end of the island.
Medical facilities in Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines do not meet U.S. standards.
The following diseases are prevalent: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya.
Carefully assess the potential risks of recreational water activities and consider your physical capabilities and skills. Never venture out alone, particularly at isolated beaches or far out to sea. Avoid entering the water above your waist if you have been drinking, and always be mindful of jet ski and boat traffic in the area.
Dominica has an operational hyperbaric chamber; Saint Kitts has two. There is no hyperbaric chamber in Antigua & Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, or Saint Vincent & the Grenadines; divers requiring treatment for decompression illness must evacuate from the country.
Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the State Department’s webpage on health insurance overseas.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Health “H” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for these countries.
Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters.
See OSAC’s Guide to U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuations; review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad; and visit the State Department’s webpage on Your Health Abroad for more information.
Vaccinations
Strongly consider the COVID-19 vaccine prior to travel.
Review the CDC Travelers’ Health site for country-specific vaccine recommendations.
Issues Traveling with Medications
There are no known issues with traveling with medications.
Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.
Water Quality
Water throughout the Eastern Caribbean is generally potable from the tap.
Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?
Environmental Hazards
The Eastern Caribbean is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes, with the season lasting from June through November. The most recent hurricanes to strike the Eastern Caribbean were Hurricanes Irma and Maria, in the summer of 2017. Within this report’s area of responsibility, Irma struck the islands of Antigua & Barbuda most heavily, causing severe damage to nearly every structure on Barbuda, and destroying the utilities infrastructure. Hurricane Maria arrived just weeks later, making landfall on Dominica and leaving the island with only sporadic electricity and water for months. While hurricane-force winds caused much of the damage in these instances, even storms without such powerful winds can cause extensive flooding damage through sheer quantity of rainfall due largely to inadequate drainage infrastructure.
The most recent, notable earthquake in the region occurred in 2015 in Barbados. The 5.7-magnitude earthquake caused no reported damage or casualties, and was felt on nearby St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Martinique. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the last significant earthquake in the region occurred in 2007, 30 miles northwest of Martinique. The 7.4-magnitude earthquake caused one fatality.
In 2021, La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent erupted multiple times, dumping ash on St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Barbados. No causalities were reported.
Cybersecurity Concerns
Cybersecurity attacks frequently target public institutions, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure. Many of the Eastern Caribbean police forces are ill-equipped to prevent and investigate these types of attacks and intrusions. In recent years, government websites were targets of attacks in St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Antigua & Barbuda. The governments of the Eastern Caribbean appear to be taking some steps to develop better investigative infrastructure for cyber incidents as evidenced by the 2017 opening of the Regional Security Systems Digital Forensic Laboratory, significantly enhancing their ability to investigate crimes with a digital nexus. Digital security remains a concern in the region, particularly with ATM fraud, credit card fraud and other cybercrimes.
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling Abroad with Mobile Devices, and Guide for Overseas Satellite Phone Usage.
Counterintelligence Issues
There are no specific counterintelligence issues affecting the private sector in the Eastern Caribbean.
Other Security Concerns
Landmines
There are no known or reported landmines in the Eastern Caribbean.
Import/Export Restrictions
It is illegal in the Eastern Caribbean, even for children, to wear camouflage clothing or carry items made with camouflage material. Do not enter any Eastern Caribbean country with firearms or ammunition without prior express consent from the host nation government.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Photography
A permit is required to conduct photography via drone.
Review OSAC’s report, Picture This: Dos and Don’ts for Photography.
ID Requirements
There are no specific ID requirements in the region.
Critical Infrastructure Concerns
Most utilities are above ground in the Eastern Caribbean. A hurricane or earthquake would potentially disrupt power and internet connectivity, effectively cutting off all but satellite communication in the country. The water distribution system in St. Vincent was disrupted by the La Soufrière volcano eruption in April 2020. Regular water distribution was restored in a week after the volcano ceased eruptions.
Many countries rely on large diesel power plants for power.
OSAC Country Chapters
The Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Chapter is active and meets semi-annually, with smaller breakout meetings focusing on specific countries elsewhere in the region.
Contact OSAC’s Americas team with any questions.
Embassy Contact Information
- U.S. Embassy in Barbados: Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael 14006. Tel 1-246-227-4399, Emergency 1-246-227-4000.
- U.S. Embassy in Grenada: L’Anse aux Epines Main Road, St. George. Tel: 1-473-444-1173/4/5/6, Emergency 1-473-407-2495.
Trustworthy News Sources
Other Helpful Info
