Exercise Normal Precautions
“There are no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.”
Updated Tue, 07 Jul 2026
Full advisory →Is Kingstown safe? 🇻🇨
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Kingstown scores 30/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. Yes — Kingstown is generally safe for visitors, but petty theft and occasional violent incidents demand vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Kingstown 🇻🇨
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Assessed 29 July 2026
30
/ 100
Caution advised
Safer than ~15% of countries
Score capped at 30 — Homicide rate 51/100k. No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime14/100ElevatedHomicide 51.3 / 100k
Sentiment67/100FairMixed
Advisories97Good
Stability78Good
Health86Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Saint Vincent & the Grenadines: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-06-19T11:04:15.5243712-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Elevated
Homicide rate
51.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7St. Vincent and the Grenadines51.3
4
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but have been reported in isolated incidents near the central market after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag‑snatching are most frequent in crowded areas such as the Kingstown waterfront, market, and popular tourist venues
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
67/100
Reported feel68Mixed
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveller reports on forums and review sites indicate visitors generally feel safe during daylight but express concern about petty theft and occasional night‑time confrontations, especially in the historic downtown.
Yes — Kingstown is generally safe for visitors, but petty theft and occasional violent incidents demand vigilance.
The multi‑database profile rates Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at a composite safety index of 30/100 (CAUTION), driven by a high homicide rate (51.3 per 100k) and moderate overall risk. Kingstown, the capital, shares this moderate risk profile; recent news shows isolated violent events but no active disaster alerts, and official advisories from the U.S., U.K., and Canada all advise normal precautions.
Recent developments
- Jul 2023Five people fatally shot in a mass shooting in Kingstown, marking a spike in violent crime— Fox News
- Feb 2026License suspended for a 27‑year‑old facing reckless driving charge after a high‑speed chase in Kingstown— St Vincent Times
- Mar 2026Some cruise calls cancelled and tourism vendors affected due to regional airspace closures— Euronews.com
- Jul 2025Pan American Health Organization partners with St. Vincent to reinforce the ESAVI program— PAHO
Common scams
- overpriced taxi rides and unofficial tours
- fake charity collections targeting tourists after natural‑event scares
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Kingstown is generally safe for travelers, but the city carries a moderate risk profile. The country’s composite safety index of 30/100 reflects a relatively high homicide rate (51.3 per 100 k) and a moderate overall danger level. Official U.S., U.K., and Canadian advisories all urge visitors to “exercise normal precautions,” confirming that the baseline risk is low for typical tourist activity.
Recent dossier items show isolated but notable incidents that affect visitor safety. In July 2023, five people were killed in a mass shooting in Kingstown, signaling a brief surge in violent crime. More recently, a 27‑year‑old was charged with reckless driving after a police‑pursuit in February 2026, and cruise‑ship cancellations in March 2026 disrupted tourist flows due to regional airspace closures. None of these events involve tourists directly, yet they underscore that sporadic violent episodes can occur, especially after dark in the central market area and near Rose Place.
Petty theft remains the most common threat to visitors. Travel risk calculators and travel guides consistently note pickpocketing and bag‑snatching in crowded spots such as the waterfront, the bustling market, and popular beach bars. Scams targeting tourists include overpriced taxi fares and unofficial “charity” collections that appear after natural‑event scares. Licensed taxis or reputable rideshare services, along with keeping valuables secured in a hotel safe, mitigate these risks.
To stay safe, keep a low profile after dark, avoid poorly lit side streets, and stick to well‑patrolled areas such as the main promenade and the historic downtown during daylight. Use only vetted transportation, be wary of unsolicited offers, and stay informed of any sudden changes in airspace or weather that could affect travel plans. By following these practical steps, visitors can enjoy Kingstown’s charm while minimizing exposure to the modest risks that exist.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Kingstown districts for visitors: 2 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Kingstown safety map.
Rose PlaceavoidHigh crime reports and local warnings to skip at night
KingstowncautionPetty theft and occasional violent incidents reported; stay alert, especially after dark
BuccamentcautionSome pickpocketing incidents noted near market and waterfront
Cedar ValleysaferQuiet residential area with low incident reports
Bishop's GardenssaferTourist-friendly with minimal recent safety concerns
07 · After Dark
Is Kingstown safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but have been reported in isolated incidents near the central market after dark
After dark, be most careful around Rose Place, Kingstown, Buccament. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Kingstown's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight24
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight26
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight30
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight26
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight30
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight30
09 · Questions
Kingstown safety FAQ
Is Kingstown safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Kingstown is generally safe for visitors, but petty theft and occasional violent incidents demand vigilance. The multi‑database profile rates Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at a composite safety index of 30/100 (CAUTION), driven by a high homicide rate (51.3 per 100k) and moderate overall risk. Kingstown, the capital, shares this moderate risk profile; recent news shows isolated violent events but no active disaster alerts, and official advisories from the U.S., U.K., and Canada all advise normal precautions. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Kingstown should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Rose Place as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Kingstown?
- overpriced taxi rides and unofficial tours
- fake charity collections targeting tourists after natural‑event scares
How does Kingstown compare with other places in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?
Kingstown scores 30/100 — see the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Kingstown safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: kingstown.json (CC BY 4.0).