Tips for Travelers to the Caribbean

Department of State Publication 10439
Bureau of Consular Affairs
May 1997

Foreword

Since colonial times, the Caribbean has been a favorite place for American visitors. In the past 50 years, tourism to the area has increased greatly, and today millions of U.S. citizens visit the islands every year. The majority of these visitors have a safe trip. To help you have a similar experience, the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs has prepared these tips for you.

Consular Affairs provides services to Americans who travel or reside abroad. If, in spite of your best precautions, you find yourself in difficulties abroad, please contact the U.S. consul at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. There is a list of U.S. embassies and consulates in the Caribbean at the end of this publication.

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable experience during your visit to the Caribbean!

Originally named the West Indies by explorers seeking a sea route to India, the Caribbean is the region of tropical islands in the Caribbean Sea situated between North and South America and east of Central America. The islands extend for nearly 1,700 miles from Cuba in the west to Barbados in the east.

Note: There are special conditions relating to travel to Cuba, including U.S. Treasury restrictions

Travel to Mexico and to Central and South America is covered in separate publications. To order them, see the inside back cover.

If you plan to visit the most popular islands during high tourist season (from mid-December to mid-April), confirm your hotel reservations two to three months in advance. There are, however, lesser-known islands where you may be able to book first class accommodations on short notice. In addition, you can usually book reservations with ease during the off-season, but be aware of hurricane season, which runs from June to November. During this period, travelers are wise to check weather reports before departure from the U.S., as well as periodically, during their stay.

Most of the islands in the Caribbean belong to one of 13 independent countries. In addition, several islands and groups of islands in the Caribbean are part of or dependent upon France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, or the United States. A directory of the major islands is located at the end of this document.

Preparation for Your Trip

Start Early. If a passport is required for you to enter the country where you are planning to travel, apply for it as soon as possible. (See the section, Entry and Exit Requirements.)

Learn about the countries you plan to visit. Before departing, read up on the culture and people for the places you will travel.

As you travel, keep abreast of local news coverage. If you are in an area experiencing civil unrest or a natural disaster, or if you are going to a place where communications are poor, you are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate through the State Department's travel registration website. Registration takes only a few moments, and it may be invaluable in case of an emergency. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare or whereabouts may not be released without your expressed authorizations. Remember to leave a detailed itinerary and the numbers of your passport or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the United States.

For up-to-date travel information on any country in the world that you plan to visit, obtain the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet. This covers topics such as entry regulations, the crime and security situation, drug penalties, and location of the nearest U.S. embassy, consulate or consular agency.

The Department also issues Travel Warnings and Public Announcements. A Travel Warning advises travelers not to go to a country because of dangerous conditions and/or U.S. government's ability to assist a U.S. citizen in distress there is severely limited. A Public Announcement is issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about relatively short-term and/or trans-national conditions which would pose significant risks to the security of American travelers.

How to Access Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements

Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements are available at the regional U.S. passport agencies; from U.S. embassies and consulates abroad; or by sending a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope to: Overseas Citizens Services, Room 4811, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-4818. On the outside envelope, write the name of the country or countries needed in the lower left corner.

There are three electronic methods to access Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements 24-hours a day:

By Telephone : Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements may be heard any time by dialing the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 202-647-5225 from a touchtone phone. The recording is updated as soon as new information becomes available.

By Internet : Information about travel and consular services is also available on the Internet. The address is http://travel.state.gov.

By Fax : From your fax machine, dial 202-647-3000 and follow the voice prompts.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Entering: Every island in the Caribbean has its own entry requirements. Most countries allow you to visit for up to two or three months if you show proof of U.S. citizenship and a return or onward ticket. Some countries, however, require that you have a valid passport. If you are arriving from an area infected with yellow fever, many Caribbean countries require you to have a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. Some countries have an airport departure tax of up to $25. For authoritative information on a country's entry and exit requirements and on its customs and currency regulations, contact its embassy, consulate, or tourist office in the United States.

Returning - Caution! Make certain that you can return to the United States with the proof of citizenship that you take with you. Although some Caribbean countries may allow you to enter with only a birth certificate, U.S. Immigration requires that you document both your U.S. citizenship and identity when you reenter the United States.

The best document to prove your U.S. citizenship is a valid U.S. passport. Other documents of U.S. citizenship include an expired U.S. passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate, a Certificate of Naturalization , a Certificate of Citizenship , or a Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen.

To prove your identity, either a valid driver's license or a government identification card that includes a photo or a physical description is acceptable.

If you lose or have your U.S. passport stolen while overseas, report it immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. A lost or stolen birth certificate or driver's license cannot be replaced outside the United States. There are several countries, most notably Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, and Jamaica, where airlines have consistently refused to board American citizens with insufficient proof of U.S. citizenship. The resulting delays can be inconvenient as well as expensive.

Bringing Your Own Boat or Plane

If you plan to arrive in the Caribbean in your own boat or plane, contact the embassy, consulate, or tourist office of each country you plan to visit to learn what is required for entry and exit. Besides title of ownership, most ports of entry will require proof of insurance coverage for the country you are entering. Some countries require a temporary import permit for your boat or plane.

Authorities in the Caribbean are familiar with U.S. regulations for documentation of air and sea craft. They will detain improperly documented craft that enter their territory. In some countries, authorities will confiscate firearms found on a boat or plane unless the owner or master can show proof that U.S. licensing and export procedures have been followed. In addition, some countries impose stiff prison terms for the importation of illegal firearms.

Customs, Firearms, and Currency Regulations

Customs formalities are generally simple in the Caribbean. As a rule, one carton of cigarettes and one quart of liquor are permitted duty free into the islands. Most countries tax additional quantities at a high rate. In general, tourists are permitted to enter with other commodities required for personal use. If you wish to bring firearms into any country, inquire at the country's embassy or consulate about the permit required. As noted above, some countries in the Caribbean impose a stiff prison term for importing illegal firearms.

Currency regulations vary. Inquire about them when you check on entry requirements. In some countries, you must declare all currency and are not allowed to take out more money than you brought in. Other countries limit the amount of their own currency that can be brought in or taken out.

Check with your travel agent about extra fees and taxes that may be overlooked in the tourist literature. Examples are hotel taxes, obligatory restaurant gratuities, and airport departure taxes.

When you convert your money to local currency, retain receipts. You will need to show them if you wish to reconvert money upon departure. It is usually advantageous to reconvert local currency before departure. Although U.S. currency is used along with local currency, in some places there may be an advantage to using local currency.

Health

Information on health precautions for travelers can be obtained from local health departments, private doctors, or travel clinics. You may also call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 24-hour hotline on (404) 332-4559 or check the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov for information on immunizations and health risks worldwide.

Review your health insurance policy. U.S. medical insurance is often not valid outside the United States. Medicare/Medicaid does not provide payment for medical services obtained outside the U.S. In addition to medical insurance, consider obtaining insurance to cover evacuation in the event of an accident or serious illness. Considering air evacuation to the United States can easily cost $15,000 if you are not insured, insurance to cover a medical evacuation is relatively inexpensive. There are short-term health and emergency assistance policies designed for travelers. Ask your travel agent about them or look for ads in travel publications.

If you need medical attention during your trip, your hotel may be able to recommend the nearest clinic, hospital or doctor, or you can obtain a list of local medical services from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. In a medical emergency, a U.S. consul can help you locate medical treatment.

The most prevalent health hazard in the Caribbean is one you can avoid -- overexposure to the sun. Use sunscreen and bring a shirt to wear over your bathing suit, especially if you plan to snorkel.

Where the quality of drinking water is questionable, bottled water is recommended. Travelers to remote areas should boil or chemically treat drinking water.

Safety Tips

Crime Information. Most visitors to the Caribbean have a relatively safe trip. However, thievery, purse snatching, and pick pocketing do happen, particularly in cities and at beaches. There has also been an increase in violent crimes, such as rape and assault against tourists. In some places, U.S. passports and identity documents are especially attractive to thieves. Robbery of yachts is a problem in some marinas.

Here are some precautions to keep in mind:

-- Safety begins when you pack. Leave expensive jewelry, unnecessary credit cards, and anything you would hate to lose at home.

-- Use a concealed money pouch or belt for passports, cash, and other valuables.

-- To facilitate replacing a lost or stolen passport, carry two extra passport photos and a photocopy of your passport information page and other identity documents with you in a separate place from those items.

-- Do not take valuables to the beach. When possible, use the hotel safe when you go to the beach or into town.

-- When you enter a marina, register with the local government authorities.

Water Safety. Make certain that sports equipment, including scuba equipment, that you rent or buy meets international safety standards.

If you use a beach without a lifeguard, exercise extreme caution. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for Americans in the Caribbean.

Do not dive into unknown bodies of water because hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death. In some places, you may need to wear sneakers in the water for protection against sea urchins.

Civil Aviation Oversight. This information applies only to foreign flag carriers, not U.S. flag carriers who travel to the following countries: At the time of publication, an assessment conducted by The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concluded that the Dominican Republic's, Haiti's, Jamaica's, and Trinidad & Tobago's civil aviation authorities were not in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of air carrier operations. The same applies to the civil aviation authorities of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and St. Kitts & Nevis). For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation's travel advisory line at (1-800) 322-7873.

Drug Offenses

Most countries in the Caribbean have strict laws against the use, possession, or sale of narcotics. Foreigners arrested for possession of even small amounts of marijuana, cocaine or other illegal drugs are often charged and tried as international traffickers. The penalty for carrying narcotics into or out of the country can be 20 years imprisonment. There are usually expensive fines as well. In some places, there is no bail and there are long judicial delays where you can spend more than two years awaiting trial. Conditions in most Caribbean prisons do not meet even minimum U.S. standards.

If you carry prescription drugs, keep them in their original container, clearly labeled with the doctor's name, pharmacy, and contents.

Judicial Systems

When you travel abroad, you are subject to the laws of the country you are in. If you find yourself in serious difficulty while abroad, contact a consular officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. consuls cannot serve as attorneys or give legal assistance, and they cannot get you out of jail. They can, however, provide lists of local attorneys and advise you of your rights under local law. If you are detained, a consul can monitor your case to assure your treatment is in accordance with local law.

Driving in the Caribbean

If you plan to rent a car, be aware that most jurisdictions of the Caribbean drive on the left. The only places where you drive on the right are Aruba, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, and the Netherlands Antilles. In other places, if you are not used to driving on the left, proceed slowly and with utmost caution. You may wish to ride as a passenger for a while before trying to drive yourself.

Driving conditions and local driving patterns are different from the U.S. Many roads are narrow or winding, signs may not be in English, and in some places, domestic animals roam freely. Defensive driving is a must.

Shopping: Avoid Wildlife Products

Beware of purchasing a live animal or plant or an item made from one. Many such items are prohibited from international traffic. You risk confiscation and a possible fine by U.S. Customs if you attempt to import certain wildlife or wildlife products. In particular, watch out for and avoid:

-- All products made from sea turtles, including turtle leather boots, tortoiseshell jewelry, and sea turtle oil cosmetics.

-- Fur from spotted cats.

-- Feathers and feather products from wild birds.

-- Birds, stuffed or alive, such as parrots or parakeets.

-- Crocodile and caiman leather.

-- Black coral and most other coral, whether in chunks or in jewelry.

Residence or Investments in the Caribbean

You will need a passport and visas to reside in or to conduct or start a business in the Caribbean. Although some Caribbean countries welcome retirees or others of independent means as long-term residents, requests for work permits are rarely granted. Before you travel, apply to the country's embassy or consulate in the United States to obtain a visa if you wish to reside, go into business, or work in the country.

U.S. citizens who wish to invest in the Caribbean, such as in real estate or a business, should first thoroughly investigate the company making the offer and, in addition, learn about the investment climate in the country. A good resource is the Trade Information Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce, telephone 1-800-USA-TRADE. The Center can tell you how to access the National Trade Data Bank. Among the things you can learn are how to find out if the company is registered with local authorities and how to get in touch with local trade associations. Before signing a contract for a timeshare or other real estate, you may wish to consult with a lawyer. You will need to check whether the contract contains the same safeguards as do similar contracts in the U.S., such as the retention of timeshare rights if the property is sold. You should also determine whether the builder or seller has a clear title.

Antigua and Barbuda

Medical Care. Medical care is limited.

Crime Information . Violent crimes have increased and armed assaults have been perpetrated against tourists. Petty street crime also occurs and valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Bahamas

Medical Care. Medical care is generally good, but may be limited in outlying areas.

Drug Penalties. Criminal penalties for possession of or trafficking in drugs in the Bahamas are severe. The Bahamian court system has a heavy volume of pending cases, and U.S. citizens arrested for drugs or other offenses are often held in prison for months while awaiting trial.

Crime Information. Visitors should exercise normal caution in safeguarding valuables left on the beach. Woman may wish to avoid deserted areas, especially at night. Crime is more prevalent in major population centers, particularly the "over-the-hill" area of Nassau.

General Information. In the Bahamas, be sure to budget for hotel room tax, an energy surtax, a 15% obligatory gratuity in restaurants, and a departure tax of $15, which must be paid in cash.

Barbados

Medical Care. Medical care is generally good, but may be limited in outlying areas.

Crime Information . Street crime sometimes occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Bermuda

Medical Care. Medical care is generally good.

General Information. Although it is often thought of as part of the Caribbean, Bermuda is not actually in the Caribbean Sea, it is located in the Atlantic about 650 miles east of North Carolina.

Crime Information . Bermuda has a low crime rate. However, during the tourist season, pickpocketing and theft of unattended baggage can occur.

British Virgin Islands

General Information. The islands of Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola and Virgin Gorda make up the British Virgin Islands.

British West Indies

General Information. The British West Indies include Anguilla, Montserrat, Cayman Islands and Turks & Caicos.

Special Information for Montserrat. There is potentially dangerous volcanic activity on the island. For more information, refer to the Consular Information Sheet for Barbados.

Cuba

Financial Restrictions . The Cuban Assets Control Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Treasury require that transactions incident to the travel to and within Cuba of U.S. citizens or residents be licensed. A general license needs no application. Transactions under a general license are authorized only for the following categories of travelers:

-- U.S. and foreign government officials, including representatives of international organizations of which the U.S. is a member, traveling on official business;

-- journalists regularly employed in such capacity by a news reporting organization;

-- persons visiting close relatives who reside in Cuba due to extreme humanitarian needs once within any twelve month period;

Transactions relating to the following categories of travel must be authorized by a specific license based upon a written application to Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control:

-- humanitarian travel by persons traveling to visit close relatives more than once within 12 months;

-- persons traveling to accompany licensed humanitarian donations (other than gift parcels);

-- persons traveling in connection with activities of recognized human rights organizations;

-- persons traveling for professional research or similar activities;

-- persons traveling in connection with clearly defined educational or religious activities;

-- persons traveling in connection with the exportation, importation, or transmission of information and informational materials, including provision of telecommunications services.

U.S. citizens whose transactions are not authorized by general or specific licenses may not buy goods (a meal at a hotel or restaurant, for example) or services (an airline ticket or hotel room) related to Cuban travel.

Important Information: Transactions relating to travel to Cuba for tourism or business purposes are not authorized by a general license, nor would they be authorized in response to an application for a specific license. This restriction includes transactions related to tourist and business travel from or through a third country such as Canada or Mexico. Any payments to the Marina Hemingway International Yacht Club by unlicensed travelers are prohibited and a violation of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations.

Under U.S. Treasury regulations, authorized travelers may spend no more than $100 per day for living expenses in Cuba, and, except for informational materials which are not limited, may bring back to the U.S. no more than $100 total worth of Cuban goods. Failure to comply with U.S. Treasury regulations could result in prosecution upon return to the United States.

For more information, contact the Licensing Division, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of Treasury, Washington, D.C. 20220, (202) 622-2480.

Cuban Entry Regulations. Cuba requires a passport and a visa for entry. Attempts to enter or exit Cuba illegally or to aid the illegal exit of Cuban nationals are punishable by jail terms. Entering Cuban territory, territorial waters or airspace without prior authorization from the Cuban government many result in arrest. Violators may also be putting their lives at risk. On February 24, 1996, the Cuban military shot down two U.S. registered civil aircraft in international airspace.

Dual Nationals. For all practical purposes, the government of Cuba considers Cuban-born U.S. citizens to be solely Cuban citizens. The Cuban government does not recognize the right or obligation of the U.S. government to protect dual U.S.-Cuban citizens. Cuban authorities have consistently denied U.S. consular officers the right to visit incarcerated dual nationals and to ascertain their welfare and proper treatment under Cuban law. Dual U.S.-Cuban nationals may be subject to a range of restrictions and obligations, including military service.

Crime Information . As severe economic problems continue in Cuba, street crime against tourists has increased noticeably. Foreigners are prime targets for purse snatchings, pickpocketing and thefts from hotel rooms, beaches, historic sites and other attractions.

Credit Card Transactions. Credit cards issued by U.S. financial institutions are not valid in Cuba. Personal checks drawn on U.S. banks are not accepted in Cuba. However, some non-U.S. travelers checks are sometimes acceptable.

Restriction on Photography. Photographing military or police installations or personnel, harbor, rail or airport facilities is forbidden.

U.S. Interests Section. U.S. travelers in Cuba should register in person, in writing, or by telephone during business hours at the U.S. Interests Section which is part of the Embassy of Switzerland. Further information is available in the Consular Information Sheet for Cuba.

Dominica

Medical Care. Medical care is limited.

General Information. Dominica is a developing island nation. The tourist industry is not highly developed.

Crime Information . Street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Dominican Republic

Medical Care. Medical care is limited.

Entry Requirements. A valid U.S. passport or proof of U.S. citizenship along with photo ID, and tourist card or visa are required. A Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship, along with proper photo identification, may be accepted. Minors traveling without their parents require additional documentation.

Currency Regulations. Currency can only be exchanged at commercial banks, authorized exchange booths in hotels and exchange houses. No more than $10,000.00 (U.S.) (or its equivalent) may be taken out of the Dominican Republic at the time of departure.

Crime Information . Valuables left unattended in parked cars, on beaches, and in other public places are subject to theft. Burglaries of private residences have increased. Some resort areas have experienced an increase in violent crime. The larger resort complexes, which rely on private security services, have generally not been affected.

French West Indies

Medical Care. Medical care is limited.

General Information. The French West Indies include the islands of Guadeloupe, Isles des Saintes, La Desirade, Marie Galante, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin and Martinique.

Crime Information . Street crime, sometimes involving armed assault, appears to be on the rise in St. Martin. In the other territories, petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Grenada

Medical Care. Medical care is limited.

General Information. Grenada is a developing island nation. Tourism facilities vary according to price and area.

Crime Information . Tourists have been victims of armed robbery in isolated areas, particularly after dark. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Special Exit Requirements. There is an airport departure charge of $14 (Eastern Caribbean $35) per person.

Haiti

Medical Care. Medical care in Port-au-Prince is limited and the level of community sanitation is low. Medical facilities outside the capital are almost always below U.S. standards. Life-threatening emergencies may require evacuation by air ambulance at the patient's expense. You might want to consider supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including medical evacuation. In mid-1996, the government ordered Haitian-manufactured pharmaceuticals taken off shelves. Be alert to the presence of Haitian brands in people's homes or in remote pharmacies, and obtain the Consular Information Sheet for Haiti (page 4) for up-to-date information.

Special Entry/Exit Requirements. Haitian law requires a passport to enter. In practice, officials frequently waive this requirement if travelers have other documentation, such as a U.S. birth certificate. Due to fraud concerns, however, airlines will not board passengers for return to the U.S. unless they are in possession of a valid U.S. passport. Haiti's airport departure tax, currently $25 plus 10 Haitian gourdes (U.S. $.65), must be paid in cash in U.S. currency. It cannot be paid as part of the airline ticket.

General Information. Haiti continues to experience occasional civil unrest, including unofficial roadblocks. There have been attacks on some government buildings by unidentified perpetrators. Travelers are urged to use common sense in avoiding large crowds, which have turned violent.

Crime Information . Reports of crime, including armed and sometimes violent robbery, are increasing. Crimes involving occupied and unoccupied vehicles along Route Nationale No. 1 in the port area, in Cite Soleil, and along the airport road continue to be a problem.

Jamaica

Medical Care. Medical care is limited in comparison to care available in the U.S.

Drug Penalties. Criminal penalties for possession, use and dealing in illegal drugs, including marijuana, are strict. Substantial fines and mandatory sentences of six to nine months are common and longer prison sentences can be levied under Jamaican law. Departing visitors are thoroughly screened for drug possession.

Crime Information . Crime is a serious problem in and around Kingston, Jamaica's capital. Criminal acts can rapidly turn violent. Visitors should exercise common sense, not walk around at night, and use only licensed taxis or hotel-recommended transportation. In tourist areas, be careful at isolated villas and small establishments.

Netherlands Antilles

Medical Care. Medical care is generally good, but may be limited in more remote areas.

General Information. The Netherlands Antilles are autonomous parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands Antilles include the islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius (also known as Statia), and St. Maarten.

Insurance for Rented Aquatic/Land Vehicles. Caution should be exercised when renting motorized aquatic and land vehicles. Renters should note the insurance underwriter and the amount of deductible that they would be responsible for in case of an accident. (When accidents occur, the renter is often charged exorbitant charges against his/her credit card for repairs or replacement of the vehicle.)

Crime Information . Petty street crime and armed robbery, including shooting of the victims, are increasing.

St. Kitts and Nevis

Medical Care. Medical care is limited.

Crime Information. Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

St. Lucia

Medical Care. Medical care is limited.

Crime Information . Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Medical Care. Medical care is limited.

Crime Information . Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft.

Trinidad and Tobago

Medical Care. Medical care is limited.

Drug Penalties. Drug laws are severe and strictly enforced in Trinidad and Tobago. Possession of even small amounts of narcotics can result in lengthy jail sentences and expensive fines. The penalty for carrying narcotics into or out of the country is five to 15 years imprisonment with no possibility of parole.

Crime Information . Violent crime, including murder, is on the rise. While crime is significantly lower in Tobago, travelers may wish to avoid traveling alone.

Foreign Embassies in the United States

Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda
3216 New Mexico Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 362-5122 or 5166

Embassy of the Bahamas
2220 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 319-2660

Embassy of Barbados
2144 Wyoming Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 939-9200

Embassy of Switzerland
Cuban Interests Section
2639 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 362-5122 or 5166

Consulate of the Commonwealth of Dominica
820 2nd Ave., Suite 900
New York, NY 10017
(212) 599-8478

Embassy of the Dominican Republic
1715 22nd Street., NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 332-6280

Embassy of France
4101 Reservoir Road, NW
Washington, DC 20007-2172
(202) 944-6200 or 6187

Embassy of Grenada
1701 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 265-2561

Embassy of Haiti
2144 Wyoming Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 939-9200

Embassy of Jamaica
1520 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 452-0660

Embassy of the Netherlands
4200 Linnean Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 244-5300

Embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis
3216 New Mexico Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 686-2636

Embassy of St. Lucia
3216 New Mexico Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 364-6792

Embassy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
1717 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 462-7803

Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago
1708 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 467-6490

United Kingdom
British Embassy
3100 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 462-1340

U.S. Embassies and Consulates Abroad

BAHAMAS
American Embassy
Queen Street
Nassau, BAHAMAS
(1-242) 322-1181 or 328-2206

BARBADOS
American Embassy
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Bldg.
Broadstreet
Bridgetown, BARBADOS
(1-246) 436-4950

American Consulate
ALICO Building
Cheapside
Bridgetown, BARBADOS
(1-246) 431-0225

BERMUDA
American Consulate General
Crown Hill, 16 Middle Rd.
Devonshire
Hamilton, BERMUDA
(1-441) 295-1342

CUBA
Swiss Embassy (USINT)
Calzada between Land M
Vedado
Havana, CUBA
(537) 33-4401

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
American Embassy
Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro
Santo Domingo,
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
(1-809) 221-2171

GRENADA
American Embassy
Point Salines
St. George's, GRENADA
(1-809) 444-1173 thru 5

HAITI
American Embassy
Harry Truman Blvd.
Port-au-Prince, HAITI
(1-509) 22-0200 or 0612

American Consulate General
Rue Oswald Durand #104
Port-au-Prince, HAITI
(1-509) 23-7011

JAMAICA
American Embassy
Jamaica Mutual Life Center
2 Oxford Road
Kingston, JAMAICA
(1-809) 929-4850 to 4859

NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
American Consulate General
J.B. Gorsiraweg No. 1
Willemstad, CURACAO
(599-9) 461-3066

TRINIDAD and TOBAGO
American Embassy
15 Queen's Park West
Port of Spain, TRINIDAD and TOBAGO
(1-809) 622-6371

U.S. Consular Agents

American Consular Agent
George Town, Grand Cayman*
Tel: (246) 949-7955
*Assists Americans in the Cayman Islands.

American Consular Agent
Bluff House, Nelson's Dockyard P.O.
English Harbour, Antigua*
Tel: (268) 463-6531
Fax: (268) 460-1569
*Assists Americans in Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, the British West Indies, Montserrat and Anguilla.

American Consular Agent
Calle Beller 51, Second Floor, Office 6
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic*
Tel: (809) 586-4204
*Assists Americans in the Dominican Republic.

American Consular Agent
9 Rue Des Alpinias, Didier
Fort de France, Martinique*
Tel: (596) 71-96-90
(596) 71-96-74 (after hours)
*Assists Americans in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Isles Des Saintes, La Desirade, Marie-Galant, St. Barthelemy and St. Martin (French side).

American Consular Agent
St. James Place, 2nd Floor, Gloucester Ave.
Montego Bay, Jamaica*
Tel: (809) 949-7955
*Assists Americans in Jamaica.

For general travel information, the following pamphlets published by Consular Affairs may be ordered from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402; tel: 202-512-1800; fax: 202-512-2250. The price of each publication is $1-1.50.

A Safe Trip Abroad
Tips for Americans Residing Abroad
Travel Tips for Older Americans

Country specific information can be found in the following publications:

Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa
Tips for Travelers to Central and South America
Tips for Travelers to the People's Republic of China
Tips for Travelers to Mexico
Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa
Tips for Travelers to South Asia
Tips for Travelers to Russia and the Newly Independent States

Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Please check with the Government Printing Office for more information.

The following publications may be ordered for 50 cents each from the Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009; tel: 719-948-4000.

General entry and visa information for these and other countries are available in the following booklet: Foreign Entry Requirements

Information on how, when and where to apply for your U.S. passport is provided in the following booklet: Passports: Applying for Them the EASY WAY

 Directory of Islands		Political Status   Location of U.S. Embassy                                                     or Consulate With 					           Consular Jurisdiction (Islands in italics are parts  (see codes below)   (addresses listed above) of larger political units.)  Anguilla			UK		    Bridgetown, Barbados Antigua and Barbuda		I 	   	    Bridgetown, Barbados Aruba				N		    Curacao, Netherlands Antilles* Bahamas				I 		    Nassau, Bahamas Barbados			I		    Bridgetown, Barbados Barbuda 	    part of Antigua and Barbuda Bermuda (in the Atlantic)	UK		    Hamilton, Bermuda* Bimini 		    part of Bahamas Bonaire 	    part of Netherlands Antilles British Virgin Islands		UK		    St. John's, Antigua Caicos		    part of Turks and Caicos Cayman Islands			UK		    Kingston, Jamaica Cuba				I		    U.S. Interests 						    Section, Swiss 						    Embassy, Havana, Cuba Curacao 	    part of Netherlands Antilles Dominica			I		    Bridgetown, Barbados Dominican Republic		I		    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Eleuthera; Exuma    parts of Bahamas Grenada				I	   	    St. George's, Grenada Grenadines 	    part of St. Vincent/Grenadines Guadeloupe			F		    Bridgetown, Barbados Haiti				I		    Port-au-Prince, Haiti Jamaica				I		    Kingston, Jamaica Marie-Galante 	    part of Guadeloupe Martinique			F		    Bridgetown, Barbados Montserrat			UK		    Bridgetown, Barbados Netherlands Antilles		N		    Curacao, Netherlands Antilles* Nevis 	   	    part of St. Kitts and Nevis Puerto Rico			US		    (not applicable, 						    U.S. commonwealth) Saba 		    part of Netherlands Antilles St. Barthelemy (St. Barts)    part of Guadeloupe St. Croix 	    part of U.S. Virgin Is. St. Eustatius (Statia)part of Netherlands Antilles St. John   	    part of U.S. Virgin Is. St. Kitts and Nevis 		I		    Bridgetown, Barbados St. Lucia			I		    Bridgetown, Barbados St. Maarten (Dutch) part of Netherlands Antilles St. Martin (French) part of Guadeloupe St. Thomas 	    part of U.S. Virgin Is. St. Vincent and the Grenadines	I		    Bridgetown, Barbados San Salvador	    part of Bahamas Tortola 	    part of British Virgin Is. Trinidad and Tobago		I		    Port of Spain, Trinidad Turks and Caicos		UK		    Nassau, Bahamas U.S. Virgin Islands		US 						    (not applicable, 						    U.S. territory) Virgin Gorda 	    part of British Virgin Is.  Code: F = overseas department of France; I = independent country; N = commonwealth of the Netherlands; UK = dependency of the United Kingdom; US = commonwealth or territory of the United States * = U.S. Consulate General