Courtesy and communication when greeting others

If you remember one thing, remember this:  start every interaction with “good morning” or “good evening”. It is expected that a brief, courteous greeting comes before any request, question, interaction, etc.

Even it feels hard to remember to do consistently, trust us that you’ll get the hang of it. You may even grow to like it.

Acceptable attire in public places other than the beach

The island can be rather conservative.  It’s not acceptable to wear your bathing suit in public places or be shirtless in public if you are a man.

Respect for the environment and its resources

Conserve Water! We depend on rain for our water and don’t always get enough.  Turn water off and on when brushing teeth, washing dishes, and talking a shower.

Patience and flexibility

Life is slower here and while things do get done, they may take a little longer than you’re used to. It’s something to adapt to, because getting upset absolutely makes things worse.

Helpful hints to make your stay even better…

DRIVING – We drive on the left here, shoulder to shoulder. Given the rugged roads and inclines, there is no reason to drive faster than 20mph. Don’t be reckless behind the wheel just because this isn’t your home.

HITCHHIKING – Hitchhiking is acceptable here, and we hitchhike with our index finger here, not our thumb. We encourage giving hitchhikers a ride only if you feel comfortable doing so.

FOOD – The little blond ants are cute, but you don’t want them hanging around.  Never leave any food out; if you’re unsure if food is stored properly, put it in the refrigerator to be safe. You’ll be surprised what ants (and mice!) can get into.

GUT HEALTH - Most residents use bottled water for drinking or purify their own water.  Cistern water is “sketchy”—drink at your own risk!

BATHROOM – Flush only when you need to in order to conserve water. Also, as the septic systems can be VERY sensitive, avoid flushing anything other than human waste.  DO NOT FLUSH when there is a power outage.  This can cause BIG problems you don’t want to deal with on your vacation.

ZONING OUT – Guests can sometimes wander into the road, blissed out by the beauty of the island.  Enjoy yourself… but pay attention to vehicles and your surroundings while walking.