Be prepared to say no firmly, they are persistent and bothersome. Children may try to squeeze money out of tourists offering to dive for a dollar in the harbour. The signs to Sulphur Springs are sometimes removed so you have to ask the way and are expected to give a tip. Readers letters have spoken of harassment and hostility towards tourists and there is drug abuse and crime. However, the problem is not on the scale of Jamaica.
People staying at well-protected resorts and using organized tours generally have no problem.
Be careful taking photographs, although everybody seems to be accustomed to cameras in the market. The use and sale of narcotics is illegal and penalties are severe. Most readily available is marijuana, which is frequently offered to tourists, but hard drugs can also be a problem. The new Tapion hospital has 12-14 doctors offices, laboratory, but no casualty department. St Jude s, Vieux Fort, T4546041, Soufri re Casualty, T4597258, Dennery, T4533310.