Travel to British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands is a group of islands in the Caribbean region, which is one of the British overseas territories. The island is commonly referred to simply as the “Virgin Islands” although the prefix British is added to distinguish it from the US Virgin Islands. There are several islands that make up this archipelago namely Tortola, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, and Virgin Gorda, along with over 50 smaller islands. Learn more about these islands before you travel to the British Virgin Islands in this travel guide.

Travel to British Virgin Islands

All citizens of the British Virgin Islands are recognized as British citizens. Therefore, they get to enjoy all the rights of a full British citizen. However, the territory is not part of the European Union and is not subjected to its laws.

Geographically, there are approximately 60 tropical islands that make up the British Virgin Islands archipelago. Most of the islands are formed through volcanic origin. Of all these islands, Anegada is unique as this is the only one with a flat terrain and is made up of coral and limestone.

The economy in the British Virgin Islands is prosperous, thanks to a booming offshore financial center. It has one of the highest per capita average income in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, tourism has also helped to keep the national income high. It is responsible for 45% of the entire nation’s income.

Currency: United States Dollar

Official Language: English is the official language in British Virgin Islands.

Wi-Fi Availability: There are several restaurants and hotels in the British Virgin Islands have free WiFi. Therefore, it is easy to stay connected here.

Travel to British Virgin Islands

Airport/s: The Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport is the main international airport to and from the British Virgin Islands.

Visa Required: Citizens from the USA, UK, and Canada only need a passport to travel to the British Virgin Islands. For tourists from other countries, you can visit this link to learn about your entry requirements before travel to the British Virgin Islands: http://www.bvitourism.com/entry-requirements

Driving: In the British Virgin Islands, you must drive on the left side of the road.

International Driver’s License Accepted? A valid British driving license is required for all drivers. However, you can obtain a temporary BVI driving license upon your visit.

Crime: By the Caribbean standards, the British Virgin Islands has a relatively low crime rate. In fact, this is one of their biggest selling points when attracting tourists to visit the island.

Electrical Adapters: In the British Virgin Islands, they use the electrical voltage of 115 volts at an electrical frequency of 60 Hertz.

Trivia: DID YOU KNOW that you need to register a bicycle to the Traffic Licensing Office in the British Virgin Islands before you can drive it in the island? You can take the taxi instead, which is readily available wherever you may be in the island.

Cuisine in the British Virgin Islands

Travel to British Virgin Islands

Seafood is highly popular in the British Virgin Islands. In fact, you will find this a staple option in many restaurants or dinners throughout the island. However, various influences in terms of cuisine has been introduced in the local scene such that you can find many international cuisines served in the Virgin Islands.

Aside from seafood, there are several popular dishes in the Virgin Islands namely shellfish and roti meat, chicken in a creamy curry sauce, chicken roti, and other dishes that use a lot of vegetables and starchy food items.

When it comes to drinks, rum is a favorite among the locals. A rum punch, in particular, is popular throughout the island and there are several variations depending on where you get it from.

British Virgin Islands Attractions

Travel to British Virgin Islands

Josiah’s Bay – This popular tourist attraction is a ruin of an old plantation house in Tortola. However, the ruin has recently been restored offering those who travel to British Virgin Islands new sights to see and check out.

Horseshoe Reef – This is the fourth largest coral reef system in the world. It used to be the go-to spot for scuba diving enthusiasts that travel to the BVI. However, diving has been recently prohibited in the area to preserve the marine and coral systems.

Lambert Beach – If you are looking for the quintessential beach resort to unwind in at the British Virgin Islands, this is the one. With its palm-fringed beach line and a tropical backdrop, this picturesque beach resort is a must-visit if you would like to make the most of your vacation.

Loblolly Bay – If a secluded beach spot is what you want, check out Loblolly Bay in the Virgin Islands. This is a great spot for swimming or enjoying an idyllic time on the beach.