British Virgin Islands - basics - Countries Guide

Time: Local time is GMT -4.

Electricity: Electrical current is 110 volts, 60 Hz. Plugs are the same as in the US with two-pin flat blades and one with a third round grounding pin.

Language: English is the main language spoken on the islands.

Health: Hepatitis A vaccinations are recommended. Bottled water is recommended although tap water is usually chlorinated. There is a risk of dengue fever. Limited medical facilities can be found on all the main British Virgin Islands, but there is only one hospital located in Road Town, Tortola, and complicated medical conditions are usually referred to the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or the USA. Comprehensive medical and travel insurance is recommended.

Tipping: For good service, a 10 to 15% tip is usual. Hotels often add a service charge to the bill, usually between 10 and 12%, so it is best to check before tipping. Bellhops and porters usually expect $1 per item of luggage. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped as most own their own vehicles.

Safety: The British Virgin Islands have a low crime rate, but sensible precautions should be taken regarding valuables, especially on beaches. The islands are susceptible to hurricanes particularly during the months between June and November, but tropical storms can occur throughout the year.

Customs: It is considered impolite to take photographs of the local people without asking their permission beforehand.

Communications: The international dialling code for the British Virgin Islands is +1 284. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01127 for South Africa). No area codes are required. A GSM 900/1900 network covers the islands. Internet cafes are available throughout the islands and many hotels provide Internet connections. Phone boxes are widely available and accept coins and phone cards, which can be purchased in most shops.

Duty Free: Travellers to the Virgin Islands over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227g of tobacco and wine or spirits up to 1 litre.

Climate: The islands have a sub-tropical climate with high humidity, although temperatures are moderated by trade winds. Temperatures in summer average from 79-88°F (26-31°C) and between 72-82°F (22-28°C) in winter. Rainfall is erratic with occasional droughts.
Cities & Regions: Tortola | Virgin Gorda