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CUSTOMS
Visitors are allowed to bring in items for personal use in reasonable quantities for the duration of their stay. Generally throughout the Caribbean the standard is around 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, and one to two litres of alcohol.
For more information call the Customs Department at 284/494-3475 or 494-8209 (24-hr hotline).
Also see the section in General Info: Illegal items.
IMPORTING ANIMALS
To bring pets into the country you must obtain an import permit and present the appropriate vaccination and veterinary health certificates. Animals must be clinically healthy on arrival and must be kept in confinement until granted entry into the country, otherwise they may be denied entry. For animals arriving by sea you must give the Department of Agriculture 24 hours advance notice so they can make inspection arrangements.
For more information contact the Department of Agriculture at tel 284/495-2532.
GETTING THERE
BY AIR
Flights arrive at Terrance B Lettsome International Airport (airport code EIS) on Beef Island, which is at the eastern end of Tortola. You cannot fly direct from Europe or North and South America, but when you transfer in the Caribbean your connecting flight can be as short as a half hour from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Airlines that service Tortola include Air Sunshine (tel 495-8900), American Airlines/American Eagle (tel 495-2559), Cape Air (tel 495-2100), Caribbean Star/Caribbean Sun (tel 495-1711), Caribbean Wings/BVI Airlines charters (tel 495-6000), Island Birds charters (tel 495-2002), Island Helicopters charters (tel 499-2663), LIAT (tel 888/844-5428), Seaborne Airlines (tel 340/773 6442) and Winair (tel 599/545-4237).
Note: The phone numbers listed above are local access numbers unless otherwise stated.
BY CRUISE
Cruise ships arrive at the cruise pier on Tortola. Jetties at St Thomas Bay, Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda and at Great Harbour on Jost van Dyke also accommodate cruise ships.
Cruise lines that call on the British Virgin Islands include Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Clipper Cruise Lines, Costa Cruise Line, Holland American Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn, Sea Dream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises and Windstar Cruises.
BY FERRY
Ferries operate regularly scheduled service between St John and St Thomas, USVI, and Tortola, BVI. In St John the ferry terminal is located at Cruz Bay. In St Thomas the Edward Blyden Marine ferry terminal is located on Veterans Dr in Charlotte Amalie, and another ferry terminal is located at Red Hook. On Tortola the main ferry terminal is located at Soper's Hole, West End. Another terminal is located in Road Town.
To/from St John, USVI:
Inter-Island Boat Services (tel 495-4166; 340/776-6597, Cruz Bay) operates between Cruz Bay, St John and West End, Tortola. The ferry departs Cruz Bay at 8:30am, 11:30am and 3:30pm Mon-Sat with an additional trip at 5pm on Fri, and 8:30am, 11:30am and 4:30pm on Sun. It departs West End at 9:15am, 12:15pm and 4:15pm Mon-Sat with an additional trip at 5:30pm on Fri, and 9:15am, 12:15pm and 5:15pm on Sun.
To/from St Thomas, USVI:
Native Son (tel 494-8679 or 494-5674, Road Town; 495-4617, West End; 340/774-8685 Charlotte Amalie; 340/775-3111, Red Hook) operates daily trips between both Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas to both West End and Road Town, Tortola.
From Charlotte Amalie they offer seven departures between 8:25am and 4:30pm Mon-Fri, six departures between 8:25am and 4:45pm on Sat and eight departures between 8am and 5:30pm on Sun. From Tortola (Road Town and West End) there are seven departures between 6:15am and 3pm Mon-Fri, 11 departures between 6:15am and 5:45pm on Sat and three departures between 9:30am and 3:50pm on Sun. On the Tortola-Red Hook run, there are five departures daily from Red Hook between 7:45am and 5pm, and from Tortola (Road Town and West End) from 6am to 4pm.
The one-way fare is $22 for adults, $19 for seniors over 65 years, $17 for kids age 6-12 and $10 for kids age 3-5. The round-trip fare is $40 for adults, $35 for seniors over 65 years, $30 for kids age 6-12 and $20 for kids age 3-5.
The Nubian Princess/Francis & Lane Inter-Island Transport Services (tel 495-4999; 340/ 775-4700, Red Hook) departs Red Hook, St Thomas daily at 10:45am, 2:30pm and 4:30pm. From West End it departs at 8am, 11:30am and 3:15pm daily.
Road Town Fast Ferry/Tortola Fast Ferry (tel 494-2323; 340/777-2800, St Thomas) operates daily service between Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, and Road Town, Tortola. The 50-minute trip leaves Charlotte Amalie at 8:30am, 12 noon and 4pm Mon-Sat and 12 noon and 4pm on Sun. From Road Town the ferry departs at 7am, 10am and 2:30pm Mon-Sat and 9am and 2:30pm on Sun. The one-way fare is $25 for adults, $20 for kids age 2-11 and $10 for kids under one year. The round-trip fare is $45 for adults, $30 for kids age 2-11 and $10 for kids under one year.
Smith's Ferry Services (tel 494-4454, Road Town; 495-4495, West End; 340/775-7292, Charlotte Amalie) operates daily from both Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas to both West End and Road Town, Tortola. From Charlotte Amalie to Road Town the ferry departs at 8:20am, 12:15pm, 12:45pm, 3:30pm and 4:30pm Mon-Sat and 8am, 8:30am, 10:45am, 11:15am, 3:30pm and 5:15pm on Sun. From Road Town for Charlotte Amalie the ferry departs at 6:45am, 9:45am, 11:30am and 2pm Mon-Sat and at 8:45am, 11:35am and 2pm on Sun.
From Charlotte Amalie to West End the boat departs at 8:25am, 8:55am, 12:15pm, 12:45pm, 2pm, 3pm (call for availability), 3:30pm, 4:30pm and 5pm Mon-Sat and 8am, 8:30am, 10:45am, 11:15am, 2:15pm, 3:15pm and 5:15pm on Sun. From West End to Charlotte Amalie it departs at 7am, 7:30am, 10am, 10:30am, 12:15pm, 2:30pm and 3pm Mon-Sat with an additional 6pm departure on Sat only, and 8am, 8:30am, 10:45am, 11:15am, 2:15pm, 3:15pm and 5:15pm on Sun.
From Red Hook to West End and Road Town the ferry departs at 8am, 11:15am, 11:45am (continues on to Charlotte Amalie), 2:55pm and 5:30pm daily. From West End to Red Hook it leaves at 6:30am, 8:50am, 12:15pm (continues on to Charlotte Amalie) and 3:45pm daily.
The one-way fare is $27 for adults, $22 for kids age 3-11 and $11 for kids age eight months to two years. The round-trip fare is $49 for adults, $40 for kids age 3-11 and $20 for kids age eight months to two years.
Speedy's & Virgin Gorda Transport (tel 495-5240 or 495-5235) provides service three days weekly. The ferry leaves St Thomas at 8:45am and 5pm Tue and Thurs and 3:30pm on Sat. After making a stop in Tortola it continues on to Virgin Gorda. From Virgin Gorda it leaves at 6:30am and 2:45pm on Tue and Thurs and 8:30am on Sat. It stops in Tortola at 7:15am and 3:25pm on Tue and Thurs and 9:15am on Sat before continuing on to St Thomas.
The one-way fare to/from Virgin Gorda is $35 for adults, $25 for kids age 5-11 and $10 for kids under five years. The round-trip fare to/from Virgin Gorda is $60 for adults, $40 for kids age 5-11 and $20 for kids under five years. If you're only going to/from Tortola the one-way fare is $25 for adults, $20 for kids age 5-11 and $10 for kids under five years. The round-trip fare is $45 for adults, $35 for kids age 5-11 and $20 for kids under five years. There is an additional $5 departure tax.
Schedules and rates are subject to change.
BY PRIVATE YACHT
All vessels must clear with BVI Customs and Immigration immediately upon arrival into the territory. Customs and Immigration offices are located at the ports of entry, which are located in Road Harbour and West End Harbour. Hours are 8:30am-4:30pm Mon-Fri and 8:30am-12:30pm Sat. After-hours clearing is available for an additional fee, if you arrange it in advance.
A valid passport for each person on board and boat registration papers are required for entry. You must also purchase a cruising permit.
For more information or to arrange after-hours clearing call Customs at 284/494-3475 and Immigration at 284/494-3701 ext 2538.
GETTING AROUND
BY CAR
To rent a car you will need to purchase a temporary BVI driver's license, which you can purchase for US$10 at the car rental agency or from the Vehicle Licensing Department (tel 494-7739). Ensure you bring your valid driver's license from home. Some rental agencies will not rent to anyone under 23 years; at others the minimum age is 25 years. There is also a 5% self-drive motor vehicle rental tax. You can also rent scooters and bicycles.
Driving is on the left.
Traffic circles/roundabouts are used for traffic control. If you've never used a roundabout, remember: vehicles already in the roundabout have right of way; yield to traffic on your right, signal, then slowly move in and keep left at all times.
CAR RENTALS (country code 284)
Airport: Hertz Car Rental, 495-2763; West End Car Rental, 495-2763
Road Town area: Alphonso Car Rental, 494-8746; Avis Rent-a-Car, 494-3322; Budget Rent A Car, 494-8902 (Mill Mall) and 494-4975 (Wickham's Cay); Coconut Car Rental, 494-4214; Courtesy Car Rental, 494-6443; Dollar Rent A Car/National Car Rentals, 494-6093; Hertz Car Rental, 494-6228; Hopkins Rentals, 494-3925; International Car Rentals, 494-2516; ITGO Car Rental, 494-5150; J R B Auto Rental, 494-4893; National Car Rentals, 494-3197; Tola Rentals, 494-8652; West End Car Rental, 494-1483 (Purcell Estate) and 494-6228 (Wickham's Cay)
West End/Soper's Hole: Avis Rent-a-Car, 495-4973; D&D Car Rental, 494-8241; Denzil Clyne Jeep & Car Rental, 495-4900; Hertz Car Rental, 495-4405; Jerry's Car Rental, 495-4111; West End Car Rental, 494-6228
Elsewhere on Tortola: Coconut Car Rental, 495-4932 or 495-4772 (Long Bay); Dede's Car Rental, 495-2041 (Fat Hogs Bay) and 495-2780 (Long Look); Del's Jeep & Car Rental, 495-9356 (Cane Garden Bay); Honey Bee Auto Rental, 494-3666 (Palestina); Virgin Island Motors, 494-4085 (Duffs Bottom)
SCOOTER AND BICYCLE RENTALS
- Courtesy Car Rental, 494-6443
- Last Stop Sports Bike Rentals, 494-1120
- Urban Rentals, 495-8212
BY TAXI
There are no taxi meters. The government regulates fares for taxi services and drivers are required to display a copy of the fare schedule in plain view in their vehicles. Ensure you verify the fare with the driver prior to departure. Island taxi tours and beach trips are available in addition to standard taxi service.
TAXI SERVICES
- BVI Taxi Stand (Waterfront Dr), 494-6456 or 494-3456
- Beef Island Taxi, 494-1694
- Beef Island Taxi Association, 495-1982
- C Rabsatt Taxi Service (Vanterpool Estate), 495-2378
- McLean's Tours, Taxi and Vacation Planning, 494-5397
- Nanny Cay Taxi Stand Association, 494-0539
- Quality Taxi Association (Inner Harbour Marina), 494-8397 or 494-8398
- Road Town Taxi Stand (Wickham's Cay), 494-8755
- United BVI Taxi Federation, 495-5539
- West End Taxi Association, 495-4934 or 495-3257
BY FERRY
A number of ferries operate between the islands. On Tortola the main ferry terminal is located at Soper's Hole, West End. Another terminal is located in Road Town. On Virgin Gorda the ferry terminal is in St Thomas Bay, Spanish Town, The Valley and on Jost van Dyke at Great Harbour.
To Anegada:
Smith's Ferry Services (tel 494-4454, Road Town; 495-4495, West End) offers service between Road Town, Tortola and Anegada. From Tortola to Anegada the ferry departs at 7am and 3:30pm Mon, Wed and Fri, and returns from Anegada at 8:30am and 5pm. The fare is $35 one way and $55 round trip.
To Marina Cay:
Pusser's Marina Cay ferry (tel 494-2174) provides complimentary service between Trellis Bay (adjacent to the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island) and Marina Cay. The 15-minute trip departs Trellis Bay at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and 7pm. From Marina Cay it departs at 10:15am, 11:15am, 12:15pm, 2:45pm, 3:45pm, 4:45pm, 5:45pm, 6:45pm and 8:45pm.
To Jost Van Dyke:
The Paradise Express/New Horizon Ferry Service (tel 495-9278 or 495-9477) departs Tortola at 8am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 6pm Mon-Fri and 9am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 6pm Sat-Sun. From Jost Van Dyke it departs 7am, 9am, 12 noon, 2pm and 5pm Mon-Fri and 8am, 9:30am, 12 noon, 2pm and 5pm Sat-Sun. The one-way is $12 for adults and $6 for kids 5-11 years. The round-trip fare is $20 for adults and $10 for kids 5-11 years. Kids under five years ride free.
To Peter Island:
The Peter Island Ferry (tel 495-2000) operates between Baugher's Bay, Road Town and Peter Island. Trips depart numerous times daily between 7am and 11:30pm and cost about $15 round trip.
To Virgin Gorda:
North Sound Express (tel 495-2138) operates between Trellis Bay (adjacent to the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island) and Spanish Town/The Valley, Leverick Bay and Bitter End on Virgin Gorda.
The ferry departs Tortola for Spanish Town/The Valley at 8:15am, 11:15am, 1:45pm, 4:15pm, 6pm and 8pm. It departs Spanish Town daily at 8:30am, 11:30am and 4:30pm. The fare for the 15-minute trip is $19 one way and $34 round trip. Late airport pick-ups are available upon request.
The ferry departs Tortola for Leverick Bay daily at 8:15am, 11:15am, 1:45pm, 4:15pm, 6pm and 8pm. It departs Leverick Bay at 6:45am, 8:45am, 11:45am, 3:15pm and 4:45pm. The fare is $30 one way and $55 round trip.
For the Bitter End Yacht Club the ferry departs Tortola daily at 8:15am, 11:15am, 1:45pm, 4:15pm, 6pm and 8pm. It departs Bitter End at 6:45am, 9am, 12 noon, 3:15pm and 5pm. The fare is $30 one way and $55 round trip.
Smith's Ferry Services (tel 494-4454, Road Town; 495-4495, West End) offers service between Road Town, Tortola, and The Valley, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada. From Tortola to Virgin Gorda the ferry departs daily at 7am (except Sun), 8:50am, 10am (call for availability), 12:30pm and 3:15pm with an additional 5:15pm departure Mon-Fri and an additional 4:15pm departure on Sat and Sun. From Virgin Gorda to Tortola it departs daily at 7:50am, 10:15am, 1pm (check for availability), 2:15pm and 4pm with an additional 6pm departure Mon-Fri and an additional 5pm departure on Sat and Sun. The one-way fare is $16 for adults and $10 for kids age 5-11. The round-trip fare is $27 for adults and $15 for kids age 5-11. Children under five years ride free.
Speedy's & Virgin Gorda Transport (tel 495-5240 or 495-5235) provides daily service between Tortola and The Valley, Virgin Gorda. From Tortola it departs at 9am, 10:30am, 12 noon, 1:30pm and 4:30pm Mon-Sat with an additional 5pm departure on Sat only. Additional departures include 6pm on Mon and Fri; 10am and 6:15pm on Tue and Thurs; 6pm, 6:45pm and 11pm on Wed; and 9am, 1:30pm and 5:15pm on Sun. From Virgin Gorda it departs at 8am, 10am, 11:30am, 12:30pm and 3:30pm Mon-Sat. Additional departures include 5pm on Mon, Wed and Fri; 6pm and 10:30pm on Wed; and 8am, 1pm and 4:30pm on Sun. The one-way fare is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and kids age 5-11. The round-trip fare is $25 for adults and $15 for seniors and kids age 5-11.
Schedules and rates are subject to change.
BY AIR
Daytrips and sightseeing trips around the British Virgin Islands are available. There is a small airport on Virgin Gorda (airport code VIJ) and another small airport on Anegada (airport code NGD). Flying time from Tortola to Virgin Gorda is five minutes and to Anegada, 15 minutes.
To Anegada:
Clair Aero (tel 495-2271) is the only airline with regularly scheduled flights to Anegada. Charters are available through Caribbean Wings/BVI Airlines (tel 495-6000), Fly BVI (tel 495-1747), Island Birds (tel 495-2002) and Island Helicopters (tel 499-2663).
To Virgin Gorda:
Airlines that service Virgin Gorda include Air Sunshine (tel 495-8900), Caribbean Wings/BVI Airlines charters (tel 495-6000), Clair Aero (tel 495-2271), Fly BVI charters (tel 495-1747) and Island Birds charters (tel 495-2002).
Note: The phone numbers listed above are local access numbers.
| Disclaimer: Information is provided as a service to visitors and is updated regularly. All
information should be verified prior to travel. |
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