British Virgin Islands money
Currency: 1 US dollar = 100 cents
Currency abbreviation: US $, USD
Banknotes come in denominations of 1, 2 (rare), 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 US dollars, while coins are in circulation with values of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents and 1 US dollar.
Currency Exchange: common currencies can only be changed at banks.
Exchange rate
Currency converter at OANDA
Credit Cards: Mastercard and Visa are the most widely accepted. American Express, on the other hand, is very unpopular and is often rejected. On the big islands like Tortola, paying with credit cards is usually not a problem, on Anegada cash is the better choice.
ATMs: You can withdraw money at many ATMs with the ec / Maestro card with a PIN number.
Travelers Checks: should be made out in US dollars. These are accepted in all larger hotels, restaurants and shops, often also by taxi drivers. There is usually a 10% processing fee.
Foreign exchange regulations: Both US dollars and foreign currencies can be imported and exported without restriction, but must be declared from a value of 10,000 US dollars.
Bank opening times: generally Mon – Thu 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fri 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
British Virgin Islands – Health and Diseases
When traveling to the British Virgin Islands, vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis A is recommended. For a longer stay and backpacking trips, vaccination against hepatitis B and typhoid is also recommended.
Malaria
Malaria does not occur in the British Virgin Islands.
Dengue Fever
Mosquito-borne dengue virus infections occur in the British Virgin Islands. It is recommended to use mosquito nets and / or mosquito repellants to protect against insects.
HIV / AIDS
HIV / AIDS is spread across many Caribbean islands, including the British Virgin Islands. Caution is always advisable with holiday acquaintances; unclean cannulas, syringes or blood transfusions can also pose a risk.
Schistosomiasis
schistosomiasis pathogen occur in the British Virgin Islands in rivers and ponds, so avoid wading and swimming in these Gewäässern. However, in well-maintained pools that use chlorinated water, there is no risk of schistosomiasis.
Hygiene
Fruits, vegetables, seafood, fish, poultry and meat are usually safe. The milk is offered pasteurized and can be drunk. Since the tap water becomes chlorinated and possibly causes slight stomach upset. Grocery stores sell drinking water in bottles, for the first time in the British Virgin Islands you should drink this water (make sure that the original cap is not broken).
Medical supplies
There are two hospitals with good medical facilities in Tortola, and there are medical wards on the smaller islands. In summary, medical care in the British Virgin Islands is rather limited. We strongly recommend taking out health insurance for travel abroad. This health insurance should also cover repatriation in the event of an emergency.
When traveling to the British Virgin Islands, take a specially designed first-aid kit with you and protect it from high temperatures when you are out and about.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information and liability for any damage that may occur cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
British Virgin Islands Important Addresses
British Virgin Islands Tourist Board: c / o TravelMarketing Romberg TMR GmbH,
Schwarzbachstrasse 32, 40822 Mettmann near Düsseldorf
Telephone: (02104) 28 6671, Fax: (02104) 91 2673
email: [email protected]
Opening times: Mon – Fri 9.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
British Virgin Islands Tourist Board: Akara Building,
De Castro Street, Road Town, Tortola
Telephone: 43134, Fax: 43866
email: [email protected]
British Consulate General in Germany (with visa issuing for the Bahamas): Yorckstraße 19,
40476 Düsseldorf
Telephone: Central: (0211) 944 80, fee-based Visa hotline: (0900) 170 06 11, Fax: Central: (0211) 48 81 90, Visa matters: 944 81 98
email: [email protected]
opening times : Public traffic: Mo – Fr 7.30 a.m. – 11.00 a.m., telephone information Mo – Fr 9 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.
As a British overseas territory, the British Virgin Islands do not have their own diplomatic missions. If visas are required, they can be applied for at British consulates.
Germany does not have a diplomatic mission in the British Virgin Islands; the embassy responsible is located in Port of Spain (see Trinidad and Tobago – important addresses). The Switzerland and Austria also have no diplomatic representation in the British Virgin Islands, here the respective Vertetungen in London (United Kingdom) are responsible.
British Virgin Islands Landmarks
The British Virgin Islands are almost ideal for vacationers. On the numerous small islands there is a large selection of different sights and attractions.
According to itypeusa.com, Tortola Island has an area of 54 square kilometers and is the largest of the island groups. The small town of Road Town on the island is the administrative center of the British Virgin Islands.
Every year, many visitors come to Road Town, as it can boast numerous old colonial buildings. The city also has many colorful shops with a quaint West Indian charm. Road Town also has a local history museum with many different exhibits. Also an interesting botanical garden, as well as the fortifications Fort Georg and Fort Charlotte, built by the English in the 18th century.
Mount Sage National Park in the southwestern part is one of the most famous attractions on Tortola Island.
From here you have a magnificent view of the whole of the British Virgin Islands on the 543 meter high summit. There are also many well-marked hiking trails that run through the last remnants of the primeval tropical forest.
The Callwood Rum Distillery on the northwest coast of Tortola is also worth a visit. Rum is still produced here in an old stone building from the time of the plantations. There are still old-fashioned sugar presses, copper kettles and shelves full of old bottles.
If you visit the island of Virgin Gorda, you should definitely see The Baths in the southern part. The Baths are huge granite boulders that have been shaped into strange-looking sculptures by the wind and water over millions of years. The rocks form a natural grotto and basin that can be explored by swimming and climbing from the seaside.
An absolute must are the ruins of the old and abandoned copper mines at Copper Mine Point on the southern tip of the island. The mines were exploited by English immigrants between 1838 and 1867. Even today there are tunnel entrances and ancient stone buildings, as well as cisterns.
Anegada is particularly recommended for water sports enthusiasts. The reef nearby can be overlooked with shipwrecks from almost every century. Since the water is not particularly deep here, the waters around the island have been dangerous for reckless captains for centuries.
Other islands of interest include Jost Van Dyke, Beef Island, Guana Island, Norman Island, Dead Chest Island and Salt Island.
