British Virgin Islands Travel Insurance Plans

In this article:

• British Virgin Islands Travel Insurance Plans
• British Virgin Islands Travel Tips and Safety Information
• Other British Virgin Island FAQs

Travelers aren’t required to have a travel insurance plan to visit the BVI. Since the Caribbean can be prone to hurricanes, it’s worth including a travel insurance plan in your travel planning. A travel insurance plan can provide coverage for certain prepaid and nonrefundable fee and costs in case your trip is canceled due to covered severe weather. You’ll also have access to 24/7 emergency travel assistance to help you rebook your arrangements if necessary.

The best travel insurance plan for you will depend on the amount of coverage you think you’ll need. Start with our Preferred Plan to get comprehensive coverage with optional add-on coverages to increase protection. Or, for bigger groups, longer trips or pricey vacations, our Deluxe Plan is ideal and already includes certain upgrades from the Preferred Plan like the Medical Bundle and Trip Interruption Bundle. Since water sport activities are popular for travelers to the BVI, you might consider adding the Adventure Sports Bundle to your plan to remove the policy exclusions for certain extreme sports like kiteboarding, scuba diving, and jet skiing.

Travel insurance plans are usually about 5-7% of your total trip cost but factors like the product you select, length of your trip and the number of people in your travel party can affect the total cost of your trip coverage. You can learn more about pricing by reading our article on how much travel insurance plans cost.

To help travelers prepare for their trip to the British Virgin Islands, we’ve gathered the questions most frequently asked by tourists.

The British Virgin Islands are a low-risk destination. The most prominent risk for travelers is petty crime, including pickpocketing, bag snatching, theft of unattended items and vehicle break-ins. Violent crimes, such as armed robbery and assaults, do occasionally occur. Visitors should avoid carrying valuables or large amounts of cash and should not leave belongings unattended on beaches or parked vehicles. Travelers should also steer clear of isolated beaches and other locations, especially after dark or if traveling solo. Criminals may be armed, and victims should not resist being robbed to avoid escalating the situation.

Buses are available in the British Virgin Islands, but these services may not operate on specific routes or timetables, so taxis are a more reliable option. Visitors can also travel between islands by ferry or private water taxi. Travelers who choose to drive should be aware of unpredictable traffic conditions, livestock on roads and hazardous routes in mountainous areas. These risks increase after dark and in inclement weather.   

If participating in outdoor or water-related activities, visitors should consult with local authorities, as hazardous areas may not be clearly identified. Any equipment rentals, tours or other activities should be booked in advance through reliable providers with good safety records.

The British Virgin Islands may be impacted by hurricanes. Individuals who are visiting during the Caribbean hurricane season should monitor local weather reports and follow any instructions issued by local authorities.

Mosquito-borne illnesses, such as dengue fever and Zika virus, occur in the British Virgin Islands, and individuals should take precautions against insect bites. Medical care options are extremely limited on the islands, and visitors with serious medical issues may need to evacuate.

The official currency of the BVI is the U.S. dollar, which means there is no need to exchange currency for your trip. It is important to note that most, but not all, establishments accept credit and debit cards, so you’ll want to carry some cash on you just in case.

English is the official language of the BVI with Creole and Spanish spoken throughout the islands as well. This means you won’t have to prepare to speak another language during your trip in order to navigate your travels.

Passports are a requirement for all travelers visiting the BVI, and you will need at least one blank page for your entry stamp. Visas are only needed for travelers staying on the islands more than one month.

For the most recent information on entry requirements, visit the official U.S. Department of State website for the BVI.

The U.S. embassies for the BVI are in Bridgetown, Barbados and St. George’s, Grenada. For a list of up-to-date contact information and addresses, visit the official U.S. embassy website.

The weather in the BVI is warm year-round with temperatures ranging from 77°F to 88°F. The islands see the most rainfall between May and October with the hurricane season, which takes place later in the year from June to November with August and September being the highest-risk months.

December to April is the best time to visit since that is when the country experiences its dry season, and your chances of experiencing rainfall are slim to none. It’s also peak tourist season, which means events and resorts on the island will be lively with other travelers, though more expensive. For less crowds and lower prices, consider visiting during the off season like Early May or November.

The BVI uses the same country code as the U.S., which is +1 and an area code of 284. To place a call to the BVI from the U.S., you will need to use the international access code of 011, followed by the country code, area code then the seven-digit phone number you’re trying to reach. To place a call to the U.S. from the BVI, you just need to use the +1-country code followed by the number you’re trying to reach. Before your trip, let your phone provider know of your travel plans to avoid service interruptions and hidden fees. Or you can rely on resort Wi-Fi to communicate with loved ones back home.

Outlets and voltages in the BVI are like those we use in the U.S., which means you can use and charge your electronics as normal.

Ferries are the most popular way tourists can travel between the BVI. For traveling on land, walking or hiring a taxi is the best way to get around.

Every island in the BVI has something different to offer travelers. The most popular island to visit is Tortola since it is the largest and most accessible island allowing visitors to fly in directly. Tortola also has beautiful beaches, scenic hikes and popular resorts.

Yes, there are a variety of different boat rentals for travelers to rent throughout the BVI. You can choose from options like jet skis, powerboats and dinghies to larger vessels like catamarans or even luxury yachts.

Travel Guard travel insurance offers comprehensive and customizable plans for travelers visiting the British Virgin Islands. With excellent coverage and specialized emergency travel assistance representatives ready to help you at any time, Travel Guard is there for you. Compare our popular plans and find the best one for you!

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