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Visitor
Information & Tips
Time
EST (summer), EST+1 hr (winter), GMT-4 in summer &
GMT-5 (winter)
Getting Around
One of the best ways to see Tortola and Virgin Gorda is
to either hire a driver for a few hours or the day, or
rent a car and drive yourself. Generally, rental cars
are over $40 a day but you have the freedom to wander
wherever you want to go to see and hike, snorkel, or explore
without the limitations of a "tour".
Driving
A valid British Virgin Islands Driving License is required
by all those seeking to drive in The British Virgin Islands.
For a fee of $10.00, a temporary British Virgin Islands
Driving License can be obtained from the Traffic Licensing
Office or Car Rental Agencies with a valid Driver License
from another country. Driving is on the left-hand side
of the road in The British Virgin Islands. Minimum age
for Car Rentals is 25.
Bank Hours
Banks
9:00am to 2:00pm Mon-Thu;
9:00am to 2:00pm, 4:00pm to 5:00pm Fri.
(Closed Saturday and Sunday)
Dress
The BVI's are more than just a beaches, and beach attire
worn elsewhere tends to offend residents. Therefore, please
wear proper attire (no bare chests or midriffs) in residential
and commercial areas. There are no nude beaches in The
British Virgin Islands.
Medical
An International Vaccination Certificate is not mandatory
in The British Virgin Islands. Peebles Hospital has surgical,
x-ray and laboratory facilities; there is a private plastic
surgery clinic as well several private medical centres.
A chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous meets regularly. Call
(284) 494-4549/ (284) 494-3125.
Pets
Pets are allowed entry into the Territory only after an
import permit is issued by the Department of Agriculture.
For regulations governing animal importation, contact
the Department of Agriculture, Paraquita Bay, Tortola,
British Virgin Islands. Tel: (284) 495-2532 or Fax: (284)
495-1269.
Taxes
Sales Tax:
There is no Sales Tax in the British Virgin Islands.
Departure Tax:
$20.00 per person leaving by air, $5.00 leaving by sea
and $7.00 for cruise ship passengers.
Hotel Tax:
In the British Virgin Islands there is a 7% Hotel Accommodation
Tax payable by guests who stay for six months or less
in hotels, apartments, houses, cottages, villas and similar
accommodations.
Tipping
10 or 15% depending on service. However, some resorts
automatically add a service charge to their rates. In
this case, you have no obligation to tip extra.
Electricity
110/60 volts AC, 60Hz. American 2-pin plugs are used.
Cruising Permits
A Cruising permit is required for all cruising in The
British Virgin Islands
SEASONAL RATES: (December 1- April 30). All recorded Charter
Boats - $2.00 per person per day. All non-recorded Charter
Boats - $4.00 per person per day.
British Virgin Islands : Watersports Centres OUT OF SEASON
RATES: (May 1 - November 30). All recorded Charter Boats
- $0.75 per person per day. All non-recorded Charter Boats
- $4.00 per person per day.
Dive, day charter and sport fishing boats should contact
The British Virgin Islands Customs Department Tel: (284)
494-3475 or (284) 468-3701 ext. 2533 for current cruising
permit requirements.
Marine Conservation Permits
The use of National Parks Trust mooring without a permit
is illegal. Call the National Parks Trust Office at (284)
494-3904 for information.
Fishing Permits
The removal of any marine organism from British Virgin
Islands waters is illegal for non-BVIslanders without
a recreational fishing permit. Contact The Ministry of
Natural Resources & Labour, Tel: (284) 468-3701 ext.
2147 for information.
Tourist Offices
USA Offices
USA Toll Free: 800-835-8530
(Monday - Friday 9am-5pm Eastern Time)
New York
212-696-0400 Fax: 212-563-2263
BVI Tourist Board, 1270 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
email: ny@bvitouristboard.com
Atlanta
404-467-4741 Fax: 404-467-4342
BVI Tourist Board, 3400 Peachtree Road N.E.
Suite 1735 Lenox Towers, Atlanta, GA 30326
email: at@bvitouristboard.com
Los Angeles
213-736-8931 Fax: 213-736-8935
BVI Tourist Board, 3450 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1202
Los Angeles, CA 90010
email: la@bvitouristboard.com
UK & Europe Offices
London
44-207-355-9585 Fax: 44-207-355-9587
BVI Tourist Board, 15 Upper Grosvenor Street, London,
W1K7PS, UK
email: infouk@bvi.org.uk
Milano
39-02-667-14374 Fax: 39-02-669-2648
BVI Tourist Board, AIGO Comunicazione
Piazza Caiazzo 3, 20124 Milano, Italy
email: staff@aigo.it
Dusseldorf
49-2104-286671 Fax: 49-2104-912673
BVI Tourist Board, Schwarzbachstr. 32,
D-40822 Mettmann bei Dusseldorf, Germany
email: g.romberg@travelmarketing.de
Caribbean Office
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
284-494-3134 Fax: 284-494-3866
(Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Eastern)
BVI Tourist Board, P.O. Box 134
Road Town, Tortola, BVI
email: bvitor@bvitouristboard.com
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