Montserrat
Discover Montserrat
The British Overseas Territory of Montserrat is an island in the Caribbean, south-east of Puerto Rico. This island was a very popular tourist destination until Hurricane Hugo caused widespread damage in 1989 and then in 1995, the island's volcano, Soufrière Hills, became active. A large part of the island was evacuated as a result. There have been on-going volcanic eruptions in the southern half of the island since that time, and that part of the island (the exclusion zone) is now ash-strewn and inaccessible.
What to Experience in Montserrat
Taste of Montserrat...
Most establishments are casual. Some bars on the beach are okay with folks walking right in sand and all. There are no international fast-food chains on Montserrat. In additions to the ones listed here, many places to sleep also have a restaurant. Most meal choices consist of chicken or seafood, with most having a red meat option, though the type of meat varies greatly. Few places are open at night for dinner, and most of those that are require reservations (not because they're fancy or expensive, but because business is slower and they want to ensure they have fresh food available.) Goat Water is a dish enjoyed on Montserrat. Despite the name, it's actually a spicy goat meat and bread fruit stew. Accommodation on Montserrat is a bargain compared to many of its less geologically active neighbours, as the island is anxious to re-establish its tourism industry. The tourism board has listings of private villas for as little as US$700/week. Beware of hidden "service charges", as a few properties have been known to tack on an extra 10% in addition to the room cost and taxes. Prices do not include the 7-10% tax on accommodations unless otherwise indicated. Like almost all Caribbean islands, Montserrat may experience a tropical storm or even a hurricane during the season from June to November. Volcanic eruptions still pose some danger, though volcanic activity is primarily on the level of a nuisance.
Culture & Religion
Culture
Montserrat is blessed with natural beauty, with lush tropical forests crossed by trails of varying difficulty. Many can be enjoyed on your own, however, some require a guide to make the path clear. Stop by the National Trust or Tourist Information for a map. Montserrat is known for its quiet beaches. Check out each one, they are all different. The island is surrounded by reefs; snorkelling and scuba diving can be enjoyed from shore or by boat. Redonda, a steep uninhabited island 15 miles to the Northwest of Montserrat, is a scuba destination with six-foot barrel sponges, Eagle Rays, Stingrays, and the occasional nurse shark. Little Bay, Montserrat's only seaport, has a good solid pier where boats dock but no breakwater (a £14.4 million upgrade is planned for completion in 2021). As scuba and tour boats operate from this pier, tours may be cancelled for a day or two if there's a strong southerly wind with big swells. Once the weather changes, the boats can get out.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Montserrat.
The currency of the country is the East Caribbean dollar, denoted by the symbol: "$" or "EC$" (ISO currency code: XCD), which is also used by seven other island nations in the Caribbean. The EC dollar is subdivided into 100 cents. It is pegged to the United States dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = EC$2.70. Coins circulate in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 cents and 1 dollar. Banknotes circulate in denominations of 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars. Often, accommodations are priced in the more valuable US dollar, so the designation EC$ is useful to distinguish the two. Items for sale in shops are generally 'expensive' compared to US and European standards. Shops take cash, and may not accept debit cards. Also as a bonus, the ferry service only takes cash! There are only two ATMs on the island, but the Bank of Montserrat cannot withdraw from international accounts (not even UK). As with the rest of the Caribbean the Royal Bank of Canada charges a flat fee of US$4.
Climate
Temperatures year-around average between 76–88°F (24–32°C), with constant cooling breezes. Rainfall is a little more common from July to November. This is also the hurricane season, like elsewhere in the Caribbean. Montserrat is small, but getting larger. The erupting volcano is gradually extending the southern end of the island. The northern part of the island is mostly quite hilly. Montserrat had traditionally been divided into three parishes; since the 1995 volcanic eruption, only one (Saint Peter, which is Northern Montserrat) is inhabited. Villages in the northern part of the island include: The northern zone of Montserrat has a number of different beaches. Each one has its own appeal and all are worth visiting. The old capital town, Plymouth, was in the south and has been destroyed or buried by volcanic eruption.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsProof of citizenship is required, such as a passport. CARICOM, United Kingdom, Canada, and United States citizens may present a driver's licence or other government photo ID; all others require passports. All visitors must have tickets for departure, proof of accommodation, and funds to cover their expenses while on Montserrat. Citizens from Afghanistan; Aland Islands; Albania; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahrain; Belarus; Benin; Bhutan; Bolivia; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cambodia; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; China (PRC); Colombia; Comoros; Congo; DR Congo; Cote D'Ivoire; Croatia; Cuba; Djibouti; Ecuador; Egypt; El Salvador; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Gabon; Georgia; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Jordan; Kazakhstan; North Korea; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Laos; Lebanon; Liberia; Libya; Madagascar; Mali; Mauritania; Mayotte; Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Morocco; Mozambique; Nepal; Niger; North Macedonia; Oman; Palestin...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Traffic drives on the left. Montserrat has one main two-lane road that winds along the coast on the east and west sides of the island. Cars can be rented from several businesses. Traffic is light (there are no traffic lights) but there are only two gas/petrol stations on the island. In 2011, a 4-door Suzuki Vitara (residents would call it a Jeep) rented for approx US$250 per week. A temporary Montserrat driver's licence can be obtained at the police station in Brades or Salem, all that is required is a completed form, presentation of your home country/territory licence, and a payment of US$20 or EC$50. Bicycle rentals are also available. Taxis and buses run, mostly during the day. Hitch-hiking, during the day and early evening is safe and considered normal - just point your finger in the direction you are going. Walking, while safe and possible to all points, is quite an arduous task, as the roads traverse very steep hills.
Where to Stay
Accommodation on Montserrat is a bargain compared to many of its less geologically active neighbours, as the island is anxious to re-establish its tourism industry. The tourism board has listings of private villas for as little as US$700/week. Beware of hidden "service charges", as a few properties have been known to tack on an extra 10% in addition to the room cost and taxes. Prices do not include the 7-10% tax on accommodations unless otherwise indicated. Like almost all Caribbean islands, Montserrat may experience a tropical storm or even a hurricane during the season from June to November. Volcanic eruptions still pose some danger, though volcanic activity is primarily on the level of a nuisance. Travel to the Soufrière Hills Volcano Hazard Zone on the south end of the island is generally not permitted, for safety reasons. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory monitors current risk assessments and exclusion zone limits.
Money & Budget
The currency of the country is the East Caribbean dollar, denoted by the symbol: "$" or "EC$" (ISO currency code: XCD), which is also used by seven other island nations in the Caribbean. The EC dollar is subdivided into 100 cents. It is pegged to the United States dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = EC$2.70. Coins circulate in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 cents and 1 dollar. Banknotes circulate in denominations of 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollars. Often, accommodations are priced in the more valuable US dollar, so the designation EC$ is useful to distinguish the two. Items for sale in shops are generally 'expensive' compared to US and European standards. Shops take cash, and may not accept debit cards.
Language & Talk
The people of Montserrat all speak English (British variety), albeit with a local accent. The 16.709-62.17881 Volcano! An observation area on Jack Boy Hill on the eastern side gives a view of the ash flows covering the old airport. Huge boulders may sometimes be seen, crashing down the slope in a cloud of dust. Tours into the exclusion zone are sometimes possible on Monday through Friday but require a permit to be arranged days in advance. This depends entirely on the official volcano risk level as assessed by the Montserrat Volcano Observatory staff. If you are able to go into the exclusion zone you will pass through a landscape of abandoned homes and fields, see the volcano close-up, and gaze down at the old capital of Plymouth, now buried in ash and mud.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Like almost all Caribbean islands, Montserrat may experience a tropical storm or even a hurricane during the season from June to November. Volcanic eruptions still pose some danger, though volcanic activity is primarily on the level of a nuisance. Travel to the Soufrière Hills Volcano Hazard Zone on the south end of the island is generally not permitted, for safety reasons. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory monitors current risk assessments and exclusion zone limits. Montserrat is considered to be the safest Caribbean island (as of 2019) based on the number of crimes or murders reported to law enforcement agencies. General safety precautions, including not walking in an alleyway at night, are advised. No vaccinations are required to enter Montserrat unless coming from a country that has suffered a cholera or yellow fever epidemic.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Montserrat
concrete building on the side of a mountain
white building on top of mountain
white concrete building near gray rocky mountain under white clouds during daytime
brown concrete building near mountain
a large building with a large rock formation behind it with Montserrat in the background
brown and white concrete building on cliff near body of water during daytime
houses near mountain during daytime
green trees on mountain under blue sky during daytime
Montserrat May 2023 Camera: Canon A-1 (1982) Film: Ektar 100 (35mm)
Following the tracks of the final holdouts of the Knights Templar in Catalonia and the shrine of the Black Madonna
concrete building on the side of a mountain
white building on top of mountain
white concrete building near gray rocky mountain under white clouds during daytime