Central America

British Virgin Islands

Location

Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico.

Backpacking is actively discouraged. Personal security, general travel, drugs, navigation, hot weather injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation/sterilisation, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, cultures/customs, communications, emergency shelters. Beachwear should be kept for the beach or pool.

Use bottled water.

Coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly.

Subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds.

Hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October). Floodings and earthquakes.

Dengue fever, hepatitis A, polio, typhoid.

Limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments).

Driving conditions can be hazardous due to steep and narrow mountain roads and poor driving standards. Taxis go to most destinations.

For more in-depth general information please download our Preparation and Training document.