The Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport is located on Beef Island, on the eastern end of the island, connected by the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. This is the main airport for all of the British Virgin Islands. There are taxis, safari buses, and rental cars available at the airport.

The island can also be reached via the water ferry which arrives in Road Town, where taxis are available.

If you have not booked a private transfer with us then you have a few options; renting a car can be done at the airport with major companies like Hertz and National with offices. There are taxis available and multi-passenger safari buses both found outside the terminal with journeys to Road Town costing approximately $15.

The only type of public transport on Tortola are buses, which are full-size passenger vans or large open-air pickup trucks with bench-style seating known as `safaris`. The other option is to travel via taxi. Scato`s Bus and Taxi Services.

Buses are available and offer cheap and efficient transportation around the island with fares costing between $3-$5 for a one way trip from the ferry docs to popular destinations like The Baths of Virgin Gorda.

The main ferry docks and cruise ship ports are located in Road Town and the West End on Tortola, and Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke and St. Thomas Bay in Virgin Gorda. The island offers many opportunities to get out on the water with ferries, chartered yachts and boats, and sailboats for island hopping.

The Tortola Ferry travels between Tortola and St. Thomas, the ferries link the city of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas with Road Town or the West End of Tortola. The ferries run throughout the day with several different companies, services cease after 5 pm.

Tortola is a popular cruise ship destination, with docks at the large pier near the inner harbor in Road Town.

There are several options for rental cars on the island with some as low as $50 a day. The island features lots of steep, winding mountainous roads and cliffs, so use caution when driving. The island measures 21.5 square miles, and you can easily explore the island via car by yourself and soak up the stunning natural scenery. Stay away from the main towns during morning and evening rush hours to avoid heavy traffic.

Taxis are plentiful on the island and can mainly be found around the main town and the cruise ship ports. There are `taxi tours` available where you can travel around the island and sightsee with an informative guide and driver, for less than it would cost to rent a car for the day. There are plenty of reliable taxi companies available, you can have your hotel concierge call to order you a taxi by phone. There is a taxi stand in Road Town near the ferry docks and a typical fare from town to Cane Garden Bay will cost around $24, and from Road Town to Josiah`s Bay around $25.

Walking around the island is possible in the main towns, with Road Town and West End offering streets with shopping and dining opportunities. Strolling along the sands of the beautiful beaches dotted around the island is a great way to relax and adjust to island time. There are some great hikes on the mountainous island.

Exploring the island on two wheels is a great way to get around and see the different sights and attractions. Renting bicycles is very popular and common and the roads that travel around the island are in good shape with deserted beaches dotted along the way. You can rent bicycles and scooters from different rental places and many hotels have bikes to rent.

Tortola Island is an extremely safe destination to travel to. Petty crime can be the main problem, so it's recommended that you stay aware when out exploring and sightseeing as pickpockets are common.

Main Street in Road Town offers plenty of shopping opportunities including handicraft stores, jewelry, fabric, art, and souvenir type stores where you can pick up local jams, spices, and rums along with other imported goods. Crafts Alive is an open-air market found in the center of Road Town, made up of old fashioned West Indian style buildings brimming with crafts including Caribbean dolls, hats, doilies, and T-shirts. Pick up local spices at Sunny Caribbee Spice Co on Main Street, specializing in Caribbean spices, teas, seasonings, and condiments. Serendipity Bookshop is also found on Main Street, a full stocked bookstore and the only one of its kind on the island with a roti palace restaurant upstairs serving delicious curries. Pusser`s General Store is also on Main Street and the local post office where you can pick up unique island stamps. The general store is on the waterfront, an English tavern selling souvenirs and Pusser`s Blue Label Rum.

The many beaches of Tortola are simply beautiful and breathtaking, there are several to explore, each having their unique characteristics. Cane Garden Bay is one of the finest beaches with soft white sand covering a secluded bay with swaying palm trees, a popular beach for day-trippers visiting the island via cruise ship. There is a great variety of restaurants and bars found by the beach and a rum distillery. There are plenty of watersport activities offered here and sailing adventures. Smugglers Cove, situated at the extreme western end of the island, features a crescent strip of white sand and tranquilizing turquoise waters, great for swimming and snorkeling where corals and marine life can be seen. Nigel`s Boom Boom Bar and Grill can be found here, a simple beachside shack serving food and cold drinks. Apple Bay is a popular surfing spot, situated west of Cane Garden Bay on North Shore Road, surfing conditions are best in January and February. Bomba's Surfside Shack is a great place for a drink and some delicious food situated on the water's edge. Josiah`s Bay Beach is nestled on the northern coast at the base of Buta Mountain. A long stretch of golden sands curve around the bay with some great waves during the winter months and are very secluded during the summer months.

The official language spoken in Tortola Island is English, many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. Natives speak West Indian. We recommend you get a good English-West Indian guidebook and learn common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Tortola Island boasts a warm subtropical climate with plenty of sunshine and pleasant weather throughout the year. The gentle trade winds of the island keep things nice and cool as they blow in from the northwest most of the year. Average daily temperatures hover around 80 degrees, with lower temperatures in the evening. The island's dry season is from February to July and Wet Season is September through December and hurricanes can occur from August to October. September to November can be some of the best months to visit the island as it is less crowded during these times and hotel rates are significantly lower.

The unit of currency in Tortola Island is the United States Dollar. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand upon arrival. Currency exchange desks and ATM's can be found at the airport and in the main towns.

The typical food served in Tortola includes plenty of freshly caught fish and seafood and lots of Caribbean fair. The official dish of the British Virgin Islands is `fish and fungi` okra and cornmeal boiled with butter made into a flat cake and served with braised fish with vegetables and local spices. Most of the island's dining options are found in the main towns and nestled along the beaches, like Foxy's Tamarind Bar and Restaurant on Jost Van Dyke offering great food, drinks, music, and a lively atmosphere. There are upscale dining options available, mostly found in the more luxurious resorts and hotels on the island. Tortola has some fantastic authentic beachside shacks and stalls that are well worth checking out, they serve up delicious fresh food and cold beverages, perfect for your beach day. Some of the local classics on Tortola including West Indian roti, a savory pastry stuffed with curried chicken or goat, potatoes, peas, and carrots wrapped up in a light fluffy dough. Pates are in abundance in Tortola, made up of spiced meats and vegetables with flatbread and Johnny Cakes, a fried dough made with cornmeal and other fillings. Try soursop, the spiky fruit is abundant in Tortola, a citrusy flavor with a creamy texture made into a popular fruit juice.

There are plenty of happening nightlife spots found on Tortola where the beer and most notably rum flow throughout the evenings. Red Stripe and Carib are the local beers with many roadside and beachside stand offering cheap ice-cold beers. Rum Punch and the famed Painkiller drinks are two of the most popular cocktails. Road Town offers the largest concentration of bars and eateries on the island, with other good locations dotted around the island. Road Town has bars, clubs, sports bars, pubs, and many resorts and hotels have their onside bars, restaurants, and live entertainment. Beach Bars are some of the main go to’s on Tortola with popular hangouts like Bomba Shack in Apple Bay, a very fun and authentic beachside surf shack where full moon parties take place.

In case of an emergency call 999 or 911 for the police.

Hospitals:

Peebles Hospital tel. 284-494-3497

Eureka Medical Clinic tel. 284-494-2346