North and Central America and Caribbean

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory.  There is no formal British diplomatic or consular representation in Montserrat and the local authorities deal with all requests for consular assistance.  See the General (Consular Representation) section of this Travel Advice for more details.
  
  
• The hurricane season in Montserrat normally runs from June to November. See the Natural Disasters (Hurricanes) section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• The Soufriere Hills Volcano has been intermittently active since 1995. Around one third of the island is virtually unaffected by volcanic activity. The other two-thirds is vulnerable to volcanic hazard.  Entry to parts of this area is strictly controlled and some areas are closed to the public. Two areas around the coastline are designated as Maritime Exclusion Zones. See the Natural Disasters (Soufriere Hills Volcano) section of this advice for more details.   There has been continuous volcanic activity over the past few months, including ash clouds, lava extrusion and pyroclastic flows into the unsafe area. The current Hazard Level is 3 (on a scale of 1-5) with only restricted access to some inhabited areas.
  
  
• A “Guide to Volcanic Hazards” as well as maps showing the Safe and Unsafe land and marine areas are available in the arrival hall at John A Osborne Airport, the seaport and local police stations. These contain essential information about the volcanic threat. You should ensure that you take a copy of these leaflets on arrival.  The risk map can be viewed at:  http://www.mvo.ms/riskmap .
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice .

Safety and security

Terrorism
 
The threat from terrorism is low, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate attacks which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  For more general information see Terrorism Abroad. 
Crime
 
There is a low rate of crime in Montserrat.  Nevertheless, you should take the same sensible precautions against petty crime as you would at home.  Do not leave valuables lying around; keep them in your hotel safety deposit box. For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
 
Political Situation
 
Montserrat Country Profile
 
The last General Elections were held on 8 September 2009 and the Movement for Change and Prosperity won the majority of seats in the Legislative Council and formed a Government.
 
Local Travel
Air Travel

Since 11 September 2001, all airlines require earlier check-in times for passengers and luggage. All items of luggage are subject to search. You should allow extra time at the airport and should check with the individual airline for the recommended check-in time for your flight.

There is a daily air link to Montserrat’s John A Osbourne Airport from VC Bird International Airport in Antigua.  WINAIR and FlyMontserrat operate regular daily flights in each direction and the journey time is approximately 20 minutes.  Travellers should note that there is a 20 kilogram limit per passenger on hold baggage on these flights.  If you have been in Antigua for more than 24 hours you will be charged an embarkation tax of 50 East Caribbean Dollars (EC$) per person for adults over 12 years of age by the Antiguan authorities.  They also charge a Facilities Tax which is currently EC$54.  However, this is normally added to the cost of your ingoing travel ticket on issue.
 
You will also be charged an embarkation tax and security charge when you leave Montserrat.  Please see the Entry Requirements section of this Travel Advice for more details.
 
Road Travel
 
Minibuses are available along a number of routes in Montserrat (minimum fare EC$3), but with no regular schedules.
 
Car rental is available from several companies.  To rent a car, or to drive in Montserrat, you will need to obtain a temporary Visitor’s Driving Licence.  These are available from any police station on production of a valid driving licence and on payment of a fee of EC$50.  The Temporary licence is valid for three months.  When driving a vehicle, remember to drive on the left, as in the UK.  There is a speed limit of 20 mph due to multiple hairpin bends.  Do not drink and drive. For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Sea Travel

A Ferry service now operates between Antigua, Barbuda and Little Bay Port, Montserrat. More information on prices and ferry times can be found on the Montserrat Tourist Board website, www.visitmontserrat.com.

Local laws and customs

There are harsh penalties if you are caught with drugs of any kind.   You should observe the customs regulations on the importation and exportation of agricultural products and the protection of marine and animal life.  There are a number of marine and animal specimens that may not be taken from the islands.  If in doubt you should check with the local customs authorities prior to the purchase, importation or exportation of such items.   For those returning to the UK, please observe the UK Customs and Excise rules on the illegal importation of meat and animal products.  For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas
 
You do not require a visa for Montserrat if you are either a full British passport holder or a British Overseas Territory passport holder.
 
For visa enquiries, non-British passport holders should contact the Identity and Passport Service at the Home Office on 020 7901 2334 from 1000 to 1600 GMT (Mon-Fri).

Passport validity
 
You must have at least six months' validity remaining on your passport.

Embarkation Tax

When you leave Montserrat you will be charged an embarkation tax.  For residents this is EC$25 and for non-residents it is EC$45.  In addition, there is a security charge of EC$10 for every passenger departing from John A Osbourne Airport.  This is payable at check-in.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

Health

Montserrat has a small hospital with limited facilities.  Anyone requiring specialist medical treatment may need to travel to a neighbouring island.

There is currently no private dental practice on the Island.

If you suffer from asthma or other respiratory problems you could be affected by airborne dust, volcanic ash and gases.

Dengue fever is common to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year.  In November 2008, there were two cases of dengue fever in Montserrat.  You should exercise normal precautions to prevent insect bites.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Montserrat and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health. 

Natural disasters

The Soufriere Hills Volcano has been active since 1995, with a fluctuating level of activity. In that time, the activity has been mainly pyroclastic flows on the eastern and western flanks of the volcano. An area around the volcano, approximately two-thirds of the island, is vulnerable to volcanic hazard and is subject to access controls and two areas around the coastline have been designated as Maritime Exclusion Zones.  The volcano is in an active phase. Visitors should seek local advice as to safety precautions and access restrictions.

A new Hazard Level System was introduced in August 2008.  The Hazard Level System divides the southern two-thirds of Montserrat, into six zones with two Maritime Exclusion Zones.  Access permission for each of these zones is dependent on the level of volcanic activity.  The current Hazard Level is 3, on a scale of 1 to 5.  Please see the Montserrat Volcano Observatory website for further information on the Hazard Level System and for a map showing the zones.  Leaflets and maps are also available in the arrivals hall at John A Osborne Airport.   You should ensure that you take a copy of these leaflets on arrival.

To enter controlled access areas, you will require a police licence from the Royal Montserrat Police Force. Applications should be made at the Salem Police Station and should contain the reasons why access is being requested.

Homeowners in inhabited parts of island vulnerable to volcanic activity have been advised to be ready to relocate at short notice if necessary should the volcanic threat increase.  The situation remains under constant review.

Maritime Exclusion Zone

  There are two Maritime Exclusion Zones. Maps showing these areas are available from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (www.mvo.ms) or the Montserrat Port Authority. Maritime vessels should not enter the Exclusion Zone.
  Other general information  An island-wide siren system is installed to warn of volcanic activity.  If the sirens sound, please tune in immediately to Radio Montserrat (ZJB)for a related safety message on FM 88.3 or 95.5. ZJB also provides regular scientific updates and advice.   High levels of ash can occasionally lead to cancellations of flights into and out of the island with little notice.   Visits to the public areas of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) are permitted.  Further details of such visits and the status of the volcano can be obtained from the MVO's website.

Hurricanes

The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Hurricane Centre. For more general information see Tropical cyclones.

General

Insurance   You are advised to obtain adequate medical insurance before travelling.  This should cover the cost of medical evacuation to, and other medical costs in a third country.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Consular Representation
Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory and as such there is no formal British Consular Representation.  The Governor's Office will assist you in a genuine emergency, but all enquiries regarding passport services should be made to the UK Passport Service Centre in Washington D.C. This will be the new passport production centre for Montserrat and the region.

The mailing address is:
The UK Passport Service Centre for the Americas and Caribbean
British Embassy
19 Observatory Circle, NW
Washington, DC 20008
USA

Further information, guidance and copies of application forms can be obtained online at www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk or www.ukinbarbados.fco.gov.uk.

Money   Few shops, hotels or restaurants accept credit cards.  The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar.  It is fixed to the dollar at 2.68 Eastern Caribbean Dollars to 1 US Dollar.  US Dollars are widely accepted.  The territory has limited but modern banking facilities.