Montserrat Travel Safety
British Overseas Territories
Travel Safety in Montserrat
General travel safety in Montserrat on a scale of 1 to 4 — where 1 is safe and 4 is dangerous. Data compiled on the basis of Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs.
Country
Montserrat
Updates
Updated: 13 Mar 2024 • Still current at: 25 Mar 2024
Status
LEVEL 1 - Exercise normal safety precautions
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour. Monitor the media and other sources for changes to local travelling conditions, safety and security concerns. Laws and social customs could differ significantly. You could face terrorist attacks, civil unrest, violent crime, or unique health threats - but overall, the risks are not great.
Safety and Security Tips
Road safety
Driving after dark and in the more mountainous regions should be done with caution due to steep, narrow and winding roads. The Belham Valley should be avoided during and after heavy rainfall due to the possibility of mudflows.
Marine transportation
The ferry service from Antigua to Montserrat reopened on November 1, 2013, and currently operates five days per week. There are four daily flights to Antigua from the island airport. A helicopter service operates from V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua to Gerald's Heliport in Montserrat.
Women's safety
Based on the crime situation of the Montserrat, women should be vigilant all the time and aware of the surroundings. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Females should be cautious while dealing with strangers and acquaintances. Women may be subject to unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid flash of money or valuables in public. Exercise a high degree of caution during travel.
Crime
Petty crime occurs. Exercise normal precautions and ensure that your personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times.
Update 1 November 2020Emergency Calls
- Police911 or 999
- Fire911 or 999
- Ambulance911 or 999
Local Law and Culture
LGBT
Homosexuality is legal under Montserrat law, but there's no provision for marriage or civil partnerships between same-sex couples, and they aren't recognised in law. Throughout the island, the general public is very conservative. In general people are tolerant of homosexual couples but don't approve of public displays of affection between same-sex couples. Hotels don't discriminate against same-sex couples and are generally welcoming to all, regardless of sexual orientation.
Illegal drugs
There are harsh penalties if you are caught with drugs of any kind. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Driving
You need a local driving permit to drive in Montserrat. You can obtain a permit valid for three months at any police station upon presentation of a valid drivers licence or an International Driving Permit. Traffic drives on the left.
Update 1 November 2020Vaccinations and Medications
A doctor's consultation is required prior to any vaccinations being administered. This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Please contact your doctor for complete information on this subject.
Stay Healthy and Safe
Act in advance of to prevent. Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least 4-8 weeks before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need.
All travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Montserrat.
Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Reduce your exposure to germs
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.
It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.
The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.
Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.
The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Keep away from animals
Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements
Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit in an airport located in a country with risk of YFV transmission.
We have made every effort to ensure that the information presented reliably reflects the general safety situation in a given place. However, the data is provided for informational purposes only and we do not take responsibility for any damages or losses resulting from incorrect risk assessment. Before each trip, we recommend checking the current situation in the country of destination on the websites of the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
