Montserrat is one of the Leeward islands that has greatly suffered due to its active volcanoes. Its population has not recovered since the late 90s and half of the island is under exclusion zone due to volcanic activity.

Traveling info

Visitors coming from the USA, Canada, Australia and EU with the exception of Croatia, do not require a visa however all require a valid passport and a return on a continuing ticket. All other nationalities have required a Visa to enter the island. Both an IDP (international driving permit) and the domestic driver’s license of the visitor are accepted for up to 12 months. After that period the driver must convert their license or pass a driving examination on the island to receive Montserrat Drivers Permit. The left-hand side of the road is used for driving.

Traveling hazards

The roads are in decent condition however they are usually quite narrow and very steep at certain points. The terrain also forces the roads to be quite curvy. There is no government organized road assistance although the locals are usually very helpful and aid those in trouble. Livestock can also create potential danger on the road due to short visibility distances, especially at night due to the roads not being lit.

Environmental hazards

There are no poisonous land creatures that would be of any danger to humans however during the wetter months mosquitoes are plenty. Almost all resorts etc. will have bug nets in the windows however it is advised to supply yourself with bug sprays and other bug bite preventing equipment. When it comes to swimming, waters are generally safe however watch out for non-aggressive although still dangerous marine creatures such as sea urchins that may be accidentally stepped on. These have spikes that will pierce the skin and shatter inside when stepped on. Avoid wearing shiny objects into the water as fish might mistake it for food and bite. Avoid swimming after dusk as sharks are most active at that time and although shark attacks are very rare it still is a possibility.
Montserrat experiences the cyclone season which begins in early June and ends in late November. During that time tropical cyclones can bring devastation to the island. Except for the cyclone season, the island has 3 volcanoes of which one is currently active. In 1995 an eruption caused the evacuation of nearby residents and in 1997 the capital was abandoned and ruined by another eruption. The southern half of the island was declared an exclusion zone and citizens are forbidden to enter it. The last eruption took place in 2010.

Health hazards

Upon entering Montserrat visitors coming from the countries with the risk of yellow fever are required to present a proof of yellow fever vaccination. (list in sources) There are other vaccinations that are not required but are recommended. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, typhoid, rabies and hepatitis A and B vaccines. Visitors that suffer from asthma or other breathing difficulties may be affected by the airborne dust, volcanic ashes and gases. Healthcare is not that well developed and has few specialist facilities. In case of an emergency, the patient will be evacuated to the nearest capable place such as San Juan or Miami. If the help of a specialist is required neighboring islands are most likely to provide the desired service. Dental services are present on the island however these are only provided in private clinics. Make sure that your insurance covers medical evacuation and specialist services in nearby islands.
In case of an emergency dial 911.

Crime

In terms of crime, Montserrat is generally safe. Since the year of 1998, 8 murders were committed. The most common type of crime is domestic violence and theft and burglary. These rarely affect tourist and are mostly committed amongst residents. Visitors are still vulnerable to instances of pickpocketing or mugging. These can be prevented by using common sense. Wear money belts, these are the best way to avoid being pickpocketed. Avoid wandering around at night in secluded places, try to stick to the more popular and crowded areas. Your accommodation should have a safe that valuables and money can be stored in. Drugs of any kind are illegal and punishable however law enforcement is lax in terms of cannabis.

Summary

Although the southern half of the island has been completely devastated and its former capital covered in volcanic ash, the country is slowly rebuilding. The once gone tourism is making a come back and recovering with small steps each year. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/caribbean/montserrat/passport-visa/
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/montserrat/entry-requirements
(Vaccines)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/montserrat
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291