Reopening guide to the British Virgin Islands for travelers
As of May 15, 2021, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) have been open to tourists. As Caribbean islands enforce and adapt to vaccine requirements and loosening travel restrictions for adults and kids amid the pandemic, The Points Guy will walk you through everything you need to know to enjoy these warm island destinations.
For more TPG news and deals delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter.
What You Need to Visit the British Virgin Islands
The Government of the Virgin Islands has updated its protocols as of Oct. 1. Vaccinated travelers must receive the second COVID-19 vaccine dose no less than two weeks before entry and the vaccine must be approved by the World Health Organization.
Vaccinated travelers will still need to pre-register for a rapid antigen test via the Hummingbird portal. Proof of vaccination and results of a negative PCR test or antigen rapid test taken within the previous five days are also required. Fully vaccinated travelers must also take an antigen rapid test upon arrival.
Visitors also must have travel insurance. The insurance should include minimum approved coverage for COVID-19 medical costs including hospitalization, doctor’s visit and prescriptions, medical repatriation and quarantine accommodation costs.
All individuals are required to wear masks in BVI and will be issued a $100 fine for non-compliance, according to the U.S. Embassy. Further, you can face a $5,000 fine for violating quarantine and a $2,000 fine for intentionally damaging a quarantine tracking device.
The British Virgin Islands is currently under a Level 4 Travel Advisory, the highest advisory due to greater likelihood of risk, according to the U.S. Embassy in Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.
Related: Americans can now visit 60+ countries and territories; a complete list
What’s open in BVI?
(Photo by Taylor McBride / Shutterstock.com)
Pretty much everything is open in BVI.
Restaurants, bars, resorts and beaches are all open for business. Weather is generally great in BVI, so you can enjoy the bulk of your meals outdoors. BVI Tourism has a list of recommended restaurants and bars where you can dine on the islands. Make sure to bookmark this page before your trip — there are a ton of great recommendations.
Whether it's scuba diving or exploring Smuggler's Cove on the island of Tortola with its powdery white sand beaches, there's no shortage of ocean activities in BVI. There are a wide variety of land activities to do as well including eco-tours, hiking and national parks to explore.
Related: 7 little-known Caribbean destinations you should discover — before others do
Where to stay in BVI?
(Photo by Alexey Stiop / Shutterstock.com)
There’s no shortage of places to stay in BVI — here’s a look at some points options.
Marriott loyalists can stay at the Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina. This hotel is a part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection and has private villas, a spa and a handful of on-site restaurants. A standard room for a January stay starts at $598-629 per night before taxes and fees. It is a category 8 hotel which will set you back 70,000 points per night for off-peak days, 85,000 per night for standard and 100,000 per night for peak. Note that come March 2022, Marriott is switching to dynamic award pricing, and will do away with its existing award charts.
Wyndham has a more budget-friendly option near Tortola. The Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort will cost about $335 per night or 30,000 Wyndham Rewards points for a January stay.
Related: Escape to these five small Caribbean islands with hotel points
How to get to BVI?
(Photo by Ivan Cholakov / Shutterstock.com)
Mainline U.S. carriers don’t currently operate flights from the mainland U.S. to BVI. That said, you can fly to San Juan (SJU) in Puerto Rico or St. Thomas (STT) in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and hop on a regional flight to Tortola (EIS) near Beef Island. You can fly Air Sunshine, Cape Air, Silver Airways and InterCaribbean Airways from these airports to Tortola.
Many of these airlines have partnerships with major U.S. airlines. For example, Cape Air and Silver Airways have partnerships with American, JetBlue and United. Depending on the airline, you may be able to book your connecting flight to BVI as a part of a larger itinerary from your home airport.
On Google Flights, we found a roundtrip ticket in January for $839. The trip is from DCA to SJU via JetBlue and SJU to EIS via Silver Airways.
Alternatively, you can fly to the USVI and take an inter-island ferry to BVI. The BVI to USVI ferry resumed operations as of April 15. The ferry runs between St. Thomas in USVI and Tortola in BVI.
Related: Best ways to get to the Caribbean using points and miles
Bottom line
Even with updated protocol and requirements for vaccinated travelers, visiting the British Virgin Islands is well worth it. You’ll be greeted with miles of pristine beaches and incredible resorts. And let’s be real, who doesn’t need that right now?
Additional reporting by Liz Ramanand.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees