How much does it cost to travel to the British Virgin Islands?
You should plan to spend around $330 per day on your vacation in the British Virgin Islands. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $72 on meals
- $29 on local transportation
- $440 on hotels
A one week trip to the British Virgin Islands for two people costs, on average, $4,626. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is the British Virgin Islands expensive to visit?
The British Virgin Islands is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.
Within the Caribbean Islands, which is known to be an expensive region, the British Virgin Islands is very expensive compared to the other countries. It is in the top 10% of countries in the Caribbean Islands for its travel costs. There are only a few countries as expensive or more expensive than the British Virgin Islands in the region.
For more details, see Is the British Virgin Islands Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to the British Virgin Islands?
The average British Virgin Islands trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these British Virgin Islands travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$440
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$29
|
|
Food 2
|
$72
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$79
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$12 -
37
|
Accommodation Budget in the British Virgin Islands
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in the British Virgin Islands is $220. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in the British Virgin Islands is $440. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in the British Virgin Islands? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Local Transportation Budget in the British Virgin Islands
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in the British Virgin Islands is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $29 per person, per day, on local transportation in the British Virgin Islands.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$29
Typical prices for Local Transportation in the British Virgin Islands are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in the British Virgin Islands, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in the British Virgin Islands
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in the British Virgin Islands can vary, the average cost of food in the British Virgin Islands is $72 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in the British Virgin Islands should cost around $29 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in the British Virgin Islands is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$72
Entertainment Budget in the British Virgin Islands
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in the British Virgin Islands typically cost an average of $79 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$79
Typical prices for Entertainment in the British Virgin Islands are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in the British Virgin Islands, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Alcohol Budget in the British Virgin Islands
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $25 on alcoholic beverages in the British Virgin Islands per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$25
The British Virgin Islands On a Budget
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands are a self governing British overseas territory. In 1648 they were settled by the Dutch and were then annexed by the British in 1672. They're located just east of the US Virgin Islands and are a popular destination for beach lovers. There are more than 60 islands and keys that make up the territory, and 43 of those islands are uninhabited. The main islands are Tortola and Virgin Gorda, both of which are steep and volcanic in nature. Some of the islands, including Anegada and Sandy Spit, are flat coral islands. In particular, Anegada is called the "drowned island" because of its low elevation.
The British Virgin Islands have a tropical climate that is kept mild by the easterly trade winds. The humidity is generally low and the temperature stays consistent throughout the year. This comfortable climate is a large part of the appeal for visitors to the country. The low season is during the hurricane season when weather is more unpredictable.
The British Virgin Islands have a stable economy that is heavily reliant on tourism along with the offshore financial industry. Tourism provides approximately 45% of the national income.
Tortola is the largest of the islands and home to the capital city of Road Town. It is about ten miles long and three miles wide. Other popular islands to visit include Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke.
At A Glance
- One of the best ways to explore the islands is by boat. It's possible to rent both sailboats and motorboats and also hire a crew. Conditions can be unpredictable so if you don't know what you're doing, you should definitely hire a crew. The many beautiful uninhabited islands make this a wonderful place to explore by boat. Many chartered boats can be arranged from Road Town on the island of Tortola.
- On larger islands it is possible to rent a car to explore. The smaller islands are easily explored by foot as there are many trails and paths you can follow. Scooter rental may also be an option. Rental car agencies can be found at the airport and elsewhere on the island of Tortola. The roads are not always in great condition and drunk driving is not uncommon.
- You can find many different shopping opportunities in the British Virgin Islands. There are locally made items as well as high end merchandise. In general, international chains are banned throughout the country in order to maintain a local character. The best shopping area on Tortola is Wickham's Cay in Road Town.
- Like elsewhere in the Caribbean, Rum is a popular drink throughout the country. There are a variety of cocktails made with rum at any of the bars around the beaches and in town. One local favorite is the "Painkiller", which is made with rum, coconut and orange juice. Ask for the bar's specialty and you generally won't be disappointed. Most bars have a happy hour between 4 pm and 6 pm.
- Nightlife in the British Virgin Islands is generally good, particularly around Road Town. It's worth checking out both tourist hot spots as well as local bars, as the atmosphere can vary. To find a local establishment, just ask around town. Many bars have great views of the sunset so you can enjoy a drink as you watch the sun dip below the horizon. Local clubs are also great places to here some of the island's local music.
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Top Tourist Attractions
Josiah's Bay: This is a popular surfer's beach that is used by tourists and locals alike. During the right season the waves can be quite substantial. There is a gradual drop off into the water, so swimmers can venture relatively far from shore and still be at a safe depth. There are two restaurants nearby that are casual and reasonably priced.
Brewer's Bay: With dark golden sand, this is the only non-white sand beach on the island. When the weather is clear there are good snorkeling opportunities available, but if it has recently rained the runoff can effect visibility. There are several good food facilities available nearby as well.
Cane Garden Bay: This is the most popular and crowded beach in the British Virgin Islands. There are boats that anchor here and the beach is lined with restaurants and bars. There is often live music being played and a festive atmosphere, but if peace and quiet is what you're after, this is not the place for you. This area becomes particularly crowded when cruise ships are docked.
Popular Foods
Food in the British Virgin Islands is comparable to that found elsewhere in the Caribbean. There are some local flavors and preparation techniques, but many of the dishes are common throughout the Caribbean. Is is expected, seafood is abundant, as is tropical fruit. Many dishes are prepared as soups and are wonderfully flavored with local herbs.
Callaloo Soup: This is a common dish throughout the Caribbean, including the British Virgin Islands. It is made with the leaves of a daheen plant, okra, local herbs, and any number of meats or seafoods.
Fungi: This dish is also found elsewhere in the Caribbean. It is made with cornmeal and okra and is often served with salt fish.
Salt Fish: This preparation of fish is common in many island dishes. It can be boiled or fried and served with breadfruit. Breadfruit is a local fruit that has a similar flavor to potatoes.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.