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Travel Insurance Montserrat

Montserrat Flag

Montserrat Country Guide

  1. CountryFacts
  2. Health
  3. Media
  1. Intro
  2. Geography
  3. People
  4. Travel
  5. Embassies & Visas
  6. Finance
  7. Cities/Regions

Quick Facts

Region: Caribbean
Full Name: Montserrat
Capital City: Little Bay, Brades and Plymouth
Languages Spoken: English

Montserrat Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance to Montserrat from Direct Travel Insurance. We offer low cost and high quality travel insurance to Montserrat and most of the world.

Geographic data

16? 45’N 62? 12’W

Elevation Extremes

Highest Point: Lava Dome in English’s Crater estimated at over 930m (2006.)

Lowest Point: Caribbean Sea 0m

Land boundaries

No land boundaries - island

Natural hazards

Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes

Natural resources

N/A

Land use

Arable Land: 20%

Permanent Crops: 0%

Other: 80% (2011)

Environmental current issues

Land erosion

Climate

The climate in Montserrat is rather tropical all year round, with the average daily temperature at around 27? c. Hurricane season usually takes place between the months of July and November.

Time difference

The UK is 5 hours ahead of Montserrat.

Population

As of July 2015, Montserrat had a population of 5,215. However, the population never used to be this low, in 1995 around half on the population fled the island due to earthquakes where at least 19 people died.

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.6% (male 472/female 445)

15-24 years: 21.5% (male 588/female 531)

25-54 years: 47.9% (male 1,190/female 1,309)

55-64 years: 6.9% (male 160/female 200)

65 years and over: 6.1% (male 196/female 124) (2014 est.)

Median age

Total: 31.4 years

Male: 30.9 years

Female: 31,9 years (2014 est.))

Population growth rate

0.48% (2014)

Birth rate

11.31 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Death rate

6.52 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Sex ratio

At Birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.55 male(s)/female

Total Population: 1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Total Population: 73.9 years

Male: 75.48 years

Female: 72.24 years (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.29 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Business Practices

When dining in most restaurants in Montserrat, be prepared for the businesses to add on a 10% service charge to your bill.

Crime

Although Montserrat is mostly a safe country, the numbers of violent crimes have gone up in recent years. The level of crime is still classed as low when compared to other countries, however, the annual rate of assault is over 10 assaults for every 1,000 people, making it the most common kind of crime on the island.

Drug possession and drug smuggling have severe penalties if caught in Montserrat. Make sure you take a look into the rules and regulation of importation and exportation before you are set to travel.

Hotels

The hotels in Montserrat are small and local. Villas and apartments can also be rented by tourists.

Communications

There are telecommunication systems in Montserrat, with a main line telephone system, operating over 4,000 telephone mainlines, a mobile system, and a radio and television system. In 1997 the only television broadcast station was providing 3,000 televisions. The Montserrat country code is “MS.”

General mobile signal around urbanised areas is good. There are always payphones too.

Electricity

The voltage in Montserrat is 230V with a frequency level of 60Hz.

Plug Types

The plug types in Montserrat are types A and B. A travel plug adaptor will be needed if you plan to use any technological gadgets such as laptop chargers, straighteners and phone chargers.

Food And Dining

Some specialities of Montserrat cuisines include: Pumpkin soup; salt fish; aubergine patties; Mountain chicken (this is not actually chicken - it is actually a leg of local frog); and Goat water.

Entry departure requirements

When departing the island, a departure tax is required. Currently the charge for residents is EC$25 and for tourists and non- residents is EC$45. However if you are flying from John A Osborne Airport or leaving from the ferry port, then there is a further security charge which is to paid at check-in of EC$10 each.

Visa immigration information

Passports

The validity on your passport should cover the length of your proposed stay in Montserrat.

Visas

A Visa is not required if you are a British Citizen or a British Overseas Territories Citizen.

Types of visa and cost
Validity

The validity on your passport should cover the length of your proposed stay in Montserrat.

Application to
Application requirements
Working days required

HIV entry requirements

There are currently no requirements for entry to Montserrat for travellers with HIV.

Departure tax

When departing the island, a departure tax is required. Currently the charge from residents is EC$25 and for tourists and non- residents is EC$45. However if you are flying from John A Osborne Airport or leaving from the ferry port, then there is a further security charge which is to paid at check-in of EC$10 each.

Embassies

Montserrat Government UK:

Address: Kingscross Business Centre, 180-186 King’s Cross Road, London, WC1X 9DE

Tel: 020 7520 2622

Website: http://montserrat-gov.org/index.php

Opening Times: Everyday including Sundays 10am-2am.


Montserrat Embassy US:

Address: Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, W.I.

Tel: +(246) 227-4399

Emergency After Hours Tel: +(246) 227-4000

Email: BridgetownACS@state.gov

British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

The British FCDO state that there is a low threat from terrorism.

Website: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/montserrat

US Department of State

Website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

Currency

Montserrat’s currency is the East Caribbean Dollar

Currency restrictions

Montserrat do not currently have any restrictions on The East Caribbean Dollar.

Banking hours

The Bank of Montserrat

Address: Brades main road

Tel: +1 664 491-3843

Opening Times: Monday - Friday 8am - 2pm


The Royal Bank of Canada

Address: Brades main road

Tel: +1 664 491-2426

Opening times: Monday - Friday 9am - 2pm.

Currency exchange

The current exchange rate for The East Caribbean Dollar is GBP£1.00 = EC$3.95 (May 2016)

Credit cards

At the moment, there are only two cash machines on the island, these can be found at:

The Bank of Montserrat

Address: Brades main road

Tel: +1 664 491-3843

Opening Times: Monday - Friday 8am - 2pm.


The Royal Bank of Canada

Address: Brades main road

Tel: +1 664 491-2426

Opening times: Monday - Friday 9am - 2pm.


Not many restaurants hotels and shops will accept credit cards, so it is advised to always carry cash with you.

Travellers cheques

  1. Health Information
  2. Recent Disease Outbreak

Dental care

Travellers to Montserrat needing dental care will need to use private practice dental surgerys, however these are only accessible at the weekends and in the evenings.

Medication Availability

There are 2 pharmacies on the island, including Lee’s Pharmacy. These are both equipped and supplied by The Eastern Caribbean Drug Service. As there are only two pharmacies on the island, it is advised to pack a medical kit, which could include paracetamol, plasters, bandages, diarrhoea tablets, antiseptic wipes, cotton wool, and mosquito wipes.

Lee’s Pharmacy

Address: Brades Main Road, Brades, Montserrat

Tel: 664-491-3444

If you are taking any medicines before you leave for Montserrat, make sure you have enough to cover you stay, as they could be very hard to get hold of once on the island.

Blood supplies

Medical facilities

Hospitals and Health Centres on The Island:

St. John’s Hospital - Includes a 24 hour emergency department which offers standard health care facilities. It can hold up to 30 beds. More important and serious medical issues may require to be transported by air to another local island, usually Antigua and Saint Kitts, where the patient can get the treatment needed, which may be unavailable in Montserrat.

Tel: (664) 491-5218, 491-2843, 491-2836, 491-2802.

Cudjoe Head Clinic - offers outpatient clinic Tel: (664) 491-5258

Salem Clinic - offers outpatient clinic - Tel: (664) 491-5256

St. Peter’s Clinic - offers outpatient clinic - Tel: (664) 491-5436

Mental Health Clinic - offers outpatient mental health clinic - Tel: (664) 491-3879

Physicians:

Dr. Ronnie Cooper - Tel: 664/491-6419

Dr. Franklin Perkins - Tel: 664/491-2823

Emergency Services:

Fire - 911

Police - 999

General caution

It is advised that you do not eat any fruit and vegetables without them being cooked or peeled. Always drink bottled water rather than water the has come from the tap or well. This is the same with ice. Only use ice that has been made from bottled water.

Specific concerns

Immunization

When travelling to Montserrat, you should be up-to-date with your routine jabs including MMR, Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria and your yearly flu jab. It is also advised to be vaccinated against Rabies, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, preferably 4-6 weeks before you are due to travel. It is always best to check with your GP to make sure you are up-to-date with your vaccinations, and to see whether or not they can recommend any other vaccinations to have that might be applicable to the country's present disease risk situation.

Travellers from areas with a risk of Yellow Fever are required to have the Yellow Fever vaccination before entering Montserrat.

Disease risk summary

Dengue Fever - There is a slight risk of Dengue Fever in Montserrat. It was reported that in 2011, there were three cases of Dengue Fever. The disease is passed on to humans through mosquito bites and is typically passed on in more urbanised areas. Joint and muscle pains, headaches and fever are symptoms of the disease. You should take mosquito prevention methods when travelling to Montserrat, such as wearing mosquito repellent spray, using repellant wipes and wristbands, and covering up with light and baggy clothing. If you believe that you have some of these symptoms after being in Montserrat, then it is imperative that you seek medical attention. Make sure that you have adequate travel insurance to make sure that you are covered for any medical attention needed whilst abroad.

Schistosomiasis - There is a slight risk of Schistosomiasis in Montserrat. The parasitic disease is passed onto humans through the contact with fresh water, such as lakes, ponds and streams. The parasite infects the human by getting into the skin. Symptoms of the disease are not always noticeable at first, however once found, it can be treated by taking medicine for a brief time period. Symptoms of the disease can include high fevers, coughing, muscle pain, red rashes, and diarrhoea.

Chikungunya Fever - Some cases of Chikungunya Fever, which is transported by mosquitos, have been confirmed across Montserrat. It’s numbers in the region are slowly increasing and is more common in the rainy seasons. Fever, nausea, rashes and muscle pains are just some of the symptoms that have been linked to Chikungunya Fever. Although serious problems of Chikungunya Fever are uncommon, the symptoms can last for a few days. In order to help prevent being bitten by mosquitos whilst being in Montserrat, it is advised that you wear insect repellant. These can be in forms of, repellant creams, wipes, wristbands, sprays etc. Wearing clothes that cover your skin, especially loose fitting clothing, can also help prevent you from being bitten.

Entry requirements

There are no health entry requirement when travelling into Montserrat, except for travellers coming from a country that has recently suffered from an epidemic of yellow fever, small pox, or cholera.

Recent disease outbreaks

It was reported that in 2011, there were three cases of Dengue Fever. The disease is passed on to humans through mosquito bites and is typically passed on in more urbanised areas. You should take mosquito prevention methods when travelling to Montserrat, such as wearing mosquito repellent spray, using repellant wipes and wristbands, and covering up with light and baggy clothing. If you believe that you have some of these symptoms after being in Montserrat, then it is imperative that you seek medical attention. Make sure that you have adequate travel insurance to make sure that you are covered for any medical attention needed whilst abroad.

Some cases of Chikungunya Fever, which is transported by mosquitos, have been confirmed across Montserrat. It’s numbers in the region are slowly increasing and is more common in the rainy seasons.

 

Media

News

The Montserrat Reporter is an online news website updating its audience with the latest news of what has been going on on the island. Website: www.themontserratreporter.com/

Television

ZTV Montserrat

Radio

ZJB Radio Montserrat