Road Town at a Glance
Costs: $150-$300 per day - expect high Caribbean prices for dining, accommodation and boat charters.
Safety: Relatively safe with petty crime - low violent crime; petty theft and occasional drunk incidents occur.
Best Time: December-April (dry season) - warm, sunny weather and peak sailing season.
Why Visit Road Town?
A hub for sailors and sun-seekers, Road Town is where yacht charters and busy marinas meet laid-back Caribbean life. Its Main Street offers duty-free shopping and rum shops, while nearby Cane Garden Bay and the harbor beaches provide classic snorkeling and sunset cocktails. Sample island seafood like conch fritters and soak up local regattas and market stalls that reflect Tortola’s salt-raking past.
Best Things to Do in Road Town
Island
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Tourist-oriented Caribbean island with Charlotte Amalie port
Island
Tortola
Main island of British Virgin Islands with yacht marinas
Island
Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Caribbean island with Virgin Islands National Park
Island
Anegada
Flat coral island in the British Virgin Islands
Island
Little Saint James
Private U.S. Virgin Islands island tied to Jeffrey Epstein
Island
Virgin Gorda
Island in the British Virgin Islands with rock formations
Park
Virgin Islands National Park
Protected Caribbean park covering beaches and coral reefs
Island
Jost Van Dyke
Small British Virgin Island known for beaches, bars
Road Town Bucket List
Don't Miss
Tortola Pier Park - Cruise terminal with shops, waterfront promenade, and easy access to Road Town sights.
Road Town Market - Bustling local market selling fresh produce, crafts, and street food near downtown.
Emancipation Garden - Green civic square hosting monuments, festivals, and community events beside the seafront.
Hidden Gems
Callwood Rum Distillery (Cane Garden Bay) - Historic family-run distillery on Tortola offering rum tastings and a glimpse into tradition.
J.R. O’Neal Botanical Gardens - Quiet garden showcasing native plants, shady paths, and interpretive signs about local flora.
Road Town Fish Market - Early-morning fish market where local fishermen sell fresh catch and lively banter.
Day Trips
Sage Mountain National Park - Highest point on Tortola with short rainforest trails and panoramic island views.
Virgin Gorda - The Baths - Short ferry to granite boulder labyrinth, clear pools, and secluded sandy coves.
Best Time to Visit Road Town
Visit Road Town between December and April for steady trade winds, lower humidity and calm seas ideal for snorkeling and island-hopping. Avoid the June-November hurricane window when storms can disrupt travel.
Dry Season
Perfect for beaches and boat trips - sunny days, lower humidity, calmer seas; expect more tourists, busier marinas, and slightly higher prices.
Wet Season
Afternoons bring heavy showers and lush green landscapes; humidity rises and snorkeling visibility drops, but hotel deals appear between storms.
Hurricane Season
Risk of tropical storms and hurricanes peaks; travel plans can be disrupted and ferry services suspended - buy flexible tickets and travel insurance.
Road Town's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1201 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 21° - 28° | 25° | 77 mm | some cloud | 76% | 4.3 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.0h |
| February | Ideal | 21° - 28° | 25° | 54 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 4.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.4h |
| March | Excellent | 21° - 29° | 25° | 61 mm | some cloud | 75% | 4.4 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Excellent | 22° - 29° | 26° | 78 mm | some cloud | 76% | 4.3 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Excellent | 23° - 30° | 26° | 122 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.3 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.9h |
| June | Excellent | 24° - 30° | 30° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.7 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.1h |
| July | Excellent | 24° - 31° | 31° | 77 mm | some cloud | 78% | 5.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.0h |
| August | Very Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 113 mm | some cloud | 78% | 4.7 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.6h |
| September | Very Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 137 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.0 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Excellent | 23° - 31° | 30° | 136 mm | some cloud | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.6h |
| November | Excellent | 23° - 30° | 26° | 149 mm | some cloud | 77% | 3.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.2h |
| December | Excellent | 22° - 28° | 25° | 129 mm | some cloud | 76% | 4.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 10.9h |
How to Get to Road Town
Road Town (Tortola) is reached mainly by air to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) or by ferry from nearby St. Thomas (STT) in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Once on Tortola, short taxis, shared minibuses and ferries form the backbone of local travel.
Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS): The island’s main airport is on Beef Island, a short bridge ride from Road Town. Taxis and shared airport shuttles run from EIS to Road Town (10-15 minutes); expect roughly USD 10-20 for a taxi and short shuttle transfers at similar rates.
St. Thomas - Cyril E. King Airport (STT): Many visitors arrive via St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands) and take a ferry to Tortola/Road Town. Ferries from Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook to Road Town or nearby ferry terminals take around 1 hour (allow extra time for customs) and fares commonly run in the USD 50-80 one-way range.
Train: There is no rail service to Tortola/Road Town.
Bus / Ferry: Road Town is served by regular ferries to other BVI islands and to St. Thomas; most inter-island travel uses passenger ferries. Local minibuses (shared taxis) are the main land public transport on Tortola - fares are low (a few USD) and journeys around Road Town are usually under 15 minutes.
How to Get Around Road Town
Road Town is small and best navigated by short taxi rides, shared minibuses and on-foot for the town centre; ferries are essential for travel to other islands. Renting a car helps for island-wide exploration but is unnecessary for most visitors.
- Taxis & Shuttles (USD 5-25) - Readily available at EIS and the ferry terminals; taxis are the quickest way to get between the airport, Road Town and nearby beaches. Drivers expect cash (USD); short trips within Road Town are inexpensive but fares rise for longer island transfers.
- Car rental (USD 40-90/day) - Car rental is available on Beef Island and in Road Town for those who want to explore the island independently. Roads are narrow and hilly in places - a small car is usually best. Expect island fuel and insurance surcharges.
- Ferries (inter-island) (USD 5-80) - Passenger ferries connect Road Town with other BVI islands and St. Thomas; schedules vary seasonally. Ferries are the most practical way to reach neighboring islands and are generally comfortable for short hops.
- Shared minibuses (route taxis) (USD 1-5) - The main local public transport on Tortola: shared minibuses run set routes and are the cheapest way to get around. They can be crowded, run to fixed stops, and are cash-only - helpful for short trips into and around Road Town.
- Walking - Road Town’s centre is compact and walkable; most shops, government buildings and restaurants are within easy walking distance of the ferry dock and main streets.
Where to Stay in Road Town
Budget
Road Town harbour - $60-140/night
Road Town has a handful of modest guesthouses and marina rooms; budget choices are limited but convenient for ferries and local restaurants.
Nanny Cay Marina & Hotel - Simple rooms by the marina, convenient location
Harbour Lodge (guesthouse) - Basic guesthouse near the ferry terminal
Mid-Range
Tortola (near Road Town) - $150-350/night
Mid-range options include small resorts and privately run inns-more comfort and amenities, but choices are few and often book early.
Scrub Island Resort (nearby) - Island resort reachable by short boat transfer
Local mid-range guesthouses - Private inns with simple comforts and charm
Luxury
Scrub Island / Road Town area - $350+/night
Luxury stays are limited to island resorts and private villas offering full services, high season fills quickly so reserve ahead.
Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina - Full-service resort with marina access
Nearby upscale villas & boutique resorts - Private villas and boutique resorts available
Nightlife in Road Town
Nightlife is concentrated around the marinas and hotel bars; evenings see relaxed waterfront pubs and occasional live music. If a cruise ship is in, the centre gets busier, otherwise nightlife is low-key and hotel-based.
Shopping in Road Town
Shopping in Road Town centers on harbor-front duty-free shops and small souvenir stores. Expect rum, jewelry, beachwear and a few local-art stalls rather than large malls. Speciality or artisan shopping is limited; the best finds are small boutiques near the pier.