Is it Safe to Travel To US Virgin Islands in 2022? – Safety Travel Guide
Is it Safe to Travel To US Virgin Islands? It definitely is! The United States Virgin Islands are known as "America's Caribbean Paradise." Each island has something unique to offer. A visit to the islands today may not look the same as it did several years ago.
Is it Safe to Travel To US Virgin Islands?
It definitely is! The United States Virgin Islands are known as “America’s Caribbean Paradise.” Each island has something unique to offer. A visit to the islands today may not look the same as it did several years ago. Hurricanes Maria and Irma wreaked havoc on the islands, rendering homes and hotels uninhabitable or severely damaged. However, since 2017, the region has made great strides toward restoration and is once again welcoming visitors. So, if you’re looking for a beach vacation, don’t wait to book your trip.
Latest News & Events
Travel Concerns
Table of Contents
Let us shed some light on the US Virgin Islands travel restrictions.
Before traveling, make sure to get vaccinated and complete any additional recommended doses at least 14 days before departure. Review the COVID-19 and International Travel Health Notice. You should continue to avoid non-essential travel to all destinations if you have not completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.
COVID-19 - Entry, Exit, And Transit Restrictions And Requirements
Because of COVID-19, most governments have implemented special entry and exit restrictions and requirements for their territories.
These measures, which may be imposed abruptly, may include:
- Bans on entry or exit
- International transportation options may be suspended or reduced if quarantine requires proof of vaccination or COVID-19 testing.
Foreign authorities may refuse to recognize or accept vaccination proof issued by Canadian provinces and territories. A translation, notarization, authentication, or legalization of the document may be required.
Before you travel, check to see if the local authorities in your current location and your destination have imposed any restrictions or requirements related to this situation. Consider your transit points as well, as many destinations have transit rules in place. Keep an eye on the news for the most up-to-date information, and confirm your requirements with your airline or tour operator. Your travel plans may be hampered as a result of the situation. You should not rely on the Government of Canada to change your travel plans.
Each country or territory determines who can enter and exit its borders. If you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements, the Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf.
The United States Virgin Islands is a US territory. The information on this page was obtained from American authorities. It is, however, subject to change at any time.
Prior to traveling, confirm entry/exit requirements:
- United States entry and exit requirements
- Customs and Border Protection in the United States
- Consulates and embassies of the United States in Canada
The type of passport you use for travel affects the entry requirements.
Check with your transportation company about passport requirements before you travel. Its passport validity rules may be more stringent than the country’s entry requirements.
Regular Canadian Passport
Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are in the country.
Passport Required For Official Travel
Different entry requirements may apply.
Passport With Gender Identifier "X"
While the Canadian government issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, the government cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries.
In countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier, you may face entry restrictions. Check with the nearest foreign representative for your destination before you depart.
Other Travel Documents
When traveling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document, different entry rules may apply.
Check with the nearest foreign representative for your destination before you depart.
Other Entry Requirements
Customs officers may request a return or onward ticket as well as proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of your stay.
General Travel Advice
The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November each year and can bring heavy rain, flooding, and extremely high winds to the eastern and southern United States.
Citizens who plan to visit the affected area during this time should consider whether they need to travel based on information about extreme weather forecasts.
Health Concerns for tourists
Routine Vaccines
Regardless of your travel destination, ensure that your routine vaccines are up to date according to your province or territory.
Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza, and other vaccines are among them.
Pre-Travel Vaccines And Medications
You may be at risk for preventable diseases while traveling to this destination such as:
- Yellow Fever
- Hepatitis A
- Measles
- Hepatitis B
- COVID-19
- Influenza
Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines are right for you.
Food and Water-borne Diseases
Travelers to any destination in the world can get travelers’ diarrhea from drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food.
Food and water can carry diseases such as cholera, hepatitis A, schistosomiasis, and typhoid in some Caribbean areas. While in the Caribbean, take safe food and water precautions. Remember to boil, cook, peel, or leave it!
Insects and Illness
Certain insects in the Caribbean carry and spread diseases such as chikungunya, dengue fever, malaria, West Nile virus, and Zika virus.
It is recommended that travelers take precautions against bites.
- Chikungunya
- Dengue
- Zika virus
Animals and Disease
Animals such as dogs, monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats should be avoided by travelers.
Some infections found in the Caribbean, such as rabies, can be transmitted between humans and animals.
Person-to-Person Infections
Certain illnesses can be exacerbated by crowded conditions.
To avoid colds, the flu, and other illnesses, wash your hands frequently and use proper cough and sneeze etiquette.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are transmitted through bodily fluids; practice safer sex.
Medical Services & Facilities
Good medical care is available on all of the islands.
For medical services, some clinics and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. However, getting prescriptions refilled can be difficult. Make sure you have enough medication for your stay, as well as extra in case of an emergency.
Medical evacuation can be very expensive, but it may be necessary in the event of a serious illness or injury. Make certain that your travel insurance covers medical evacuation and hospital stays.
Safety & Crime Concerns
Is it Safe to Travel To US Virgin Islands?
Let us provide you with an answer to this question by providing you with some basic information.
Crime
Pickpocketing and purse snatching are examples of petty crime.
Maintain the security of your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, at all times. Avoid isolated beaches and unpopulated areas after dark, and stay in hotels and resorts with good security. Violent crime is uncommon, but it does occur.
Women's security
Sexual assault incidents occur. Women traveling alone may face some form of harassment or verbal abuse.
Laws & Politics
Local laws must be followed.
Learn what you should do and how we can assist you if you are arrested or detained in another country.
Drugs
Penalties for illegal drug possession, use, or trafficking are severe.
Convicted offenders face jail time and hefty fines.
- Travel, alcohol, and drugs- Over 1,700 Canadians are imprisoned abroad, with more than one-third of them serving time for drug-related offenses. Carrying any type of drug, including prescription drugs, across international borders can cause complications.
- International travel and cannabis- Cannabis is legal in Canada for adults. However, it is still illegal to transport cannabis and cannabis-containing products across the Canadian border, including edible cannabis, cannabis extracts, and cannabis topicals. Even if you are authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes in any form, including cannabidiol (CBD), or if you are traveling to or from a municipality, state, or country where cannabis has been legalized or decriminalized, if you are entering Canada and have cannabis with you in any form, you must declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency. It is a serious criminal offense to fail to declare cannabis in your possession at the Canadian border. You could be arrested and charged.
Dual Citizenship
In the United States, dual citizenship is legally recognized.
If you are a Canadian citizen who is also a US citizen, our ability to provide consular services to you may be limited while you are there. Different entry/exit requirements may also apply.
International Child Abduction
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a treaty that governs international child abduction.
It can assist parents in obtaining the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of their parental rights. The convention is binding on Canada and the United States.
If your child was wrongfully taken to or is being held in the US Virgin Islands, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply to the US Virgin Islands court for your child’s return.
Driving
Traffic is on the left, but nearly all of the cars on the island have steering wheels on the left. Driving in the US Virgin Islands requires a valid Canadian driver’s license.
Emergency And Natural Disaster Response
Hurricanes are most common from mid-May to the end of November.
During this time, even minor tropical storms can rapidly grow into major hurricanes.
These severe storms can endanger you and impede the delivery of essential services. If you choose to visit a coastal area during hurricane season:
- Understand that you put yourself in grave danger
- Be prepared to change your travel plans at the last minute, including shortening or canceling your trip.
- Keep up with the most recent regional weather forecasts
- Carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator and heed local authorities’ advice and instructions.
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