Tortola

Introduction

Renting a Villa in Tortola

Points of Interest

A drive around Tortola gives you a glimpse of island life. Goats, horses, donkeys, short haired sheep, and cattle wander the roads. The children play in the school yard in crisp colorful uniforms. Road repair seems to be constant. The business districts are busy. Despite all of the activity, Tortola is light years away from the cacophony of nearby St. Thomas.

There is a useful brochure that pinpoints points of interest, Tortola restaurants and shops of Road Town on a map. The small road map of the BVI that is available at most Tortola hotels is handy. There are a number of interesting places to visit: J.R. O'NEAL BOTANIC GARDENS - Located in Road Town, this 3-acre site exhibits rare and indigenous tropical plants.

MAIN STREET, Road Town - Overshadowed by the wider and busier Waterfront Drive, one-way Main Street offers fun Tortola shopping in tiny shops that crowd the narrow street. Step out of shops carefully as the sidewalks are frequently mere curbs and a passing car takes up a lot of the available space! The Post Office and its Philatelic Bureau are here on Main Street. Don't leave Main Street without stopping into the Sunny Caribbee Herb and Spice Company and the Serendipity Gift Shop! THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOLK MUSEUM on Main Street, Road Town - This museum features interesting artifacts and ancient pottery as well as tropical fish and other marine life.

FORT GEORGE - Fort Hill, Road Town features the ruins of an old fort.

FORT CHARLOTTE - This fort is located at the top of the MacNamara section of Road Town on Harrigan's Hill FORT RECOVERY - Located in Tortola's West End, it is believed that this stone tower was built in 1648 by the first Danish settlers.

THE WILLIAM THORNTON ESTATE RUIN - Off the Sir Francis Drake's Highway at Pleasant Valley, this was the home of the designer of the U.S. Capital building in Washington D.C.

THE DUNGEON - Located in Pockwood Pond, halfway between Road Town and West End, this fort was built in 1794. SOPER'S HOLE, West End of Tortola - There is a Customs Office here and many visitors from St. Thomas or St. John (USVI) clear in at this point. There are a number of brightly colored shops and a very pretty yacht harbor.

THE CALLWOOD RUM DISTILLERY - Located at Cane Garden Bay, you can observe rum being made.

MOUNT SAGE NATIONAL PARK - Here at Tortola's highest point there are trails through tropical woodlands.

SKY WORLD - As you tour Tortola, stop by to enjoy the view and the famous drinks at this restaurant perched on a mountain top.

THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II BRIDGE - Connects Tortola with Beef Island, the location of the British Virgin Islands' main airport.

ISLAND HOPPING - If time permits, be sure to catch one of the ferries to the other British Virgin Islands including Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Peter Island, Anegada and tiny Marina Cay. If you go to Jost Van Dyke for the day, stop by Foxy's then catch a ride over the hill from Great Harbour to Little Harbour. Here you will find Harris' Place and Sydney's Peace & Love, two establishments that cater to the Caribbean sailing crowd offering great rum drinks (pour your own on the honor system) and the some of the best lobster dinners around. Watch for Nippy, the Traveling Salesman who gets about in a dingy selling handmade shell jewelry.