Banks -- Banks are generally open Monday to Thursday 8am to 3pm, Friday 9am to 5pm. Most banks have ATMs.
Business Hours -- Most offices are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Government offices are open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Shops are generally open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.
Emergencies -- If you have a medical emergency, call Peebles Hospital, Porter Road, Road Town, Tortola (tel. 284/494-3497), which has X-ray and laboratory facilities. Your hotel can also put you in touch with the local medical staff. For police and fire emergencies throughout the British Virgin Islands, call either tel. 999 or 911.
Internet Access -- Internet access is limited in the B.V.I. If your hotel or resort doesn't provide service, there are some options, mostly in Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
Liquor Laws -- The legal minimum age for purchasing liquor or drinking alcohol in bars or restaurants is 21. Alcoholic beverages can be sold any day of the week, including Sunday. You can have an open container on the beach, but be careful not to litter or you might be fined.
Lost Property -- Go to the local police station. Sometimes they'll broadcast notice of your lost property on the local radio station.
Mail -- Postal rates in the British Virgin Islands are 35¢ for a postcard (airmail) to the United States or Canada, 55¢ for a first-class airmail letter (1/2 oz.) to the United States or Canada. Mailing a postcard to the U.K. costs 40¢; a first-class letter via airmail, 60¢.
Maps -- The best map of the British Virgin Islands is published by Vigilate and is sold at most bookstores in Road Town on Tortola.
Newspapers & Magazines -- The B.V.I. have no daily newspaper, but the Island Sun, published Wednesday and Friday, is a good source of information on local entertainment, as is the BVI Beacon, published on Thursday. Standpoint is another helpful publication that comes out on Monday and Saturday. You can find these in most supermarkets and shops.
Police -- The main police headquarters is on Waterfront Drive near the ferry docks on Sir Olva Georges Plaza (tel. 284/494-3822) in Tortola. There are also police stations on Virgin Gorda (tel. 284/495-9828) and on Jost Van Dyke (tel. 284/495-9345).
Safety -- Crime virtually does not exist on many of the remote islands of the B.V.I. chain. The most crime, usually minor robberies, occurs in Tortola, with less theft reported on Virgin Gorda. The usual precautions that a careful person would follow anywhere are advised, of course.
Taxes -- There is no sales tax. A government tax of 7% is imposed on all hotel rooms. A $20 departure tax is collected from everyone leaving by air, $5 for those departing by ferry, and $7 for those departing by cruise ship.
Telephone -- You can call the British Virgins from the United States by just dialing 1, the area code 284, and the number; from the U.K. dial 011-44, then the number. To call the U.S. from the B.V.I., just dial 1 + area code and the number; to call the U.K., dial 011-44, then the number.
Tipping & Service Charges -- Most hotels add on a 5% to 15% service charge; ask if it's already included when you're initially quoted a price. A 10% service charge is often (but not always) added on to restaurant bills; you can leave another 5% if you thought the service was unusually good. You usually don't need to tip taxi drivers, since most own their own cabs, but you can tip 10% if they've been especially helpful.
Tourist Office -- The headquarters of the B.V.I. Tourist Board is in the center of Road Town (on Tortola), close to the ferry dock, south of Wickham's Cay I (tel. 284/494-3134).
