BVI tops ranking -Visitors like it least developed

Though touting neighbouring countries such as the US Virgin Islands as ‘cheaper alternatives’ to vacationing in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), this year’s US News & World Report has found that the BVI remains the Number One ranked place to vacation in the Caribbean.

Based on its recently released findings, the agency said: “The British Virgin Islands are some of the most exclusive and least developed islands of the Caribbean, but this only adds to their appeal.”

“The resorts, villas, restaurants and other tourist attractions in this paradise are known to emphasize spare luxury over sprawling expansion, and they attract travelers with deep pockets and a love for sailing and seclusion,” added the report.

It said people should visit Anegada for “supreme seclusion”, adding that The Baths on Virgin Gorda is perhaps the most picturesque shore in the BVI. But the report advised visitors to be “mindful of day-tripping crowds” at The Baths.

The US News & World Report, which is a long established American media company, said its travel ranking is based on “an analysis of expert and user opinions”. The report is particularly popular in North America – one of the BVI’s largest tourism markets.

Other destinations that have made the agency’s list of Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean include: Guadeloupe (ranked number two), followed by St Lucia, Curacao, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, St Martin, Martinique, and Havana in Cuba.

SAFETY

The US News & World Report further stated that the top-ranked BVI remains a safe destination for visitors.

“Crime is rare and hardly a concern for most BVI travelers. Your biggest safety hazard will be avoiding livestock as you try to navigate the many narrow dirt roads of the British Virgin Islands.”

“But your best bet for avoiding the islands’ goats, chickens and sheep is not renting a car at all. Between the animals, the left-side driving and the unpaved dirt paths masquerading as roads, it’s not worth it [to rent a car],” added the US News & World Report.