Author: Harman Stinson

Montserrat was once called the “Emerald Isle of the Caribbean,” a phrase coined by Columbus. It is graced with lush mountains and landscape crowned by three towering volcanoes. Unfortunately, one of those volcanoes–the Soufrière Hills volcano–erupted in 1995, making most of the island uninhabitable.

Now, most of Montserrat’s residents live off-island–many having since relocated to Britain–while a very few remain in the less affected northern part of the island, or in emergency shelters, while waiting out the “storm.” Even with a volcano that continues to erupt periodically, tourists visit Montserrat, though certainly not in the number they once did.

The capitol of Plymouth, with its Georgian-style houses and winding streets, now lays under many feet of ash.

Since the last major eruption, the governmental center of the island has been relocated to Brades near Carr’s Bay/Little Bay. But as of now, the island has no “cultural hub” like Plymouth was before the eruption. This can make finding provisions difficult since there is no major town center.

The only people allowed into the restricted (read: dangerous) zone are scientists or people with business in that area. But there are many helicopter tours available to give you a bird’s-eye view of the southern portion of the island.

Many locals who moved to England, Canada, or other British territories after the eruption are beginning to return and in the coming years Montserrat may again emerge as a major tourist destination, but for now it seems to only attract the courtesy of a few.

If you are interested in visiting the island, it’s best to contact the tourist board for updated information.

Traveling to/in Montserrat
To get to Montserrat you must fly to Antigua and either take a ferry or a helicopter charter to the island; the latter will prove to be a much more expensive route. The ferry ride takes about one hour, while the helicopter takes just twenty minutes. You can also arrive via helicopter from St. Kitts. To see the ferry or helicopter schedules click here.

Once on island, the best way to get around is either by taxi or rental a car. You can also get a bus tour from one of the island’s tour companies.

Weather in Montserrat
Because of its location, the weather in Montserrat is almost always warm. The average high temperature throughout the year is around 80°F. The rainiest time of year is between June and December. Weatherwise, the least desirable time to visit is during hurricane season, which runs from June through October.

Montserrat Information
Population: 5000 (est. 2000)
Government: Territory of the United Kingdom
Square Miles: 39.5 sq mi (102 sq km)
Capitol: Plymouth (mostly destroyed, August 1997)
Brades, in Carr’s Bay/Little Bay (established after eruption)
Official Languages: English
People: African (90%), mixed descent (6%), European and East Indian (4%)
Religion: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and other Christian denominations
Major products/industries: tourism (until 1995), rum, textiles, electronic appliances

Panama has a checkered past, but as a modern country it runs one of the world’s most important waterways, the Panama Canal, and has built for itself a large offshore investing business. From its capitol at Panama City to its rainforests and rich coastlines, Panama is a beautiful land, but it suffers from increasing crime and an uncertain government.

Panama is a proud and striking nation with a population of seven indigenous groups and a strong Spanish legacy. And it’s is a wonderful place to travel, as long as you’re careful and conscious of your surroundings.

If you want to see Panama at its cultural best, Carnaval is celebrated the weekend before Ash Wednesday in Panama City. It’s one of the largest and most vibrant Carnaval celebrations in the world.

Traveling in Panama
If you are an American, Japanese, New Zealander, or Venezuelan citizen, it is required that you have a tourist visa or tourist card to enter Panama. You should contact your embassy or consulate for details.

While traveling in Panama is considerably cheaper than traveling in the United States, for instance, it will also tend to be pricier than most other Central American countries. Expect to pay about US$20-30 per day, on a moderate budget, for food, accommodations, and other expenses. A budget traveler can find room and board for as low as US$10-15 per day. The Panamanian currency is called the balboa, but it’s exactly the same as the U.S. dollar, from the rate of exchange (which is unnecessary if using U.S. currency) all the way to the bills they use. Even the coins are the same shape, weight, and substance as U.S. coins. Exchanging other types of currency can be easily done at a casa de cambio, of which there are many throughout the small nation.

Tipping 10% of your bill can be done at finer restaurants; however, it’s not necessary at more casual establishments, such as cafes. Haggling over goods is not customary in Panama.

Health Risks in Panama
Health risks include dengue, hantavirus, malaria, rabies, and yellow fever. It is advised that you consult a doctor about what shots you may need before traveling to Panama.

Weather in Panama
The best time to go to Panama is during the dry season, between December and April. During the rainy season the weather can be humid, damp, and very uncomfortable, especially if you take part in strenuous activities like hiking, etc. The rain in Panama typically comes in short downpours that have a cooling and cleansing effect on the air.

Panama Information
Population: 2,800,000
Government: Constitutional Republic
Square Miles: 30,420 sq mi (78,000 sq km)
Capitol: Panama City (pop: 700,000)
Official Languages: Spanish, English, and Native languages
People: 65% mestizo, 14% African descent, 10% Spanish descent, 10% Indian
Religion: 85% Roman Catholic, 10% Protestant, 5% Islamic
Major products/industries: Banking, construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling, shipping, and agriculture