5 Reasons why Montserrat should be on your Caribbean bucket list

By Francesca M From One Girl : One World

Montserrat, also known as the Emerald Island in the Caribbean, is a destination that has so much to offer. Once a haven for the rich and famous, Montserrat has earned it’s keep as a prime travel destination. While it may not be the first island that comes to mind when travelers consider the Caribbean, that is sure to change because there are so many reasons to visit. I went to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day and it was so much fun! The people are strong and proud after having endured an unexpected volcano eruption over Plymouth, the former capital. I had a great time witnessing the culture and experiencing life on this tiny gem that 5,000 people call home. Here are the top 5 reasons why you should visit Montserrat:

GENUINELY FRIENDLY PEOPLE:

montserrat west indies
A dance troupe welcomes visitors from the ferry
The thing I always remember most when I travel is my interactions with people. I found people of Montserrat to be genuinely friendly, and open to share their history and their culture with anyone who is curious. They answer even the toughest of questions with a smile, and the hospitality doesn’t end there. People told me stories of how boats used to come in from Antigua for certain holidays and residents of Montserrat would house whoever needed shelter, whether they knew them or not. I totally believe it. People often travel to the Caribbean seeking friendly hospitality, but this type of friendliness goes beyond good service at a five star hotel. It’s based on a sense of community. Everyone knows everyone, and even visitors will eventually start to recognize familiar faces after a few days. Tour operators are well-versed and kind (I recommend a trip to the buried city with Norman Cassell) and the hotel owners I met were equally nice. My homestay mom took me to the beach near her home for 15 minutes at 7am just so I could get a glimpse of the black sand before my flight!

A FASCINATING CULTURE:

Montserrat Caribbean Island St Patricks day parade
A steal drum band getting down on Saint Patricks’ Day!
There is an Irish influence that is undeniable, and it greets you the moment you arrive and get a little green clover stamped onto your passport. The Montserratian traditional dress is green, and there are towns named Plymouth and Salem. Guinness Beer was equally as present as the popular Caribbean staple Carib, and the people celebrate St Patricks day as a national holiday. The first Leeward Islands census, collected in 1678 by Governor William Stapleton, showed that Montserrat had the largest concentration of Irish inhabitants in the Lesser Antilles. While there are parts of the history that are unsettling (a lot of the Irish eventually owned slaves, hence the revolt that was attempted in 1768) there are still interesting references today like the Irish proverbs can be found scribbled on places like the park bench at Woodland’s Beach.

IT’S A MODERN DAY POMPEII:

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A before and after of Plymouth, Montserrat
Montserrat is home to Soufriere, which may look like an unassuming mountain, but is actually a volcano that began erupting in 1995 and didn’t stop until the capital and everything in it’s path was destroyed. The fascinating thing about visiting Plymouth is that many of the people who lived through the eruption are alive today. It’s not hard to find someone who can tell you what the town was like, how it was thriving, and how people like Elton John and Stevie Wonder could be spotted around town on a break from recording at Air Studios. The volcano eruption was an unpleasant surprise, as it was believed to be dormant before it started erupting. It was a slow process that happened over several years, so the majority of the residents made it out alive. The only way to visit is with a tour guide because the area is guarded by police 24/7. I recommend a visit the volcano observatory first so that you can have a full idea of what went down. You can also view the volcano from Jack Boy Hill, a picnic spot popular with hikers.

A BEAUTIFUL AND RELAXING ESCAPE:

Montserrat Caribbean Island
How could you not be at ease with views like this?
With shimmering blue waters, beautiful black sand beaches, and lush greenery, Montserrat makes for a truly relaxing escape. It enjoys the same fabulous weather as the rest of the islands, and is a place where you can let your guard down and forget about the time passing by. Because the population of Montserrat is only 5,000 people, it’s super safe. Everyone knows everyone, so the odds of someone attempting to harm anyone are very low. Take time to relax at one of these locally owned hotels and chill out!

WITH PLENTY OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE ADVENTUROUS TRAVELER:

While many choose to spend their Caribbean vacations relaxing on the beach, there are activities available for the adventure seeker as well. You can take a guided hike with Scriber’s Adventure Tours, or go snorkeling on Rendez-Vous bay, the only white sand beach on the island. Those seeking their thrills underwater can also take advantage of diving opportunities. For more information and ideas on how to get your adventure on, visit the Montserrat Tourism Board website.

restaurant montserrat
Don’t forget to try the food at Olveston House when you visit!

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE BEEN INSPIRED TO VISIT MONTSERRAT!

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