Capital-	Officially Plymouth, but mostly moved to Brades after a volcanic eruption in 1997
Language Spoken-	English
Best Time to Visit-	Nice all year! You might choose to avoid hurricane season (July through November).
Currency-	East Caribbean dollar
Must Eat-	"Goat water" stew, the island’s most popular dish
Must Drink-	Homemade ginger beer (available in many restaurants)
Learn to Say-	" Got some? " (the proper way to ask for goat water)
Life in Montserrat-	The island was heavily settled by Irish colonists, and is the only country outside Ireland where St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday. Schedule a vacation rental around March 17 to join the festivities!

Montserrat is a British-owned Caribbean island located in the Lesser Antilles. It is known as the "Emerald Isle of the Caribbean" because of its rolling green hills, and because it was settled by so many Irish. If you visit in March, bring plenty of green to wear, because the St. Patrick’s celebration lasts a whole week!
 
Soufrière Hills Volcano, located on the southern part of the island, became active in 1995 after lying dormant for centuries. It buried the capital city of Plymouth under many feet of ash, drawing comparisons to the ancient city of Pompeii. The village of Brades is now the center of political and economic activity in the island. The area around the volcano, known as the Soufrière Hills Volcano Exclusion Zone, encompasses 2/3 of the island which is unsafe to visit because of the volcano. The volcano and the ruins of Plymouth can be observed from many spots on the island, including Richmond Hill, Jack Boy Hill and Garibaldi Hill, and you can learn more at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. This is a rare chance to see an active Caribbean volcano!
 
The rainforests of Montserrat offer beautiful hiking full of rare tropical plants and animals. The Oriole Walkway, one of the most popular, winds among the diverse Centre Hills region, where the tropical growth is home to thirty-three species of tropical birds, including the Mangrove Cuckoo, the Purple-Throated Carib and the extremely rare Montserrat Oriole. The Silver Hills trail winds through the inactive volcanoes on the north end of the island, through dense forest and then out along the coastline. There are many natural wonders to explore in the interior of the island!
 
Most beaches on Montserrat have very soft, gray volcanic sand. You can visit the beach bars and restaurant at Little Bay beach, a popular swimming destination, or enjoy the secluded white sand of Rendezvous Beach, which you can reach only by boat or a challenging hike. You can choose between beaches that offer amenities and beaches that are untouched by development. You can shore fish at many beaches, or take a boat out for the excellent deep-sea fishing around the island.
 
Montserrat offers great snorkeling and diving. Its unique underwater geography features ledges and cliffs formed by the flow of lava. There are underwater caves, as well as some amazing cave diving at Rendezvous Beach. There are a few dive shops on the island to help with everything you need.
 
Shopping on Montserrat, you’ll find a wonderful selection of locally made crafts. Baskets woven from sea island cotton, leather goods made by local crafters, and island treats like guava jelly are all available. Soap made from volcanic ash and local herbs is a popular item here.
 
Montserrat is full of dining options, from local bakeries, to cheap and delicious local restaurants, as well as fine oceanside dining. For nightlife, try a tour of the local rum shops that line the roads—a great place to meet locals and discover the island’s culture.
 
Your island vacation rental on Montserrat is sure to be a relaxed adventure, full of beautiful sights and Irish-Caribbean charm!