CVOA has wonderful villas in Tortola

Tortola villa rentals are a wonderful way to enjoy the past of the West Indies and the amazing present of the British Virgin Islands.

World-renowned for its remarkable sailing, Tortola is also famous for her gorgeous unspoiled and uncrowded white powdery beaches with tranquil seas. Adventurers can scuba dive or snorkel in the clear blue waters, windsurf, boogie board, surf and swim with the dolphins. Hike to the ridge of Sage Mountain National Park and enjoy spectacular views of the rainforest or traverse the trails on horseback. Shoppers will delight in the unique Caribbean crafts, jewelry, surf and beach wear and island gifts offered on Tortola. Experience traditional Caribbean cuisine with the freshest seafood or savor Asian, Continental American, French and Italian dishes. Tortola welcomes you, come enjoy her relaxed, casual character.

Tortola villas make a better alternative to a luxury hotel with complete privacy and no schedule on your luxury villa vacation. Book your Tortola villa rental from CVOA's extensive selection of luxury Tortola villas.

Tortola, is the capital island of the British Virgin Islands with Road Town being the capital city. It is a mountainous island with an area of 21.5 sq miles.

The official language of Tortola and the British Virgin Islands is English. Although older natives have a thick and distinctive West Indian accent that can be hard to understand at times, those in the tourist industry speak clearly. Politeness and decorum are strongly emphasized because of the influence of British culture. Unlike the common American English habit of beginning a conversation without a greeting, it is generally expected to start any conversation with a "Good morning," or whatever the applicable time of day.

Tortola, BVI History

Arawak Indians from South America were first to settle the Virgin Islands by around 100 BC. There is some evidence though, of Amerindian presence on the islands as far back as 1500 BC. The more aggressive Caribs, a tribe from the Lesser Antilles islands of whom the Caribbean Sea is named, displaced the Arawaks who dwelled on the islands until the fifteenth century. This popular account of warlike Caribs chasing peaceful Arawaks out of the Caribbean islands is believed by some historians to be based on simplistic European stereotypes.

Christopher Columbus, on his second voyage to the Americas in 1493, was the first European to sight the Virgin Islands. Columbus named the islands Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Vírgenes, shortened to Las Vírgenes (The Virgins), after Saint Ursula and her 11,000 Virgins.

Early in the sixteenth century, the Spanish Empire acquired the islands, mining copper on Virgin Gorda. In the following years, the Danish, Dutch, English, French and Spanish all tried to gain control of the region. The islands became an infamous locality for pirates. The native Amerindian population was wiped out during the process of colonization.

In 1648, the Dutch founded a permanent settlement on the island of Tortola. Tortola was captured from the Dutch by the English in 1672. In 1680, the British annexation of Anegada and Virgin Gorda followed. Meanwhile, the Danish gained control of the nearby islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, over the period 1672­1733.

Primarily considered a strategic possession, the British islands were planted when economic conditions were decidedly good. Sugar cane was introduced by the British which became the principal crop and source of foreign trade. African slaves were brought in to work on the sugar cane plantations. The increase in the sugar beet crop in the United States and Europe considerably reduced sugar cane production, resulting in the decline of the Islands’ economy.

The United States purchased St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John from Denmark for US$25 million in 1917, renaming them the United States Virgin Islands. Afterwards, the British renamed the islands under their control as the British Virgin Islands.

With an Administrator representing the British Government on the Islands, the British Virgin Islands were administered variously as part of the Leeward Islands Colony or with St. Kitts and Nevis. In 1960, the Islands gained separate colony status and became autonomous in 1967. The Islands have changed, since the 1960s, from their traditionally agriculture-based economy towards financial services and tourism, becoming one of the most prosperous areas in the Caribbean.

Economy and Demographics

Tortola’s population is approximately 23,908 residents. Road Town is the main settlement and is the capital of the British Virgin Islands.

The primary source of revenue to the island are Financial Services. Resulting in a large growth in government income, the extremely popular International Business Companies Act was passed in the early 1980s. Because BVI residents are some of the most prosperous in the Eastern Caribbean, many residents from other Caribbean islands are employed there.

The U.S. dollar is the official currency of Tortola, although the British Virgin Islands (BVI) fly the British flag. Many offshore companies doing business worldwide make the island their home.

Visitors either arrive by boat or fly to Beef Island Airport and drive to Tortola across the short Queen Elizabeth Bridge. Cane Garden Bay and other white-sand beaches, are popular attractions.

Transportaion

Many wealthy visitors take charter boat trips from one of several marinas to some of the many smaller and less-inhabited islands that offer mooring and amenities, these are some of the best places to visit. However, there are many beautiful places throughout the four main islands that are easily accessible even though charter-boat tourism makes up the majority of travel to the British Virgin Islands. The island has many small independent car rental agencies, all with fairly comparable fees. Hertz, though, is not recommended. Since demand is usually high, rates start at $50 per day and up. The many winding mountain roads and cliffs, washed-out roads, and roaming livestock along with driving on the left side of the road, can make driving in the BVI very difficult. Even though driving at your own pace is a good way to see all of Tortola, a readily available taxi tour can be an excellent alternative as drivers know all the good spots. Taxis are plentiful on Tortola and rates will generally allow you to travel anywhere you would like for less than the cost of car rental, as long as you drive with a legitimate taxi association driver. Large modified open-air pickup trucks with bench seating and a canvas top or full-sized passenger vans are referred to as "Buses" in Tortola. Traveling by bus is often an option when traveling from the airport to Road Town or from town to either end of the island. It can also be less expensive option than having a taxi to oneself.