Get travel and medical insurance
Before travelling, the Department strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
Overview
Overview
Security status
We advise you to take normal precautions.
Latest Travel Alert
Extreme Weather in the Caribbean Region
Hurricane Irma passed over the Caribbean on 7 to 10 September causing severe flooding and damage to buildings and infrastructure across the region, including popular tourist areas. Some areas may still be without mains water supply or electricity, so extra care is needed during hours of darkness. Airports have reopened and flights have resumed but there may be delays.
You should follow the advice of the local authorities and your hotel or tour operator.
If you have a holiday booked for a future date you should liaise with your tour operator or contact your hotel to check if there has been any hurricane damage/whether the hotel is open and functional. There may be problems with utilities and services for the foreseeable future while the recovery is underway.
There is currently an outbreak of Zika Virus (a dengue-like mosquito-borne disease) in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Irish Citizens are advised to follow guidance available on the website of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) at http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Vectorborne/Zika/.
Emergency assistance
Because there is no resident Irish Embassy or Consulate in Anguilla, we are limited in the help as can offer you in an emergency situation. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Irish Embassy in Washington DC in the United States.
Other EU embassies
You can also contact the Embassies or Consulates of other EU countries for emergency consular assistance, advice and support.
Our tips for safe travels:
- Purchase comprehensive travel insurance which covers all your intended activities.
- Add an alert for your destination within the Travelwise App.
- Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
- Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
- Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.
Safety and Security
Safety and security
Terrorism
While the threat from terrorism is minimal, it is important not to rule out the risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by tourists and expatriates.
Crime
Crime remains relatively low but you should take sensible precautions:
- Don’t carry your passport unless absolutely necessary and leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home.
- Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t use ATMs after dark.
- Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, and arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.
- Lock doors and windows at night.
Reporting crime
If you’re a victim of a crime, report it to the local police immediately. And you can contact us at the Irish Embassy in Washington DC if you need help.
Driving
If you’re planning to drive in Anguilla, be careful and take these simple precautions:
- Bring your full Irish and international driving license and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance
- Keep your vehicle doors locked and your bags kept out of sight to prevent opportunistic bag-snatching if you’re stopped at traffic lights
Hiring a vehicle
If you’re hiring a vehicle, do not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you’re allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.
Local laws and customs
Health
Additional information
Additional information
Visa
Ask your travel agent or contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Anguilla, for information on the entry requirements for Anguilla. Also you can also check with them how long your passport must be valid for.
Airport departure tax
If you’re staying more than 24 hours, an airport departure is payable for each adult (over the age of 12 years).
Medical facilities
We advise you to check with the medical clinic if they will accept your medical travel insurance as payment for emergency medical treatment, as well as liaising with your insurance company.
Hurricane season
The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from July to October. You should pay close attention to local and international weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities. You can monitor weather updates by accessing, for example, the Weather Channel, or the US National Hurricane Centre website.
Further travel information
Further travel advice is available from other foreign ministries:
- UK: Foreign and Commonwealth Office
- Canada: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
- New Zealand: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- USA: Department of State