Allihuagana, Emerald Land, Caribbean Pompeii, Abandoned Country... When calling Montserrat this way, a tourist who has visited an exotic corner is not mistaken - the island actually has several names. One is official, others were inherited from the ancient Indians or appeared in modern times. What is so attractive about this region for travelers? In short, nature and history.
See Montserrat on the map
Montserrat Island on the world map or a detailed map of the island can be viewed using the navigation buttons (+/-). Caribbean on the map
The land is located in the chain of the Lesser Antilles and is one of the British possessions. Its coastline is washed by the Caribbean Sea, adjacent to Saint Kitts and Nevis in the northwest, Antigua and Barbuda in the northeast, and French Guadeloupe in the south. The total area of Caribbean Pompeii is 102 km².
The self-explanatory name is no coincidence; in 1995, one of the three volcanoes, Soufriere Hills, came to life. The result of his awakening was the destruction of the capital, the town of Plymouth. Now this temporary status is occupied by the village of Brades, located in the northern part of the territory. During the eruption, two-thirds of the population left the island; currently the number of permanent residents is about 13 thousand.
Holidays to Montserrat
Figuratively speaking, holidays in Montserrat can be divided into three main areas: beach, research, and environmental. The first is the traditional joy that the hospitable Caribbean gives to all tourists: sunbathing, underwater adventures in scuba masks, boat trips, fishing.
The second one will be appreciated by those inclined to adventure, since on the abandoned territory of the island there are many dilapidated buildings, the inspection of which guarantees strong emotions. This also includes mountain climbing.
The third direction is ecotourism. This Caribbean island is virtually divided into two parts: rocky, lifeless, gloomy and blooming, bright, charming in a Caribbean way. Whatever the purpose of the voyage, travelers will find cozy hotels, good cuisine, less crowds and a lot of impressions.
Nature of Montserrat
Wet tropical thickets in the mountains, bright flowers, lush ferns near rivers and waterfalls gradually fade away to the lifeless, without a single blade of grass, rocky southern part of the island. Not so long ago, of the three volcanoes, Chance Mountain was considered the highest - 915 meters. After all the eruptions, the lava domes of Soufriere Hills outgrew their neighbor by one and a half dozen meters.
The soil in some areas of Montserrat is fertile; before the sad events, agriculture flourished: lime, sugar cane, avocados, bananas, mangoes, and coconuts were grown on an industrial scale. Now the places where the plantations were green are only suitable for filming a film about the fulfilled prophecies of the Apocalypse. However, ecotourism will delight lovers of natural beauty: the forest thickets are magnificent, the steep banks serve as a haven for bird colonies, and solitude on the wonderful coast will fill you with energy and delight.
Attractions Montserrat
It is preferable to start your acquaintance with Montserrat with an aerial review. For a relatively small fee you can admire from above the volcanoes, the turquoise transparency of the waves, and the mountain slopes covered with forests.
Then go down to earth and go to the former capital. It is abandoned, but not torn to pieces by looters. People fled from their native lands, in a hurry taking only documents and savings. Now the settlement looks both depressing (houses, churches, shopping centers, the port are overgrown, cars are abandoned, streets are filled with cooled lava) and mysterious. A feeling of unreality is created: there are dishes on dusty tables, jackets on hangers in closets, portraits on the walls, unopened bottles in bars, equipment from those times... A wonderful opportunity, having crossed decades, not only to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the recent 90s, but also in an earlier period . The outlines of many buildings reveal an elegant colonial style; the remains of ancient estates are majestic and mysterious.
It is not for nothing that guests of the island flock to Montserrat in winter - at this time traditional festivities take place here. The Christmas festival begins in mid-December and the fun continues until the beginning of January: carnivals, processions, beauty contests, musical parties a la Calypso, fairs. In other months, the measured way of life in the original villages will delight those seeking solitude and peace.
When is the best time to go to Montserrat
The climate in Montserrat is subequatorial. The temperature closer to the sea varies, depending on the season, from 24 to 35 degrees; in the mountains, of course, it is cooler - from 18 to 27 degrees. Tropical hurricanes are possible in late summer and early Caribbean autumn. January and the spring months are recognized as the best in terms of recreation.
An ambiguous, mysterious, charming island in its exotic harmony. It may not be a very suitable place for traveling with children, but adventurers in the 18+ age category will definitely not forget a trip to Montserrat!
