Road Town is the capital city of the
British Virgin Islands territory, and it is located on Tortola Island, the largest in size and population of the British Virgin Islands. Road Town has a stunning location at the heart of the southern coast of the island, upon the busy Road Harbor, the ever-scenic port in the shape of a horseshoe.
The city has grown substantially over the years, because of its main activity as a spot that is easily accessible to the ships and yachts. Its location also remains a critical factor in the growth and development of the tourism industry in the city.
The outskirts of Road Town are simply magnificent, consisting of stunning natural forestry, hills and mountain ranges, and valleys with trails that are excellent for hiking and biking through. From atop these mountains, the sweeping panoramic views of the city below are best achieved.
The city of Road Town has significantly advanced, and its cityscape is enough proof. New modern buildings have been built featuring intricate modern designs like those of the central business district and the administrative centers. However, the ancient buildings remain in place, as seen in the HM Prison structures that date as far back as 1774.
Outdoor activities in Road Town are numerous. Thanks to the beautiful white sand beaches and magnificent turquoise blue waters, beach-going remains at the top of the list. Swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, and even fishing are everyday activities too. Because of the many ships and yachts that dock in the harbor, visitors can also take to hours and hours of cruising through the island to any nearby islands and destinations.
There are many natural and planted fun parks in Road Town, and family-themed fun activities are some of the things visitors can venture into.
The city of Road Town experiences a tropical climate as classified by the Köppen climatic classification. The weather is mainly influenced by the dominant trade winds and features extremely hot, humid, and wet summers and autumns, and warm, pleasant, and moderately dry winters and springs. The hurricane season is between
June and
November, and visitors remain advised.
The annual average temperature sticks to highs of 29°C (84.2°F) and lows of 22°C (71.6°F) on average, with an annual daily mean temperature of 25.3°C (77.5°F). Since the weather is regulated by the trade winds, extremely cold days are rare, but scorching days of up to 35°C (95°F) are common during the peak of summer.
The driest month of the year is
March, with only 55mm (2.2") collecting in the rain gauge, while November remains the wettest month with a high 179mm (7") recording in precipitation.
The peak of the travel season in Road Town falls between
December and
April, from winter through spring. Between June and
July is yet another popular time to visit the city. Both periods feature warm, humid, and moderately dry days to allow for an excellent time to venture out. The seasons are devoid of the scorching heat of the peak of summer, and the heavy rains are experienced in
May and between
August and November.
Seeing that the peak of the tourist season falls in the end and beginning of the year, the major festivals in Road Town include the Christmas celebrations, the vibrant New Year celebrations, and the spring-time Easter Festival.