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You are here > Home > Plan Your Trip > Visitor Information > Safe Travel

“Stay Safe” has become a very commonly-used phrase in recent years. What does this mean for the Falkland Islands?

The Falkland Islands are a very safe place to visit. Threats to personal safety and thefts of any items are extremely rare, particularly for visitors to the Islands. Walking around the streets of Stanley at any time of day or night is safe for everyone in our community. Crime rates are exceptionally low. Pick-pocketing is unheard of.

The dangers of the Falkland Islands are presented largely by underestimating weather conditions, lack of respect for the wildlife and lack of attention to or appreciation of the conditions of the roads and footpaths (sidewalks).

Be Prepared for All Seasons

‘Four seasons in one day’ and ‘If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute’ are phases often used in relation to the Falkland Islands. The weather is actually much better than commonly believed but it is a truism that conditions can change rapidly. Wear layers of clothing to allow for these changing conditions and have a water-proof to hand. Always wear sunblock or a high factor sun cream – the clean atmosphere makes sun burn a real risk and often happens without realisation – don’t take chances.

In the open countryside, if things go wrong, exposure is a danger. Ensure vehicles are stocked with extra clothing and even sleeping bags if out on any kind of ‘expedition’ or a long period of travel. Walkers should carry extra layers to account for emergencies and a bivvy bag or shelter if possible.

‘Follow the countryside code’ is the simple advice to make the best of viewing our wonderful wildlife - to enjoy the experience, to stay safe and to respect our animals and birds. Please remember that everything you see is entirely natural. These creatures choose to make their homes on our beautiful islands; there are no artificial boundaries to keep them here.

Most importantly:

• Keep your distance – 6m is recommended. Some birds may come to you; remain calm and relaxed with no sudden movements.
• Do not get between an animal or penguin and its path to the sea.
• Don’t interfere – ‘nature is still in charge’

Some animals can give nasty bites and Magellanic penguin burrows have fleas. Don’t take either away with you! These things should not happen if you follow the guidance above.

Download the Countryside Code for information. 

Roads and Paths

The Falkland Islands are an overseas territory of the UK so we drive on the left side of the road. Within the city of Stanley, roads may be quiet at times but look out for traffic when crossing. The busiest time of day is 12 midday when most residents go home for lunch, some collecting children from schools en route. This is our ‘rush 5 minutes’!

The ’left side’ is less apparent on open roads, outside Stanley, where traffic may initially be slightly towards the middle of the road or track, so be ready to move to the left when faced with a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction; it will do the same.

Driving on open roads also requires care for corners, cambers and conditions. The maximum speed on regulated roads is 40mph (64km/h). Sharp corners, large cambers and slippery surfaces can catch out any driver so select a suitable speed to account for these. Local drivers may wish to pass (on the right) as they are familiar with the roads – do not feel concerned, simply pull over to the left and let them go. There’s not a lot of traffic overall.

Visitors who choose to walk anywhere outside of the city of Stanley will quickly realise that, whilst walking is an amazing experience, there are no paths – at best vehicle tracks – so wear walking shoes/boots and be prepared for uneven, grassy, occasionally muddy ground conditions.

Walkers should also be prepared, not only for variable weather conditions, but with sufficient food and water to account for emergencies and prolonged time periods outdoors. It is sensible to carry a basic first aid kit. Always tell someone where you are going and an anticipated return time. A map app is strongly advised. Mobile phone signals now cover the majority of the Islands but there are some areas as yet not in range and some times when connectivity problems may occur. Check before you leave if there will be mobile coverage and ensure you have considered what you will do in the unlikely event of any kind of emergency.

Falklands and COVID-19  

COVID-19 is now classed as ‘endemic’ and as such, there are no special requirements for the Falkland Islands.

Nevertheless, the Falkland Islands considers the health and safety of all its visitors to be of paramount importance. FITB is delighted to announce that it has earned a global stamp of approval from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) as a Safe Travels destination for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the high level of health and hygiene protocols adopted. 

Executive Director of FITB, Stephanie Middleton, said:  “We’re delighted to have earned this stamp of approval from WTTC, and with the reopening of the islands for international tourism hope that as many businesses as possible will embrace it, demonstrating to our visitors that we take health and hygiene seriously.”

To find out more and the Scheme and the health and safety protocols that are in place to keep visitors and staff safe, visit the  Safe Travels Scheme .

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Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) entry details and exceptions

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Can I travel to Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).

Can I travel to Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) without restrictions.

Can I travel to Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).

Can I travel to Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)?

Mask usage in Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) is not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)?

Restaurants in Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are open. Bars in Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are .

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Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to the Falkland Islands.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to the Falkland Islands.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

the Falkland Islands is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Airborne & droplet.

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Counsel your patients on actions they can take on their trip to stay healthy and safe.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in the Falkland Islands. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in the Falkland Islands include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call the Falkland Islands’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of the Falkland Islands may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in the Falkland Islands, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in the Falkland Islands.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Remind your patients to pack health and safety items. Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) for a list of health-related items they should consider packing.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, May 4th 2024 - 11:50 UTC

Falkland Islands' Tourism awarded the Safe Travels from WTTC

As the tourism industry rebuilds following the COVID-19 pandemic, very high standards of health and hygiene are expected to be adopted by all tourism businesses around the world.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) alongside its members, governments, health experts and other tourism industry experts has developed the Safe Travels Stamp to help tourism providers and destinations to reassure travelers and stimulate recovery of the tourism sector through meaningful action.

The Falkland Islands Tourist Board (FITB) has aligned the wide range of COVID-19 policies, prevention plans, and protocols developed by the Falkland Islands government alongside the WTTC Safe Travels Protocols. As a result, the Islands have earned a global stamp of approval as a Safe Travels destination for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the high level of health and hygiene protocols adopted.

Tourism businesses are now invited to join the scheme which requires compliance with the various protocols. Successful businesses will be issued with the Safe Travels Stamp and Certificate which they can display in their properties and on websites and other marketing materials.

Executive Director of FITB, Stephanie Middleton, said: “we’re delighted to have earned this stamp of approval from WTTC, and with the reopening of the islands for international tourism hope that as many businesses as possible will embrace it, demonstrating to our visitors that we take health and hygiene seriously.”

Full details on how to apply for the Safe Travels Stamp can be found in the Trade section of the FITB website: www.falklandislands.com/trade.

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Falkland Islands Government COVID-19: Information and Guidance

If you require any announcement in another language then please contact [email protected].

15 March 2022

Falkland Islands Government update on Covid-19 measures

As we have all seen, Covid-19 restrictions are beginning to lift across the globe, including in countries with whom we are linked, and most of the devolved nations in the UK have adopted far less restrictive measures this month. This includes removing the need to test routinely or to have Covid-19 ‘passes’, no quarantine requirement for the fully vaccinated and Level 1 contacts no longer being required to isolate.

The reason for these changes is that other countries have come to an important stage where they are transitioning from a pandemic situation to an endemic situation – which essentially means a new phase for public health where, while the disease is circulating widely, there are a declining number of serious cases and vastly increased immunity.

The Falkland Islands Government has continued to review its response to Covid-19 throughout the pandemic, which is why we are also now considering how we might move towards and endemic situation.

Throughout the pandemic, we have been afforded a significant degree of comfort, relative to the rest of the world – largely as a result of our early intervention, border control, vaccination programme and because the population has acted in the best interests of keeping us all safe. This gave us 24 months to prepare, learn from science and research, vaccinate our entire eligible, consenting population, safeguard our vulnerable and add resilience to critical resources.

It is understandable that the idea of fewer restrictions may be daunting for some, but we are no longer in the same situation as March 2020. Today we are in a very strong position to take the next step and the patience and the resolve of the Falkland Islands community, will be as critical now as it has been over the past two years. 

No decisions have been taken, but we are now considering lifting some of our most restrictive measures, and will only do so backed by science, facts and the experiences of other nations. We will not rush, we will act proportionally, but at the same time are mindful we can only retain restrictions for as long as they are ethically and lawfully needed.

What does this mean? It means that all options are being considered and that we remain committed to being open and transparent throughout this process. In the weeks ahead we will continue to communicate, as regularly as we can, on our progress and would also encourage all residents, businesses and organisations to consider how we each might operate in an endemic situation, where we accept that Covid-19 cases can be managed within our community.

Essentially, we will all continue to work together as we look towards taking the next, and perhaps most the most important, step forward for the Falkland Islands.

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Falkland Islands travel guide

Nineteenth-century shipwrecks and a plethora of marine life are among the attractions awaiting visitors to the Falkland Islands. Although these islands are perhaps best known as the battleground of the eponymous 1982 war between Britain and Argentina, but this archipelago in the Atlantic is an intriguing and relaxing holiday destination.

Situated nearly 500km from Patagonia, the Falklands – or Islas Maldivas, depending on who you talk to – are a frequent stopping point on Antarctic voyages, and with such an abundance of rare animal life, it's not hard to see why. There are two main islands, East and West Falkland, as well as several hundred islets. Wildlife lovers will find strewn among them five different species of penguins (including macaroni, king, Magellanic, gentoo, and rockhopper), as well whales, and sea birds. Head to Volunteer Point for the islands' largest group of king penguins, while there are a predictably vast amount of sea lions to be found on Sea Lion Island.

Reminders of the 1982 conflict do remain, with battlefields, such as Goose Green and Pebble Island, now tourist attractions. Also claimed by Spain, France and Argentina over the years, the Falklands have been British Overseas Territory since 1833. Argentina famously still contests this status and there have been recent political ramblings on the matter by that country's government. However, a recent referendum found that an overwhelming majority of the 3,000 or so islanders want to remain under British rule.

Most of the Falkland Islands' population live in the capital Stanley, over whose harbour much avian life can be seen circling above the waves. More than a thousand members of the British military live at the Mount Pleasant Base. There's a rural feel to the islands, with hamlets and sheep abounding, while you'll find no traffic lights on the Falklands' country roads. There are more than a dozen endemic plants, including Felton's flower, thought to be extinct in the wild until recently, which gives off a whiff of caramel. Also, look out for the ubiquitous snakeplant.

12,173 sq km (4,700 sq miles).

2,912 (UN estimate 2016).

0.2 per sq km.

British Overseas Territory, which is not recognised by Argentina, as it considers the Falkland Islands to be part of Argentina.

HM King Charles III since 2022, represented locally by Governor Alison Blake since 2022.

Travel Advice

The Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory, so there is no British Embassy, and the Falkland Islands government will support you if you need help.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and any specific travel advice that applies to you:

• women travellers
• disabled travellers

LGBT+ travellers

• solo and independent travel
• volunteering and adventure travel

Travel insurance  

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in the Falkland Islands set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Falkland Islands Government London Office .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering the Falkland Islands.

Travelling through Chile

You can travel to or from the Falkland Islands through Chile. Make sure you meet Chile’s entry requirements, see Chile travel advice .

Passport validity requirements

To enter the Falkland Islands, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You can visit the Falkland Islands without a visa. You’ll get permission to stay one month on arrival but can apply in advance to stay longer. See Falkland Islands visitor permit .

To work you must have a Falkland Islands work permit .

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Falkland Islands guide .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the Falkland Islands . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.    

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad .

Terrorism in the Falkland Islands

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in the Falkland Islands, attacks cannot be ruled out.

The crime rate in the Falkland Islands is low, and there is rarely any disorder.

Laws and cultural differences

The Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory and has its own laws.    

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Drug trafficking and possession are illegal in the Falkland Islands and can lead to a prison sentence.    

Using cameras at Mount Pleasant Airport

You must have a permit to take photos at Mount Pleasant Airport as it is a military site. The UK Ministry of Defence only issues permits for work purposes or in exceptional circumstances.     

Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2017. LGBT+ travellers are unlikely to encounter difficulties in the Falkland Islands. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Unexploded weapons

People still find landmines and unexploded weapons from the 1982 conflict on major battlefields and washed up on beaches. If you find a weapon, follow Royal Falkland Islands Police guidance. You should:

• not touch or approach the item
• clearly mark the area
• take a picture if it is safe to do so
• call 999 from a safe distance and wait for the police to arrive

Credit and debit cards are not widely accepted outside Stanley. Check when making bookings and carry cash in British pounds or US dollars.

There is only one ATM on the islands. If it’s not working, you can get a cash advance from the bank in Stanley, using a Visa or Mastercard.

Some travellers have experienced difficulties exchanging Falkland Islands notes at their bank in the UK. Limit the amount of Falkland Islands currency you leave with.

Transport risks

Road travel.

If you are planning to drive in the Falkland Islands, see information on driving abroad .

You can use a UK driving licence to drive in the Falkland Islands.    

Take care when driving outside Stanley, especially the road between Mount Pleasant Airport and Stanley, because of hazardous road conditions and strong winds. People have died on this road and accidents are common.

There are around 600 miles of unsurfaced roads on the islands. You can use your UK driving licence to hire a self-drive 4-wheel-drive vehicle.

The speed limit is 25mph in Stanley and 40mph in other areas.     

The Royal Air Force ( RAF ) operates a fare-paying service from RAF Brize Norton to Mount Pleasant Airport twice a week. This flight also stops in Ascension Island. It can be delayed because of poor weather, especially during the southern hemisphere winter. Carry some US dollars in case the flight is diverted to South America or North Africa.

The Falkland Islands Tourist Board has information on travelling to the islands .

You can fly between the islands with the Falkland Islands Government Aviation Service ( FIGAS ) from Stanley airport. Book through FIGAS or a local tour operator. Check your flight has been confirmed the afternoon before your departure. In bad weather, check your flight is going ahead before you leave for the airport.

There are weekly scheduled flights to Mount Pleasant Airport from Chile, operated by LATAM Airlines . Check before you travel for up-to-date information.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

The weather can change rapidly and you can experience several seasons in a single day. The sun can be very strong, so wear good sunglasses, a hat and high-factor sunscreen.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for the Falkland Islands
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face in the Falkland Islands , including insect and tick bites.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro .

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad .

Healthcare facilities in the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands has a good, modern hospital in Stanley with medical and dental staff. There is no resident qualified optician. You may need to be medically evacuated to Chile or Uruguay for more complex treatments.     

You can access free medical care in the Falkland Islands through the UK-Falkland Islands Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement, which covers:

• hospital treatment
• other medical treatment
• prescribed medicines
• ambulance travel

You will need proof of UK residency, such as an NHS medical card or passport. You must take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance which includes at least 2 million US dollars for medical evacuation as this is not covered under the arrangement. Other medical costs are also not covered. Find out more about healthcare for UK citizens in the Falkland Islands .

There is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in the Falkland Islands .    

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

The Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory, so there is no British Embassy, and the Falkland Islands government  will support you if you need help.  

Emergency services in the Falkland Islands

Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from the Falkland Islands government

If you’re in the Falkland Islands and you need emergency help, contact the relevant government department .

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Isolation Helped These Islands Delay a COVID-19 Outbreak. Now, Being Remote Could Be Their Biggest Problem

W hen it comes to riding out a pandemic, Pebble Island is a pretty safe place to be. Part of the remote Falklands archipelago in the south Atlantic, Pebble is home to just two families — with a total population of six — says Riki Evans, owner of the Pebble Island Lodge. With none of them displaying symptoms of COVID-19 and travel between the Falkland Islands now heavily restricted, Evans says they’re not worried about the isolation of the months ahead. “It doesn’t make much difference to us. We’re used to being out here on our own. And we’re safe.”

In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic , isolation has been a boon to the Falkland Islands, the overseas British territory 400 miles off the coast of Argentina. The windswept archipelago — consisting of two main islands, and over 700 smaller islands — is famous for the 10-week war the two countries fought over possession of it in 1982, and for the tens of thousands of penguins that live there. Thanks to its remoteness, the community of a little over 3,000 people has managed to stay well behind the steep trajectories that other countries’ outbreaks have followed; officials estimate that the Falklands are lagging three or four weeks behind the U.K.

But the islanders know that in the event of a large outbreak, isolation could become their biggest problem. Almost a sixth of the islands’ inhabitants are considered high risk, because they’re elderly or have underlying health conditions. While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Falklands, officials confirmed Thursday that a child is critically ill with a suspected case. There are no facilities to test for the virus on the Falklands, and it takes around 10 days to get test results back from Britain, which is almost 8,000 miles away. Travel disruption has affected Falklanders who regularly go to the U.K. for medical purposes or education. And Chile and Uruguay, which normally take in emergency medical evacuations from the Falklands, have restricted entry for foreigners, meaning all health issues must be treated at the well-resourced but small local hospital in Stanley, the small-town capital. The islands, which import almost everything other than meat, wool and fish, could also be vulnerable to global supply chain shocks.

The Falklands government has moved quickly this week to implement social distancing measures , telling schools and daycares to close and asking everyone but non-essential workers to stay home. The most vulnerable have been asked to stay in their homes for 12 weeks. Travel between the islands, which make up an area almost the size of Connecticut, is now heavily restricted. And anyone arriving in the Falklands from elsewhere must self-quarantine for 14 days.

Given the risks, some in the Falklands community had pushed for their leaders to take stronger action to close the territory’s borders, as many countries have done, says Leona Roberts, a member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, the equivalent of the local parliament. “It was a very tough question. But the chances of keeping [the virus] out indefinitely were so slim and the disadvantages to our people are huge,” she says. “We can’t keep the drawbridge up forever.”

Keep up to date with our daily coronavirus newsletter by clicking here .

Connections cut

The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented challenge to the travel links that the remote Falklands have become used to since 1985, when the British air force built a runway and began regular flights between the U.K. and the Falklands as part of the deepening British military presence there after the war. These days there are around two flights a week to Chile, Brazil or Argentina, and two flights to the U.K., operated by the British defense ministry.

The flights to Latin America are no longer happening, and the U.K. flights have been disrupted in March, Roberts says, as border closures around the world left the defense ministry planes with nowhere to stop to refuel on the long journey. That meant the Falklands were unable to send coronavirus tests to labs in the U.K. It also left a group of around 20 high schoolers, who are in the U.K. for their final years of secondary education, stranded away from their families.

The air link was finally re-established early this week, Roberts says, allowing the Falklands to send a batch of tests to the U.K. But they aren’t expecting the results until early April, with the delay leaving the islands “playing catch up”, according to the Falklands’ chief medical officer Becky Edwards.

On Monday, Argentina’s government said it had reached out to the British ambassador in Buenos Aires to offer material support to islanders, including “fresh food, medical supplies or tests to detect the virus causing COVID-19, as well as any necessary humanitarian flights and medical care in Argentina for those infected.” Daniel Filmus, the Argentine minister for matters related to “Las Malvinas” as the South American country calls the Falklands, added that the islands “are part of our national territory so it’s our responsibility to express our solidarity with their inhabitants.”

Falklanders, who voted almost unanimously to remain part of the U.K. in a 2013 referendum, aren’t too interested in Argentina’s help. “What we saw coming from Argentina was very much couched in political language,” Roberts says. “That makes it very difficult to look at this as a humanitarian offer.” She added that the U.K. has committed to supporting the islands during the pandemic, including with help procuring medical equipment.

Community response

Mostly, Falklanders have been relying on their tight-knit community to get through the pandemic. When the local government began to introduce social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the virus in mid-March—far earlier in the cycle of the outbreak than most Western countries—islanders responded well, Roberts says. “As a politician I know 90-95% of the people on these islands, so people tend to trust that we have their best interests in mind.” Businesses have shut down voluntarily to prevent public gatherings, while the local museum closed to protect its high-risk staff. People have avoided panic buying, knowing there’s a limit to how much the shops can provide. Almost everything other than wool, fish and meat is dependent on visits from cargo ships a couple of times a month.

Mike Summers, who runs the islands’ sports association, says no one has grumbled about the suspension of football, rugby, badminton and basketball, both to limit the spread of the virus and to avoid sports injuries that would require now-impossible medical evacuations.

Summers says that living in a small community makes people less inclined to flout government advice on the coronavirus, as some have done in the U.K., where images of crowded public spaces caused outrage last weekend . “Here in [the Falklands] we know all of the old and vulnerable people who might potentially die from this thing,” Summers says. “They’re our friends—the people we mix with on a daily basis, and nobody wants to put any of them at risk.”

Roughly 500 people on the islands are considered high risk, and a further 200 are medium risk, Roberts says. The hospital has seven ventilators—needed to treat severe cases of COVID-19—and 18 acute care beds. Proportionally, those numbers are far better than in the U.K. But there is still a risk that the isolated health system could be overwhelmed in the case of a fast-spreading outbreak.

Economic risk

The islands’ small economy is also vulnerable to global market crashes sparked by the pandemic . The Falklands are economically self-sufficient and fairly wealthy , largely thanks to a significant fishing industry, which contributes 50-60% of GDP. International commercial fishing vessels pay for licenses to use the islands’ waters. For now, the boats are still coming. Much will depend on how long international travel disruption lasts, Roberts says. The large agricultural sector will likely suffer in the long term if global prices of wool and meat fall.

The effect on tourism, which brings more than 60,000 people to the islands each year, mostly on cruise ships, is limited so far because the tourist season of November to March was already winding down when countries around the world started warning their citizens to avoid travel. “We lost a few thousand pounds from cancellations, but nothing too drastic,” Evans says of Pebble Lodge.

In the short term, as Falklanders begin to stay home from work, the local government has promised to step in to keep businesses running with a package of measures announced Wednesday . Employers and the self-employed will both be able to claim up to $1,528 for a 14-day period that they or their staff have to take off.

As islanders ramp up their response to the virus, isolating themselves from one another in an already isolated place, they are hoping that they have learned lessons from watching the pandemic unfold across the rest of the world. “We’ve seen on the television every day what’s happening elsewhere, and what can happen to your community if this thing gets out of control,” Summers says. “We’ll do whatever we can to avoid that.”

Please send any tips, leads, and stories to [email protected] .

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Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Travel Restrictions

Traveller's COVID-19 vaccination status

Travelling from the United Kingdom to Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

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Can I travel to Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) from the United Kingdom?

Most visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).

Can I travel to Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United Kingdom can enter Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) without restrictions.

Can I travel to Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United Kingdom can enter Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)?

Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).

Can I travel to Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) without quarantine?

Travellers from the United Kingdom are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)?

Mask usage in Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) is not required in public spaces, enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)?

Restaurants in Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are open. Bars in Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are .

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Falkland Islands travel advice

Latest updates: Health – editorial update

Last updated: March 13, 2024 14:04 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, falkland islands - take normal security precautions.

Take normal security precautions in the Falkland Islands.

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The crime rate is very low. Petty crime could occur.

Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times

Unexploded landmines dating back to 1982 remain on the Falkland Islands. All mine fields are fenced off with barbed wire and identified with red warning triangles. Don't enter the mine fields and don't damage or remove the fences or signs.

Eco-tourism and recreational activities

Ensure that the recreational activities you choose are covered by your travel insurance.

If you intend on trekking:

• never trek alone
• always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• do not venture off marked trails 
• ensure that you are properly equipped
• ensure that you are well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary
• obtain detailed information on trekking routes before setting out

Road safety

Road conditions are good, but many roads outside the capital are not paved. Strong winds pose a risk due to the unpaved roads. To be safe, rent a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Public transportation

There are no public bus services, but a shuttle bus is available between Stanley and RAF Mount Pleasant Airport.

Taxis are not widely available and don't have meters. Negotiate fares in advance as you may be overcharged.

There is a passenger ferry in service between East and West Falkland.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the British authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the expected duration of your stay in the Falkland Islands.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 4 months Business visa: required

Other entry requirements

You must show customs officials proof of return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation or of sufficient funds to cover your stay. They could refuse you entry if you fail to do so.

Health insurance

You must present proof of comprehensive travel and medical insurance to enter the Falkland Islands.

Departure tax

You must pay a departure tax must in cash (in FKP, GBP, Euro or US dollars) at RAF Mount Pleasant Airport.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Healthcare in the Falkland Islands is good but facilities are extremely limited. The only hospital with modern facilities is located in Stanley.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons

The Falklands Islands are a British Overseas Territory.

Canada and the United Kingdom are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in the United Kingdom to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and British authorities. This process can take a long time and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences or heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Exporting natural objects such as whalebones, skulls or eggs may constitute an offence in the Falkland Islands and could result in heavy fines.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in the United Kingdom.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of the United Kingdom, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and the United Kingdom.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in the Falkland Islands, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Falkland Islands court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in the Falkland Islands to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Photography

Photographing of military installations, including RAF Mount Pleasant Airport, is prohibited.

Traffic drives on the left.

You can drive with a valid Canadian driver’s licence for up to 12 months from your date of entry. You should carry an international driving permit. The legal driving age is 18.

International Driving Permit

The currency is the Falkland Island pound (FKP). However, the GBP is accepted as a legal tender throughout the Falkland Islands.

There are no ATMs, but the Standard Chartered Bank, the only bank in the Falkland Islands, can provide a cash advance using your credit card.

The weather conditions are unpredictable and can change rapidly.

Local services

Dial 999 for emergency assistance.

Consular assistance

There is no resident Canadian government office in the Falkland Islands. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information from the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom, in London.

The Falkland Islands and Gibraltar

For emergency consular assistance, call the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom, in London, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

• Falkland Islands

Last updated July 15, 2022

There have been 1,831 infections and 0 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.

Daily reported trends

How falkland islands compares.

There is no one perfect statistic to compare the outbreaks different countries have experienced during this pandemic. Looking at a variety of metrics gives you a more complete view of the virus’ toll on each country.

These charts show several different statistics, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, that mark the various ways each country’s outbreak compares in its region and the world.

What it tells you...

Gives the true human toll of the virus on a country.

What it doesn’t

Can minimize the scale of the virus’ impact on smaller countries.

Infections in Latin America and the Caribbean

Infections, globally, deaths in latin america and the caribbean, deaths, globally, about this data.

Reuters is collecting daily COVID-19 infections and deaths data for 240 countries and territories around the world, updated regularly throughout each day.

Every country reports those figures a little differently and, inevitably, misses undiagnosed infections and deaths. With this project we are focusing on the trends within countries as they try to contain the virus’ spread, whether they are approaching or past peak infection rates, or if they are seeing a resurgence of infections or deaths.

Read more about our methodology

Where Falkland Islands COVID-19 data comes from

• Falkland Islands Government

The latest coronavirus news from Reuters

Breaking international news & views, where u.s. coronavirus cases are on the rise.

The states where the outbreak is growing fastest

New normal: How far is safe enough?

How countries are adapting social distancing rules and what we know about the risks of coronavirus in public places.

Global tracker

• Liechtenstein
• North Macedonia
• Switzerland
• Isle of Man
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Netherlands
• Czech Republic
• Aland Islands
• Faroe Islands
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City

Asia and the Middle East

• United Arab Emirates
• Saudi Arabia
• South Korea
• Philippines
• Afghanistan
• Mainland China
• Timor-Leste
• Palestinian territories

Latin America and the Caribbean

• El Salvador
• Dominican Republic
• Cayman Islands
• Trinidad and Tobago
• French Guiana
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Barthélemy
• Saint Lucia
• Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Saint Martin
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Turks and Caicos
• Sint Maarten
• British Virgin Islands
• Equatorial Guinea
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Ivory Coast
• Burkina Faso
• Guinea-Bissau
• Sierra Leone
• Central African Republic
• Sao Tome and Principe
• South Africa
• Republic of the Congo
• Western Sahara
• South Sudan
• New Zealand
• New Caledonia
• French Polynesia
• Papua New Guinea

Northern America

• United States
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Data sources Local state agencies, local media, Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker , Our World in Data , The World Bank , Reuters research

Design and development Gurman Bhatia , Prasanta Kumar Dutta , Chris Canipe and Jon McClure

Data collection and research Abhishek Manikandan, Aditya Munjuluru, Ahmed Farhatha, Amal Maqbool, Aniruddha Chakrabarty, Anna Banacka, Anna Pruchnicka, Anurag Maan, Anuron Kumar Mitra, Arpit Nayak, Arundhati Sarkar, Cate Cadell, Chaithra J, Chinmay Rautmare, Christine Chan, Daniela Desantis, Diana Mandia Alvarez, Elizaveta Gladun, Emily Isaacman, Enrico Sciacovelli, Gautami Khandke, Gayle Issa, Hardik Vyas, Harshith Aranya, Javier Lopez, Joao Manuel Vicente Mauricio, Juliette Portala, K. Sathya Narayanan, Kanupriya Kapoor, Kavya B., Lakshmi Siddappa, Lisa Shumaker, Mrinalika Roy, Nallur Sethuraman, Natalie Vaughan, Nikhil Subba, Olga Beskrovnova, Padraic Cassidy, Rohith Nair, Roshan Abraham, Sabahatjahan Contractor, Sanjana Vijay Kumar, Seerat Gupta, Shaina Ahluwalia, Shashank Nayar, Shreyasee Raj, Nivedha S., Simon Jennings, Sridhar Shrivathsa, Veronica Snoj, Wen Foo, Yajush Gupta, Aparupa Mazumder, Rittik Biswas and Maneesh Kumar

Translation Samuel Granados, Marco Hernandez, Erica Soh, Junko Tagashira, Momoko Honda, Kyoko Yamaguchi, Hiroko Terui, Pedro Fonseca, Olivier Cherfan, Kate Entringer, Dagmarah Mackos, Diana Mandia, Federica Mileo, Juliette Portala, Kate Entringer and Piotr Lipinski