Of the 60 mostly uninhabited islands that make up
the US Virgin Islands, the biggest and most visited are St Thomas, St John
and St Croix. Their appeal lies in the amalgamation of the exotic and the
recognizable, an island paradise with modern comforts, and a balance between
Caribbean culture and American practicality.
The energetic capital of Charlotte Amalie, with its
attractive harbor, lies on St Thomas. This island is the most Americanized
of the chain, famous for its world-class duty-free shopping. Nearby St John
is an unspoiled nature lover's paradise, with most of its forests, pristine
beaches and reefs part of a protected national park. The largest of the
islands is St Croix and its remoteness from the others, the historic
remnants scattered about the landscape, the pretty Danish-influenced towns
of Frederiksted and Christiansted, and the snorkeling at nearby Buck Island
are the attractions here.
Surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the
Caribbean, these islands boast some of the most splendid coastline in the
world, with white sandy beaches, astonishing coral reefs and pristine marine
life, secluded coves, and untouched rainforests rising up above the
sea-swept landscape. Caribbean color touches every aspect of the islands,
blending with the strong Danish influence in the towns. White sails glide
effortlessly across the emerald waters; local craftsmen display their unique
island art along cobblestone alleyways; tiled villa roofs provide a splash
of red against the verdant hillside; busy markets supply the essentials for
a delicious cuisine; and the sounds of folk songs and calypso bands fill the
air.
The Virgin Islands being among the most popular
cruise ship destinations in the Caribbean has meant that the port towns of
Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted and Frederiksted are usually swamped with
newly arrived passengers in a frenzy of shopping and dining. Main beaches
are seldom deserted, and the key reef areas are often a flurry of flippers
and snorkels. Luxury resorts and fine hotels share the streets with old
colonial architecture. Yet it is still possible to escape the crowds and
find that bit of elusive paradise, to relax away from the divers and
sailors, the sightseers, the ecological tour groups, and the shoppers.
Basics
Time: GMT –4.
Electricity: 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-flat-pin
plugs are standard.
Money: The official currency is the US Dollar (USD)
divided into 100 cents. Most credit cards are accepted, including American
Express, Diners Club Mastercard and Visa, and are useful for withdrawing
cash at ATMs. Travelers cheques are widely accepted in hotels, shops and
restaurants provided they are in US Dollars. Foreign exchange bureaus are
available to exchange other currencies, but it is best to arrive with US
Dollars as many banks and hotels will not exchange foreign currency.
|
Currency Exchange Rates |
|
US$ 1= |
US$ 1.00 |
£ 0.52 |
C$ 1.18 |
A$ 1.28 |
R 7.23 |
EUR 0.77 |
NZ$ 1.45 |
Note: This is not updated
daily and should be used as a guide only.
Language: English is the official language.
Spanish, Creole and some French are also spoken.
Entry Requirements for UK nationals: UK
passport holders require a valid passport for travel to the USA. Under the
Visa Waiver Program (VWP), most British citizens do not require a visa for
holiday, transit or business purposes providing their passports are
machine-readable, the stay does not exceed 90 days and a return or onward
ticket is held. Note: Holders of UK passports with the
endorsement British Subject, British Protected Person, British Dependent
Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas)
Citizen do require a visa.
Entry Requirements for Canadians: Canadians do
not require a visa, only a valid passport, or a Birth Certificate or
Citizenship Certificate if arriving directly from Canada. Visitors should
hold tickets and documents required for return or onward destination.
Entry Requirements for Australians: Australian
nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days under the Visa
Waiver Program; a machine-readable passport and a return or onward ticket is
required if traveling by sea or air.
Entry Requirements for South Africans: South
Africans must hold a passport valid at the date of entry; a visa is also
required. Visitors must have return or onward tickets and the necessary
documents for further travel.
Entry Requirements for Irish nationals: Irish
nationals require a valid passport. Irish passport holders qualify for the
visa waiver program, but a machine-readable passport (MRP) must be presented
to gain visa-free entry to the country, which allows a stay of up to 90
days. Visitors must have return or onward tickets and all necessary
documents for further travel.
Passport/Visa Note: Entry requirements are the
same as for the United States of America. There is no immigration control
for visitors arriving from mainland USA. Visitors entering the country under
the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must have a machine-readable passport (MRP)
that has a bar code on the photo page. From 26 October 2006 eligible
travelers under the VWP must include biometrics in their machine-readable
passports if they wish to enter the country without a visa, containing
unique personal data such as fingerprints or iris details. All new passports
issued on or after 26 October 2005 must contain a digital photo image in
order to travel visa-free. Due to new security measures, all visitors to the
USA will have a photograph and two fingerprints taken by an inkless scanner
on arrival, including those traveling visa-free under the Visa Waiver
Program.
Health: Health risks include hepatitis A,
bilharzias and dengue fever. Only bottled water should be drunk outside the
major towns. Medical facilities are of a high standard, but health insurance
is vital as medical care is very expensive.
Tipping: Tipping of 15 to 20% percent is
customary for good service. Some hotels and restaurants automatically add a
service charge and room tax.
Safety: Normal precautions apply, especially in
the back streets of towns at night. Don't leave valuables lying on the beach
when snorkeling or swimming.
Business: Industry in the US Virgin Islands is
based primarily around tourism though petroleum refining takes place off St.
Croix. Like many other Caribbean countries, things are pretty relaxed, and
formal business attire is not considered necessary as the climate makes this
quite uncomfortable. The people are friendly and polite and shaking hands is
common with introductions for men and women; business cards are handed out
at introductions. Business hours are typically 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday
with lunch breaks around 12pm.
Communications: The international country code
for the US Virgin Islands is +1 340 and the code for dialing out
internationally is 011 (followed by the relevant country code, for example
01144 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are not required. The AT & T
Wireless GSM 1900 mobile network covers the islands. Internet cafes are
available in the main resorts.
Duty Free: Travelers to the Virgin Islands who
are residents of the USA follow the same regulations that apply to the
United States. Gifts and alcohol brought into the Virgin Islands by
non-residents is not exempt from duty.
Activities
Diving and snorkeling
Scuba divers and snorkelers will find endless opportunities along the reefs
surrounding the islands of St Thomas, St Croix and St John. The US Virgin
Islands are among the most beautiful diving areas in the world with coral
reefs, crystal clear water, dramatic drop-offs, underwater caves,
shipwrecks, and a variety of marine life, including the region's famous sea
horses. Along the north shore of St Croix is a fantastic underwater wall
that offers caves, pinnacles and tunnels and opportunities to mix with
deep-sea sharks and eagle rays. Other sites of note are the 1,000ft (305m)
drop-off of Salt River Canyon, Frederiksted pier and the wall at Cane Bay.
Between St Thomas and St John the waters of Pillsbury Sound contain several
shipwrecks, and the best dive site off St Thomas is Cow and Calf Rocks.
Snorkelers should head to the unrivalled Buck Island Reef National Monument
off St Croix for beautiful coral reefs, Magens Bay or the marine sanctuary
on St Thomas, or the coastline of the Virgin Islands National Park on St
John.
St Thomas
St Thomas is the second largest and most sophisticated of the Virgin Islands
with a strong Danish influence especially evident in Charlotte Amalie, the
main town and capital. Being the most accessible of the islands also means
it is the most heavily developed and visited, with visitors from around the
world attracted by the town's reputation as an international shopping Mecca.
It is also scenically beautiful, with numerous headlands and coves, forested
hills providing stunning vistas over the Caribbean, and some of the best
white-sand beaches in the Caribbean. Magens Bay beach on the north coast is
acclaimed as one of the finest in the world and the sparkling waters and
coral reef of Koki Bay are superb for snorkeling. Fabulous panoramas can be
viewed from Drake's Seat, a high point in the centre of the island from
where Sir Francis Drake used to watch for enemy ships. Sports and activities
are abundant on St Thomas. There are snorkeling and dive sites, excellent
greens for golf enthusiasts, sport fishing and yachting opportunities. The
educational Coral World Marine Park and Observatory provides a unique look
at the goings-on of Caribbean marine life, and the nearby resort town of Red
Hook is a smaller version of Charlotte Amalie, with dining and shopping. It
is the jumping off point to other Caribbean islands and the up-market beach
resorts nearby. Combining natural beauty with first-rate amenities, St
Thomas offers numerous activities on and off the water, fine hotels and
international cuisine.
St Croix
Less developed than St Thomas, St Croix is the largest and most remote of
the three inhabited Virgin Islands, covered in forested hills, fertile
lowlands and surrounded by coral reefs with excellent diving, particularly
along the north coast. Located 40 miles (64km) south of St Thomas, the
island has two main towns, Christiansted on the north east coast and
Frederiksted to the west. Both prospered as commercial ports during the 18th
and 19th centuries. Christiansted is a lively town offering trips to the
tiny Buck Island as a popular excursion. Frederiksted is smaller and a
sleepy place until the weekly cruise ships arrive for a spree of duty-free
shopping. Both towns contain numerous examples of fine Danish colonial
architecture. The surrounding landscape is scattered with remnants of sugar
plantations, stone windmill towers and ruined houses from the island's
commercial heyday in the sugarcane industry. Whim Greathouse is an
impressive planter's mansion, restored to reflect its glory days in the
1700s, and is one of the main historical sights on St Croix. Rum production
was another of the island's primary industries and visitors can visit the
Cruzan Rum Distillery for guided tours and free tastings. The Heritage Trail
is a self-guided trip that links the main sights of interest on the island.
Along with its picturesque beaches and superb diving, St Croix has a variety
of indoor and outdoor activities, including hiking, historic sights and
attractions, golf and horse riding. There are fine hotels, excellent dining
and casinos.
Airports
St Thomas (Cyril E King) International Airport (STT)
Location: The airport is situated three miles
(5km) west of Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas Island.
Time: GMT –4.
Contacts: Tel: +1 (340) 774-1629.
Transfer to the city: There are buses and taxis
available to transfer passengers to the main towns and resorts. Many hotels
also offer transport.
Car rental: There are car rental agencies at
the airport such as Avis and Dependable Car Rental.
Departure tax: None.
St Croix (Henry E Rohlsen) International Airport (STX)
Location: The airport is situated nine miles
(14km) south west of Christiansted on St Croix Island.
Time: GMT –4.
Contacts: Tel: +1 340 778-1012.
Transfer between terminals: There is public
transportation to and from the terminal building.
Transfer to the city: There are buses and taxis
available to transfer passengers to the towns and resorts.
Car rental: Car rental companies include Avis,
Budget and Hertz.
Facilities: Facilities are available for the
disabled.
Departure tax: None.
Climate
The islands are hot and humid throughout the year, with most rain falling
between August and October. The busiest tourist season is from December to
May, during the northern hemisphere winter, and outside of these months
rooms are cheaper and the islands less crowded. Between April and August the
waters are calmer and underwater visibility is best for diving and
snorkeling.
