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The
new passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S.
citizens traveling to or returning
directly from a U.S. territory.
U.S. citizens returning directly
from a U.S. territory are not
considered to have left the United
States and do not need to present a
passport. U.S. territories include
the following: Guam, Puerto Rico,
the U.S. Virgin Islands, American
Samoa, Swains Island, and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands. Click here for more info... |
4. Where can I get snorkeling gear?
If you don't bring your own snorkel gear to bring with you, there are places on the island where you can buy or rent gear. There are two Kmarts and a Cost-u-Less (the island's version of Costco, without the membership) where you can buy snorkel equipment and you can also buy or rent gear at one of several dive shops located around the island.
5. What will the weather be like while we are there?
Our temperatures are very moderate year round. How does an average of 82 degrees sound? During the winter months, December through April, daytime highs hover around 84 degrees. In the summer, late April through November, the temperature will be anywhere from 86-89 degrees. Nighttime lows average 72 in the winter months and 76 during the summer. Pretty amazing, wouldn't you agree?
Rainfall varies by the season, but there really is no time of the year where it just rains day after day. "Dry" season vs "Rainy" season on St. Croix means 10 minute rain showers instead of 15 minute rain showers. More often than not, the rain will come at night.
| Month |
Avg. High |
Avg. Low |
Mean |
| Jan | 83°F | 72°F | 77°F |
| Feb | 83°F | 71°F | 77°F |
| Mar | 83°F | 72°F | 77°F |
| Apr | 85°F | 73°F | 79°F |
| May | 86°F | 75°F | 80°F |
| Jun | 87°F | 77°F | 82°F |
| Jul | 87°F | 76°F | 82°F |
| Aug | 88°F | 76°F | 82°F |
| Sep | 88°F | 76°F | 82°F |
| Oct | 88°F | 75°F | 82°F |
| Nov | 86°F | 74°F | 80°F |
| Dec | 84°F | 72°F | 78°F |
6. Will there be a lot of cruise ship passengers crowding the island?
St. Croix does not have a lot of cruise ship visits like some other Caribbean islands. We only have a 2-3 of cruise ship visits per week during Peak Season and maybe one a week during Off Peak Season. As a comparison, St. Thomas, may have as many as 4-6 ships in port each day! That's a lot of people crowding the town and beaches.
7. Should we think about buying travel insurance?
Getting travel insurance it is something to think about. Be sure to ask a lot of questions before you purchase insurance. One of the best known travel insurance companies is TravelGuard.com. A quick search online will reveal several large and reputable companies.
8. Will my cell phone work on the island?
Yes, and Maybe. Several cell phone companies have service on the island, although some may include roaming charges. ATT, Sprint and Verizon will work and offer state to state service. Some others may have very little to no service on the island. We recommend contacting your carrier before you arrive to avoid huge cell phone charges.
Many of the newer smartphones now have Wifi
calling. If your phone is Wifi calling capable, you can also use this as a
way to send and receive calls and texts.
If you are a user with little to no service on the island, and you must receive and send calls
while here, we suggest
purchasing an "AT&T Prepaid" phone before you leave and forward all your
regular cell phone
calls to this temporary cell phone. You can choose a phone and a "no contract" plan that suits
you needs while on the island.
9. Can I access the internet on St. Croix?
Yes! Most hotels and villa and condo rentals offer internet connections. There are also several internet cafes and many restaurants and businesses no offer connection on the island. BroadbandVI also offers WiFi connections in many areas of the island.
10. What airport do we fly into?
Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport (airport code: STX). The airport was enlarged and renovated with modern facilities. It has a runway that is long enough to safely handle very large aircraft. Click here for some airport information.
11. Is the water safe to drink?
The water in town and at most hotels is perfectly safe to drink. If you are in doubt simply ask.
The water at most of the villas on the island is collected rain water that is stored in cisterns below the villas. It may be safe to drink, but we recommend buying bottled water for drinking purposes. Bottled water is available in gallon jugs everywhere on the island for about $1.30 per gallon. Anytime you go out of the country, you run the risk of getting a bug that your body is not used to from the local water supply. The same would apply to someone coming to the U.S. from out of the country! Don't take the risk of getting sick, just drink bottled water.
12. Do we need to conserve water while on the island?
It is not absolutely necessary, however, please try to conserve water as much as possible. The water at most major hotels, and while in either Christiansted or Frederiksted, is pretty safe to drink. The water at most private villas comes from rainwater collected from the roof and stored in a cistern under the house, which is typical throughout the Caribbean), or is delivered by trucks. As you can imagine, this can be very expensive. Fresh water is very scarce on St. Croix. We recommend buying drinking water from a grocery store or the many convenience stores around the island.
13. What about crime on the island?
St Croix has no more of a crime problem than any other tourist destination. That is not to say there is no crime on the island, of course, St. Croix, like anywhere, is not crime free, so just take normal precautions. Almost 100% of the crime is locals against locals. Any tourist destination will have people who are just waiting for you to let you guard down while relaxing on vacation. We suggest that you use the same precautions you would whenever you are in an unfamiliar place: don't carry a lot of cash with you (there are plenty of ATM's on the island to resupply as you go), lock your doors at night, don't leave any valuables in your vehicle or on any beach unattended, don't walk into dark areas of town alone late at night (if it seems like a scary place, it just may be) and don't wear expensive jewelry or watches. Crimes that tourists have experienced on the island is mostly petty crime, cameras, etc. stolen from a car or from a beach while left unattended. We suggest leaving your car unlocked...there is no reason to break into a car when it is unlocked and has no valuables in it! That being said, we also suggest checking with your car rental company whether or not it is against their Terms of Service to leave your rental car unlocked while unattended.
These suggestions are valid for any tourist destination, from Orlando and Disney World, to Europe, Asia, Hawaii and the rest of the Caribbean!
You will find St. Croix to be safe, very friendly and very relaxing! Enjoy it!
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14.
Do we need to rent a car?
It is not completely necessary, but we do recommend renting one. You can rent a car by the day or week and many of the rental companies will deliver the car to you. You must be at least 25 years old to rent a car on the island and have a valid driver license and current insurance. Click here for some St Croix car rental agencies.
Public transportation is not the best on St. Croix. There are public buses (VITRAN) available in certain areas of the island but they are not very convenient and really don't follow a schedule of any kind. Locals tend to use Taxi Vans. You will see them clearly marked with a Taxi sign on the roof. You just flag them down and the cost is based on distance. Regular Taxis are also available. Click here for more taxi info.
15. What is the currency in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
U.S. Dollars. Credit cards are accepted at most establishments. If you prefer to use cash, there are many ATMs located around the island.
16. What is the electric voltage on St. Croix?
The voltage on St./ Croix is 110 volts, the same as on the
U.S. mainland.
17. What time zone is St. Croix in?
St. Croix uses Atlantic Time and does not follow Daylight Saving Time. St Croix uses the same time as the East Coast of the U.S. during the summer months. During daylight saving time, in the fall and winter months, St Croix is one hour ahead of East Coast time.
18. Is there a hospital on St. Croix, and what about doctors?
Yes, Juan F. Luis Hospital - Sunny Isle, located adjacent to the Viya building behind the Kmart shopping center. In fact, there is a new cardiac center that is one of the largest and most modern in the Caribbean. There are doctors of every kind available on the island. Click here for a list of doctors.
19. Where should I stay while on St. Croix?
St. Croix offers visitors to the island many options for accommodations. You will find large beachfront resorts and hotels, smaller independent hotels and Inns, B&Bs and condo and villa rentals. Accommodations range from luxury to modest. You can even go camping! The rates will vary by the time of year. Typically, Peak Season runs from mid-December to mid-April and Off Peak runs from mid-April to mid-December. The US Virgin Islands imposes an 12.5% tax on all short-term lodging. That means you will pay the same 12.5% tax where ever you choose to stay.
20. I am physically challenged. Does St. Croix accommodate travelers with disabilities?
Yes! There are many businesses, restaurants and lodgings that fully accommodate travelers with special needs whether you are confined to a wheelchair, use a walker or are on crutches. The U.S. Virgin Islands is fully committed to the provisions of the ADA. Many St. Croix businesses are wheelchair accessible and several tour companies will accommodate the physically challenged. Click here for more information.
21. I want to have my wedding and get married on St. Croix. Is it difficult to arrange?
No, not at all. A marriage license needs to be obtained at the courthouse. Your union will be recognized as a legal union by any court in the United States. There are several wedding planners on the island to help you. Click here for more wedding information and for a Marriage Application and License that you can download.
22. We are planning a vacation with children of varying ages. Will they be bored?
No! St. Croix has a multitude of things to do for children. You can choose from crab races, snorkeling and swimming, horseback riding, kayak rentals, a Buck Island sail, miniature golf, and museums, parks and national monuments. Believe me, your kids won't be bored!
23. Are there any local customs we should be aware of?
The local Crucian
population come from many different islands in the Caribbean, as well as plenty
of folks from the US mainland. People on the island are generally reserved and
display very good manners. Paying attention to these couple of customs/manners
will help to make your stay more enjoyable and help you to connect with the
local people of St. Croix!
It is unacceptable and generally frowned upon to wear provocative clothing in
public, or to wear bathing suits in public unless you are on a beach or in a
swimming pool.
It is common courtesy to say Hello good morning, hello good afternoon and hello
goodnight, even when just passing people on the street. Always start a
conversation with these greetings, and the normally reserved locals will be warm
and friendly!
Also, when driving around the island, it is common courtesy to let other drivers
make a turn or exit a driveway if you can, just as they will do for you. A flash
of your lights say go ahead, and a quick toot or two on the horn say thank you!
Slow down and relax. Be patient with the slower pace you will experience on the
island.
Have a great and relaxing stay on St. Croix!!!
24. Can I fly my drone while visiting St. Croix?
Drones are legal to use on St Croix, however, here are some rules to follow:
- Do not fly your drone over people or large crowds
- Respect others privacy when flying your drone
- Do not fly your drone over airports or in areas were aircraft are operating
- You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions
- Do not fly your drone in sensitive areas including government or military facilities. Use of drones or camera drones in these areas are prohibited.
- Drones are not allowed in National Parks. There are several parks run by the National Park service (NPS) such as the fort in Christiansted. I would steer clear of them.
- FAA regulations :https://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=22615
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