• St. Thomas USVI (airport code STT)
• PRO TIP: Don’t try to fly to the BVIs in order to get to the USVI in the same day. Unless you plan on spending, a night or two in the BVI before your stay in USVI, you will not make it on time to the USVI on the same day (in other words it is not a shortcut).

WHAT TO PACK – Clothing/Cash

Clothing

• PRO Tip – PACK LIGHT! – BACKPACK IT if you can – Many people find that they could have packed half of what they did. So you don’t need any fancy shoes, and not many dresses at all.  
• IT’s CASUAL! – “Casual” means t-shirts/shorts/flip-flops go in almost any setting here.
• SHOES – Similarly you won’t need much here – only two pairs: 1) a pair of flip flops for the sand and, 2) a good pair of sneaker sandals/water shoes like ‘Keens’ are especially useful for hiking and for walking some beaches here which are rocky. There are some good snorkel spots with rocky beaches. High heals are neither practical or seen much here.
• *Bathing suits without at least a cover-up are typically not ok to wear in stores or restaurants (not unless you are literally at a beach bar).

Cash and Credit Cards

• Get cash in small bills BEFORE your flight. 

  • $100 and $50 bills aren’t great here. Seems like everyone brings them, but they aren’t always easy to make change. For that reason, prior to your flight break down $100 and $50 bills to smaller denominations. It will be faster and easier.
  • ATMs – on island are very limited.
  • CASH-ONLY is common.
    • Shuttle Buses from the airport, the Car Ferry, Safari taxis = Small bills mean you don’t have to wait in line as the taxi driver tries to make change for every customer. NO UBER or LYFT in USVI so if you need any rides, it’s cash.
    • Some restaurants and some businesses are CASH-ONLY. 
  • Handy for tips. Most businesses either don’t want to make change, or they are also limited on small change on hand.

St. John’s island roads are mountainous, steep & curvy

• WHY A JEEP/SUV INSTEAD OF A CAR? St John is not a flat island by any means. St John is a volcanic island with steep terrain throughout the territory. For the most part selecting a car rental for exploring St John that has 4-WHEEL DRIVE, 4×4, Jeep, OR A HIGH WHEEL BASE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for travel on St John as roads are mountainous throughout the island. Roads on St John may be steep, wet/slick, curvy, narrow or single-lane. Switchbacks and hairpin turns are common. Some roads may be rough and bumpy with unpaved, rock and dirt conditions . Additionally, such vehicle such as described herein will be the most reliable to assist for greater traction in slippery or rough or uneven road conditions as well as for climbing steep terrain.
  • Why not a car? A 4-cylinder sedan would generally not be the first choice of vehicle for St John, especially in slick or steep conditions. A vehicle that is not similar to that recommended herein may experience difficulties sliding down or spinning wheels up switchbacks in wet conditions. Even on the main beach road where you will do most of your driving has these conditions. FOR CLARIFICATION:. The trip from a VAST majority of vacation rentals to most of St John Virgin Islands’ beaches, hikes, restaurants, stores, and attractions in St John are NOT accessible by an easy or quick walking distance –  It may be easy to walk DOWN hill from some accommodations, but walking back uphill could be grueling depending on an individual’s physical ability.

• Probably the number one question is where to book a rental vehicle. 
• Booking a car rental in St John EARLY is important since demand is high especially in high season months. You will likely wind up with a Jeep or similar. Guests book either on St John or St Thomas. 
• How much does car rental in St John or St Thomas cost? Rates of $75-$100+ are not uncommon on either island, as there are no major-brand car rental companies operating on the island. Firstly, the earlier you book the better your rate may be. The later you book, the greater the price will go up due to demand.
• We do not recommend any specific rental car company on St John or St Thomas. You can see a google map of St John Jeep rental company locations here. The map also shows a list. As you will see in the map, they are mostly clustered around the Cruz Bay Foot Ferry Terminal. You can also click this link to find a list of St John Jeep rental companies here.

ST JOHN CAR RENTAL – BENEFITS

• … You have car troubles, the Jeep company is here on St John to help you, or if need-be switch vehicles for you; 
• … One or more car ferries are down for maintenance you don’t have to wait in a huge line of cars backed up at the St Thomas parking lot sitting and waiting to get to St John. Also, possible long lines at car barge from St John back to St Thomas on the day you need to catch a flight;
• … You have a later flight, you can still get on the foot ferry (which runs later then the car ferry) to get to your car rental and to your villa rental for the night. This may save you the hassle of possibly the next day having to backtrack to cross over islands to get the Jeep in St Thomas (this would also involve taxi charges or ride service to get to and from the villa for the night and again the next day); 
• … Unexpected delays (flights, traffic) on your date of arrival, you can still get to St John by foot ferry but otherwise the car ferry may be shut down for the evening. For example: your flight gets in too late, not only may not be able to get your Jeep, but also may be too late to get the last car ferry to cross over to St. John.
• … On occasion a Jeep company’s availability does not match your Check-In and Check-Out dates, therefore you won’t have to go back and forth to St Thomas to pick up/return a jeep a day early; and, we can likely provide ride service on St. John to fill in the gap;
• All things considered, renting in St. John has a lot of benefits

ST THOMAS CAR RENTAL – BENEFITS

• Jeep company may be willing to arrange to meet you at the airport; 
• Some guests prefer grocery shopping on St Thomas if they have lengthy stays

SAFARI TAXI RATE TABLES – St Thomas (Updated Rates as of 10/2022)

Local taxi rates and information can be found here. 

Airport shuttle van to Red Hook ferries, cost is $23/person + bags, not including tip (or if 2+ people, rate is $17 each person). This St Thomas taxi rate, for instance, is CASH from the Cyril E King Airport to Red Hook = $23/person.

• OPTION 3) Between CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas and Cruz Bay, St John.

• Schedule for “Love City Car Ferries” between St Thomas and St John.

ELECTRICAL POWER OUTAGES

• It is not uncommon to experience occasional local, regional, island, or territory-wide electrical or WiFi outages/interruption of service in the U.S. Virgin Islands from time to time. However, the electric company (WAPA) is fairly responsive to these outages. This could last anywhere from less to an hour to typically up to 4 hours.
• While the power is out, here are some tips:
  • Flush sparingly.
  • Do not do dishes or shower since there is almost no water in the pipes during an outage.
  • Take it as an opportunity to head to the beach; reading a book;  having a cocktail or two, taking a nap.
  • Your cell phone may still be able to pick up phone signal and/or surf the web during the outage
• For further information during the outage, go to Facebook, and look for “Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority”, or WAPA’s website.

• There are no lifeguards on any beach.

• Be aware of weather conditions and high surf alerts.

• Be aware of your own swimming ability and keep an eye out for others in your group. No need to over-exert yourself. Listen to your instincts and do not go farther out to waters then you think you may be comfortable with. Relax and gently swim along where you have a comfort level. If you feel like you may be getting tired, get out of the water. Instead, enjoy the view relaxing on the beach for a bit until you are refreshed and rested.
• Stand on sand. Be especially aware of sea urchins, which are black spiky creatures (which usually adhere to rocks) and fire worms. It is best not only for you but also for marine life not to touch anything in the water. This is because you may step or touch things that may cause cuts or irritation to your skin.
• Bring water and snacks to keep your energy up.

• Pack reef-safe sunscreen, bug spray, and of course, your hat, sunglasses, and a towel too.

• Snorkle Gear Tips for the best seal against water leakage and safety:

  • First, do not apply sunscreen to your face before using snorkel gear – Sunscreen makes the mask slip and slide, rather than adhere to your face. 
    • Next, get your face wet and the rim of the snorkel mask wet, although no mask is 100% leakproof.
    • Finally, IF YOU HAVE FINS, do not walk in them in the sand to get down to the water. The proper way is to carry them down to the water. After that, wade into the water and put them on in thigh or waist deep water, then immediately start swimming. Above all, it is dangerous to walk in fins from the beach in the sand or in the breaking sure (This goes for walking forwards or backwards. For some reason, people think the pros walk backwards? Please don’t walk backwards in fins you are not used to while wearing a mask your not used to on your face, as you walk blindly backwards into crashing surf … It certainly is not safe).