Villa Margarita St Croix USVI

About St Croix

An unspoiled dream st croix travel information US virgin islands

St Croix is an unspoiled dream. White sandy beaches and lush rainforests set the scene for tropical bliss.  Enjoy the historic old-world charm of Christiansted and Frederiksted, sip your way through a tour of the Cruzan Rum Distillery or explore the ruins of a old sugar plantation. Go horseback riding along stunning white beaches, hike through rainforests, eat fresh seafood every night.  And the scuba diving is superb.  Experience shipwrecks, manta rays and sea turtles, swim in giant schools of tropical fish, and soon you’ll be thinking:  why be anywhere else?

Uncrowded, easy to accessst croix travel information us virgin islands

St Croix offers a wondrous escape from crowds found at other Caribbean destinations. Here you won’t have to fight for  a place on a crowded beach; often you may be the only person on the beach. Strict development limits means you won’t see overbuilt hillsides full of apartments and condos. In many ways it remains just as pure and inviting as when Columbus found it 500 years ago.

Getting here is easy, and while U.S. citizens don’t need a passport, it’s good to bring it or a copy of a birth certificate as proof of citizenship.

Some historyst croix travel information us virgin islands

st croix travel information us virgin islands

St Croix is the most eastern and largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands (28 miles long, 7 miles wide), located 40 miles south of St Thomas and St John. It is one of the most beautiful resort areas in the Caribbean. Much of its beauty and charm lies in gently rolling hills, stretches of pristine and uninhabited beaches, and exceptional variety of landscapes, from lush rainforest mountainsides to the dry, desert-like areas, studded with flowering cactus.

Columbus and his crew landed a mere 300 yards from Villa Margarita, at Salt River bay on his second voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1493.  We literally are walking in their footsteps!

Since then, St Croix has been owned by Spain, France, Holland, England, the Knights of Malta, Denmark and the United States. This gives the island an easy mix of different cultures and styles, a bit of Old Europe in the Caribbean preserved in the two main historic towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted.  It’s an amazing place to feel as though you’re travelling through centuries of history without leaving the present.

The peoplest croix carnival us virgin islands

Cruzans (also called Crucians), the people of St Croix, are known as the friendliest of any Caribbean people. The locals speak English, Spanish and Creole, commonly called Calypso. Creole began in the early days of the slave trade and was influenced by French, English, Portuguese and Dutch mixed with African.

Cruzans love to celebrate, with many unique holidays year-round. December-January is packed with various celebrations, with Three Kings’ Day parade as the high point of every year’s Crucian Christmas Festival. Monthly jazz festivals on the beach and a local Mardi Gras parade in February are also key events on the calendar.

St. Croix Weatherst croix average temperature us virgin islands

St Croix’s perfect year-round weather is legendary. Located close to the equator, the average temperature ranges between 75-85°F.

Constant trade winds blowing gently across the island keeps summer temperatures reasonable and humidity low. Tourists are often shocked to learn that summer is only 5°F warmer than winter!  Hint, hint: a great reason to take advantage of our summer and fall discount rates!

 

What to wearst croix romantic holiday us virgin islands

Summer clothes are worn year around. Simple cottons and linens keep you coolest, and sandals are the footwear of choice. While the island’s style is casual, bathing suits are not appreciated off the beach. Virgin Islanders also like to dress up, so keep it in mind if you go to a special event.

Getting aroundst croix car rental jeep tours us virgin islands

While taxis are available all over the island, we recommend you rent a car. There is so much to see and do, and having your own transport allows you to capture it fully. And don’t forget:  we drive on the left side of the road here.

Rental cars are available at the airport and also in Christiansted and Frederiksted. We appreciate if you support local-owned businesses like Judi of St. Croix.

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Moneycurrency in st croix us virgin islands

The US dollar is the accepted currency in St Croix. We have banks, ATMs, Western Unions and most businesses accept major credit cards.  You should carry a small amount of cash, however, as there’s always drinks, street food, small gifts, tips, etc.

There is no sales tax in the Virgin Islands (yeah!), but a 10% government tax is applied to hotel rooms. St Croix has duty-free status which means each visitor can bring back up to $1200 of purchases duty-free.

St. Croix FAQs (frequently asked questions)

Do you need a U.S. passport for St. Croix?

U.S. citizens do not need a passport for St. Croix but non-U.S. citizens do need a valid passport for St. Croix. U.S. Green Card holders also do not need a passport for St. Croix.

Which is better St. Thomas or St. Croix?

St. Thomas has more fine dining, shopping and cruise ships, while St. Croix excels in scuba diving, pristine beaches, land activities, and a laid-back vibe. Flights to St. Thomas (STT) are $100-200 cheaper, attracting more visitors than St. Croix (STX), but also more crowds.

Is St. Croix expensive?

St. Croix is 22% more expensive than average U.S. mainland prices because most goods need to be flown or shipped in. Grocery prices, gas, alcohol, and drugstore prices are noticeably higher. But there is no local sales tax, which saves you 8-10%.

Paradise has a price, after all 😎

What is special about St. Croix?

Unspoiled Caribbean landscapes, stunning beaches, laid-back vibes, and world-class scuba diving all make St. Croix a special island travel destination. Unlike other overbuilt & crowded islands, St. Croix offers lush green vistas, Old-world historical charm, unique microclimates ranging from desert to rainforests, plus tons of watersports & land activities to keep the whole family entertained. Throw in lots of dining activities, arts & crafts, and engaging friendly locals and that’s a perfect recipe for a special holiday!

Can you use American money in St. Croix?

U.S. dollars is the currency used in St. Croix, and credit cards & ATMs are commonplace. You will want to carry some cash for tips, taxis, and small vendors.

Do you need a car to visit St. Croix?

You will need a car to get around St. Croix island and experience its offerings. Uber/Lyft do not work in St. Croix, taxis are expensive, and public transit unreliable. Local car rental agencies are common but book ahead during the peak season of January-April when rental car availability is more limited.

Here’s is everything you need to know about car rentals in St. Croix here.

Is it worth going to St. Croix?

St. Croix offers one of the best combinations of stunning beaches, old-world historical charm, world-class scuba diving & snorkeling, fine dining, plus unlimited water & land activities. It’s worth visiting St. Croix to see one of the last remaining unspoiled tropical landscapes in the Caribbean, where you literally see what Columbus saw when he landed there in 1493. And all under U.S. law, protection, currency and English. What more can you ask for?

Where should I stay in St. Croix?

The best places to stay in St. Croix are beachfront vacation rentals, resorts, charming boutique hotels, and old historical properties of former sugar plantations. Downtown hotels are often best if you don’t have a car.

Is it safe to drink tap water in St. Croix.

In general it is safe to drink tap water in St. Croix, although pure bottled water is cheap ($1/gal) and available everywhere. There was a heath scare in 2023 when high lead and copper levels were detected in the St. Croix tap water system, resulting in a state of emergency being declared. However, subsequent in-home testing resulted in much lower harmful levels being detected than previously tested at the main system distribution points.

Nevertheless, local & federal authorities are investing in water system upgrades in 2024-2027 and increased testing & monitoring to ensure safe drinking water is available to everyone in St Croix, from residents to tourists and visitors alike.

Can you use your cell phone in St. Croix?

Most U.S. cell plans work in St. Croix. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Liberty Mobile cell phones work in St. Croix in 5G & 4G. Cellular coverage is spotty in some places and cellular data transfer speeds are slower than the US mainland but still good enough for video chats like FaceTime, Google Maps, and other apps.

You can read more here about St Croix cell phone service, cell phone repair in St. Croix, and cell coverage maps in St. Croix USVI.

What is the best month to go to St. Croix?

December-May are the best months to go to St. Croix. Perfect sunny weather averaging 84°F and low rainfall make these months ideal to visit St. Croix. The rainy season is September-November, while St. Croix hurricane season runs from June though November.

St. Croix is pleasant to visit year-round due to constant temperature between 84-90°F and constant tradewinds. The off-peak season runs from May through November, offering discounted accommodations, fewer crowds and less crowded beaches.

St. Croix videos

Here are some interesting videos about things to do in St. Croix.

Learn Where is St. Croix

or look at the Best St. Croix Beaches

go to St Croix aiport page

Click here for St. Croix Villas to rent

Click here for St. Croix rental cars

Click here for St Croix Cell Phone Service & Repair

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