Before Travelling

Climate

The climate in the Virgin Islands is very pleasant, with the trade winds keeping the humidity down. The average temperature varies little between winter (25°C or 77°F) and summer (28°C or 82°F). Average annual rainfall is 40ins. On 17 September 1989, Hurricane Hugo ripped across St Croix causing damage or destruction to 90% of the buildings and leaving 22,500 people homeless.

Advertisement

In September 1995 the islands escaped the worst of Hurricane Luis but were hit by Hurricane Marilyn, causing damage estimated at US$3.5bn. St Thomas was the worst hit, with five deaths and a quarter of all homes destroyed. In July 1996 the hurricane season came early with the arrival of Bertha, but the 80 mph winds caused only relatively minor damage.

Documents

US citizens do not, of course, require passports for visits to the US Virgin Islands but they do need proof of citizenship to return to the USA. Visitors of other nationalities will need passports, visas (or waiver for participating countries) and return/onward tickets, as they would for the mainland USA.

Safety

Take the usual precautions against crime: lock your car, leave valuable jewellery at home and be careful walking around at night. The tourist office recommends that you do not go to deserted beaches on your own but in a group. Couples have been held up at gunpoint and robbed and/or raped on the beach after dark. In 1996 the shooting on St Thomas of three tourists prompted the reinstatement of a 2200 curfew for youths under 16 and increased police patrols. However, eight tourists were later shot at in a restaurant car park. Other security problems, probably drugs related, have arisen on St John and St Croix. Youth unemployment is a problem.

Security

• St Thomas: Be careful of your possessions on the beach, particularly Coki Beach, and never leave anything unattended. Also be careful if walking to the Crystal Gade Synagogue and never walk there at night.
• St John: Not free of crime. There have been reports of attacks on Cinnamon Bay Beach, while crack cocaine is sold fairly openly on the streets in Cruz Bay. The island is generally safer than St Thomas, but do not be lulled into a sense of false security. Take the usual precautions.

Emergency Numbers

Ambulance: 911. Fire: 911. Police: 911.

Useful Addresses

Air Ambulance: Bohlke International Airways, T7789177 (day), 7721629 (night); recompression chamber 7762686. Ambulance: 911. Fire: 911. Police: 911.

Hospitals

St Thomas has a 250-bed hospital, T7768311, St John has a seven-bed clinic, T7766400, and St Croix has a 250-bed hospital, T7786311. All three have 24-hour emergency services. Mobile medical units provide health services to outlying areas. Red Hook Family Practice is open Monday-Friday 1000-1600, walk in.

Official Time

Atlantic Standard Time, 4 hrs behind GMT, 1 hr ahead of EST.

Voltage

120 volts 60 cycles.

Money

• Currency: The US dollar is the currency. Credit cards are widely accepted in major tourist resorts and duty free shops, less so by local businesses.
• Credit Cards are widely accepted in major tourist resorts and duty free shops, less so by local businesses.
• Departure Tax: No departure tax at the airport (price of US$5 is included in the ticket)

.

Banks

St Thomas & St Croix - UUS banking legislation applies. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, T7767800. Bank of Nova Scotia, T7740037. Chase Manhattan, T7762222. Citibank, T7744800. First VI Federal Savings Bank, T7742022. St John: Chase Manhattan in Cruz Bay, T7757777. Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, T6932777. Bank of Novia Scotia, T6939932. St John’s banking hours are 0830-1500 Mon-Fri.

Busines Hours

Banks: Open Monday-Friday, 0830-1500. Government offices: Open Monday-Thursday, 0900-1700. Banks, filling stations and government offices close for local holidays.

Clothing

Bathing suits are considered offensive when worn away from the beach, so cover up. There is even a law against it, you can get a fine for having your belly showing. It is illegal to go topless on Magens Beach.

Tipping

As in mainland USA, tipping is 15%; hotels often add 10-15%.

Public Holidays

• New Year’s Day
• Three Kings Day (6 January)
• Martin Luther King Day (15 January)
• Presidents’ Day (19 February)
• Holy Thursday, Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Transfer Day (31 March)
• Memorial Day (28 May)
• Organic Act Day (18 June)
• Emancipation Day (3 July)
• Independence Day (4 July)
• Hurricane Supplication Day (23 July)
• Labour Day (beginning of September)
• Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands Friendship Day (mid-October)
• Hurricane Thanksgiving Day (mid-October)
• Liberty Day (1 November)
• Veterans’ Day (11 November)
• Thanksgiving Day (mid-November)
• Christmas Day (25 December)

Ads