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For a good time, try to go to
"Jump Up" (also known as Harbor Night) in Christiansted which is held several times a year. This "carnival-like" evening
in Christiansted is filled
with steel bands, dancing, local arts and crafts, food, and fun!
Both towns have duty free shopping and great
places to eat!
St. Croix lies approximately 40 miles south of St. Thomas and St.
John and is separated from them by a deep oceanic trench plunging down over
10,000 feet! St.
Croix has beautiful sandy beaches. In fact, some of the best
swimming, snorkeling, and diving to be found in the Caribbean is right here on
St. Croix. 
Historic
plantations from the days when agriculture drove the
economy are scattered throughout the island. St Croix also has
fine
shopping areas and a variety of activities to keep
tourists
entertained. Among it's natural attributes are natural reserves
for plant and animal life (Buck Island Reef National Monument
with an underwater snorkeling trail), a rainforest, and botanical
gardens.
The
Cruzan Rum factory is also based in St. Croix.
Other Facts about St. Croix
St. Croix's currency is US Dollars. Most credit cards and
travelers checks are accepted. No sales tax.
The language is English, yet many locals also speak English with
a Caribbean twist. For instance, the 'H' is often discarded
("thing" becomes "ting", and "thanks"
becomes "tanks...mon").
The climate is subtropical with a year round average of about 78*F/26*C with
easterly trade winds to help keep the humidity level comfortable. Seasonal
temperatures fluctuate less than 10*F/6*C. Average annual rainfall is only 50
inches/1270 millimeters and occurs more in late spring and late summer. The island is
more susceptible to potential hurricanes September - October.
Electricity - the current and wall outlets are 110v/60 cycles,
like those in the U.S.
The water is safe to drink at most hotels and in town. Bottled water is
preferred, but not entirely necessary elsewhere.
St. Croix is on Atlantic Standard Time zone year-round (1 hour
ahead of Eastern Standard Time).
St. Croix has many festivals throughout the year, but any time is
a great time to visit St. Croix.
Travel Document Requirements
- Passport Requirements
Please
note: This initiative DOES NOT affect U.S.
citizens traveling between the United States and
its territories!
Click
here
for more info.
***** U.S. Citizens do not need a passport to
travel to St. Croix!!! *****
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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. |
Background
The Intelligence Reform and
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the
Department of Homeland Security and Department
of State to develop and implement a plan to
require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign
nationals alike, to present a passport or other
document, or a combination of documents, that
denote identity and citizenship when entering
the United States. Congress amended portions of
the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative is the Administration’s proposed plan
to implement this mandate.
The goal of the Initiative is
to strengthen border security and facilitate
entry into the United States for U.S. citizens
and legitimate foreign visitors by providing
standardized, secure and reliable documentation
which will allow the Department of Homeland
Security to quickly, reliably and accurately
identify a traveler.
More Information
from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Website
The
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will
not affect travel between the United States and
its territories. U.S. citizens traveling
directly between the United States, Guam, Puerto
Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, America Samoa,
Swains Island and the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands will continue to be
able to use established forms of identification
to board flights and for entry. US citizens need only a government issued, photo
ID to travel to/from the US Virgin Islands.
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service maintains an office in St. Croix
and is happy to assist visitors by answering any immigration questions. Their
telephone number: (340) 778-6559. At the airport, their number is (340)
778-1419.
When you leave St. Croix by air, give yourself at least an hour and a half at
the airport to go through customs and immigration checkpoints. At the airline
counter you will be required to show photo identification for security purposes, check your bags
and you will be given a Customs Declarations form.
Fill in the Customs Declaration form you were
given at check-in and proceed to Customs. Present your declaration form, along
with your passport. If you are a U.S. citizen and have not gone out of the U.S.
Virgin Islands, you only need a valid, governmet issued I.D., such as a driver
license. U.S. You then collect your bags from the
luggage carousel and pass through Immigration where you present your
identification and Customs Declaration form. Be prepared to have all your bags
checked thoroughly, inside and out.
Once past Customs and the airport screening area there are new gates with
comfortable chairs and a small snack bar which serves light snacks, soft drinks,
beer and cocktails.
Driving is on the left side of the road! Rentals cars are all left hand drive
models.
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half of St. Croix is quite different. It is verdant and
lush, with beautiful green hills, a small rainforest, and wonderful
white sandy beaches. Tourism is a growing and thriving part of life
on St. Croix and tourists just love it and keep coming back, year
after year! While tourism plays a major role in the island's economy,
