St. Croix US Virgin Islands Tourism, History and General Tourist Information

About St. Croix

St. Croix is one of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which are considered an unincorporated U.S. territory. The beautiful island of St. Croix is the largest of the 3 inhabited US Virgins Islands (St. Thomas and St. John are the other two) and is 84 square miles. However, it only has a population of 55,000 residents. Christopher Columbus is said to have discovered the island in 1493, landing at Salt River on the north coast. The eastern part of the island is more arid than the western end of the island. You will even see large cactus plants on the East end.

The East end has many beautiful sunny beaches and is favored by the more wealthy of the island. The western St. Croix Beach 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!

The two main towns are Christiansted and Frederiksted. Christiansted is on the northeast part of the island and is filled with historic Danish architecture. Frederiksted has charming "gingerbread" Victorian architecture. Fort Frederik dates back to 1700 and is the site where Governor General Peter Van Scholten read the proclamation abolishing slavery in 1848. Today it houses a museum. Frederiksted has a colorful harbor that draws cruise ships and people from around the world.

Christiansted, St. Croix - Harbor
Christiansted Harbor

Frederiksted, St. Croix
Frederiksted Waterfront

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.

St. Croix Map

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.

Cruzan Rum Factory
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.

New 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!!! *****

The new passport requirement outlined below 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.

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Under WHTI

Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).
The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.
DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.

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

Documents You Will Need to Enter the United States

Visitors/Non-immigrants:

All persons including citizens of the United States traveling by air between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a passport, Merchant Mariner Document (presented by U.S. citizen merchant mariners traveling on official business) or NEXUS Card (NEXUS enrollment is limited to citizens of the United States and Canada, and lawful permanent residents of the United States and Canada). Children will be required to present their own passport.

U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), refugees, and asylees will continue to be able to use their Alien Registration Card (Form I-551), issued by DHS, or other evidence of permanent resident status or refugee or asylee status to apply for entry into the United States. 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.

Starting January 31, 2008, verbal declarations of identity and citizenship alone will no longer be accepted. On this date, U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the U. S. at land and sea ports of entry from within the Western Hemisphere will need to present (1) government-issued proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, along with (2) government issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license. ( Important Change in International Land and Sea Travel Document Procedures )

While a passport or other comparable document is not currently required for entry by land or sea, U.S. and Canadian citizens are highly encouraged to carry proof of identity and citizenship. Travelers 19 years and older should also carry government-issued photo ID. Please visit "Ready, Set... Go!" for the latest information on travel requirements. ( Ready, Set... Go! )

Full WHTI implementation is currently planned for the summer of 2009. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain acceptable documents for land/sea entries to the United States.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/air_travel/documents_needed.xml

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 and check your bags.

Before passing through Customs you have the opportunity to shop in the airport's gift shop and/or get a bite to eat at the small local restaurant located in the lobby. This is your last chance to try some local food before you return home!

After visiting the airport lobby, fill in the Customs Declaration form you were given at check-in and proceed to Customs. Present your declaration form, along with your passport, to a Customs Inspector. 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 street! Rentals cars are all left hand drive models.