Romantic Getaway Guide To The US Virgin Islands
U.S. Entry Requirements
Because the U.S. Virgin Islands are a U.S. territory, no U.S. passport is required. However, a passport is generally accepted to be the best form of identification.
The Virgin Islands use the American dollar for its currency and the official language is English.
By Plane
There are two major airports serving the Virgin Islands — Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix. Among the major airlines offering non-stop and connecting service to St. Thomas are American, Delta, United and U.S. Airways. The only major carrier serving St. Croix is American. A non-stop flight from Miami to St. Thomas typically takes about 2.5 hours, with connecting flights averaging just under four hours.
Among ground transportation services offered at Cyril E. King Airport are car rentals, private shuttle services, taxis and hotel shuttles. Henry E. Rohlsen also offers car rentals, taxis and shuttle services.
By Cruise Ship
Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Princess, Disney and Celebrity are among the cruise lines serving St. Thomas. Only a few cruise lines serve St. Croix, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity. St. Thomas also has only a few cruise ships serving its port — Club Med and Sea Dream. Cruise ships will arrive at Charlotte Amalie, Havensight, Subbase, Frederiksted and Cruz Bay.
Getting Around
Car Rentals
Although most car rentals on the Virgin Islands are left-hand drive like the United States, motorists drive on the left side just like in great Britain. However, a car rental allows for more freedom to visit any of the islands, saves time and is more convenient. U.S. driver's licenses are valid for 90 days but those holding international driver's licenses must obtain a temporary foreign driver's permit. Seat belts are required and children under five must be in a car seat. Bike, scooter and motorcycle rentals are also available.
Taxi service is available on all three major islands using vans, SUVs, cars and trucks. Taxis are not metered and instead use a standard fare based upon point of origin and destination. Licensed taxis are identified with a taxi placard or dome light and license plates. Visitors must be wary of unlicensed taxis that typically park near bars and grocery stores. Although rates are standardized for licensed taxicab operators, passengers must agree to the rate, which will include number of people, luggage and waiting time. Because taxi fare can add up quickly, visitors are urged to consider renting a car.
One more affordable form of taxi service that operates on St. Thomas is known as dollar rides or dollar taxis. Dollar taxis do not have an identifiable sign but are said to follow the same route as the Virtran public bus service.
Public transportation operated by Vitran is available on all three major islands. However, while service is inexpensive, it's also said to be unreliable. St. Thomas has a service from the west end to the east end of the island, while bus service on St. Croix runs between the airport, Christiansted and Frederiksted and St. John has service between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay.
St. Thomas ferries operate from Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook to St. John, Water Island and St. Croix. VINow posts the most current ferry schedules and fare information online.
The following are some of the most romantic hotels on the Virgin Islands
St. Thomas
- Ritz Carlton St. Thomas
- Marriott's Frenchman's Cove
- Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
- Crystal Cove Beach Resort
- Secret Harbour Beach Resort
St. Croix
- The Buccaneer
- The Palms at Pelican Cove
- Divi Carina Bay Casino Resort
- Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort
- The Palms at Pelican Cove
St. John
Here are some recommendations for romantic dining on all three major islands
St. Thomas
St. Croix
St. John
Top Five Attractions
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
www.vinow.com
Named after a Danish queen, Charlotte Amalie is the capital and largest city of the Virgin Islands. The city offers a number of outdoor activities such as kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling and world-class sport fishing as well as a number of interesting landmarks. Among the top sights to see are Magic Ice, St. Thomas Synaogogue, Blackbeard's Castle Cruz Distillery, University of the Virgin Islands and the 700-foot skylift to the top of Charlotte Amalie.
www.magensbayauthority.com
Magens Bay is home to one of the world's most beautiful beaches and a can't-miss attraction on the island of St. Thomas. Located on the northern coast, the beaches can be quite busy and crowded, especially when cruise ships are docked. But Magens Bay is one of the most popular spots on the Virgin Islands and offers a number of outdoor activities like kayaking, snorkeling, hiking and camping.
www.nps.gov/viis/index.htm
Encompassing some 60 percent of the entire island of St. John, this U.S. national park is best known for world-class scuba diving and snorkeling at Trunk Bay and Cruz Bay and hiking picturesque trails like Cinnamon Bay and Bordeaux Mountain Trail. Visitors should also not miss the historic Annaberg sugar plantation.
www.nps.gov/chri/index.htm
Located at the end of King Street in the historic town of Christiansted, this site was once the capital of the Danish West Indies. Many of the original 18th and 19th century buildings still stand, including Fort Christianvaern, The Danish West India and Guinea Company Warehouse and the Steeple Building.
www.nps.gov/buis
Buck Island lies off the northeast coast of St. Croix just 1.5 miles away. Most of the monument is underwater to protect one of the best coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea. This is a very popular spot for snorkelers, who can follow a marked underwater trail, one of only of three in the U.S.
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