Daily Life in the U. S. Virgin Islands, Part 1

Despite liberal clothing styles on other Caribbean islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands remain much more conservative. Bathing suits are acceptable on beaches, of course, but cover before leaving the beach. It's actually illegal in the U.S. Virgin Islands to wear bathing suits outside of the beach and pool areas! Bare midriffs and short shorts on women will certainly get some angry stares, and men should not walk around shirtless or with unbuttoned shirts. Dress on the islands is casual, but not THAT casual. Actually, many men wear lightweight pants! And, despite tropical downpours, I have yet to see any raincoats! Lightweight clothing is the best for the tropical Caribbean. And, because of the VERY strong sun, be sure to wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen. Even if you don't burn very quickly, you likely will until your body gets more used to the strong sun in the Caribbean. I prefer staying at the beaches only for an hour or two to prevent too much of a sunburn!

I never really hear much of any crime on any of the U. S. Virgin Islands, but apparently St. Thomas has the highest portion of the 3 major islands. As you likely wouldn't elsewhere, don't leave valuables lying around unprotected. Use your room safe or something. And certainly don't leave things unwatched on the beaches. It turns out, many times on the beaches, it's not a person who steals things, but a bird or a small animal or something! yes, really, they're sneaky little things!

The U.S. dollar is the official currency of both the U. S. and British Virgin Islands. Credit cards are usually accepted, but vendors definitely prefer cash or traveler's checks. ATMs are the easiest way to get money while away from home. The Cirrus network is worldwide, and any debit card endorsed by a major credit card is usually fine. There are 10 ATMs on the three major islands.

Electrical current in the U. S. Virgin Islands is the same the U.S. mainland, 110 volts.

If bringing prescriptions from your doctor that you will want to fill in the Virgin Islands, make sure that they are generic and not brand-name. Carry medicine in its original, properly labeled containers. Bring copies of prescriptions, and note any pre-existing conditions or allergies. You shouldn't require and vaccinations to enter the U. S. Virgin Islands, but check with your doctor before you leave, just in case things change. If you have a sensitive stomach to begin with, or develop stomach problems while in the Virgin Islands, drink lots of bottled water, and make sure to eat only food cooked thoroughly at high temperatures. Actually, you would want to drink lots of bottled water anyways. The older buildings often do not have plumbing that give you good drinking tap water. But the newer ones should be fine. Either way, just drink lots of water there!

Typical business hours are 9-5 Monday-Friday and 9-1 Saturday. Shops sometimes open Sundays for cruise ship arrivals. Bars are usually open from lunchtime to midnight, and occasionally later.

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