When I go to the U. S. Virgin Islands, I always make sure to plan out and schedule my vacation there. That way I don't miss or forget anything I really want to do. After all, 11 visits must count as something! Vacationing in the U. S. Virgin Islands is a life-changing experience, but the only way to perfect it is to plan it before you actually arrive.
The U. S. Virgin Islands are very different in and among themselves, and especially different from the remainder of the Caribbean. From the National Park protected picturesque beaches of St. John, to the lively, vibrant atmosphere of St. Thomas, to the larger, yet far less traveled St. Croix.
Will your vacation focus on the water, perhaps in one of the luxurious yachts? Or perhaps a beachfront property with soft white sand beaches. Maybe you would prefer a historic residence turned hotel near town? Or an exclusive all-inclusive beachfront resort? The choices abound, and so do the hotels, as well as the rates.
While you plan your vacation, stop online to check out the official Web sites for the U.S. Virgin Islands (www.usvitourism.vi). While online, dig up some property and visitor reviews for any hotels or resorts that interest you.
Some guidebooks focus on the U. S. Virgin Islands provide much valuable information about the specific destinations, restaurants, and resorts in the U. S. Virgin Islands. Just make sure that the guidebook you check out is the one best fitting with your preferences. Travel magazines can be very helpful too, if you look at ones specific to the Caribbean or the U. S. Virgin Islands.
Of course, tell people about your upcoming vacation. Perhaps someone you know has been to the U. S. Virgin Islands and can give you specific information or recommendations. But you can still return to this blog for future additions and discussions about the U. S. Virgin Islands.Having done some research on the U. S. Virgin Islands, you've probably got a pretty good idea of where you'd like to go. Is your mind set on the relaxing calm of or do you prefer the upbeat geniality of their U.S owned counterparts, The differences in the islands are noteworthy so determining your vacation priorities will be an essential part of making wise decisions.
Although the U.S. Virgin Islands are internationally known for yachting and boating, few arrive with their own ships. You can always rent one, or charter one before you arrive, or after you get there. Although I highly recommend reserving yours in advance. I'm sure you can even buy one, if you happen to catch the owner at just the right time. Alternatively, you can fly directly to the St. Thomas or St. Croix airport, or arrive via cruise ship.
Many areas of the U. S. Virgin Islands are child-friendly, and many are more upscale, or geared toward the elder generations, or even more in tune for honeymooners.
Although the U. S. Virgin Islands are incredibly gorgeous, with many activities and beaches to suit everyone's tastes, you must allow for the financial aspect of this vacation to rear its lovely head. Of course, you will need a place to stay, a way to get there, and food to eat, but include in your financial situation also the money you will use for souvenirs, resort taxes, and tips. Souvenirs can range from a simple $3 tee shirt at Vendors' Plaza open air flea market, to the $300 exotic porcelain sculpture of the Crystal Shoppe, to the $3,000 sapphire ring in Regency Jewelers.
Just a side note, the jewelry in the U. S. Virgin Islands is often more on the exotic, upper class end of the scale. You shouldn't find anything for $30, a good amount for $300, some more for $3,000, then the especially nice pieces for $30,000 and even the rare, original, one-of-a-kind $300,000 pieces! I even tried on a natural yellow diamond ring worth $1,500,000, but the store owner was willing to part with it for ONLY $800,000! So, there is quite a wide range of prices and styles, and certainly some intriguing gemstones. The tip of the day here is never to take the salesman's first price offer. They claim you can have the jewelry for as much as 80% off state-side prices, but I have yet to see the mainland store that actually has such insanely high prices for their jewelry. Also, I have yet to find the St. Thomas jewelry store that even takes the full 80% off what they claim to be the state-side prices.
Peak Season is November-May, and prices on just about everything reflect it very well. Off-season is June-October. Resorts often reduce their rates significantly during these 5 months, and there is far smaller crowds on the islands at this time. Hotels charge from $80-$550 or more per night, depending on the season. Plus an 8% hospitality tax and whatever additional fees they add on.
Dining is considerably more expensive than on the mainland, with prices ranging from $10 per person upwards to $45 per person, per meal. Even the local fast food restaurants are more expensive than at first expected. Tips, however, are the same as the rest of the country, 15-20%, but surely more is very much appreciated. And so many of the waitstaff workers are so incredibly friendly, you likely would want to give them that little bit extra.
Taxis aren't like they are state-side. They charge by the person, and most are considered vans or open air safari buses. They charge from destination to destination, and often take on other passengers to help cut down everyone's costs. Buses are reliable and comfortable but are rarely on time. This is the very relaxed Caribbean, after all. And they still have those $2 rides which travel from the airport to the docks of Red Hook on the east side of St. Thomas nearly every day, going directly through town, and over the hills to the northeast part of the island. I have yet to discover if any ever go to the western part of the island, beyond the airport, to the north side, or anywhere between the Cruise Ship docks and Red Hook along the south side.
Car rentals are usually $50-$80 a day, plus taxes. Weekly discounts are also available, of course.
Ferries are extremely popular and certainly one of the most reasonably-priced options available, from $7-45.
Admission and cover charges are also additional expenses which must be included into your financial plans. As well as other "goodies" such as electronics, cameras, watches, china, perfume, lace, and liquor. And most of them are also below market prices here on the mainland.
You can bring up to $1,200 per person worth of untaxed goods and 5 liters of alcohol (6 if 1 of them is locally-made). 5% tax is added if you go over the limit. Actually, it's rather complicated to do it, too, because you can combine the number of people in your party to get the higher limit. So, a family of 4 can bring home $4,800 worth of goods without being taxed, and if there is also a baby with them, you can increase it again to $6,000! Of course, children cannot claim the alcohol (legal drinking age in the U. S. Virgin Islands is 18), or the cigarettes.
Everyone over age 5 must pay a departure tax upon leaving: by air is $20, by cruise ship $7 and by yacht or other personal watercraft $5. The departure taxes are usually included in the fees, but just be ready in case.
The weather in the U. S. Virgin Islands doesn't change much throughout the year. The difference between average summer and winter temperatures is really only 10 degrees. Hurricane season officially lasts from June 1 to November 30, but don't let it worry you. The U. S. Virgin Islands are so small, it would take nearly a direct hit for your vacation to be all that messed up. In fact, more hit the mainland than the U. S. Virgin Islands, despite their location in the tropical Caribbean!
During high season these tranquil islands become hustling, bustling swirl of vacationers, reveling in the beautiful weather and white sand beaches. Book your vacation at least 2 months in advance, when possible. And as soon as you arrive, or if you can before you arrive, make your restaurant reservations.
The off season is very different, with far less crowds and expense. You can even walk into mostly any restaurant and be seated without a reservation!
High season events include St. Croix's Crucian CHRISTmas, the Rolex Cup Regatta, and Carnival.
Low season events include a very festive Independence Day celebration, as well as numerous other carnivals and festivals, regattas, and fishing tournaments.
So, now that you have all of this information, plan out your vacation, and plan out your expenses. But, most importantly, plan to have FUN!
And, when you're ready to plan, stop by at: http://kingarthur.traverustravel.com/index.asp
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