U.S. Virgin Islands: Travel Tips

Explore hidden coves, hike through tropical forests, visit historic towns with well-preserved architecture, and golf on championship courses. Winter is generally the driest season in the Caribbean and also the most popular, as travelers flee the chilly weather up north. December through mid-April is the busiest period, with January being the peak month. Following the Easter holiday, the weather warms up and hotel rates cool down. Hurricane season (June–November) brings even lower rates.

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Getting To U.S. Virgin Islands

If you are traveling from the west coast, plan on leaving as early as 7 a.m., or take a red-eye flight to Miami, Atlanta, or New York and connect from there. Coming from New York, you can expect to travel approximately five hours, from Atlanta or Miami it can be approximately three hours and as long as eight hours from Seattle. In any case, plan on leaving early or on a red-eye flight from the West Coast.

Flight times to

  • 2.5 hours from Miami
  • 3.5 hours from Charlotte
  • 4 hours from New York City

Staying In U.S. Virgin Islands

St. Thomas is a Caribbean shopping mecca, since visitors from the U.S. are entitled to a $1200 duty-free allowance (double the usual amount)). It also has the most restaurants, resorts, and revelry. Swim, sail, snorkel off the unblemished powder beaches of St. Croix, the USVI’s largest island. On tiny St. John, where three-fifths of the island is national parkland, go snuba diving (a cross between scuba diving and snorkeling).

Must-see Sights

  • Visit Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas for the ultimate Caribbean shopping spree.
  • Buck Island Reef National Monument on St. Croix is an 880-acre nature reserve with an underwater snorkelers’ trail and an incredible diversity of marine life.
  • Take a 20-minute ferry ride from St. Thomas to visit Virgin Islands National Park—acres of rolling green hills and an underwater reserve.

Things to Do

  • Shop till you drop on St. Thomas! The regular American duty-free allowance is doubled for USVI purchases.
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Traveling In U.S. Virgin Islands

Classic can arrange convenient and comfortable transfers at the time of booking. You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel via taxi or shared transfer. In some locations, a private car transfer can be arranged to avoid the stops. Classic can also arrange friendly and fast car-rental service on many of the Caribbean Islands; with an availability of the most popular car rentals, from convertibles to minivans to four-wheel-drive jeeps. Be prepared to drive on the left side of the road on many islands.

While traveling in U.S. Virgin Islands we recommend:

  • Private transfers at time of booking - Private transfers include a meet-and-greet by English-speaking drivers, luggage assistance, and bottled water in modern vehicles.

Things to Know

Entry Requirements

  • A valid passport is generally required for entry into the Caribbean and return to the United States.
  • Some countries may also require you to present a return airline ticket.
  • It is the traveler’s responsibility to obtain the proper documents.

Currency

  • U.S. currency is accepted nearly everywhere you go in the Caribbean.
  • Currency can be exchanged at banks and island hotels (although for slightly more than the standard exchange rate).
  • Most major American and European credit cards are accepted throughout the islands.
  • ATMs are widely available throughout the Caribbean.

Time Difference

  • The islands that make up the Caribbean span several time zones.
  • Most Caribbean islands lie in the Atlantic Standard Time zone, but a few are in the Eastern Time Zone.
  • Many of the islands do not observe daylight savings time.

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