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Knowing the details ahead of time about how you will make the transitition from the St. Thomas Airport to your St. John car rental agency, how much it will cost and how long it will take is one proven way of ensuring a relaxed trip for a first time St. John visitor. Hopefully some of the other information below will help also... Yes we do have banks and ATMs, we use the American dollar but drive on the left in American vehicles, we are relaxed in our attire but ask you wear swimsuit cover-ups when not on the beach. And we look forward to meeting you. St. Jonians are a friendly group of people, if you need a question ask, you will get an answer and a smile.  INDEX
OF VISITOR TIPS
Travel Insurance: Global Care coverage | Access America Getting to Cruz Bay, St. John from the St. Thomas Airport, US
Virgin Islands Most passengers to St. John take the ferry service from Red Hook. The ride to Red Hook should take about 40 minutes unless the driver is dropping off other passengers enroute, in which case the trip time will increase, you may get a complete tour of St. Thomas. Sit back and enjoy these first views of the Virgin Islands, you are now on Island Time and there are ferries departing Red Hook on the hour throughout the day. [ferry schedule]. This taxi service to Red Hook is $13.00 for one person, $9.00 each if more than one. The ferry ride to St. John takes about 20 minutes and costs $3.00 a person. If you decide to take the downtown Charlotte Amalie ferry to St. John the ride is shorter, about 10 minutes, and the cost is less, currently $6.00 for one person, 5.00 each if more than one, but be sure to check the ferry schedule [schedule] as fewer ferries connect between Charlotte Amalie and Cruz Bay. The $7.00 ferry ride from downtown takes about 45 minutes and features the gorgeous scenery of St. Thomas’ south shore line. If know you will be in a rush and want to be sure to get directly to the ferry docks you can arrange a private taxi service to meet you at the airport. The charges will be more than the regular rates and will require prepayment. Direct Taxi Service ~ (340) 777-7112 or Christopher Taxi Service ~ (340) 775-9257.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ST. JOHN, US VIRGIN ISLANDS November through February are the coolest months to
visit. The weather holds to a temperate 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit,
with constant refreshing sea breezes. September to October will
often bring a more intense heat, averaging more in the mid to high
80's but the subtropical breezes remain a constant. Usually there
is more rainfall July through January, while spring and early summer
can be quite dry. On any given day, however, brief rain showers
are not uncommon. Hurricane season extends from June through November. The park provides ongoing information for visitors including where to go in the event of a serious storm. Light cotton clothes are recommended. Long lightweight pants will help to protect you against insect bites. Sleeves or a light wrap may be desirable in the early morning or evening during the cooler season. St. John is a relaxed island and it is rare that formal attire is requested. One exception is a Caneel Bay Resort restaurant which, during the winter season and after 6 PM, asks that men wear jackets. Otherwise shorts & T-shirts, sun dresses, and sandals are all acceptable. Bathing suits are for the beach, the locals can be insulted if you do not cover up on the streets or in their business establishments.
Geography: 18.3° N 64.8° W; 19 square-miles
(two-thirds US National Park) St. John works on Atlantic Standard Time zone, GMT+4 except that daylight-saving time is not observed. The days do get shorter in the winter months but only by an hour or two. During the summer months it is light from around 6 AM until 7:30 PM approximately. With the exception of Cruz Bay and the Resorts water is collected from rain and stored in individual cisterns.Conserve it whenever possible when the cistern runs dry water must be transported over from the water plants on St. Thomas. It is recommended that you drink bottled water. This may seem like a silly subject to approach on a website like this. However, island etiquette is very important on St. John. The locals and residents of St. John appreciate being greeted before business is attended to, and do not appreciate seeing almost naked visitors in the streets on on the look-out areas of the roads. Greet everyone with a " Hello, how are you?", “Good Morning” or "Good Evening”. Do this before you talk business. Pleasantries are important to the locals. Be discreet and cover up your bathing suit when in town. Swimsuits are for the beach. Pull over to let cars pass if you want to enjoy the scenery, they may be late for the ferry. Island time is a good time, it is also a slow time. Relax and enjoy your visit.
St. John is a part of the US Virgin Islands which is an UN-incorporated US Territory with a locally elected governor and senate. The government is made up of three branches - the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial. Fifteen senators are elected every two years. Government elections are every four years. An elected representative is sent to Congress however the territory residents do not get to vote in the presidential elections. Virgin Islanders do pay federal income taxes but the collected monies stay in their local treasury. The territory of the Virgin Islands is administrated by the Department of the Interior. Citizenship: American Government of the US Virgin Islands: US Virgin Islands Government - Official Site US Citizens are highly recommended to bring along their passport when traveling to the US Virgin Islands. Although not officially required to show one on the flight down you will be required on your return trip to provide evidence of citizenship by showing a passport, driver's license, birth certificate or voters registration card along with a picture ID. Non US citizens but permanent residents, need certificate of alien registration or green card on leaving territory. If you are planning to make a day trip to the British Virgin Islands definitely bring your passports. Citizens of other countries should carry whatever the US Travel regulations request. Where no visa is necessary have your passport and the green I-94. If a visa is required then bring the white I-94 and your passport. US Immigration and Naturalization Service office: (340) 774-4279 US visitors, including children, can take back or have mailed, $1,200 worth of duty free imports every 30 days which is double the 600 limitation placed on Caribbean basin countries and much more than the $400 that US residents are allowed when returning from most foreign countries. When your exemption is exceeded the first additional $1000 is dutiable at flat rate 5%, above that your purchases will be subject to various rates of duty. Family members traveling together may make a joint declaration. US Visitors to St. John may mail undeclared gifts valued at up to $100 to family or friends at the rate of one mailing per day to the same address. Island made items are customs exempt. Obtain a certificate of origin if value exceeds $25. Also original paintings, unset precious gems and various other items. Be sure to ask or call the Bureau of Customs (340) 774-2510 Exempt are up to: 5 cartons cigarettes, 100 cigars, and 5 bottles of liquor, (an additional bottle is allowed provided it is a product of the islands such as a Cruzan Rum) Plants in soil cannot be transported, but some fruits can. Dept. Agriculture: (340)776-2787. Leaving the islands all baggage subject to inspection by us customs. The customs agent may require you to show a receipt for your purchases. Tipping: Taxes: FINANCIAL & LEGAL SERVICES
Electricity Telephone Public Phones & Phone Cards Phone & Fax Services Cell Phones have become much more popular here in the last couple of years but due to the mountainous nature of the island they can not always be reliable. Check with your provider to see if your service works in the USVI and do not count on being able to use it on the east end of the island. Postal service can surprise you at times and be reliable, if, however, the timing is important be sure to either send it Priority or Express. US Post Office: Monday to Friday: 9:00 - 12:00, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
EveryTing,
next to the Stone Terrace in Cruz Bay Connections, Cruz Bay, (340) 776-6922 Connections East: Coral Bay, (340) 779-4994
Cyber
Celtic Cafe , Cruz Bay ~ (340) 779-4799 Computer World ~ (340) 693-9393, Cruz Bay Surfa da Web & Culver Consulting~ (340) 693-9152, Internet access and computer repair. Laptop stations.
BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES
Island Book Exchanges
DRIVING ON ST. JOHN, US VIRGIN ISLANDS It is to your advantage to have a rental car on St. John or you could miss many of the best parts of the island. Staying in a villa increases the need. The majority of private homes and villas are outside the town and exquisitely located for seclusion and views not for convenience. 4 wheel drives are recommended for driving on the island. St. John's roads are rough, and often very steep. Also the concrete roads can get very slippery in the rain. All of Varlack Ventures rental cars are 4-wheel drives. Mileage is unlimited, you pay for the gas. In order to rent a car on St. John, drivers must be 26 years or older with a valid drivers license and a major credit card. Check with your credit card company to make sure that your rental car insurance applies to the US Virgin Islands and to SUV's. Foreign drivers should obtain a temporary permit from the Department of Public Safety. [ More information about
renting cars on St. John] Always drive on the left (a Danish remnant). Take your time when leaving a parking lot or turning into traffic. The roads are narrow and windy, if you are on the wrong side you may not realize it until coming out from a curve and finding yourself nose to nose with an oncoming vehicle. Seat belts are required in the front seat. This law is strictly enforced. The speed limit in town is 10 MPH and 25 MPH, unless otherwise marked, outside of town. Stay slow and keep an eye out for the animals and hitch hikers that share the road with you. Finding a parking spot in town can be difficult, the
few official parking areas are often full. If you are renting
a vehicle from Varlack they will tend it for you while you are
in town. [Read more about driving on St. John, US Virgin Islands] ESSENTIAL & EMERGENCY SERVICES Emergency 911 Pharmacies Chelsea Drugstore ~ (340) 778-4888, The Marketplace,
Cruz Bay, full service pharmacy
Video Rentals
Underwater Camera Rentals:
Steve Simonsen (340) 775-4485 (Also: photo classes) Baby Equipment: vivavacations
Beware of heavy surf: large swells, mostly in fall and winter months are a large cause of injury in the park. Some bay bottoms drop off steeply from the shore resulting in large waves that break at the water;s edge. Undertows may also accompany the waves. Beach closure notices are for your safety, respect them "If it is not sand, don't stand" Coral takes hundreds of years to grow and is easily damaged. . Do not climb on the walls of ruin, and don't remove pieces. The first is not only to protect precious cultural resources but also for your safety, ruins can be unstable. |
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