Located East of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands are an
unincorporated organized territory of the United States of
America. Once known as the Danish West Indies, the Virgin
Islands also consist of the British Virgin Islands to the
northeast. The three main islands are Saint Croix, Saint John,
and Saint Thomas. While all three are slightly similar, they
offer enough differences to make them all exciting destinations
if you decide to travel here. Here is some information you may
find helpful if you want to go to the U.S. Virgin Islands for
the first time.
Getting to the U.S. Virgin Islands
You should note that St. John does not have an airport, but
it is easy to get to it from one of the other two islands. Both
St. Croix and St. Thomas have airports, with many flights
connecting through Puerto Rico or San Juan. Once there, ferries
make it easy to get to any of the islands - or even Puerto Rico.
From taxis to scooters to rental cars to buses, there are
many ways to get around once you've arrived, so don't worry
about that.
Popular US Virgin Islands Destinations
Buck Island Reef National
Monument - This is one of the most beautiful marine gardens in
the whole Caribbean.
Virgin Islands National
Park - Around 7,000 acres is used to show more than 1,000
years of history in the area.
D&D Studio Fine Art Gallery
- If you like photography, art and the natural beauty of the
Caribbean, you need to make a stop here. You won't be
disappointed.
Restaurants - There are
some semi-famous and some not so well known restaurants on the
islands, many of which offer great meals at reasonable prices.
Drinking Establishments -
While you can get drinks on Saint John, if you want to have a
Caribbean night on the town, the best drinking places are on
Saint Croix and Saint Thomas islands.
Resorts and Hotels - There
is a wide variety of different types of places to lay your
head at night. Depending on your budget, you can live well or
live like royalty. The choice is yours as the islands have a
lot of choices to offer.
Things to Do on the Virgin Islands
Sailing - Getting a boat
and sailing around the islands is a great way to experience
the beauty of the area.
Shopping - If you like to
shop, there's a good chance you're going to find at least one
or two places to have fun spending some hard earned money.
Local Customs and Traditions
From the slightly different handshake that islanders commonly
us on the U.S. Virgin Islands to the common courtesies they
extend while in public, there are many slight differences that
you are going to find here. Driving on the left side of the road
is another one. That said, the people are friendly, speak
English, and like the fact that people come to their islands to
spend money and help the local economy. At least those who are
polite, civil and show respect for local customs. With a history
of slavery and sugarcane, the Virgin Islands may have a slightly
dark past, but the future is bright for this little spot in the
Caribbean.
About the U.S. Virgin Islands