Mocko Jumbies entertaining crowd at St. Thomas Carnival; credit USVI Tourism
St. Thomas Travel Tips
Facts
Official Language: English
Currency: U.S. Dollars
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time
Est. Population: 56,000
Cruise Port City: Charlotte Amalie
Travel Tips
The island’s tropical climate averages 83 degrees year round. During the summer, temperatures can increase to 95 degrees. As a result, the “dress code” is always “island casual.” Anytime is a great time of the year to travel here, however, to avoid crowds and high prices, May to November is off season. It is important to note that a rainier season starts in September and ends in October, but because it is a tropical climate, brief showers can come at any time.
Hurricane season is from June to November.
You can make phone calls or use the internet at stations near the cruise port. Get a local phone card for the best rates. Some U.S. cell phone companies allow calls from St. Thomas to the U.S. at the normal U.S. long distance rates. Check with your cell phone company to confirm their policy.
The post office is located on Main Street, across from the Grand Hotel. Post office hours are 8am-4pm (Monday to Friday) and 8am-12pm (Saturday).
Banks are open from 9am-2:30pm (Monday-Thursday) and 9am-4pm (Friday). ATMs are plentiful.
Most stores are open 9am-5pm (Monday-Saturday). Passports are not required for U.S. citizens.
If you plan to rent a car in St. Thomas, remember to drive on the left.
You should drink bottled water when available. Bring sunglasses, a hat and plenty of sunscreen lotion. You should bring plenty of camera film, since it’s more expensive to purchase in St. Thomas. Electricity is the same as the U.S. Cruise ships dock in Charlotte Amalie near Havensight Mall.
The crime rate here is probably no different that in any major metropolitan city, but visitors should use common sense when out and about. Downtown Charlotte Amalie is filled with tourists during the day and is known for bargain shopping.
The major holidays in St. John are New Year’s Day, Three Kings Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Transfer Day, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Memorial Day, Organic Act Day, Emancipation Day, U.S. Independence Day, Hurricane Supplication Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Virgin Islands Thanksgiving Day, Liberty Day, Veterans Day, U.S. Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day.
