Not only the sun warms you in St. Croix
Cupart
World Traveller
3 May 2006
based on 3 votes
There's more to the island of St. Croix than the secluded resorts
-
Explore locations featured in this Traveler List:
Christiansted, St. Croix
- Category: Perfect week or more
-
Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Shopping, Never been before, Beachgoers
-
Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Singles, Families with small children, Budget travellers , Tourists
- Seasons: Winter
- Tags: Lovely, Snorkeling, Smiles, Historic, Warm, Perfect, Sun, Carabbean
|
|
1. King Christian Hotel. Location, Location, Location!!!
|
Ave price:
$161
|
|
Location doesn't get any better than this. Located on the historic site of Christiansted with fab views and very quiet area of the town. Everything else is within walking distance (bars, restaurants, a little beach 30 sec. away on a tiny boat and most of all the historic fort Christiansfort). Very clean and simple Hotel with the friendliest staff I have ever meet (and gorgous looking receptionists). WOW |
|
|
2. Christiansted, St. Croix, In general
|
|
|
If beach life is what you're looking for, go no further. St. Croix is by far over crowded with tourists. You might bump into the odd Danish middle-aged couple searching for Danish colonial remains and/or the odd continental US citizen looking for some adventure, but usually these are locked up behind the gates of some resort somewhere. Back to the beaches. The calm waters on the northern side of the island are perfect for snorkelling and diving. You can go quite far out and still be able to touch the sea bed (be aware of corals and sea urchins) which makes it great to bring the younger family members. Many beaches are secluded and very safe. The worst thing that can happen is that some local will chat with you (male or female) about everything and nothing. There's no catch what so ever :-)
For a night out on the town, with mirror-balls, long drinks with umbrellas and fly-goggles "downtown" Christiansted is probably not the place you want to go. "Downtown" Christiansted as a whole is fantastic when it comes down to the basic beauty. It's very rustic and still holds the architectural charm from the colonisation days. It has an uttermost relaxed feeling and more or less hassle free. You don't have the pushy sales persons trying to sell you stuff you don't want or need, and everyone has time for you. Yes, you read it right. |
|
|
|
3. Driving on St. Croix (car rental)
|
|
| Renting a car and driving it on ST. Croix is a piece of cake (with extra toppings). OK, you get a lefthand drive car and drive on the left side of the road but believe me, it's much easyer than it sounds. The traffic is less to none and drivers are very friendly and helpfull. When I say less to none I'm comparing it with the traffic hell holes of Dublin and London. Anyway, getting around the island in your own hired car makes the stay so much more fantastic. There's no point in getting the largest one you can find, but get whatever suits your circumstances. The island of St. Croix is not much bigger than you can drive around the island in a few hours (without any stops). Bring a copy of Lonely Planets "Virgin Islands" and you are in safe hands. |
|
|
|
4. Weather (or when to go)
|
|
| The US Virgin Islands are located in the belt of hurricans. The best seson to go to the islands would be (through my eyes) in December through to April. The weather is quite stable during this period with almost very little downpour if any at all. You might get the odd shower lasting a few minuttes with storm like force and that's it. 10 min later you're back into action with fun in the sun. OK, you check weather forcasts on either the net or through the weather channel on the TV and you're being told that there is a 80% chance of rain. Hmmm, don't think so. The chances are that it will rain for 5 min during a whole 10 day period, so don't let that get you down. Besides, it rains very locally as well on St. Croix so don't panic. |
|
|
|
5. Shop til you drop
|
|
St. Croix puts the fun back into shopping. The USVI's (St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix) are all tax and duty free. Whatever you do, don't get your stuff from the airport. It's up to 3 times more expensive for exactly the same things that you'd find in Pueblos supermarket in Christiansted. Alcohol is extremely cheap. A bottle of the local produced Cruzan Rum will set you back around USD 4.50 at the before mentioned supermarked.
Shops along the boardwalk area of St. Croix have everything you need except electronics. Jewellery is found in great abundance and quite cheap as well. You shouldn't expect to find the same number of shops as on St. Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) but much much less hassle (OK, St. Croix IS hassle free in general) |
|
|
|
6. Eating out in Christiansted
|
|
| Rumrunner on the boardwalk is great. You get very much the Mediterranean feel in the restaurant - Sitting by the water front, looking at the people walking by on the magnificent boardwalk whilst the sun sets beneath the Caribbean Sea and the waves softly hits the rocks as the warm Caribbean breeze kisses your face. It doesn't get much better than this. Oh, and the food? It's good, cheap and very honest. At the entrance to the restaurant, there's a feeding place for huge Tarpons that come in during the evening which adds to the excitement of kids (and grown ups for that matter). There are some many choices of restaurants from Pizza to Sushi and the horrible fast-food joints a bit outside the city centre which is good for a grease and salt kick after a long day at the beach. |
|
Compliment Cupart
