Skip to content
Territory of United States

Caribbean

United States Virgin IslandsTravel guide

Explore United States Virgin Islands visa rules

The U.S. Virgin Islands are a United States territory east of Puerto Rico, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Visitors come for beaches, swimming, snorkeling and sailing. The capital is Charlotte Amalie.

Why go

  1. Relax on white sandy beaches.

  2. Snorkel at Trunk Bay or explore smaller bays.

  3. Walk hiking trails and visit old sugar plantations.

  4. Explore colonial buildings and art galleries.

  5. Visit St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John.

Getting there

By air

  • Flights arrive on St. Croix or St. Thomas. St. John has no airport and is reached through St. Thomas.
  • Many flights connect through San Juan, Puerto Rico. Direct flights from the U.S. mainland can reduce travel time.
  • Cape Air flies between the airports on St. Thomas and St. Croix. Seaborne Airlines operates seaplanes between Charlotte Amalie and Christiansted.

By sea

  • Ferries run between St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John.
  • Ferries also connect the islands with the British Virgin Islands. Service to Puerto Rico is seasonal.

Customs

  • Flights from Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland are treated as domestic flights. Identification accepted by the Transportation Security Administration for domestic travel is enough for the inbound journey.
  • The islands have a separate customs zone. Before flying to the U.S. mainland, allow extra time for customs inspection and plan your purchases accordingly.
  • At departure customs, U.S. citizens need proof of citizenship and photo identification. Other travellers need a valid passport.

Getting around

  • Bus and taxi

    The islands have bus service, regulated taxis or both. Taxis are available when you arrive at Cruz Bay. Take a taxi when travelling at night, especially on St. Thomas.

  • Rental car

    Drive on the left. Most cars have the steering wheel on the left, as on the U.S. mainland. Expect sharp bends, large potholes and narrow roads. Watch for drivers moving into your lane to avoid holes. Stay left and slow to about 5 miles per hour on tight mountain bends. Some unpaved mountain roads need four-wheel drive. Take out insurance if you plan to drive these steep roads. Road signs can be missing or confusing. Local people may know road names better than road numbers. Outside towns, pedestrians and cyclists often use the road because there are usually no sidewalks. Booking a rental car in advance generally brings lower rates.

  • Boat and ferry

    Sailboats can be rented at Red Hook. A full-day boat charter on St. John offers snorkeling and views of the island from the water. A car ferry runs between Red Hook on St. Thomas and Cruz Bay on St. John. The car ferry dock is separate from the passenger ferry docks and has a small sign. Ask workers at the passenger ferries if you cannot find it.

What to see and do

  • Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts

    Visit this arts centre in Frederiksted.

  • Colonial architecture

    Explore the islands' colonial buildings.

  • Annaberg Sugar Plantations

    Visit the sugar plantations and try local Johnny cake.

  • Trunk Bay

    Enjoy a scenic beach with snorkeling, food, drinks and showers.

  • Denis Bay and Little Cinnamon

    These smaller bays take more effort to reach but can offer a quiet beach.

  • Salt Pond

    Visit this beach while exploring the Coral Bay area.

Food and drink

  • Fish & Fungi

    The official national dish.

  • Tart

    The official national dessert.

  • Harvey's

    A place on St. Croix for local food, including stewed goat.

  • Singh's

    A place on St. Croix for roti.

  • Domino Club

    Find local cooking from Norma in the St. Croix rain forest.

  • Tutto Bene, Bacchus, Savant and The Galleon

    Options listed for fine dining.

Money

United States dollar (USD), written as $. One dollar equals 100 cents.

  • The islands are duty-free, with shops selling rum, tanzanite, diamonds and gold jewellery.
  • Christiansted has art galleries, including Island Boy Designs and the Maria Henle Gallery.
  • Plan shopping around the customs inspection required before returning to the U.S. mainland.

Tipping: At full-service restaurants, leave at least 15% of the bill before discounts. Tips are almost never included for groups of 10 or fewer; tip baggage porters at least $1 per bag, and also tip hotel cleaners, valets and helpful concierges.

Typical costs

  • Car rental rates are generally comparable to those on the U.S. mainland.
  • Ranger-guided hikes can be arranged for a small fee.
  • The source lists $1 drinks on St. John across from the National Park office, beside the ice cream shop.

Language

  • English is the official language.
  • An English-based Creole is used informally, especially by older people.
  • Some people also speak Spanish or French.
Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening / Good night
Common greetings chosen for the time of day.
How are you?
A common question after a greeting.
Ya arright?
A local greeting asking if you are all right.
Arright! / OK
Suitable replies to “ya arright?”

Staying safe

  • Some parts of St. Thomas, especially Charlotte Amalie, can be risky at night. Use a taxi when going out after dark.
  • A well-known restaurant may still be in an unsafe neighbourhood. Use caution when travelling to and from it.
  • St. John is relatively safe, but theft from parked cars can happen, especially at secluded beaches such as Salt Pond Bay.
  • Do not leave your wallet under a car seat. Thieves check there.

Local customs

Do

  • Greet people when entering a room.
  • Use a greeting that fits the time of day, such as “good morning” or “good evening.”
  • A greeting is often followed by “How are you?”
  • The local handshake may include a normal shake, a finger clasp and a fist bump.

Staying healthy

  • Public water, usually used in low-lying buildings, is safe to drink.
  • Mountain buildings often use rainwater stored in tanks called cisterns. Its safety depends on regular cleaning and treatment.
  • Homemade alcoholic drinks can be strong.

Outdoor adventures in United States Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands offer white sandy beaches, snorkelling, guided kayaking and miles of hiking trails. St. John has options ranging from Trunk Bay, with food and showers, to quieter bays that take more effort to reach.

  • Trunk Bay

    SnorkellingSt. John

    Visit the beach to snorkel or relax on the sand.

  • Virgin Islands National Park hiking trails

    HikeSt. Johnnear Cruz Bay

    Get trail maps from the U.S. Park Service office in Cruz Bay. You can also arrange a ranger-guided hike at the office.

  • Coral Bay guided kayaking

    KayakingSt. Johnnear Coral Bay

    Take a guided kayak tour in Coral Bay.

  • Coral Bay guided snorkelling

    SnorkellingSt. Johnnear Coral Bay

    Take a guided snorkelling tour in Coral Bay.

  • Salt Pond Bay

    BeacheSt. Johnnear Coral Bay

    Travel to Coral Bay and visit the beach at Salt Pond.

    • Take care when leaving your car unattended at this secluded beach.
    • Do not leave your wallet hidden under a car seat.

  • Denis Bay

    BeacheSt. John

    Visit this smaller bay, allowing for more effort to reach it than Trunk Bay. No specific route is given.

  • Little Cinnamon

    BeacheSt. John

    Visit this smaller bay, allowing for more effort to reach it than Trunk Bay. No specific route is given.

Airports, metros and trains in United States Virgin Islands

Airports with scheduled flights

  • STTCyril E. King AirportCharlotte AmalieMain international airport

People and safety in United States Virgin Islands

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian95%
  • No religion4%
  • Other<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 4 of 96 countries can visit United States Virgin Islands easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required3
  • eTA required1
  • Visa required92

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe1 of 3 countries
  • Oceania3 of 12 countries
  • Africa0 of 54 countries
  • Americas0 of 19 countries
  • Asia0 of 8 countries

Questions

Is the United States Virgin Islands part of United States?

United States Virgin Islands is a territory linked to United States, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit United States.

Does a United States visa let me visit the United States Virgin Islands?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for United States may not cover United States Virgin Islands. Check the United States Virgin Islands visa page for your passport.

Which island should I fly to?

Flights arrive on St. Thomas or St. Croix. To reach St. John, travel through St. Thomas.

How do I travel between the islands?

Ferries connect all three main islands. Flights and seaplanes also connect St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Which side of the road do people drive on?

Drive on the left. Most vehicles have their steering wheel on the left, and roads can be narrow, winding and poorly marked.

What money should I use?

The islands use the United States dollar, written as $. Each dollar has 100 cents.

How much should I tip at a restaurant?

At full-service restaurants, leave at least 15% of the bill before discounts. Most fast-food and self-service restaurants do not require a tip.

Will I be able to speak English?

Yes. English is the official language; an English-based Creole is also used informally.

Where can I snorkel?

Trunk Bay is a snorkeling spot with food, drinks and showers. Guided snorkeling tours are also available in Coral Bay.

Can I drink the tap water?

Public water in low-lying buildings is safe to drink. Mountain properties often use stored rainwater, whose safety depends on cleaning and treatment.

Reviewed by