When I was researching Caribbean vacation packages last month I came to the conclusion that St. Croix nestled in the US Virgin Islands was possibly the most unspoilt and less developed in terms of tourism than many of the other Caribbean islands, since the tropical paradise island is less dependent on tourism than her neighbours.
For starters, when traveling to the Caribbean you will need to know what to pack. Some things you will not be able to pack due to strict airline policies. One of the things that you cannot stow in hand luggage is any type of aerosol can. Make sure your hairspray, bug spray etc is stowed in the hold luggage only. Also every liquid item you bring has to be less than 3 oz. and in a 1 quart zip lock bag. Now some of the things you should bring with you are towels, swimming costumes and plenty of summer clothing and footwear. You will also need plenty of sunscreen and insect repellent since the sun (and the bugs) are a lot stronger in the Caribbean then at home.
When traveling to St. Croix I realized that staying at an all-inclusive resort is the best choice money wise. When staying in an all-inclusive all of your food and alcoholic beverages are included as well as the on-site entertainment and some activities. This is very handy because otherwise prices can be a little high for eating and drinking out. Also at all-inclusive resorts there are many activities include to entertain you so you do not have to leave the resort and spend more money.
When staying at a resort there are plenty of places around St. Croix within taxi traveling distance. Visitors can explore the capital city Charlotte Amalie but the small city is often awash with cruise ship passengers shopping at some of the 300 stores and markets across the city.
One of the major nearby towns is Christiansted. In Christiansted there are many shops if you intend to take souvenirs home. Also there are many restaurants with great food; both local and international cuisine is on offer. The waterside area at Christiansted has crystal clear waters and you will have a great view if you decide to visit the marina. Along the waterside is the Christiansted National Historic Site a 27 acre parkland. Travelers can also explore Fort Christiansvaern, Steeple Museum and the Old Scale House. There are also a few historical buildings you can visit for a cheap price, if you want to learn about the history. Overall I found Christiansted to be a great day away from the resort at a reasonable price.
There are many other places you can visit if you decide to hire a rental car for your stay. You do need to keep in mind that in St Croix they drive on the left, and this is the only US territory to do so! Don’t get caught out. If this is unfamiliar to you then consider hiring a taxi or private tour guide instead. In St. Croix there is also plenty to do so you might not even want to travel to the nearby towns. There is a beautiful casino located right in St. Croix, which is open 24/7 on the weekends. Some of the other activities there include miniature golf, tennis courts, pools, restaurants, and bars.
So as you can see there is plenty to do in St. Croix and it is a very reasonable vacation. I would recommend staying about a week, which gives you plenty of time to explore and relax. The locals are really friendly and will make you feel right at home!
