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Bank
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BANKS: There are several major banks operating in the Virgin Islands, including Chase, Citibank, Scotiabank, and Banco Popular. Automatic teller machines can be found on all three islands. Currency - the U.S. dollar. Most establishments accept credit cards and travelers checks. A few places accept personal checks.
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Car Rental
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CAR RENTAL: Visitors may choose from a variety of transportation options, from taxi vans to buses to car rentals. Full-service bus lines operate on St. Croix and St. Thomas. Taxi and jeep-rental services are available on all three islands. Taxi vans are the most widely used mode of transportation, and most taxi drivers are able to provide comprehensive tours of the islands. Taxi rates are based on destination rather than mileage. The first thing to remember is that you drive on the left-hand side of the road; the second is that it's hard to get lost for long. This narrow emerald dot on the world map is only thirteen miles long and no point on the island is more than thirty minutes (traffic permitting) from Charlotte Amalie, the main town, which climbs picturesquely up the hills of the main harbor midway on the island's south shore. Black and white signs are spotted along the country roads indicating route number and direction in which you are going. Our road map is keyed to these routes and also to the road names, an aid when route numbers are missing.
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Climate
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CLIMATE: The Virgin Islands enjoy beautiful weather year round. The difference in average temperature between our warmest and coolest months is 5-7 degrees F. Average temperatures range from 77 degrees in January to April, to 82 degrees in July to 78 degrees in November.
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Currency
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CURRENCY: The U.S. dollar. Most merchants accept U.S. dollar traveler's checks or American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa credit cards.
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Customs/Import
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CUSTOMS/IMPORT:Courtesy of Customs, each U.S. visitor, including children, can return with - or have mailed - $1,200 worth of duty-free imports every 30 days from the American Virgin Islands. This exemption is double the $600 limitation placed on Caribbean basin countries and three times higher than the $400 allowed U.S. visitors returning from most foreign countries. If you go over your exemption, the next $1,000 is dutiable at a flat rate of five percent (rather than the standard 10 percent elsewhere). Above that, articles will be subject to various rates of duty. Packages following by mail can be included in your exemption. This allows you to order items like china and glass in quantity for later shipment.U.S. residents over 21 can return to the mainland with 4 liters of liquor duty free and an extra litre if one of the bottles is produced in the Virgin Islands - like Cruzan Rum which is an excellent "bonus" choice. All baggage of travelers flying from the U.S. Virgin Islands is subject to inspection by U.S. Customs. If you are flying direct from St. Thomas to the mainland, inspection takes place here. If you are flying by way of Puerto Rico, you will clear Customs, depending on the airline, either here or in San Juan.
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Dress Code
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DRESS CODE: Dress is casual, but not too casual. Bathing suits are for the beach, not for the streets. Not only is it frowned upon, but it's against the law. Nights here can be cool (those tropical breezes you know), so bring along a light sweater. And although jackets and ties are rare, they may be required for some of the fancier resorts and restaurants.
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Documents
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DOCUMENTS/PASSPORTS: Please refer to this site for the most current information regarding international travel: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_3013.html
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Elecetricity
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ELECTRICITY: Electric outlets on our island take standard North American current, with a 120 volt / 60 cycle
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Language
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LANGUAGE: English
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Medical Services
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MEDICAL SERVICES: St. Thomas has a 160 bed hospital and decompression chamber. The emergency room is open 24 hours.
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Pets
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PETS: Pets are welcome, as long as visitors bring health and inoculation certificates for their animals.
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Public Safety
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PUBLIC SAFETY: Just like anywhere else, we have crime here too. So have fun but exercise caution. When touring on foot, stick to well-lighted streets at night. When going anywhere by car, leave valuables out of sight and locked inside. Better yet, leave them in the safe deposit box at your hotel or on board your ship. Never leave valuables unattended on the beach.
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Shopping
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SHOPPING: Ask any traveler who has ever visited the U.S. Virgin Islands and you will hear that St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas offer some of the best shopping in the world. Whether arriving by cruise ship, charter yacht or plane, travelers will find an endless selection of treasures to carry home as reminders of their USVI vacation.
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Sun and Skin
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SUN AND SKIN: The tropical sun is hot - be careful when tanning especially around noontime.
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Time Zone
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TIME ZONE: Atlantic Standard, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard, same time as Eastern Daylight Savings.
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Water
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WATER: As there are few wells, residents collect rainwater from rooftops into household cisterns. Salt water distillation plants help the supply.
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