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Banks
and Currency:
The currency is the U.S. dollar. Several major banks have branches
in Christiansted, in Frederiksted and around the island. They are
open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ATMs can also be
found on the island. |
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Climate:
The temperature on St. Croix averages from 77 to 82 degrees
Fahrenheit. The water temperature is nearly identical. Average
annual rainfall is approximately 40 inches, although the eastern
portion of the island may get only 10 to 12 inches. |
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Dress:
Attire worn on the island is mostly informal, even in the evening.
However, bathing suits, short shorts, halter tops and bare feet are
frowned upon in town. |
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Drinking
Water: Desalinated ocean water is usually used in
the cities. In the country, rain water that has been collected in
cisterns is generally used. There is not a plentiful water supply on
St. Croix, so conservation is strongly encouraged. |
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Electricity:
110 volts, 60 cycles a.c., as in the United States. |
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Government:
The United States Virgin Islands are American territories. The U.S.
President is the head of state; the islands are administrated by a
governor and a legislature. In 1917, the United States purchased the
Virgin Islands from the Danish for $25 million to protect the Panama
Canal and the Caribbean from the Germans. |
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Holidays:
St. Croix celebrates many holidays--24 of them, to be exact.
Crucians observe most Stateside holidays, such as Christmas and New
Year's Day, and such remembrances as Organic Act Day, Transfer Day
and Supplication Day. The tourism offices provide a full listing of
Crucian holidays. |
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Language:
English is the official language, and Spanish is widely spoken. |
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Medical
Facility: St. Croix Hospital has a trained staff and
an emergency room. |
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Population:
Approximately 60,000 |
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Post
Offices: Located in downtown Christiansted, Gallows
Bay, Richmond, Sunny Isle, Kings Hill, Frederiksted and Mars Hill. |
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Area:
St. Croix is 28 miles long by 7 miles wide. |
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Surcharges
and Taxes: There is no sales tax on St. Croix. The hotel room tax is
8 percent. Service and energy surcharges are determined by
individual hotels; rates should be posted at the front desk. |
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Telephone
Service: The area code for the U.S. Virgin Islands
is 340. Most cell phones will work on the island. |
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Theater
and Special Events: The Island Center for the
Performing Arts is a beautiful 1,100-seat theater that hosts
big-name entertainers. Whim Plantation Museum serves as a venue for
classical music concerts and cultural and historic programs. |
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Time:
Atlantic time, one hour ahead of eastern standard time.
Daylight-saving time is not observed. |
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Tipping:
Tipping is the same as in the United States. |
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Tourist
Information: The main office is at the Scale House
by Christiansted's wharf. In Frederiksted, the tourism office is
near the Pier. There is also an office at the airport. |
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Passport
Requirements: The new passport requirement
outlined below does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or
returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens
returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to
have left the United States and do not need to present a
passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto
Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island,
and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. |
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Current
Requirements: All
persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the
United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid
passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner
Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if
applicable. |
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Future
Requirements: Effective January 1, 2008, ALL
persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and
Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to
present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the
Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative
changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and
Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon
as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the
public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea
entries.
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