Tired of the cold winter weather in the US and looking for a quick getaway to enjoy the warm weather then I have a great recommendation for you.
Let me help you plan a trip to one of the top destinations in the US Virgins Island, St Thomas.
I recently took a trip to St. Thomas from Maryland, and I had a great time there. I spent three (3) days in St. Thomas, and I have the perfect itinerary for you.
Flights:
There are several flights from around the world to St. Thomas. I flew with JetBlue to St. Thomas from Maryland. I opted for a cheaper flight option with a layover in Puerto Rico. If you prefer to spend more on flights then I will recommend a straight flight to St. Thomas (direct flights from Maryland to St. Thomas were about two hundred dollars more).
Accommodation:
There are many resorts in the beautiful Island of St. Thomas so this will depend on what your budget is and also the close proximity to the airport.
We stayed at the Point Pleasant Resort on the East Side of the Island with very close proximity to some of the best beaches in St. Thomas. The resort is less than a mile from Coki Point beach and also Sapphire Resort beach.
It is also worth noting that some of the resorts on the Island have been purchased and are currently being leased as Airbnb so be sure to search for bookings via Expedia, Vrbo, and also the Airbnb website.
There are only a handful of all-inclusive resorts in St. Thomas at very ridiculously high prices and for me, the options were not worth it.
You are on a very beautiful Island so I will recommend you grab a seat in one of the very many restaurants and enjoy your meal with a view.
Transportation:
Now, let us talk about a very important part of the trip; how to get around St. Thomas. Most of your spending on the Island will be going towards transportation.
There are two main methods of transportation in St. Thomas: car rental and/or public transportation.
Car Rentals:
It is highly recommended to get a rental car when visiting St. Thomas. You can find these options online via Expedia on any other car rental websites you are familiar with. This is a great option if you are comfortable driving on very curvy and hilly pads. The Island is hilly and most of the routes are very curvy so if you don’t feel comfortable driving with these difficulties, then it might be safer not to opt for renting a car.
Also, it is worth noting that in the US Virgins Island they drive on the left side of the road.
Public Transportation:
There is no Uber or Lyft on the Island, and the main method of public transportation is via taxis only. These taxis are usually all around the Island and the residents are always willing to assist in calling for a taxi to your destination.
There is also a phone number you can call at any time if you need a taxi, and the dispatcher will provide you with the taxi number and the estimated time. They are usually very thorough, and the taxis will get to you at the designated time, if not earlier.
Taxis in St. Thomas charge per person and so they are usually on the expensive side so put this into consideration when deciding on your preferable method of transportation.
On my most recent visit, I opted for using public transportation with my family as I am very confident about driving in St Thomas due to the nature of the routes.
Things To Do:
Below are a few things I will recommend making your trip to St. Thomas worth a while.
Visit a Beach:
A trip to the Island is never complete without spending a few hours at the beach. There are so many beaches to visit in St. Thomas, and I will recommend you visit Coki Bay beach, and Magens Bay beach.
Mountain Top:
For the best view of the Island and the neighboring Islands, drive up or take a Taxi to Mountain Top. This is the highest point in St. Thomas. There you will also find the biggest souvenir shop on the Island and get an opportunity to try daiquiri.
Haven Sight Mall:
Right on the Cruise Ship Dock, a convenient, less crowded way to go shopping for the duty-free purchases that you may be looking for. All of the major retailers have well stocked stores with the same merchandise and prices as downtown, and there is also plenty of Parking!
Yacht Haven:
Situated in St. Thomas’ scenic Charlotte Amalie Harbor, Yacht Haven Grande plays host to an impressive array of the world’s finest mega yachts as well as sailing, sport fishing, and pleasure crafts.
The Shops at Yacht Haven Grande:
Here you can experience a tropical village to enjoy lunch or a cocktail while shopping at a variety of world-famous stores, entertained by the sights and sounds of the beautiful Caribbean Island.
Charlotte Amalie:
Known as the capital of St. Thomas, Charlotte Amalie is a must visit while in St. Thomas. The downtown area boasts many restaurants, and shops.
Fort Christian:
Fort Christian is a Dano-Norwegian-built fort in Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Bluebeards Castle:
Bluebeards Castle is a great stop for some beautiful pictures and to get a beautiful sight of Charlotte Amalie.
Bluebeards is located on a secluded hillside in the heart of this tropical paradise and is the ideal US Virgin Islands vacation destination.
Take the Ferry to St. John.
The ferry from St. Thomas to St. John is 15 minutes and it costs 8:15 US dollars one way. In St John, you can do a tour of the Island for 35 US dollars. The tour lasts about 2 hours, and you can most definitely visit one of the many beaches on the Island, including the very famous Trunk baby beach.
Trunk Bay Beach is a white-sand beach and body of water in the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. It’s known for its clear turquoise water, coral reefs, and marine life.
Where To Eat:
This is my second time visiting St. Thomas. On my most recent trip, I was there for three days, and these are the three restaurants I visited and my honest review.
Sun and Sea Bar and Grill:
The restaurant is located at the Point Pleasant Resort and conveniently next to the ocean, so you get a great view as you eat.
The restaurant got a 4.8/5 review on Google, so I was inclined to visit. It has very limited options (as most of the restaurants on the Island) so it was very easy to decide on what to eat. The service was great, and I enjoyed the ambience too but not so much the vibe.
The food came early after we ordered but it was all very cold. I was hungry so I finished my food, but I don’t think I will ever return to this restaurant again. It was nothing memorable, and I have had better food on the Island.
Last Lap Bar and Grill
Highly recommend this spot for local cuisine and a casual setting. The owners and the cook were very hospitable, and the food was very flavorful and delicious. I got their grilled whole fish with two sides of vegetables, and sweet potatoes and it was so delicious.
Greengo’s Caribbean Cantina St. John.
If you’re looking for some good authentic Mexican cuisine in St. John, this is the spot. The restaurant is located at Mongoose Junction, right next to the Cruz bay Ferry boarding location. You can visit this location from St. Thomas by taking a 15-minute ferry from St. Thomas to St. John.
I ordered the Jerk Chicken quesadilla, the pulled pork tacos, and their fish and chips and everything was good. The service was great, and our food was delivered less than 10 minutes after we ordered, and I was very impressed.
