ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
THINGS TO KNOW
CLIMATE
With an annual average temperature of about 84 degrees and
little variation between seasons, St. Croix is a perfect year-round
destination. Mild trade winds keep most of the humidity at bay
and sunny skies lure beachgoers into the island’s gentle waves.
Most rainfall happens from September through November, but
the showers tend to move along quickly.
WATER
It’s best to stick with bottled water.
GETTING THERE
You will fly into Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX), which provides
connections from most major airlines. Your villa is about a 25minute drive from the airport.
GETTING AROUND
From the airport, it is advisable to rent a car from Centerline Car
Rentals or Budget Rent a Car. To truly appreciate the beauty of
the island, you will want to explore it on your own. Once at your
residence, you will have a golf cart for use throughout your stay.
You're also a five-minute drive (via car) to the boardwalk of
Christiansted, downtown shopping, art galleries and an
abundance of dining options.
DC’s TIP: After renting a vehicle, you will drive on the left side of
the road in St. Croix. Don't let this intimidate you as most traffic
on the island travels at a slow to moderate pace and most of
the roads are only two lanes. Follow the car in front of you for
turns.
PARKING
Your residence includes a two-car garage and plenty of room for
additional vehicles.
QUICK FACTS
GENERAL LOCATION
Your villa is located in the Shoys
Estates community on the eastern
side of St. Croix, about 10 minutes
east of Christiansted.
CHECK IN
4 p.m.
CHECK OUT
11 a.m.
CURRENCY
USD
LANGUAGE
English, though French Creole
and Spanish are also common.
PASSPORT
Though St. Croix is a U.S. territory,
all travelers must go through
customs upon leaving the island,
so a passport is required.
CONVERTER
Outlets are 110V, with standard
U.S. two- and three-prong plugs.
AIRPORT
STX
THINGS TO KNOW
CHECK IN/ARRIVAL PROCESS
Your Destination Concierge will meet you at your villa and provide a quick tour. Early check-in and late
checkout is not permitted; however, if you have some downtime, your Destination Concierge is happy to
recommend things to do while you wait.
GROCERIES
For just the cost of groceries, your Destination Concierge will be happy to fulfill your grocery order. Simply
complete the order form on your Inspirato.com account at least 72 hours prior to your arrival. Additional
shopping trips are $25 plus the cost of groceries.
IN-RESIDENCE DINING OPTIONS
Your Destination Concierge can arrange a private chef to come to your residence and cook a fantastic meal
right in your own kitchen.
STAY FIT
Your residence includes a small fitness room that boasts standard exercise equipment.
HOUSEKEEPING
Daily.
TIPPING GUIDELINES
While our Destination Concierge teams and housekeeping staff welcome and appreciate recognition for
exceptional service, tipping is entirely up to you based on your level of satisfaction. If you would like to
leave a gratuity, we suggest the following general guidelines:
+ Destination Concierge: $20-$50 per day depending on the level of service you experienced.
+ Housekeeping: $5-$7 per occupied room per evening is typical for luxury hospitality.
+ Restaurants: The customary 15-20% of your total bill is appropriate. Please note that many local
restaurants automatically include a service charge so make sure to check your bill.
+ Vendors: Gratuity is dependent on the complexity of the experience or service, so we suggest using
your discretion.
WARM CARIBBEAN HOSPITALITY
Twenty-eight by 8 miles across, the inviting shores of St. Croix comprise the largest of the U.S. Virgin
Islands. Much of the land is protected as national historic parks, including Buck Island Reef National
Monument and Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge. The colonial architecture throughout Christiansted
and Frederiksted demonstrates the former influences of Spanish, French and Danish rule and you'll be
warmly greeted by the local Crucians, known the world over for their warmth and hospitality. St. Croix is
also famous for its abundance of sea life and vast scuba diving opportunities as the waters around the
island are warm year-round.
THINGS TO DO
SPA
The Renuatum Spa, located right in the heart of downtown Christiansted, emphasizes holistic treatments and
has everything you need to relax and unwind. Many treatments — such as massages, facials and body wraps
— utilize the spa’s own natural skin-care products that are crafted from local ingredients. Even closer is the
Hideaway Spa at the Buccaneer resort, where you can get a massage, mani-pedi or facial.
GOLF
+ The Buccaneer Resort Golf Course (located five minutes away) – acclaimed 18-hole, par 70 course with
three beachfront holes and 13 holes with great Caribbean views
+ Carambola Golf Club (located 30 minutes away) – historic 18-hole course set in a scenic valley near the
site of an 18th-century sugar plantation
BEACHES
+ Mermaid Beach (located five minutes away at the Buccaneer) – well-maintained resort beach with on-site
restaurant plus beach and water activity gear available to rent
+ Cane Bay (located 30 minutes away) – St. Croix’s most popular diving and scuba spot due to the Cane Bay
Wall coral reef just off shore
+ Turtle Beach (located 30 minutes away on Buck Island) – sail to the federally protected Buck Island to
experience this beach’s immaculate white sand and blue water
+ Rainbow Beach (located 40 minutes away) – popular beach due to its ideal water and sand; boasts small
beach bar and fantastic sunsets
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHT
In the spring, the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge (located at the far western tip of St. Croix) offers night
excursions to watch female leatherback turtles dig their nests and lay eggs. Seasonally, you might see
hatchlings spring out of the sand and crawl to the ocean. The federally protected refuge — officially
established in 1984 — is also great to visit any time of the year for bird-watching, hiking or visiting what is
considered the longest continuous beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Note that it is only open on Saturdays and
Sundays and closes seasonally from May through August to shelter nesting turtles, but it’s well worth
squeezing in a trip to the fabled park during that window.
FAMILY
A tour with See Thru Kayaks is exactly what it sounds like. The company’s fleet of clear kayaks lets the whole
family peer deep into Salt River Bay’s crystal clear water to watch rainbows of fish, coral and other marine life
– all from a comfortable seat atop the water. For extra adventure, opt for the nighttime bioluminescence tour
where, depending on the conditions, you’ll come across pools of microscopic organisms that appear to glow
in the dark.
MUST-DO
Get deep into St. Croix’s stunning jungles during a Jeep excursion from Tan Tan Tours. The open-air vehicles
can generally seat four passengers and are ideal for navigating the island’s rugged terrain, which leads to
some of the most stunning landscapes in all of the Caribbean. Gaze into lush greenery and secluded
beaches from the Jeep, or take short walks to voyage deeper into the wild.
ROMANTIC
There are few things as breathtaking as a St. Croix sunset. As the vanishing sun singes hues of orange, pink
and purple into the sky, dinner on a yacht or sailboat is the perfect accompaniment. Many vessels serve
exceptional local food for sunset sails, and when paired with a glass of wine and your favorite travel
companion, the evening is set to be a memorable one.
THINGS TO DO
ADVENTURE
Scuba diving is an absolute must during your stay in St. Croix. The water averages 80-82 F year-round and the
bays around the island are home to more than 500 species of fish, 40 types of coral and hundreds of
invertebrates. You'll encounter schools of blue tang, queen triggerfish, lobster, spotted eagle rays, seahorses
and more. Here are some of our favorite dive spots:
+ Cane Bay Wall – The most popular diving site on the island and rated as one of the best in the Caribbean,
Cane Bay is easily accessed by beach entry and has a wall that drops from 40 to 3,200 feet.
+ North Star – Named after a sugar plantation, North Star on the north shore is a wonderful diving site to spot
wrasse eels and stingrays in their caves.
+ Scotch Banks – This is a submerged peak east of Christiansted Harbor and populated by barracuda,
angelfish, manta rays and the occasional whale shark.
+ Salt River Canyon East Wall – This historic mooring was once secured by Columbus and his 17 ships on his
second voyage to the New World. In very clear water, you'll likely see grouper, snapper, conch and crab.
NATURE
Hop on horseback and explore beaches and the rainforest. In addition to spotting wildlife and soaking in the
vistas, you’ll get acquainted with one of the island’s biggest natural residents: the horses themselves. St. Croix
has a rich equestrian history, so a horseback tour doubles as a cultural lesson. As an added bonus, many
horseback tour operators act as rescues for injured or abandoned horses, and staff members are happy to
share their wealth of knowledge with you.
LOCAL
Slow Down Dinners at Ridge to Reef Farm lets you sample delicious Crucian cuisine while supporting local
farmers. Set in the rainforest on a large piece of farmland (which you can explore), these alfresco meals
highlight sustainably harvested, organic ingredients from produce to fish and more. Come hungry: the meal is
served in six courses, with farmers and chefs telling you about each bite you take.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
+ Farmers market
+ Kiteboarding
+ Sailing and boat
charters
+ Beach hopping
+ Day trip to Buck Island
+ Visit Christiansted or
Frederiksted
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
FAMILY
Blue Water Terrace (located five minutes away) – The laid-back vibe here is quintessential St. Croix. The
open-air dining area over looks the water and Buck Island, making for a postcard-worthy backdrop to a meal
of hearty comfort food like seafood ravioli, fresh fish, steaks or pizza.
ROMANTIC
Savant (located 10 minutes away) – Sure, the menu here is great (seafood specials featuring the catch of the
day, locally sourced produce and a good wine selection), but the charming atmosphere might be the main
attraction. The restaurant is set in a historic Danish building that lends a distinctively European feel inside, in
the courtyard and on the back patio, which was envisioned by the owner’s wife, a former Hollywood movie
set designer.
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
FINE DINING
Kendrick's at the Buccaneer (located five minutes away) – This resort restaurant is a traditional steakhouse
by way of the Caribbean. Classic fine dining dishes like steaks, rack of lamb and fresh seafood entrees get
Crucian updates via tropical spices and sides. The open-air dining room overlooks the sea, harbor and golf
course.
LOCAL
Montpellier Domino Club (located 30 minutes away) – You’ll get a taste of local cuisine at this no-frills bar
and eatery, courtesy of resident cook Norma George who whips up comforting dishes like mac and cheese,
ribs, burgers, fish and chips and more (the menu changes daily). You’ll also get to meet some local
residents: friendly pigs who love to guzzle (non-alcoholic) beer right beside you. Be sure to try one of the
cocktails made from a local rum mixture.
FESTIVALS AND ACTIVITIES
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Agriculture & Food Fair of the U.S. Virgin Islands – February
Jump Up (cultural carnival) – February, May, July and November
St. Patrick's Day festivals – March
St. Croix Food & Wine Experience – April
A Taste Of St. Croix – April
Ironman 70.3 St. Croix (triathlon and race) – May
Christmas Boat Parade – December
Crucian Christmas Carnival – December to January
Information presented in this Inspirato destination guide is current as of May 26, 2015. While it is believed to be
accurate, Inspirato LLC (and its officers, employees and affiliated entities, collectively “Inspirato”) makes no
representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the content presented herein. The contents
of this destination guide may change at any time and without notice. This destination guide is presented for
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