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Bonjour! Welcome to The Hot List by Hotala!
Lovingly known as “America’s Paradise,” the US Virgin Islands (USVI) are some of the hottest tourist destinations in the Caribbean. Although the USVI suffered severely due to Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma in 2017, the three main islands of St Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas have since begun welcoming tourists back to their towns. As part of the United States, US citizens do not require visas to travel to the US Virgin Islands. Nevertheless, you will find that the USVI are actually very different from the US mainland, boasting a rich cultural heritage of their own!
Grab your swimsuit and pack for a magical adventure to “America’s Caribbean Paradise”—the US Virgin Islands! (Make sure you only pack mineral sunscreen, as that’s the only kind legally allowed on the islands.)
HotStock up on duty-free rum at the Cruzan Rum Factory!
Located in the south of the Caribbean Sea, St. Croix has a diverse colonial heritage, having raised the flags of Spain, The Netherlands, England, France, the Knights of Malta, and Denmark’s flag throughout its history!
There are two main towns on the island of St. Croix: Christiansted and Frederiksted. As the former capital of the Danish West Indies, visiting Christiansted is sure to be a treat for traveling history buffs. Tourists can check out the St. Croix Government House, which is still currently used as an active seat of government. Or check out Fort Christiansvaern, an old Danish fort that watched over the city’s northern harbor and protected inhabitants against foreign invaders and pirates. The Christiansted National Historic Site is a great place to visit for those who would like to learn more about the Danish colonial way of life on St. Croix.
If you move on over to the western side of the island, you’ll find yourself in Frederiksted. This town also has its own mid-18th century fort, Fort Frederik, located at its northern end. It overlooks a deep-water bay and, in 1917, was the focal point of the transfer ceremony of the Virgin Islands to the United States.
But there’s more to St. Croix than just history! Frederiksted has plenty of great beaches as well, and places like the Frederiksted Pier, Rainbow Beach, and Sandy Point are always sure to be a hit with visitors!
Here are some of our top recommendations for things to do in St. Croix:
Catch a taste of history at the Annaberg Sugar Plantation sunset at Horseshoe Bend!
The island of St. John is a must-visit for nature lovers—whether you enjoy hiking or water sports, St. John certainly has something for you! As one of the best places to snorkel in the Caribbean, you won’t have to venture very far to spot sea turtles or vibrant coral reefs. If you prefer to stay on land, the 5500-acre Virgin Islands National Park cannot be missed, as it lets you explore the island’s vast range of flora and fauna with 36 designated hiking trails.
The best time to visit the USVI is in spring, between April and June, when you can expect mild weather and very little rain. Hotel rates are also lower during this period, and you can expect to enjoy virtually crowd-free, white-sand beaches at this time!
While visiting the small town of Cruz Bay on St. John, we recommend hanging out at Mongoose Junction. Shop for great souvenirs at St. John Spice or Island Fancy. Then, head to Trunk Bay to bask in the sun or follow sea-bottom markers for an exciting underwater trail. All that swimming should make you hungry, so we advise grabbing a bite to eat at the Raintree Café over on Cinnamon Bay.
Here are some of our top recommendations for things to do in St. John:
Hope onto the Skyride for a panoramic view of St. Thomas
And the #1 spot on today’s Hot List goes to…the lovely island of St. Thomas! Named “Rock City” after its scraggy horizon, St. Thomas is the Virgin Islands’ economic center and is renowned for its luxury. As a popular cruise port and the most populated of the US Virgin Islands, you’ll see mega yachts floating on St. Thomas’ harbor and various luxury stores along its Main Street. You’ll be struck by St. Thomas’ excellent restaurants, stunning beaches, and buzzing duty-free shops the minute you land in the USVI capital, Charlotte Amalie.
After you’ve shopped to your heart’s content, you can charter a crewed yacht at the Yacht Haven Grande Marina for the day (or for a longer cruise if you like). Let the crew serve you cold drinks and teach you how to snorkel in St. Thomas’ azure waters. You could set anchor in any of a number of lovely coves and go for a swim while the crew prepares lunch for your return arrival.
Here are our top spots to visit for St. Thomas!
Here are our top spots to visit for St. Thomas!
Discover more about St. Thomas
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