St. Thomas has many leading North American car-rental companies at the airport. These are Avis, Budget and Hertz along with a few locally owned companies as well. It is worth arranging a rental ahead of time, which can also save you time and get you the car selection you are looking for.

Renting a car offers complete freedom and independence during your vacation. It is a great option as you won’t have to depend on taxis and buses to get around so you can explore at your own pace. Keep in mind that driving is on the left side of the road.

St. Thomas is full of taxis, both official and non. Non-official taxis (gypsy taxis) can be found outside most grocery stores, the mall and many high traffic areas. Gypsy taxis are unlicensed and thus you risk being taken advantage of without any recourse.

Keep in mind that when you’re getting a taxi from one high traffic area to another, the taxi drivers will fill their vans to the brink of capacity, which means you’ll be sharing with strangers. This is just the way it works here, so prepare yourself for the possibility of getting very cozy with someone you’ve never met before in the backseat of a passenger van.

In lower traffic areas, as long as you have cell phone service, you can call any number of taxi companies and they will arrange to have one pick you up where you are. If you want to stay in a remote neighborhood or in a villa on a very difficult road, be prepared to wait, you could have a hard time getting a taxi to go there, in which case you will definitely need to rent a vehicle during your stay.

St. Thomas is a pretty big island, and other than in the main town areas of Charlotte Amalie, Havensight, Red Hook, there is a significant lack of sidewalk space. The following areas of Charlotte Amalie are the best for exploring on foot: Walking the waterfront from Crown Bay (near the airport) to Frenchtown, downtown Charlotte Amalie, Yacht Haven Grand, and Havensight. This area of waterfront is roughly 3 miles and is an excellent way to experience the bustle of St. Thomas. Bring water and a hat. There is no shade and lots of concrete and asphalt.

We do not recommend exploring the back streets of downtown Charlotte Amalie (or any other neighborhood) at night. Use common sense. If the area doesn’t look tourist-friendly, it probably isn’t and you’d be better off getting back to the main thoroughfares.

There are scooter rentals available on St. Thomas. Depending on how light you like to travel, this may be convenient and fun. Remember that traffic on St. Thomas is heavy, despite being an island in the Caribbean, the roads are narrow, steep, and winding, and they drive on the left here. If you choose to rent a scooter, please be careful.

Bicycles are available more for sport than transportation. Due to the mountainous nature of the island, using a bicycle to get around would really only be feasible for a serious athlete.

More About St Thomas

The U.S. Virgin Islands are known for their diverse beauty, ‘America’s Caribbean Paradise’ possessing some of the most glorious beaches, ranked among the best in the world. The tropical island trio made up of St. John, St. Croix, and St Thomas, each offering something different. White sand beaches, luxury accommodations, fine dining, ample water sports in turquoise waters, and lush tropical foliage. St. Thomas is the popularity of the trio with unspoiled beaches and undisturbed nature in the 7,000 acres of lush parkland. A yacht strewn harbor is lined by dazzling stores, upscale restaurants, and a lively nightlife scene. The largest island of St. Croix is known for Christiansted, a colorful ancient town with a historic fort, amazing snorkeling off Buck Island, and its renowned rums. St. Croix boasts some of the best food and dining options and the magnificent sight of the sparkling waters of Bioluminescent Bay at night. The smallest island of St. John`s known for unspoiled natural beauty, pristine beaches like Trunk Bay, world-class snorkeling and diving in tropical turquoise waters and luxury resorts. The history of this small island is as rich as its sprawling national park covering 5,000 acres and is often referred to as the ‘Beverly Hills of the Caribbean.

St Thomas is the gateway isle of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. A spectacular destination for its beaches and snorkeling spots. It’s a town with a busy cruise-ship port and historic buildings include a 1679 watchtower called Blackbeard’s Castle, in reference to the area’s pirate history. On the harbor, 17th-century Fort Christian is now a local-history museum. St Croix offers lots of things to do, thanks to our perfect weather and beautiful beaches. Christiansted is located on the east end and is known for its duty free shopping, art galleries, and the charming bars and restaurants along the harborside boardwalk.

The sun is always shining in the US Virgin Islands where temperatures hover in the 80s during the day and drop to a soothing 70 degrees at night. The best months to visit the stunning islands are April through June when the weather is warm and mild with very little rain and before hurricane season starts (June-November). The winter months are generally the dry season and high season, but tropical showers can come and go quickly at any time of year. Hotel rates during the winter months are at their highest, February is the busiest month, and reservations during the high season should be made as far in advance as possible.

More About St Thomas