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St.
Croix is one of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which are considered an
unincorporated U.S. territory. The beautiful island of St. Croix
is the largest of the 3 inhabited US Virgins Islands (St. Thomas
and St. John are the other two) and is 84 square miles. However,
it only has a population of about 55,000 residents. Christopher
Columbus is said to have discovered the island in 1493, landing
at Salt River on the north coast. The eastern part of the island
is both arid and rocky, while the western half is lush with
beautiful green hills, rainforests, and wonderful white sandy
beaches.
The two main towns are Christiansted and Frederiksted.
Christiansted is on the northeast part of the island and is
filled with historic Danish architecture. Frederiksted has
charming "gingerbread" Victorian architecture. Fort
Frederik dates back to 1700 and is the site where Governor
General Peter Van Scholten read the proclamation abolishing
slavery in 1848. Today it houses a museum. Frederiksted has a
colorful harbor that draws cruise ships and people from around
the world. For a good time, try to go to "Jump Up" (also
known as Harbor Night) in Christiansted which is held several times each year. This is a "carnival-like" evening filled
with steel bands, dancing, local arts and crafts, food, and fun!
Both towns have duty free shopping and great places to eat!
St. Croix lies approximately 40 miles south of St. Thomas and St.
John and is separated from them by a deep oceanic trench. St.
Croix has beautiful sandy beaches. .
Historic plantations from the days when agriculture drove the
economy are scattered throughout the island. St Croix also has
fine shopping areas and a variety of activities to keep visitors
entertained. Among it's natural attributes are natural reserves
for plant and animal life (Buck Island Reef National Monument
with an underwater snorkeling trail), a rainforest, and botanical
gardens. The Cruzan Rum factory is also based in St. Croix.
Other Facts about St. Croix
St. Croix's currency is US Dollars. Most credit cards and
travelers checks are accepted. No sales tax.
The language is English, yet many locals also speak English with
a Caribbean twist. For instance, the 'H' is often discarded
("thing" becomes "ting", and "thanks"
becomes "tanks").
The climate is subtropical with a year round average of about 78*F/26*C
with easterly trade winds to help keep the humidity level
comfortable. Seasonal temperatures fluctuate less than 10*F/6*C.
Average annual rainfall is only 50 inches/1270 millimeters and
occurs in late spring and late summer. The island is more
susceptible to potential hurricanes August - October, but each
hurricane we know about that hit St. Croix hit in September.
Electricity - the current and wall outlets are 110v/60 cycles,
like those in the U.S.
The water is generally safe to drink.
St. Croix is on Atlantic Standard Time zone year-round (1 hour
ahead of Pacific Time).
St. Croix has many festivals throughout the year, but any time is
a great time to visit St. Croix.
Documents - U.S. citizens do not need a passport, although proof
of citizenship, such as a certified birth certificate or voter's
registration, is advisable. All other nationalities must show
passport/visa upon arrival and departure. (If you want to take a
day trip to the BVI, a valid passport is required).
Driving is on the left side of the street!
New
Travel Document
Requirements -
Effective
January 23, 2007
Please note: This
initiative does
not affect U.S.
citizens traveling
between the United
States and its
territories!
Click
here
for more info.
***** U.S. Citizens
do not need a
Passport to travel
to St. Croix!!!
*****
Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:
- Beginning January 23, 2007, 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.
- As early as 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.
The passport requirement 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.
Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Under WHTI
Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:
- U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).
- The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.
- DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.
Background
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Congress amended portions of the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the Administration’s proposed plan to implement this mandate.
The goal of the Initiative is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized, secure and reliable documentation which will allow the Department of Homeland Security to quickly, reliably and accurately identify a traveler.
U.S. Immigration and
Naturalization
Service
The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
maintains an office in St. Croix and is happy to
assist visitors by answering any immigration
questions. Their telephone number: (340) 778-6559.
At the airport, their number is (340) 778-1419.
When you leave St. Croix by air, give yourself at
least an hour and a half at the airport to go
through customs and immigration checkpoints. At the
airline counter you will be required to show photo
identification for security purposes and check your
bags.
Before passing through Customs you have the
opportunity to shop in the airport's gift shop
and/or get a bite to eat at the small local
restaurant located in the lobby. This is your last
chance to try some local food before you return
home!
After visiting the airport lobby, fill in the
Customs Declaration form you were given at check-in
and proceed to Customs. Present your declaration
form, along with your passport, to a Customs
Inspector. You then collect your bags from the
luggage carousel and pass through Immigration where
you present your identification and Customs
Declaration form. Be prepared to have all your bags
checked thoroughly, inside and out.
Once past Customs and the airport screening area
there are new gates with comfortable chairs and a
small snack bar which serves light snacks, soft
drinks, beer and cocktails.
Driving is on the left side of the street! Rentals
cars are all left hand drive models. |
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