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Guide to Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands - US
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Saint Thomas
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Saint ThomasSaint Thomas, the second largest of the US Virgin Islands, is a tropical Atlantic port hub-turned-tourist destination, home to a climate that makes some wonder whether the most southerly of the Caribbean are worth the ride. Its relatively large topography makes the fact that thousands of visitors arrive at the island's international airport and its shore seem impossible. This particular feeling is easily achieved when traversing the jungle within its innermost terrain. Because the waterline dips and arches throughout the year inside of the world's tropical regions, it's difficult to calculate the number of islands, big and small, which make up the archipelagos of the Caribbean, those of the South Pacific and West Asian locations as well. Both the US and British Virgin Islands are said to equal an even 100, but only the discerning eye will known the true number for itself. Moving on. Likely to be the most popular island of the group today, Saint Thomas has it all. Cozy towns, sprawling shopping centers and districts, festivals, even cultural attractions open year-round - and we're not talking about museums! Whether one is here for the most luxurious experience of one's life, or one has scrounged around the whole year under seat cushions - the lot, the activities one may partake in, and even the hotels themselves, are competitively priced, enjoyable for many different age groups, and always topped off with a non-discriminating blend of blue skies, sunshine, warm air, and comfortable breezes.
When to go:
Though the calendars says it differently, Saint Thomas, and generally the whole of the Central Atlantic, is availed a sort of never-ending summer season, one that rarely shows a colder side of itself. This isn't to say that gray, stormy conditions don't arise, but we believe it's fair to give the Virgin Islands our two thumbs up for their superb 12-month climatic characteristics. Whether you're traveling to Saint Thomas to avoid the incessant snowfall of Northern Europe or would simply like to find yourself at clear water's edge with a side dish of palms, corals, and cockatoos, the island will assuredly please January through December. Note: Hurricanes, though rarely spotted on direct courses for Saint Thomas and its siblings, are hardly figments of a Caribbean imagination. Watch out for signs of trouble in late summer and early autumn.
Getting there and around:
International flights tend to be seen more often than cruise ships in today's global tourism industry, but despite the general public's affinity for fast travel, a walk along the harbors and bays of some of the largest cities and towns of Saint Thomas, St Croix, and St John will consistently give you a glimpse into a world where Carnival (the company; not to be mistaken with the Central American and Hispanic festival) and Royal Caribbean are deemed kings. The airport is a relatively scenic drive from the cities of Charlotte and Amalie. Buses are popular forms of transportation inside the most populated regions of Saint Thomas, but public utilities quickly vanish when journeying beyond the grid. Consider renting a car for excursions around Saint Thomas, or be ready to pay through the nose if you're planning to rely on others to do the driving.
Attractions:
Great museums exist within Amalie, and early colonial sites are among the most popular on Saint Thomas for travelers. If you're still looking for a bit more, consider a day (or two) trip to neighboring St John, where the expansive Virgin Islands National Park resides to quench one's thirst for the wild.
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