St. John is well-known for its laid-back, slow pace. If you're seeking Vegas-style entertainment and never-ending nightlife, neon and glitz, this island is definitely not for you. Locals like to relax, hang out and listen to music with each other and visitors and are generally very friendly and welcoming. If "chilling out" is your idea of a great way to enjoy a vacation, then you'll love the many open-air "watering holes" and small bars and restaurants on the island. Live music, including reggae bands, is another popular pastime. The most colorful bars are found in Coral Bay and Cruz Bay, where it's not uncommon to find people gathered in front of small bars, sitting nearly in the road, just drinking, talking and generally having a great time.

For a more romantic night out, enjoy a nice dinner, dessert and a few drinks at a great restaurant. There are several to choose from and some excellent suggestions on the Links page.

There are also many live performances, local events and festivals throughout the USVI year-round. For an up-to-date listing of upcoming events, visit here.

Shopping areas are in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, the two biggest settlements on the island. As neither settlement is very large, it might be somewhat of a stretch of the imagination to call them towns... Both feature quaint tropical buildings and beautiful stone Caribbean structures that house small stores. In Cruz Bay, there are shops at Mongoose Junction, along King Street and at Wharfside Village, all in walking distance from the ferry dock. Readily found merchandise will include swim wear, bags, liquor, art work, handmade pottery, paintings, and jewelry. Get good deals on beautiful gold earrings and necklaces and pick up unique souvenirs, too. Great restaurants are mixed in among the shops, which makes it easy to go shopping, have a great meal and still get in quality beach time all in the same day.

Vacationers who don't take to the sea for recreation or spend day after day on the beach may instead choose to explore any of the 22 self-guided nature trails managed by the National Park Service, all within very close proximity to Horizons Cottage. In sharp contrast to its white sand beaches, St. John's woodland trails wind through subtropical vegetation, keeping determined hikers occupied for miles - and hours - at a time. The three-mile Reef Bay Hike, offered by the National Park Service, leads nature enthusiasts past ancient Arawak Indian carvings called petroglyphs.

Most people, however, don't come to St. John to shop, but to hike, explore and enjoy the fabulous sporting opportunities the island offers. Whether its guided hiking, kayaking, deep-sea fishing, charters, jet skis, horseback riding, tennis, snorkeling, diving, St. John has it all. See the Links page for a variety of sporting activities, restaurants, and other activities that are sure to keep you happy and busy while staying at Horizons Cottage.

St. John from A to Z

• ATMs: The island offers around 50 ATMs at bank branches, transportation centers, shopping centers and other convenient spots throughout the island.

• Area Code: 340

• Banks: Bank of Nova Scotia, Citibank, Banco Popular, Bank of St. Croix, First Bank Puerto Rico, Virgin Island Community Bank. Banks on St. John are open from 9 AM –3 PM Mon.-Thursday and from 9 AM-5 PM on Fridays.

• Boating: The waters around the U.S. Virgin Islands are so crystal clear that many visitors elect to explore the islands islets and cays by boat. The island offers many vessels to choose from and countless coves and bays invite a variety of vessels from day and evening sails to charter yacht rentals.

• Climate: Warm and sunny temperatures between 75ºF and 90ºF (24ºC-32ºC) year round. During the winter, the nights are slightly cooler, so it may be a good idea to bring a cotton sweater.

• Cell phones: Your U.S. cellular phone company at home must have a contractual agreement with Sprint or Cingular Wireless or must be a Sprint or Cingular Wireless carrier. Check with your U.S. or Canadian cell phone company before you depart. If your cellular company is associated with Sprint or Cingular, then there will probably be roaming charges applicable in the U.S. Virgin Islands that you must pay if you use your cell phone on St. Thomas, St. John or St. Croix.  If your cellular company does not have an agreement with Cingular, then your cell phone will probably not work on the islands either.

• Customs & Duty-Free Allowances: U.S. Citizens duty-free allowances: Departing citizens whose stay is in excess of 48 hours may on their return take back, free of duty, articles totaling up to US $1,200 (based on the retail value of the items in the country of purchase). A family of four, then, would be able to bring home $4,800 in duty-free items. Additionally, you may bring home up to 4 liters of liquor per adult or 5 liters if the 5th bottle is either Cruzan Rum, Chococo or Southern Comfort, all of which are made in the USVI. and are duty-free. Loose precious gems (diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires) are completely duty-free no matter what the cost (as long as the stone is loose and not in a setting). Additionally, there is a duty-free allowance of 5 cartons of cigarettes and 100 cigars.

• Currency: The U.S. Dollar is used throughout the territory as well as the neighboring British Virgin Islands. Major credit cards and traveler’s checks are widely accepted as well.

• Deep-Sea Fishing: Vast arrays of big game fish live in the oceans surrounding the U.S. Virgin Islands. Indeed, fishing from the U.S. Virgin Islands is synonymous with blue marlin angling-especially from June through October. Four 1,000 pound blue marlins, including three world records have been caught on the famous North Drop, which is located approximately 20 miles north of St. Thomas. Several different companies on the island offer guided St. John fishing excursions with a focus on the big game fish like marlin, sailfish, dolphin fish/mahi mahi and Wahoo. Both half day and full day excursions are available.

• Departure Tax: None

• Documentation/Personal ID: Proof of citizenship such as passport (photo ID) or original birth certificate (raised seal, certified copy) for U.S. and Canadian citizens. European travelers and those from other areas must present a passport to enter the USVI or BVI. If a visa is required for U. S. entry, it will be required for the USVI.  Visas are not required for stays under 6 months in the BVI, as long as an outgoing ticket is presented. New requirement! U.S. citizens reentering the USA from the USVI must have one of the forms of identification mentioned above. A driver's license alone is no longer sufficient.

• Dress: Dress is casual chic, meaning not too casual and definitely not "slob"!  While on the street, it is actually illegal to go shirtless or to wear a swimsuit only. The same holds true for island stores as well; swim wear should be confined to the beach or pools. Bikini tops are also a no-no when shopping downtown, and shirts must be worn in all other public buildings and banks. Otherwise, the local dress code requires only casual lightweight clothing.  Nights and evenings can sometimes be cool, so a sweater or light jacket could be needed and is a good idea to pack when preparing for your trip to Horizons Cottage.  Some upscale restaurants and casinos may require men to wear a jacket (but no tie), in such places you'll probably want to cover up even more to be comfortable in the omnipresent air-conditioning.  Topless sunbathing is not acceptable in most resort areas, although there are some secluded beaches which do "look the other way."  

>>>Nude bathing is illegal throughout the USVI!<<<

• Electrical current: 110 volts, 60 cycles - the same as in the United States.

• Embassies: There are no embassies in the USVI. If you have a problem or need assistance, go to the local police station. Assistance will be offered or you will be directed to whoever can provide the help you need.

• General Information-Government & Standard of Living: St. John (with all the U.S. Virgin Islands) was purchased from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million and remains an unincorporated territory of the United States. Although Virgin Islanders do not have a vote in the U.S. national elections, they vote for their own governor, lieutenant governor and the members of the legislature. Additionally, they elect their representatives in Washington who lobby on their behalf.

• Golf: There are no golf courses on St. John. The closest golf course is on nearby St. Thomas at the Mahogany Run Golf Course.

• Grocery Shopping: Visitors will find St. John's stores and mini-markets well stocked and offering a huge variety of exotic and distinguished specialty foods for the good life. The island boasts four stateside-style mini-markets that provide a more than adequate supply of fresh and frozen meats, staples and an array of basic frozen and canned goods. The island also has a gourmet/health food store, a produce store, an excellent bakery and a great deli. Generally, the small savings in cost is not worth the aggravation and loss of vacation time that a trip to a St. Thomas supermarket entails.

• Highest point: Bordeaux Mountain, 1,277 feet above sea level

• Internet Access: The following companies offer Internet access in the islands:  VIAccess, VIPowernet, AOL & AT&T. Note: WebTV does not work on St. John, nor does the MSN Network.

• Internet Cafes: Cyber Celtic Café/Quiet Mon Pub: Cruz Bay, www.quietmon.com, Phone: (340) 779-4799

• Language: The official language is English spoken although islands residents often speak it with a Creole or West Indian lilt.

• Local Hazards: Black Sea Urchins. These spiny creatures live on the sea bed or coral reefs and have needle-like spines that can penetrate rubber fins, clothing and skin.  If stepped on or handled, spine tip often break off and cause hours of discomfort.  What to do if stung: 1. Immerse the wound in nonscalding hot water to tolerance. 2. Carefully remove any readily visible spines. Do not dig around in the skin to fish them out — this risks crushing the spines and making them more difficult to remove.  Purple or black markings in the skin immediately after a sea urchin encounter do not necessarily indicate the presence of a retained spine fragment. If there are still black markings after 48 to 72 hours, then a spine fragment is likely present. If the sting is caused by a species with pincer organs, use hot-water immersion, then apply shaving cream or a soap paste and shave the area. 3. Seek the care of a physician if you feel spines have been retained in the hand or foot, or near a joint.

• Local foods: Local favorites you may not have heard of before are salt fish (fish that has been salted for preservation and boiled to rehydrate), patés (fried breads with meat fillings), fungi (a corn dumpling), dumpling (thick flour dumpling), lobster (Caribbean), stewed mutton (soup), conch (an island delicacy often added to fritters), plantains (similar to a banana, but not sweet), Johnny cake (fried unleavened bread), and green sweet potatoes (which taste similar to orange sweet potatoes, but are not as heavy). 

• Location: St. John is located approximately 1,500 southeast of New York City.

• Marriages & Weddings: Getting married on St. John is relatively easy. Couples should apply for applications through the Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands, Box 70, St. Thomas, USVI, 00804 or call (340) 774-6680. There is an eight-day waiting period required upon receipt of the notarized application in the islands. The waiting period, however, may be waived at the discretion of the judge if the couple’s documents are in order.

• Medical Assistance: General Practitioner/Family Practice - Doctors Clayton & Hartshorn, Boulon Center, Cruz Bay, Tel. (340) 776-6739; Obstetrics and Gynecology - Dr. Leo Sorger, Harbor Village, Cruz Bay, Tel. (340) 693-7444 (Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist offering Complete OB-GYN Services. Accepts Blue Cross & Blue Shield of the VI, Visa, MC, Amex.) Note: These physicians are listed only for informational purposes. Their listing here does not imply or constitute a reference or a recommendation by the owner of this website.

• Newspapers: The local newspapers are the Daily News, The Tradewinds, and the Island Trader.

• Parking in Cruz Bay: Available parking in Cruz Bay will vary with the time of day and is usually jammed. For shopping, part in either Wharfside Village or behind Mongoose Junction. While there is no metered or pay parking on the island, please note that the time restrictions and handicapped parking spaces are strictly enforced. Regular parking tickets range between $25 and $50 with handicapped violations being upwards of $1000.00!

• Population: 3,300 year-round residents; many more during tourist season

• Postage Stamps: Mail is delivered via U.S. Postal Service with the same postage rates.

• Sun Protection: The Caribbean sun is strong! Be careful when you are in the sun, particularly during late morning & the early afternoon hours.   Each year, 2.5 million tourists visit the Virgin Islands wanting to go home with a suntan.   However, many get burnt on their first day due to the cooling effects of  the trade winds, not realizing how much sun they are really getting.  It is very important to limit your sunbathing at first (10 min) to see how your skin takes to the local sun, and only gradually increase the length of exposure to the sun's rays.  Even those with dark complexions should be cautious, sunburns can be painful.  A good rule of thumb is to stay out of the sun from 11am to 2pm to avoid the highest concentration of UV rays.  As a precaution keep yourself and your children especially well protected with a high factor of sun screen or clothing, paying particular attention to the top of the head (wear a hat), the nose, the backs of the knees, ears and the tops of the feet. When snorkeling, always wear some sort of protective T-shirt to protect your shoulders & back

• Taxes/Duty: There are no sales or luxury taxes, and U.S. citizens are allowed a $1,200 duty-free shopping allowance per person - twice that of any other Caribbean island and three times that of European countries.  In addition to this exemption, shoppers may also mail home to friends and relatives one duty-free gift per day (other than perfume, liquor or tobacco) worth $100 or less.

• Telephone service: As in the U.S., toll-free numbers can be accessed from anywhere on St. John.  To make a long distance call from St. John to countries which have a country code of '1'  including the USA, Canada, Hawaii and most Caribbean countries, you must first dial 1 + Area Code + Telephone Number.  For all other countries, including Europe and the Far East, dial 011 + Country Code + Area Code + Telephone Number.  The area code for the British Virgin Islands is 284. Phone cards in denominations of $5, $10, $15 and $20, can be purchased throughout the islands to allow you long distance calling from any phone. 

• Time Zone: St. John is in the Atlantic Time zone, which is one hour ahead of U.S. Eastern time. The island does not observe daylight savings time.

• Tipping: Baggage handlers are normally tipped up to US$1 .00 per bag depending on the weight and size of the item.  All restaurants expect a standard tip of 15% and some will even expect as much as 20%, many add this automatically onto your bill, though an additional tip for good service is not out of the question!  Taxis also expect a tip, especially if you expect the driver to help with your luggage.  Tipping is appreciated on tours, normally at the end of the tour.

• Topography: St. John is 9 miles long and 4 miles wide with a total area of 20 square miles. It is mountainous with a majority  (86%) of the land surface consisting of  wooded slopes rising to 1,277 feet at Bordeaux Mountain and features a very irregular coastline of fabulous beaches tucked between the many bays and coves.

• Tourist Board Contact Information: USA/New York Office: (212) 372.USVI

• Water/Drinking: Local water is safe to drink, but for those who have delicate stomachs, it may be wise to drink bottled water

• Zoo: Gotcha! There is no zoo on St. John!

Getting to St. John                                    Go >>