The Virgin Islands were inhabited by the Ciboney, Arawaks, and Caribbean tribes before the Europeans arrived in 1625. The United States purchased the islands from Denmark in 1916 for strategic military positioning during World War I. The U. S. Virgin Islands are generally a safe place to travel, but visitors should be aware of the slight increase in crime rate in St.
Johns Island in recent years. Petty crimes and occasional assaults against tourists rarely occur, but visitors should be more concerned about accidental injuries due to high-risk excursions and activities. The Virgin Islands are located in the northeast of the Caribbean Sea, about 40 miles east of Puerto Rico and west of St. Thomas.
The temperature ranges from the mid-70s to the 90s throughout the year, with dry and wet seasons as well as hurricane season in the Atlantic. December to March is the most popular time to visit due to its hospitable climate, while April to June is less crowded and pleasant. July to November is a good time for finding deals, but travelers should be aware of the peak hurricane season and take out travel insurance if necessary. The average rainfall is five to six inches per month from September to November, and a hurricane hits land directly every eight years.
There are two international airports in the U. Virgin Islands: King Airport (STT) in St. Thomas and Rohlsen Airport (STX) in St. Croix.
Cruises are also a great way to explore the islands, with many different cruise lines offering stopovers such as Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruises, and Royal Caribbean. Shuttle services or private transportation can be arranged in advance from the airport to your accommodation, while rental cars are available at either of the two international airports for exploring on your own. Taxis are available both by land and by water to transport you around the islands, with fares per person and per destination plus additional charges depending on factors such as baggage and waiting time. Ferries are a great way to go from island to island in the U. Virgin Islands, with St.
Thomas easily taking you to St. With three unique islands to explore, there is something for everyone from beaches to snorkeling, cultural and jungle explorations, and more! Check out a number of great day trips for diving in St. Thomas with lizards scurrying back and forth and butterflies floating elegantly. There are also several attractions with animals such as parrots, peacocks, turtles, and chickens that can be explored on an affordable 2-hour tour that includes transportation from your hotel. It is known that the Virgin Islands were a safe haven for pirates back in the day - today you can spend the day as a pirate and visit many historic pirate sites such as Blackbeard Castle which was originally created in 1679 as a watchtower for the Danes but was taken over by Blackbeard in the 18th century.
Near Blackbeard Castle you'll find the famous 99 steps which were originally built by the Danes to make it easier to climb steep slopes of hills - now it's a popular spot for photos!When planning your trip to the U. Virgin Islands it's important to consider how much time you should allot for each activity so that you can make sure you get everything done that you want! Depending on what activities you choose, it's recommended that you plan at least one full day for each island - this will give you enough time to explore all of its attractions without feeling rushed or overwhelmed! For example, if you plan on visiting St Thomas for two days then you could spend one day exploring Blackbeard Castle and 99 Steps while another day could be spent snorkeling or diving off its beautiful beaches. If you're looking for more adventurous activities then it's recommended that you plan at least two days per island - this will give you enough time to explore all of its attractions without feeling rushed or overwhelmed! For example, if you plan on visiting St Croix for two days then one day could be spent exploring its lush jungles while another day could be spent kayaking or zip-lining through its rainforest canopy. No matter what activities you choose when visiting the U. Virgin Islands it's important that you plan ahead so that you can make sure you get everything done that you want! With three unique islands full of attractions there is something for everyone - just make sure that you allot enough time for each activity so that you can make sure you get everything done that you want!.
