Island, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Thomas
Busy US Virgin Islands hub with cruise ships, big beaches and ferries to St. John. US dollars, US rules and easy for Americans; traffic, prices and cruise crowds weigh against it.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$5,000–7,500Comfortable, one person · US$5,000–7,500Details
- Value for money1/100Better value than 0% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goDec–AprWarmest: Sep, 29°CDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledMost homes use cisterns that collect rain; drink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$120–220Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundVITRAN public busYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards are accepted almost everywhere and the currency is USD.Details
Where to stay in St. Thomas
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Charlotte Amalie | Historic harbor town: shops, cruise port, cheaper stays |
| Red Hook | Ferries to St. John, restaurants, boats and bars |
| Magens Bay | Famous beach and quiet residential north side |
| Frenchtown | Local-feel neighborhood with seafood and cheaper stays |
Apps that work in St. Thomas
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- VITEMA alerts: Official emergency alerts
- Taxis: Ride apps may work but coverage is limited. Taxis are shared safaris at posted rates; confirm price before riding.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards are accepted almost everywhere and the currency is USD. Carry small bills for safari taxis, buses and beach vendors.
- ATMs: ATMs in Charlotte Amalie, Cruz Bay and Christiansted; fees depend on your bank.
- Tipping: Follow US norms of 15–20%; some restaurants add a service charge.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless cards work in most shops and restaurants.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- US entry rules apply: visa-waiver nationals need an approved ESTA (US$40) and everyone needs a valid passport.
- US citizens flying from the mainland do not need a passport but should carry ID; boarding to the British Virgin Islands needs a passport.
- The US Virgin Islands are outside the US customs area for some goods, so allowances differ.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
US carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile) work with some roaming; Viya is the local operator, with prepaid SIMs in shops with passport. eSIMs work for visitors.
Going to St. Thomas solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in St. Thomas meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.