If you are planning a trip to the Virgin Islands consider this valuable travel advice. A local virgin island travel guide can make sure you know about the best beaches, best hotels and those hidden spots only the locals know about. If you travel..Just aska local travel advice.. and then be sure to go to: http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com ..The travel advice is free..
SOCIAL GRACES ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS…..From a local travel guide..If you travel the Virgin Islands.. one important tip..It is very important to always approach anyone with a friendly “Good Morning” or ” Good Afternoon”. I cannot over emphasize this. It’s an insult to the locals if you don’t. The locals expect this and may not even recognize you if you forget to do this simple introduction …
TRAVEL ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS……. If you want to explore the islands of the virgin islands, and if you go there you honestly need to spend some time going to the many beautiful beaches, quaint restaurants on the beach, historic sites, etc and spending time just enjoying the island experience. So if you are going to explore you have several choices. You can rent a car/jeep (a car is fine), take the local taxi services, or take the little known local shuttle, the “Safari”. If I stay over a week, I will usually rent a car at least a couple of days. It will cost $50- $65 a day. Rent from a local mom and pop shop. Their cars are fine, they deliver, they are cheaper and they will negotiate. You can rent a local taxi, it’s not cheap. For two people to travel from one end of the island to the other it will cost $20-one way. If you stay in close proximity to the major east/west hiways on St Thomas , you can take the local shuttle, the “Safari”. It’s a reliable open air shuttle bus the locals use and cost just one dollar to go from one end of the island to the other. A new bus arrives at many sites along the route about every ten minutes. It’s safe, interesting and amazingly fast.
ST THOMAS, ST CROIX, ST JOHN OR WATER ISLAND… If you are planning a trip to the Virgin Islands you need to decide which island to make as your base..Having spent considerable time on all three islands, I can say with experience that each island has its own personality. And depending on what type of island experience you are looking for each has something different to offer and a local travel guide can help….You will notice I mentioned Water Island…It is a lovely small island that only locals know much about..I have vacationed there and it is a private oasis just a short boat ride from St Thomas. It has a couple of great beaches and its almost like having an island to yourself.. There are no luxury resorts, but a number of luxury private homes and a few guest houses. It is close but very private, as you can only get there on a small ferry.. Great for a celebrity wanting privacy, but close to everything….
LUXURY HOTEL/RESORT, CONDO, PRIVATE HOME OR GUEST HOUSE.. ..Many accomadations on the Virgin Islands are available for any travel plan. All three of the main islands have five star resorts, pricy but with all the ammenities. There are small modest hotels with most ammenties and much cheaper. There are guest houses with few ammenities, but very nice and very reasonable in price. Single workers on the islands often rent a room in a guest house on a long term basis. Many people, especially a large group of people, rent a luxury condo or a private home. If you want extreme privacy rent a condo or home, and explore, shop and go to the beach in your rented jeep. I enjoy renting a condo or private home, and save a considerable amount over the cost a five star resort and plan on cooking in my private kitchen and relaxing in a very nice condo with a great view… You can rent a jeep and go to a different beach every day of your trip….
VIRGIN ISLAND BEACHES….All the islands have beautiful tropical beaches and I will only address a few, as there are many. St Thomas has the famous and lovely Magens Bay. If you do not have a rental car the taxi fair from most locations can be expensive, but it is a lovely beach with a nice beach bar/cafe. The locals find there way to Lindberg Beach a short distant from the airport and it has two nice beach cafes connected to two modest hotels. The surf is gentle and you can get there by riding the Safari..If you enjoy snorkling and spending alot of time on the beach. I recommend St John..Even the locals on St Thomas go to St John on the weekends. St John has many wonderful beaches within the national park. The most noteable being Trunk Bay, with its snorkling trail. (Actually, the best snorkling on Trunk Bay is at the far western end of the beach next to shore). If you go to Trunk Bay go early before the cruise ships arrive and enjoy the beach by yourself. Once crowded by the cruisers pack up and head back to town and set up on the locals favorite local beach, Hawks Nest..Bring you own cooler to Hawks Nest, as there are no concessions, but it is beautiful, close to Cruz Bay and much more private..Just east of Hawks Nest is a small beach, Oppenhimer Beach, where you will find the best snorkling on the island in shallow waters off shore…Again, any beach is a good choice and I have only named a few…………..
BUT REMEMBER…….. ask a local about your travel plans….It’free….Locals can offer advice that will make your trip the best you ever had…..so find a local travel guide….If you have any questions about the Virgin Islands.(Best beaches,best time to go to beaches, restaurants, beach cafes, golf courses, The St John National Park..whatever).Send me an email and I will get you an answer and add my response to this site…Under Virgin Islands Travel Guide……..
Go to: http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com …….
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