St. Thomas

Many people start a visit to the Virgin Islands by landing in St. Thomas, where the airport's Rum Lady gives you a tasty sample to kickstart your holiday in the sun. Others come by cruise ship into St. Thomas harbor and the town of Charlotte Amalie - from the water a visually stunning place where red-roofed, white-washed buildings stand in contrast to a background of steep peaks. Up close, the town literally streams with tourist shoppers. This is the Caribbean's busiest port and people flock here for tax-free, duty-free shopping. Beyond Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas slows considerably. Narrow dusty roads filled with chickens and stray dogs ...

Many people start a visit to the Virgin Islands by landing in St. Thomas, where the airport's Rum Lady gives you a tasty sample to kickstart your holiday in the sun. Others come by cruise ship into St. Thomas harbor and the town of Charlotte Amalie - from the water a visually stunning place where red-roofed, white-washed buildings stand in contrast to a background of steep peaks. Up close, the town literally streams with tourist shoppers. This is the Caribbean's busiest port and people flock here for tax-free, duty-free shopping. Beyond Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas slows considerably. Narrow dusty roads filled with chickens and stray dogs climb up the hills and fall down the north and east coasts, where you get hypnotized by stunning beaches, beckoning hammocks and mellow seaside bars. On the east side, in the town of Red Hook, you'll find a plethora of sailing charters and rentals, boat captains happy to take you to neighboring British Virgin Islands or simply away away on the deep blue sea.

About the Expert

Debra Landau has written eight Lonely Planet guidebooks, including books on the USA, Caribbean, and the South.