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I hope to go to st. john this march. in a previous post i was told that it was a quiet town that probably wasnt suited for spring breakers, which is what i am. I am not looking for a wild party town, just beaches, sun and a beer or two. is st. john the right place for that? It is a hard choice to make. i want night life but not dozens of drunk college students.
how are the beaches around coral bay?
how safe is it for two 20 something females travelling alone? (i read the articles about the shooting on st. thomas and became a little weary of my travel plans)
once again any info would be helpful?
cheers.
p
STJ doesn't have a big spring break scene. If you're looking for low-key, laid-back it may suit you. Coral Bay is the side of the island that I prefer, but it may not be the best for you. Coral Bay doesn't have good beaches, public transportation is limited.
I'd suggest closer to Cruz Bay which puts you near the north shore beaches and has more available public transportation. Coral Bay has bars/restaurants, but there's more nightlife in Cruz Bay (although some people may feel there isn't much ). STJ isn't crime-free, but most would consider it quite safe. Still need to use good sense and take normal precautions.
If you're up for it, the campgrounds might be a good option;
If you do want to go in March, you need to move quickly. It's a very busy time in the Caribbean and some folks made their reservations a year ago.
How far is coral bay from good beaches? am i right to guess that there are a lot or out door activities (i.e. hiking, kayaking, horse back riding).how long of a bus ride on the $1 bus is it to Cruz bay?
i know i need to book it soon . this was a spur of a moment thing. i just want to make sure it is a good vacation.
imo..look into accomodations around cruz bay..for two youg women it would probably be the best area for you..most of the restaurants/bars/shops are there.there is a bus that goes to and from coral bay but not as often as you'd like..alot of people hitch hike around the island and it is very safe..we always pick up people traveling around. this is a safe island but of course you must use common sense when "out on the town" as you need to do anywhere you are..it is paradise but human nature is....if you secure reservations let me know...my son(25yr) and his cousin(male 30yr) are going down 3/4..for hiking,beach,diving and of course some night life..try www.caribbeanvilla.com --cruz views condos..up the hill from cruz bay/pool and very comfortable.it's gonna be tough to get something in march at this late date..good luck!!
I believe you will find Cruz Bay to be just right for you. It's not as quiet as you hear about but it's not a super party town either. I'd say it's somewhere in between. There are plenty of bars and restaurants but because there is a mix of couples, singles, and families, the partying does not get out of hand. I think you and your friend will feel very safe in Cruz Bay. And you will love the beaches that are nearby. Plan on taking a taxi to get to them. And if you want to find out what Coral Bay is like you can always take a day trip there. Have fun and book soon.
We love St. John and I'll agree with the suggestions that you stay in Cruz Bay area. Not as remote as the East End of the island. Great beaches are near by as well as a very good selection on places to eat, drink and be merry. A couple of years ago we stayed at Hillcrest. Was a nice cozy place within walking distance to Cruz Bay. As for safety, common sense goes a long way no matter where you go. However, we have never felt unsafe in either St. John or St. Thomas. Regardless of where you live there is crime, you simply don't put yourself in a position to make yourself a victim. Have a great time, we're returning in July.
keep in mind, St. John is very much a beach - hopping type of island. You won't really be able to get around without taking a taxi or renting a car.. .
Does the $1 bus do the beach thing or any other transport. i dont want to have to rent a car if i can help it. thanks for the info
I am not sure what you mean by $1 bus? I could just not be aware...however, taxi's are available, and the rates are posted on this site. Its usually a couple of dollars each way. When a group of people travel together, the taxi fares will add up, and this is why rentals are mentioned. When a family of 4 (like mine) travels, we would pay $4 per person to get from our hotel to a beach. Thats $16. Then we would pay another $16 to get back to the hotel. Thats already 32 dollars. What if we want to go out to eat? Thats another 32 round trip, and this already probably exceeds the amount we would have spent on a rental car for that day. It adds up quick, but its completely up to you depending on how much you feel you will be moving around.
The Vitran bus runs from Cruz Bay over Centerline Rd into Coral Bay and on to Salt Pond. Salt Pond is a good snorkeling spot, but the bus won't help you get to any other beach. Some northshore beaches are an easy walk from Cruz Bay. Taxis aren't too expensive for short trips. Hitchiking is a possibility. It's fairly common on STJ, although you would need to use good common sense if you did hitch. It's been a long time since I picked up hitchikers on the mainland, but I do it pretty routinely when on STJ. Staying in Cruz Bay, you can manage pretty well without a vehicle, but I would suggest renting one for a day just so you can explore other parts of the island.
Thanks Nick! That was helpful to me too, I forgot about the Vitran.. 🙂
