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Hello,
Wanted some opinions of folks that have been here in the past. My friend and I are traveling to St. Thomas( 2 females late forties) and staying at a condo at Sapphire Beach Resort. We are renting a car and plan a ferry trip to St. John and Virgin Gorda. We don't drink so we wont be out late at night. Should we be wary of any certain places, and is St. Thomas relatively safe, and we wont be hanging around the capital either. Thanks for any input and information.
thanks,
Shelli
Just be as cautious as you would be in any new place. Don't walk down dark alleys in the wee hours of the morning and don't turn off main routes to drive down seedy looking side roads. Don't wear flashy jewelry and when you go to the beach in your rental vehicle don't leave anything of value in the car and leave the car UNlocked. Before you leave home (you can buy them here at dive shops but there are way more options online) pick up a dive bag. They come in all shapes and sizes to hold some cash, a credit card. cellphone, keys, etc. and they go around your neck or waist to keep your valuables safe and dry with you when you're out swimming and snorkeling. You'll enjoy a wonderful vacation! Here's a webcam look at Sapphire if you haven't already seen it:
Shelli and others:
It amazes me how many people question the safety of St. Thomas & St. John. We spend 4 months on St. Thomas each year (since 2007) and have never experienced a problem. That goes for several of our friends who spend more time than us. We just use common sense when it comes to safety (here or anywhere in the world).
STT Resident gives some excellent advice. Her advice goes for any place in the world...including your home town.
Suggestions:
Leave expensive jewlery & other items at home, they have no place here.
Don't flash around large sums of money in public.
Don't walk down dark alleys, drunk, at 3:00 AM.
Don't get drunk.
Don't do drugs.
Don't leave items exposed in parked cars.
Lock your doors.
Guard your valuables, keys, etc. while on any beach.
Stay in the tourist areas.
And most importantly, enjoy your vacation!
F.I.
Future Islander wrote:
It amazes me how many people question the safety of St. Thomas & St. John.
F.I.
FI, Stories regarding crime are printed in local VI papers and are often picked-up by the national news wire services. Crime on in VI is no secret and denying it only makes it appear worse.
Yes there is crime. In addition to the "tips" above. Lock-up your condo even if you are just heading to the beach or pool. Leave your valuables locked-up (in a safe or secure closet) when leaving the condo. Don't tell strangers where you are staying. When leaving bars/restaurants at night ask for someone to walk you to your car. (if the establishment does not have on-site security). Most touristy places have security out side and in the parking lots. Don't leave your drinks unattended at bar/beach. If something/someone feels "not right" trust your instincts and leave. Don't walk anywhere after 11 (not just dark alleys). Basically, employ the same precautions you would use in any metropolitan area. Avoid downtown after dark (6:30). Smith bay is dicey. Don't try to buy drugs.
Future Islander wrote:
Leave expensive jewlery & other items at home, they have no place here.
What...? Expensive jewelry has big place on STT. Good Golly FI, have your ever walked around downtown...?
Blu4u:
No one ever said that there is "no crime" here....but the picture that you're painting of the islands is misleading........this is what causes visitors to go elsewhere and miss enjoying our beautiful Virgin Islands.
The jewlery stores in town are for the cruise ship people, but if you desire buy some on your last day, before your flight.
F.I.
Thank you for the information, the only reason I asked is this is my first trip not travelling with my male family members and extended family down to southern Mexico, going out of my comfort zone to try something new with my best friend. Not into the night life and wont be buying any drugs, will be in the condo by 9pm most likely! so we should be all good, very excited to see and experience a new place, glad I found this site so I can soak up all your experience and advice. Thank you again, I am sure I will be back with more questions:) Shelli
Women traveling alone or with other women are always wise to ask about safety issues, regardless of where they're traveling. Thanks to those who are understanding and offered some helpful information. I hope you have a wonderful trip ziggy!
I would like to thank all of you for all of your help, I am sure you all hear the same questions over and over, but you still take time out of your day to help us newbies! I really appreciate the time that you take to help make our vacation better. Shelli 😉
Bring on the questions! You've come the right place for Virgin Islands vacation advice.
I think we should tell people the absolute truth about the crime. Just give the newspaper to someone thinking about visiting. Maybe if the island lost enough tourist they might start to actual do something about the crime here.
Future Islander wrote:
The jewelry stores in town are for the cruise ship people, but if you desire buy some on your last day, before your flight.
F.I.
I've never set foot aboard a cruise ship--but that hasn't prevented me from dropping several thousand dollars at Little Switzerland and Okidanokn. What's gril's trip with out some shopping?
If duty free bling ain't your thing, downtown Charlotte Amalie is home to many historic buildings and interesting old Danish colonial design. Go in the morning to avoid the hot afternoon. Shop. People watch. Take some photos of the old narrow alleys. Not too safe after working hours.
Islandlovin wrote:
I think we should tell people the absolute truth about the crime. Just give the newspaper to someone thinking about visiting. Maybe if the island lost enough tourist they might start to actual do something about the crime here.
Nobody would ever visit Anywhere World if they read the first few pages of its daily newspaper. Just as well that the majority knows this. 😀
STT Resident wrote:
[quote=Islandlovin]
I think we should tell people the absolute truth about the crime. Just give the newspaper to someone thinking about visiting. Maybe if the island lost enough tourist they might start to actual do something about the crime here.
Nobody would ever visit Anywhere World if they read the first few pages of its daily newspaper. Just as well that the majority knows this. 😀
Bull hockey! The more travelers understand about a destination, the better they can prepare. The better prepared traveler will spend less time "stressing" and more time enjoying the destination. If a traveler avoids common "pitfalls" and "hot spots" they will be less likely to fall victim or get hurt.
sttresident, nobody's trying to take $$ from your pocket. simply trying to help future visiitors enjoy themselves and stay safe.
(And quite frankly, if law enforcement paid better attention to the local news paper, maybe the cops would be on site to prevent future crimes.)
blu4u wrote:
[quote=STT Resident]
[quote=Islandlovin]
I think we should tell people the absolute truth about the crime. Just give the newspaper to someone thinking about visiting. Maybe if the island lost enough tourist they might start to actual do something about the crime here.
Nobody would ever visit Anywhere World if they read the first few pages of its daily newspaper. Just as well that the majority knows this. 😀
Bull hockey! The more travelers understand about a destination, the better they can prepare. The better prepared traveler will spend less time "stressing" and more time enjoying the destination. If a traveler avoids common "pitfalls" and "hot spots" they will be less likely to fall victim or get hurt.
sttresident, nobody's trying to take $$ from your pocket. simply trying to help future visiitors enjoy themselves and stay safe.
(And quite frankly, if law enforcement paid better attention the news paper, maybe the cops would be on site to prevent future crimes.)
What does my pocket have to do with anything? What goes into my pocket has nothing to do with my opinion. You seem to derive some sort of bizarre satisfaction in criticizing everything I say on this forum. I fully answered the OP in some detail in my first post if you can bring yourself to be bothered to read.
My comment to which you're now referring came about because of my failure to understand why poster islandlovin' is trying to infer that there is some other dark message to be gained from reading the daily newspapers. If you would care to explain the $$s comment I'd be most interested in hearing it. I further suggest that you either dispense with the ridiculous innuendos which seek solely to discredit me or explain when you decide to write such silly things how you reach such conclusions.
Unlike you, I've been assisting visitors to the USVI for almost three decades and take pride in doing so.
My apologies to the visitors who read this forum for this negative post but there are times when simply ignoring someone's barbs just isn't enough.
So how are islands that have high crime rates and huge resorts still surviving?? Because we as tourist know the truth before we go and we still go!! Just aware. Just moved here and funny ppl tell me this is the island deal with it or go home. So we only care about getting tourist to the island we don't care about getting ppl to move here.
Islandlovin wrote:
So how are islands that have high crime rates and huge resorts still surviving?? Because we as tourist know the truth before we go and we still go!! Just aware. Just moved here and funny ppl tell me this is the island deal with it or go home. So we only care about getting tourist to the island we don't care about getting ppl to move here.
I don't know the sort of people you're talking to but I've never heard any comment such as this. The only circumstance I can think of which would warrant such a response would be if,, as soon as you got off the 'plane, you started making remarks such as, "we don't do it like that back home". As I've helped visitors coming here for vacations over many many years I've also directly assisted hundreds of people who've moved here to live, either those coming for seasonal work or those hoping to make it for a longer period.
Many islands which have "high crime rates and huge resorts" keep visitors confined within the walls of those resorts, where one goes outside only in guided tour groups. Everything you need is right there from golf courses to restaurants to shops and even medical clinics. Maybe you didn't choose to move to one of those islands but opted for the USVI for good reason?
"Know before you go" is good motto.
Just returned from 1st trip to STT. Stayed in Sapphire village and felt extremely safe and comfortable(even on the last night when power went out!!). Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I think you'll love it. Just heed the advice given, same as home. Downtowm was a little dicey, but theres plenty to do in Redhook. also, the sapphire grille has real nice live music on the weekends. Great atmosphere. Tell Robyn that tammy sent you.
