The US Virgin Islands has some incredible history, starting with their discovery by Columbus, being a Danish colony, later a safe haven for pirates and eventually being purchased by the Americans currently being an unincorporated state. Some incredible sights can be witnessed on the islands, most prominent is the Bioluminescent Bay of which waters light up at night time due to the tiny plankton. Truly an incredible sight. Except for the wonders of these isles, there are hazards that the tourists should watch out for.

Traveling info

Traveling to the USVI is the same as traveling to the US mainland. Countries not covered by the Visa Waiver Program need to obtain a Visa and have a valid passport while the nations covered by the policy only require a valid passport without a Visa requirement for a stay up to 90 days. US citizens do not require a passport however some form of ID is required for traveling by either air or sea. (Visa Waiver Program countries list in sources). Driving in the country is regulated just like in the US. Visitors are permitted to use their national license however an International Drivers Permit is also allowed however such document can only be obtained from the drivers home country department of driving. The US does not issue such documents to foreigners.

Traveling hazards

Although the USVI is a US territory, the left side of the road is used for driving. This may be confusing for many unsuspecting visitors. The roads are generally safe and in good condition however rural roads may be dangerous due to ever-present donkeys wandering around the roads. It is important to be careful of the road ahead as many unexpected things such as drivers that stopped in the middle of the road to have a chat, islanders like to socialize on the roads believe it or not. Road rage is something that won’t be a problem on the islands, drivers are very polite and often yield way. Take note that honking is not because someone is angry but often used to communicate, single short “beep” or double short “beep beep” basically means “thanks for letting me into traffic”, long beeps, however, are reserved for large trucks coming around corners signaling the other drivers of the danger.

Environmental hazards

The only hazards to encounter in the USVI are in the waters. Swimming around public beaches is safe however not careful visitors may come across nasty surprises. Sea urchins and lionfish are probably the two most dangerous creatures to encounter however none of these will attack you. The only reason these harm people is either by being stepped on or in case of the lionfish being harmed. These creatures have nasty spikes that will poison their target even causing temporary paralysis which might be extremely dangerous while in water.
Like all of the Caribbean the USVI experience a hurricane season that lasts from early June until late November. During that time the islands may be struck by devastating hurricanes that may impede any sort of tourism and harm the islands infrastructure and greatly influence day to day life.

Health hazards

There are no required vaccinations upon entering the USVI however there are some recommended vaccines such as routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, Hepatitis A and B, rabies and typhoid vaccines. Beware of the possibility of Zika virus. Practice increased caution, protect yourself from mosquitoes that often carry the disease. Just like in the US, healthcare is mostly private. There are two main hospitals operating in the USVI and both are of the American standard. If you do not purchase health insurance that will cover the costs of your treatment you will be asked to pay before you receive your service.
In case of an emergency dial 911.

Crime

The USVI has the highest murder rate out all of the US territories however these mostly relate to the drug gang violence. These situations rarely affect tourists. Although St.John and St.Croix are safe, St Thomas experiences a higher rate of thefts, pickpocketing, and scams on tourists. With the increase of visitors, the crime is also on the rise. It is safe during the day to wander around the islands however at night be vigilant and avoid secluded places. To minimize the risk of pickpocketing it is also advisable to wear money belts. Leaving your belongings unattended is also very risky just like anywhere else in the world. Drug laws are quite strict. However, possession of under one ounce of marijuana is punishable by a 100 to 200 dollar fine. Any amount over that usually results in jail time. Possession of any other sort of drugs is completely illegal.

Summary

Although more popular than its counterpart USVI suffers a higher crime rate due to the number of visitors and ongoing drug trade. That still does not prevent the islands from being some of the most incredible places on earth to visit and witness the wonders of the USVI. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visas and customs)
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/us-virgin-islands/visas
(Drug laws)
http://norml.org/laws/item/virgin-islands-penalties-2
(Vaccines)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/usvirgin-islands