St. Thomas, USVI

Getting There & Entry Requirements

Flew from Puerto Rico to St. Thomas via JetBlue — flights under $50/person, only ~16 minutes in the air
US citizens do NOT need a passport to enter St. Thomas — a Real ID, driver's license, or Global Entry card works (passport also accepted)
Mountainous, beautiful landscape visible from the air

Rented from Budget — $40/day
Liability insurance was mandatory and non-negotiable — additional $20/day
Total for 2 days: ~$120
Fun fact: St. Thomas is the only U.S. location where people drive on the LEFT side of the road

~5 minutes from the airport; scenic drive with blue waters and mountain views (island nicknamed "The Rock")
"I Love St. Thomas" sign near local markets — vendors selling clothes, jewelry, dresses, and food trucks (good for cheap eats/souvenirs)
Fort Christian – historic red fort (rare color for a fort); closed on weekends, but tours available on weekdays with great views and history
Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church – second oldest Lutheran church in the Western Hemisphere
Found a small Danish-style guardhouse reflecting the island's former Dutch colonial history

Planned to visit "99 Steps" but it was under construction — ended up climbing a much longer staircase instead
Three Queens Monument – honors three formerly enslaved women from St. Croix who led the Fireburn Revolt for better working/living conditions; now known as the Three Queens of the Virgin Islands
Blackbeard's Castle – short walk (3-4 min) from the monument; 360° views, bar on-site, historical info on Blackbeard and his crew (linked to Pirates of the Caribbean inspiration)

Got "Fluffy Ice" (slushie-style treat) — $9 (pricey but good)
Note: parking near the capital is difficult; free street parking possible but limited; paid lots available

Studio booked, possibly upgraded — $82/night
Living room, kitchenette, bedroom, bathroom, balcony with ocean view (best seen in daylight)
On-site coffee shop: Northside Grind
- Coconut caramel cold brew + plain bagel w/ roasted garlic cream cheese
- "Caribbean Starburst" drink (star fruit, mango, cinnamon) + "Stinky Pig" bagel (salami, ham, cream cheese, tomato)

Beach near Flamboyant (free) – crystal clear water, white sand, beach bar, optional snorkel rental (~$15)
Secret Harbor Beach (free) – calm, clear water; soft white sand but some rocks near shore; limited parking (had to drive up a steep hill)
Magens Bay Beach – one of the most popular; $7/person entry + $2 parking; long shoreline, calm waves, soft white sand, palm trees — described as the "best" beach but not dramatically better than the free ones
Lindbergh Beach (free) – soft sand, clear water, near airport (planes visible overhead)
Brewers Bay Beach (free) – less than 5 min from Lindbergh; slightly pebbly but soft sand, great plane-watching, long shoreline — rated better than Lindbergh

Bushwhacker (unofficial drink of the USVI) at Suri's Caribbean Bar and Grill — origin location of the drink; made with rum, vodka, Kahlúa, Crème de Cacao, Bailey's — milkshake-like
Senior Pizza – 3-slice minimum, $11 for cheese + $1 per topping; thin crispy crust, very good
Sibs on the Mountain (Sunday dinner, many places closed) – chickpea stir-fry, fried chicken with smothered gravy, coconut rice & fries — ~$41 total for two
Conch pate (fried dough similar to an empanada, Caribbean spices) from a food truck near Brewers Bay — flavorful, recommended

Famous viewpoint overlooking Magens Bay
Named after Captain Drake — viewed as a great explorer in English history, but as a pirate in Spanish history due to the number of ships he sank

Flamboyant on the Bay has a lower pool + hot tub (low-key) and upper pools with better sunset views

Brewers Bay & Lindbergh Beach are both ~3 minutes from the airport — convenient last stops
Flying onward to San Juan via JetBlue (under $50/person) before heading back to New York
Trip was only 3 days — additional U.S. Virgin Islands still on the list for future videos