Essentials
- City
- Cruz Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Population
- Approximately 2,800
- Internet Speed
- Average 50-100 Mbps via Viya or Liberty USVI; Starlink is increasingly popular for 150+ Mbps.
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). US domestic banking rules apply.
- Tap Water
- Generally not recommended for drinking; most residents use filtered rainwater cisterns or buy bottled water ($2.50 per gallon).
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz; Plug Type A/B (Same as USA). Frequent brief outages occur.
- SIM Card
- Liberty VI and Viya are local; T-Mobile and AT&T work without roaming fees (check plans).
- Banking for Expats
- FirstBank VI, Banco Popular, or mainland US banks like Chase and Wells Fargo via ATMs.
- Accommodation
- Luxury villas, guesthouses, and boutique hotels (e.g., Grande Bay Resort).
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes in town, but 'Cash is King' for small bars, local taxis (safaris), and boat charters.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO are primary; Marketplace St. John for local listings.
- Budget Accommodation
- St. John Inn (approx. $200/night) or Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground (tents from $120/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Cruz Bay (Town Center) for proximity to ferries, bars, and dining.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Chocolate Hole or Great Cruz Bay for slightly quieter residential vibes with better Wi-Fi stability.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- There are no formal coworking spaces; Mongoose Junction offers free public Wi-Fi in the courtyards.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Baja El Sol Gallery & Art Bar (Mongoose Junction) - quiet atmosphere and good coffee.
- Networking Events
- St. John Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours events; casual networking at The Tap Room.
- Social Events for Expats
- St. John All Island Community Meeting; 'What's Happening St. John' Facebook group.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Lyft. Use local open-air 'Safari' taxis ($7-$15 per person to North Shore beaches).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not recommended due to extremely steep, winding hills and left-hand driving.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Trunk Bay ($5 entry fee), approximately 10 minutes from Cruz Bay by taxi.
- Top Regional Airline
- Silver Airways or Cape Air (flying into STT - Cyril E. King Airport).
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, Delta, and United fly into nearby St. Thomas (STT).
- Highway Access
- Route 20 (North Shore Road) and Route 10 (Centerline Road).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Cruz Bay Ferry Dock (Ferries to Red Hook/Charlotte Amalie).
- Public Transport Passes
- The VITRAN bus ($1.00) runs between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, but is famously unreliable.
- Regional Travel
- Inter-island ferry to St. Thomas ($8.15 one way) or Inter-Island Boat Service to Jost Van Dyke/Tortola.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center (Cruz Bay). Serious cases are sent to Schneider Regional in St. Thomas.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Salty Muse Yoga (classes at various outdoor locations/villas).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gym in the North (Mongoose Junction area) - approx. $20 day pass.
- Laundry Services
- Duffy's Love Shack Laundry or Cruz Bay Laundromat (self-service and drop-off).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Island Delivery Services (private courier) sometimes operates for a high fee.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pate (meat/fish turnovers) at Uncle Joe’s BBQ or Johnny Cakes.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- North intersection/Irie Pops for bowls; Shaibu’s Garden Oasis (Health-focused).
- Best Dessert Spots
- St. John Scoops (Mongoose Junction) - homemade tropical flavors starting at $6.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Starfish Market (The Marketplace) or Dolphin Market.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (shipping takes 2-3 weeks via USPS); local 'St. John Traders' for gear.
- Grocery Delivery
- Landlubber Logistics (pre-arrival provisioning for villas).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The 'Wharfside Village' strip and the area around 'The Quiet Mon Pub'.
- Local Brewery
- The Tap Room (St. John Brewers) at Mongoose Junction.
- Wine Bars
- Wine Shop St. John (tastings and retail).
- Street Food Stalls
- Heading east out of town, various roadside stalls serve BBQ and Pates.
- Popular International Cuisine
- The Longboard (Coastal Cantina/Poke) or Extra Virgin Bistro (Italian/Fine Dining).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Annaberg Plantation ruins and the Peace Hill Windmill.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Elaine Ione Sprauve Public Library and Museum.
- Historical Sites
- Cinnamon Bay Sugar Mill Ruins.
- Religious Sites
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church.
- Annual Events
- St. John Celebration (Carnival) culminating on July 4th.
- Cultural Districts
- The downtown Cruz Bay historic waterfront.
- Theater Venues
- No formal theater; live music performances at Beach Bar or The Windmill Bar.
- Local Markets
- The Marketplace (commercial hub).
- Music Scene
- Daily live music at The Beach Bar (famous sunset spot).
- Street Art
- Vibrant murals near the Franklin Powell Sr. Park.
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional classes at Shaibu's Garden Oasis.
- Art Galleries
- Bajo El Sol Gallery featuring local Afro-Caribbean art.
- Historic Buildings
- The Battery (Government House), built in 1806.
- Local Heritage
- The ‘Free Colored’ history of the Danish West Indies era.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Virgin Islands National Park (covers 60% of the island).
- National Parks Nearby
- Virgin Islands National Park (Immediate access from Cruz Bay).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Lind Point Trail (starts in Cruz Bay and leads to Salomon Beach).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Windmill Bar at Neptune's Lookout for panoramic views of the archipelago.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Francis Bay Salt Pond (protected bird blind).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited within National Park boundaries (most beaches).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- US Post Office (Cruz Bay); UPS/FedEx via Connection St. John.
- Tech Repair Services
- Computer Support USVI (located in St. Thomas, offers St. John site visits).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Occasional tables set up at local bars like Shambles.
- Language Classes
- English is primary; Spanish classes occasionally via private tutors.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Elaine Ione Sprauve Library (usually quiet, limited hours).
- Community Centers
- St. John School of the Arts.
- Gaming Lounges
- Not available.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Not available on St. John (Nearest is on St. Croix).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $12,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $480,000 for a condo in Cruz Bay).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $9,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $360,000 in Coral Bay area).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $690,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $510,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $13,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $1,040,000 at Grande Bay).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $10,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $800,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (US Federal mirror system).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Standard US rate, can be lower via treaties).
- Tax System
- Mirror Code of the US Internal Revenue Code.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (US Federal rates).
- VAT
- 0% (No Sales Tax in USVI).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, US GILTI and Subpart F rules apply.
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on assessed value (approx. 0.0037 for residential).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty varies from 2% to 3.5% based on value.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Economic Development Commission (EDC) program offers up to 90% reduction in personal and corporate income tax for qualifying businesses.