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Country Guide > Caribbean > US Virgin Islands | |
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Social Profile Food & Drink High-quality restaurants serve everything from French and Italian to Chinese cuisine. Island specialities include fresh fish and lobster. Dining out is casual and there is an increasing number of eateries on the main islands offering seafood, burgers, steaks and local fare. Cruzan rum is strong and distinctive. Nightlife Steel bands, folk singing, calypso and limbo dancing are popular. Discos are also available. St Thomas has several nightclubs; many hotels also offer entertainment. Cinemas on St Croix and St Thomas show English-language films. Shopping All luxury items up to US$1200 are cheap as they are duty-free. Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas is the best shopping centre. Best buys include watches, cameras, fine jewellery, china, leather goods, perfume, spirits and designer clothing. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700. When cruise ships are in port, some shops open on Sunday. Special Events For a full list, contact the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses). The following is a selection of special events occurring in the US Virgin Islands in 2005: Jan 1 3rd Annual St Croix Millennium Marathon VI Pace Runners. Jan 6 Festival Village Grand Finale (fireworks to mark the end of the Crucian Christmas Festival), St Croix. Jan 8 Adults Parade. Feb 19-21 Agriculture & Food Fair, St Croix. Mar 25-27 International Rolex Regatta. Apr 4-May 1 St Thomas' Annual Carnival. Apr 15 Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted. May 1 St Croix Half-Ironman Triathlon. May 29 Beach-to-Beach Power Swim Fundraiser. May 30 Memorial Day 2-Mile Run. Jul 1-7 St John Cultural Celebration. Jul 23-24 Arts & Crafts Fair, St Thomas. Oct 23 St Croix Coral Reef Swim. Dec Crucian Christmas Festival, throughout the islands. Social Conventions The US Virgin Islanders are overwhelmingly friendly and helpful and the pace of life is very relaxed. Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting and the appropriate time of day (good morning/afternoon/evening) is usually uttered at every encounter. Politeness and courtesy is expected. Dress is informal for most occasions apart from the formal requirements of some hotels. Tipping: All hotels add 8 per cent room tax and 10 to 15 per cent service charge. Restaurants will either add a 10 to 15 per cent service charge or expect the equivalent tip. |