Common Questions about Renting a Vacation Villa on St. John

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q:  How do I get to St. John?

A:  All major airlines fly to the Virgin Islands.  For travel to St. John you should book your flight into St. Thomas – airport code STT – there is no airport on St. John.  Once you arrive at the airport in St. Thomas give Cimmaron a call to let us know you have arrived, retrieve your luggage and proceed outside to the taxi dispatchers and tell them you would like to go to the St. John ferry dock in Red Hook.  (Note:  There is also a ferry from Charlotte Amalie to St. John, but it does not run as frequently as the Red Hook ferry and not at all during the off season).  If you have rented your vehicle in St. Thomas, the rental agency will provide you with directions to the Red Hook car barge dock.

Q:  Do U.S. citizens need a passport to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands?

A:  U.S. Citizens are NOT required to have passports or proof of citizenship when entering the U.S. Virgin Islands (unless entering from a foreign airport).  All persons (whether U.S. citizens or not) DEPARTING the U.S. Virgin Islands must pass through Customs at the airport and show proof of citizenship.  Accepted documents for proof of U.S. Citizenship include any of the following:  1) U.S. passport; 2) a government issued photo ID (i.e., driver’s license); or 3) certified copy of birth certificate (applies to children who may not have a government issued photo ID).  NOTE:  If you plan a boat excursion to the nearby British Virgin Islands (BVI) during your stay a passport is required.

Q:  What are the taxi and ferry rates?

A:  The taxi rates are posted at the airport and are approximately $15 each one-way to Red Hook ($11 each for 2 or more passengers), plus $2 for each piece of luggage.  Taxis are large passenger vans and the driver will fill the van with people not necessarily all going to the same destination, so there may be a few stops to drop others before arriving at Red Hook. Depending on the number of stops, plan on a 30-45 minute ride from the airport to the Red Hook ferry.  Contact Cimmaron if you would like to make arrangements for a private taxi to accommodate just your party (rates begin at $50 one-way with no luggage charge).  The rates for the Red Hook ferry are $6 each (adults) and $1 each (children 2-11) one-way to Cruz Bay St. John, plus $2.50 for each piece of luggage.  Contact Cimmaron if you would like to make arrangements for a private water taxi to St. John (rates begin at $125 one-way with no luggage charge).  Rates for the car ferry (barge) between St. Thomas and St. John start at $28 one-way (we do not recommend round trip tickets because tickets are not interchangeable between the three car barge companies).

Q:  What is the ferry schedule?

A:  From St. Thomas to St. John the Red Hook ferries leave every hour on the hour from 8 am to midnight and from St. John to St. Thomas from 6 am to 11 pm.  The Red Hook ferry ride is 20 minutes.  When the Charlotte Amalie ferry is running it departs from St. Thomas at 10 am, 1 pm, and 5:30 pm and departs from St. John at 8:45 am, 11:15 am and 3:45 pm and the ride is 45 minutes.  Car barges depart approximately every half hour from 6 am to 7 pm (if all three companies are operating).  They normally do not depart until they are full so allow for time (at least 20 minutes) waiting for boarding and loading and 40 minutes for the ride.

Q:  Should I rent a car and what about driving on the left?

A:  It is strongly recommended that you rent a vehicle and that it be a 4WD vehicle.  There are very few properties for rent on St. John in within walking distance to towns and attractions.  Taxi fares will add up quickly, limit your freedom to explore the island, and there are some villas where taxis will not go.  Vehicle rental rates on St. John range from $75/day to $120/day depending on the season and the type of vehicle (weekly rates are slightly less).  We do drive on the LEFT which takes a little concentration, but the maximum speed limit is 20 mph.  Renting a vehicle on St. Thomas is often cheaper than on St. John, but consider the following:  1) compare the car barge schedule above with your flight arrival and departure times and allow for unforeseen delays; 2) some rental companies on St. Thomas will not allow their vehicles to come to St. John – check before booking; 3) if roadside assistance is required there will be delays as your help is a water crossing away.  In order to rent a car you must have a driver’s license, proof of insurance, and be at least 25 years old.  Budget Car Rental on St. Thomas will rent to persons under 25 for an additional fee.  Law requires all children less than 5 years of age to be in a child-restraint car seat (or if a child is 3 to 5 years old, they may wear a regular seatbelt if they are in the REAR seat).  Car seats are available from your vehicle rental agency and can be ordered, for a small fee, when you book your vehicle.  Want to go out for an evening without a designated driver?  Contact Cimmaron to make arrangements for a taxi for your night on the town.

Q:  Do I need to book my vehicle and island activities before arriving in the islands?

A:  There are a limited number of vehicles for rent in the islands (especially on St. John) so it is strongly recommended that you book your vehicle at the same time that you book your villa.  Contact Cimmaron for recommendations on vehicle rental agencies and a list of those that will allow Cimmaron to pick up the keys for you should your flight arrive after they close.  There are also limited spots available on the many island attractions listed under the “Local Area Guide – Activities & Attractions” tab on our website.  Again, contact Cimmaron, for our assistance in making your reservations well in advance of your arrival on St. John.

Q:  What is the currency and are credit cards accepted?

A:  The currency is the U.S. dollar and most places accept major credit cards with the exception of taxis, ferries, roadside vendors, small shops, etc.  The U.S. dollar and major credit cards are also accepted in the BVI.

Q:  Will my cell phone work on St. John?

A:  Sprint and AT&T are the cellular providers in the Virgin Islands.  Some other cellular services work in the Virgin Islands; however, roaming charges are likely.  Check with your cellular provider before coming to the islands for details on your plan.  Service for all providers is spotty in some areas on St. John and will incur roaming charges to the BVI in certain areas.

Q:  What should I bring?

A:  Casual, light weight clothing and beachwear will do.  The dress code at most restaurants is casual.  For finer dining, lightweight shirts and slacks are recommended for gentlemen and sundresses or casual shorts/slack outfits for women.  Bring plenty of sunscreen and hats for protection from the hot Caribbean sun and comfortable walking shoes.  Bed/bath linens and beach towels, as well as blow dryers, are provided at all villas. A washer/dryer is available for your use at most villas.  Rule of thumb…put everything you want to take on the bed to pack, but before you pack put at least half of it back because you aren’t going to need it.  

Q:  Is there a post office and can I ship packages?

A:  A U.S. Post Office is located in downtown Cruz Bay.  Postal rates are the same as the U.S. mainland.  Federal Express and UPS also service St. John, but the rates are international rates and very expensive.  If you would like to ship packages prior to your arrival, contact Cimmaron for the mailing address and pickup/delivery charges.  Packages must be sent by USPS Priority or Express Mail with delivery confirmation.  Packages sent by regular mail may take up to 2 months to arrive.

Q: What is the standard for tipping?
A: 15%-20% for quality service at restaurants, bars, tours and activities.  (Some restaurants automatically add a service charge and for parties over 6 people at restaurants the tip is almost always added automatically; so be sure to check your bill.)  If you feel you receive excellent service from your Cimmaron greeter and housekeeper, tipping will be greatly appreciate, but is not required.

Q:  What is the crime like?

A:  Crime on St. John is mainly limited to a few thefts of items left out in the open and unattended in unlocked villas, cars or the beach.  Don’t carry a lot of money, passports, multiple credit cards or expensive jewelry.  Use common sense and make use of the safes provided at most villas for the storage of your valuables.

Q:  Are outlets standard American outlets and is it okay to drink the water?

A:  Electric outlets in the Virgin Islands take standard North American current, with a 120 volt / 60 cycle.  There is no ground water on St. John.  All of our water is collected from rain water or delivered by water trucks from desalination plants into cisterns at the villas.  All of the villas have some type of filtration on the water system and some of the villas have UV filtration systems that provide water purer than city water in the mainland.  We recommend bottled water for drinking (gallons are available at all of the markets), but the water at the villas is fine for cooking and bathing.  Drink plenty of water so you don’t become dehydrated in the hot sun.