Caribbean Villas of St John Office Location:
Palm Plaza, Unit 1B, Cruz Bay
St. John Office Phone Number: 340.776.6152
If our St. John Office is closed & you have an emergency, please call or text 340.473.0733
IF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL 9-1-1
MEDICAL FACILITY | Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center | 340.693.8900 Visit Website
The Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center is a comprehensive primary healthcare facility located on St. John, where 5,000 residents share a beautiful island with the Virgin Islands National Park. For residents and the thousands who visit each year, the center provides 24-hour emergency services and outpatient clinics Monday through Friday.
Volunteering:
Animal Care Center of St. John: The ACC has a staff of just a few employees, and they rely on the assistance of volunteers to help care for their cats and dogs. If you are looking to volunteer during your vacation, they welcome any time you can devote to them. Visit Website 340.774.1625
St. John Etiquette:
CARIBBEAN MANNERS: You will be rubbing shoulders with another culture so please remember to start all conversations with a cheery “Good Morning”, “Good Day”, “Good Afternoon”, or “Good Evening”. West Indian culture considers it bad manners to jump into a conversation without speaking a greeting first.
DRESS CODE: Very Casual, including evening dining. Never go barefoot or shirtless. Never wear your bathing suit without a cover-up in town or in any public place, especially in restaurants. This is considered very bad manners and you could be fined a hefty fee.
Planning Ahead
Private Taxi Transfers St. Thomas Airport to Red Hook:
WARREN GORDON | 340.998.1077 Visit Website
Private Water Taxi:
SEAHORSE LAND & WATER TAXI | 340.474.4905 Visit Website
DOLPHIN WATER TAXI | 340.774.2628 Visit Website
Baby Equipment Rentals & Babysitting:
ISLAND BABY VI EQUIPMENT RENTALS | 340.998.8327 Visit Website
KIDS NIGHT IN – BABYSITTING SERVICE | 321.431.9113 Visit Website
Provisioning Services:
LANDLUBBER LOGISTICS | 340.514.9343 (Billy) & 340.227.1690 (Cory) Visit Website
Catering Services:
ST JOHN CATERING | 877.690.9393 & 340.777.5464 Visit Website
TED’S SUPPER CLUB | 340.514.2855 & 340.693.7793 Visit Website
FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS, CLICK HERE.
General Information
REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN: As of 2019, only Reef Safe Sunscreen can be used in the USVI. Example brands are: Thinksport Sunscreen, Kokua Sun Care, Badger, and All Good Sport Mineral Sunscreen. If you do not bring this with you, they can purchased at various businesses on the island (St. John Beach Bum)
GAS STATIONS: EC Gas Station and Racetrack Gas Station are located on the South Shore Road (Rt. 104). If returning a rental vehicle, we recommend you fill up at EC Gas Station as it is on a flat surface. The Racetrack Gas Station is on hill, and sometimes you will think you have filled your tank, but then find a gas surcharge because the vehicle was not returned full. Any other time, the Racetrack Gas Station is fine. About midway between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, on the Centerline Road is Midway Gas Station. There aren’t any gas stations in Coral Bay.
GROCERY STORES: Dolphin Market – located in Cruz Bay, Starfish Market – located at the Market Place Complex just outside of Cruz Bay, St. John Market – located at Greenleaf Plaza, before the Westin Resort. In Coral Bay, Dolphin Market – located at Cocolobo Plaza, Calabash Market, and Love City Mini Mart. Click here to see a full list.
INSECTS: Mosquitoes and sand flies (no-see-ums) tend to stay away most of the time due to our constant trade winds.
If the wind dies down or after a period of heavy rain, they will be more prevalent. Take precautions and spray with repellent with Deet. Ants – during drier periods tiny red-brown ants come and go in conga lines. We exterminate on a regular basis which helps control the ants. Never leave food out, wipe up spills immediately & dispose of your trash regularly. This will help keep your villa ant free. There will be no refunds due to insects.
DRY CLEANING: Elite Dry Cleaners, located just before Tamarind Inn in Cruz Bay
SAFETY: Although St. John has very little crime; it has increased over the past few years. We recommend you lock your villa when you leave. Secure all valuables and do not take them to the beach. All villas are equipped with safes for your valuables. We recommend leave valuables at home.
POWER OUTAGES: Occasionally our island experiences a power outage. We never know how long one might last. During an outage, do not run the water or flush the toilets. This will result in the pump losing its prime and will disrupt the water flow with the power comes back on. If the pump loses its prime, you will need to call our St. John Office – 340.776.6152, to have maintenance come prime the pump, or in some cases they may be able to walk you through the procedure.
WATER CONSERVATION: Very Important!!! The only source of water is rainfall, which is stored in cisterns underneath the villas. We check cisterns prior to your arrival, but if your water runs out, we will have water delivered in a tanker. This can sometimes take a day, which is a long time during a vacation. Please help us by never letting the water run out of the tap while washing up or brushing your teeth. Flush only when necessary and take “California Showers”; wet down, turn off while soaping up, then rinse quickly.
PLUMBING: The plumbing is very sensitive in all the villas. Never flush anything you did not eat first. May villas have water-saver toilets, which are much too sensitive for foreign objects or feminine products.
CONSTRUCTION: Due to the amount of new villa construction on St. John, it is possible that construction may occur near your villa. Any construction noise or disruption during your vacation is out of our control. Every phase of construction is different & we never know how disruptive it will be during a guest’s stay. There will be no compensation due to construction.
TENNIS: St. John has two public courts located in Cruz Bay. “First come, first serve”
TOURING ST. JOHN: St. John is an island to be explored. Get off the beaten track, use your 4-wheel drive and go until the road ends. Go exploring – it’s an adventure and a lot of fun!
DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE: The law allows American’s returning to the U.S. from the U.S. Virgin Island to bring $1600 in duty free items.
SEATBELTS: Seatbelts are required for all passengers. There is a very steep fine if you are pulled over & not wearing one.
Villa Information
KEYS: Any lost or mishandled keys will result in a $175+ charge against your damage deposit.
DRINKING WATER: The water from the taps in the villa’s is filtered (cistern water) but we strongly recommend drinking bottled water.
GARDENERS: The gardeners will come & go at will, but never have access to the interior of your villa. All gardeners are lovely people so please say hello.
POOL CLEANERS: Pool service is performed the day of your arrival. If you find some leaves have blown into your pool, please look around for a skimmer which you can use to fish out the leaves and other debris.
POOL SAFETY: Never dive into your pool as they are not deep enough & you could be seriously injured. Please watch all children & partying adults carefully. Do not allow anyone to run around the pool deck as it can be slippery.
NOISE AND PARTYING: Caribbean Villas of St. John wishes to maintain a family friendly atmosphere for the quiet enjoyment of all guests. We rent to family groups & responsible adults only. Please be considerate of your neighbors. Absolutely no villa parties or functions, such as weddings are allowed at the villas.
PEST CONTROL: This is essential & scheduled when the villa is vacant.
GARBAGE/TRASH REMOVAL: There is no villa trash collection on St. John. You are responsible for removing & disposing of your trash at any dumpster located along the roads. We recommend daily disposal to eliminate the possibility of ants and other creatures. Excessive garbage left at the villa on your departure date requiring maintenance personnel to dispose of the trash, will result in a $125+ fee charged against your damage deposit.
CHECK-IN TIME: 4:00 pm CHECK-OUT TIME: 10:00 am
MAID SERVICE AND CLEANING: All villas are cleaned for your arrival. If you would like additional maid service, please call 800.338.0987. We will inform you of the cost & arrange it for you, prior to your arrival.
VIEWING OTHER VILLAS: If there is another villa you would like to see during your vacation, please call 340.776.6152 & speak with our St. John Staff. If the villa is vacant, we will be happy to show it to you.
Recommended Activities
ANNABERG CULTURAL EXHIBIT & LEINSTER BAY: View the interesting ruins at Annaberg. Stop for a swim/snorkel at Leinster, and then hike the Johnny Horn Trail to Brown Bay.
REEF BAY HIKE: A National Park Guide will lead you through the subtropical rain forest & the Petroglyphs of Reef Bay – 340.776.6201. Or you can do the hike independently. Be sure to bring plenty of water.
SHOPPING: St. John has a lot of unique shops – from T-shirts, to artwork, to gorgeous jewelry. If you want to explore St. Thomas, take the ferry to Charlotte Amalie, have lunch at Gladys’ Café and then shop ‘til you drop.
HIKING: The National Park Service maintains a network of trails that crisscross the most beautiful portions of St. John.
RUNNING OR JOGGING: Any of the National Park trails will give you an excellent workout.
SNORKELING: The protected & tranquil coves of St. John abound with excellent snorkeling. Try Reef Bay, Lameshur, Salt Pond, Haulover or Leinster Bays.
KAYAK AND PADDLE BOARDING: Highly recommended! Check out who we recommend by clicking here.
BOAT EXCURSIONS: There is nothing better than being out on the ocean in the Caribbean. Do a day excursion around the USVI or to the BVI’s. If going to the BVI’s, you will need your passports. Take a look at our recommendations by clicking here.
DO NOTHING! Hang out by your pool with your favorite book and drink, relax, unwind, and do NOTHING. You are in paradise after all!
St. John Office – Palm Plaza – Driving Directions
DRIVING FROM THE PASSENGER FERRY: Leaving the passenger ferry dock behind you, follow the ONE WAY Street to the right. Turn left at the stop sign & follow ONE WAY street as it curves left. At the upcoming stop sign, Turn Right; onto RTE 10 and follow the TWO WAY street upward as it passes Woody’s Seafood Saloon (on the left) and continues between the School and Police Station. Arrive at the Round About (Traffic Circle). As you enter the Round About you will follow Rt. 104 out of Cruz Bay. You will follow this road out past the Market Place Complex (on the left), up a very steep hill (Jacob’s Ladder) and down the hill. On the left with be the Race Track Gas Station & Dolphin Market. On your right will be the entrance to Palm Plaza. Caribbean Villas of St John is on the first level – Unit 1B.
DIRECTIONS FROM CAR BARGE: The car barge lands at the Enighed Pond Marine Facility (locally knowns as the “barge ram”), ALL traffic exits the port through security gates to the left. Turn right & at the next stop sign turn right & follow the road around the parking lot. At the next stop sign, turn right & this brings you to Rt. 104. You will follow this road out past the Market Place Complex (on the left), up the very steep hill (Jacob’s Ladder) and down the hill. On the left with be the Race Track Gas Station & Dolphin Market. On your right will be the entrance to Palm Plaza. Caribbean Villas of St John is on the first level – Unit 1B.
DIRECTIONS FROM ROUTE 10 (Centerline Road): Upon the final decent into Cruz Bay on Route 10, you will take a hard left at the roundabout intersection (Rt. 104), a the bottom of the Centerline Road (by Dolphin Market on the right). You will follow this road out past Market Place Complex (on the left), up the very steep hill (Jacob’s Ladder) and down the hill. On the left with be the Race Track Gas Station & Dolphin Market. On your right will be the entrance to Palm Plaza. Caribbean Villas of St John is on the first level – Unit 1B.
DIRECTIONS FROM ROUTE 20 (North Shore Road): Upon return from the North Shore Beaches on Route 20, approach the base of the hill at Mongoose Junction. Continue on for 200 yards making the 1st left turn uphill until you come to the Roundabout (traffic circle). After yielding for traffic follow the circle around and take the 2nd exit for Rt. 104. You will follow this road out past Market Place Complex (on the left), up the very steep hill (Jacob’s Ladder) and down the hill. On the left with be the Race Track Gas Station & Dolphin Market. On your right will be the entrance to Palm Plaza. Caribbean Villas of St John is on the first level – Unit 1B.
