When I Went: March 17-24, 2012
Was That the Best Time of Year to Go? I don’t think there is ever a bad time of year to visit! But, it was beautiful. There were rain showers occasionally, but they moved out quickly.
Why I Went There: A family vacation
Who Went With Me? My boyfriend, his mother, and siblings.
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We Stayed Here: At a private rental home on St. John Island.
You Won’t Want to Miss: Definitely spend the money to have a local guide take you snorkeling. It’s an amazing experience to see sea life in its natural habitat. Swimming among sea turtles, stingrays and seeing the amazing array of starfish is something I will never forget. If you have it in your budget, also spend the money to head over to Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands and spend the day at the Soggy Dollar Bar.
Eat Here: Go to the Sun Dog Cafe and enjoy some live music on the patio and a refreshing tropical beverage.
Play Here: The beaches! Visit as many beaches as you can! Each one we visited was different from the last. Maho Beach was my favorite. Also, it’s worth it to spend a day playing at the Soggy Dollar Bar in the British Virgin Islands.
If I Went Again: Not much. The only thing I would change is eating at local restaurants more. Because we stayed at a vacation home, it was easier for us to cook dinner at home. I am a big believer of exploring a destination and what the locals have to offer, so I would definitely go back and try local restaurants.
How Did You Get There From Dallas? We flew from Dallas to Miami and then to St. Thomas. Because we were staying on St. John, we had to take a ferry to St. John.
Other Tips For Fellow Travelers: Be prepared to need a rental car if you stay in a vacation home and also for higher prices at the grocery store. The locals are so friendly, so don’t be afraid to explore and meet some of them! We made lifelong friends with a Norwegian couple visiting the islands at the same time.
