St Croix - getting around etc

I would recommend a car or bus until you get used to the way people drive here and also until you get used to the streets. There is no such thing as a good map on this island. Get to know the local landmarks (stores and restaurants) so you will be able to understand directions. I have a 200cc scooter myself that I have driven for a while. If you are not an expericence motorcycle driver I would not drive one around til Christiansted and surrounding area til ya got some experience in. 🙂

I would agree that a bus or the dollar taxibus would be the best way to go for the near term. I did manage to grovel (and I do mean grovel) at the tourist bureau a few year back for a very nice map of the island that is pretty comparable to AAA quality maps. Note however, that the actual AAA maps of the USVI are not really all that good, strange, hun? Since this tourist bureau map exists (or existed) I'm not sure why it is so hard to come by.

Hello,

The hotel and tourism office in Christiansted, I forgot which alley its in - it has maps. So maybe try there. And when you come in try the airport too. Some of the guide books have maps inside them. My last trip there the car rental agency gave a pretty good map. I find the roads immediately around Christiansted a bit confusing until you have driven in them a few times so I agree with Chantelle and Joanne that you might want to get your bearing of the roads, directions, the way people drive before you use a scooter. You might rent a car for a couple days when you first get there to explore the island a little, its a big island and the buses don't go to the further areas.... then you can use the bus for work and then maybe buy a scooter or lease a car.

--Islander

Thanks guys for your advice - getting the bus sounds like a less treacherous way to get to the hospital. Am really looking forward to my trip to the USVI - it certainly will make a break from the constant rain in Britain! My friend is giving me lessons on his scooter, so am getting some practice in whizzing round London and the appalling traffic here - honestly london taxi and bus drivers are something else! So if you see two blonde girls mowing down old ladies and children in their path on scooters that's me and my friend Felicity!!!

Emma - all the best with your scooter lessons and with your placement on St. Croix!! Once working on St. Croix it would be great if you would e-mail or post a message about your experiences working at the hospital - many nurses and other hospital staff who want to work in the USVI ask what its like... Again all the best!! Definately rent a car a few times so you can explore the whole island since the buses do not go everywhere.

--Islander

Will definately post a message about how I get on there. I'm kind of hoping that I won't be expected to go do horrendous amounts of work so that I can do lots of exploring and lying on the beach. Renting a car is proving to be a bit of a problem as neither of us are over 25. However, some friends and family are coming to visit and they'll probably rent one then. Many thanks for your invaluable advice again.
Emma