Where to Stay in St Croix in (Best Areas and Hotels)
St. Croix is a beautiful tropical island, the largest out of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands. From the common traveler to celebrities to presidents, many come to vacation on St. Croix or to participate in the popular events hosted on the island.
If you plan to visit, you have to figure out the best location for you to enjoy your trip to the fullest!
After all, isn’t it so frustrating when we book a space that’s not aligned with our travel preferences or itinerary?
I know the feeling, and since I’ve seen so much of this gorgeous island and its lovely accommodations, I’ve put together this guide to help narrow down your choices.
So, let’s get to it – here’s where to stay in St. Croix USVI this year.
| Best Area to Stay in St Croix for Convenience | Christiansted |
| Best Area to Stay for Relaxation | North Shore |
| Best Area to Stay for Beach Bums | Frederiksted |
Places to Stay in Downtown St Croix
Delectable dining, endless shopping, charming streets – I can’t get enough of Downtown St. Croix! The island is nicknamed Twin City because of its two major towns in the east and west, known as Christiansted and Frederiksted, respectively.
Each town is concentrated with culture, history, beauty, and adventure, making them both two of the most popular places to stay. They also have some of the best hotels in St Croix USVI, which I’ll get into below!
1. Christiansted
Downtown Christiansted is a popular spot on St. Croix, and rightfully so! It is most well-known for the Christiansted Boardwalk and the teeming nightlife. The Boardwalk is lined with various restaurants and bars to fulfill your appetite.
If you happen to crave the beach while in Christiansted, you can hop on a ferry from the Boardwalk and arrive at Protestant Cay, a gorgeous small island only 2 minutes offshore. This island is home to a pristine beach where you can spend some time in the water before heading back to town.
The town also has great shopping, a casino, and historical buildings. As for nightlife, I would argue that there’s no better place to be than Christiansted if this is an essential part of your trip.
There are many lively venues and relaxed lounges where you can find live music, karaoke, dancing, and lots of locals and tourists enjoying life!
Best Hotels in Chritiansted, St Croix
2. East End
The East End of St. Croix is dotted with secluded beaches within untouched nature. It’s the best location if you’re looking for that private, out-of-the-way accommodation where the only sounds outside will be the lull of the waves and the birds chirping.
It’s also where you’ll find one of the only all-inclusive hotels in St Croix (or as close to all-inclusive as you’ll get in the US Virgin Islands) and beach resorts.
East End is known for its quiet, unstructured landscape where even the shy island deer feel relaxed enough to stroll out of the forest!
The coastlines and waters of this area are well preserved to protect the coral reefs, endangered turtles, and other amazing marine life that inhabit them.
The beaches alone will make your stay in East End worth vistiting, but the dazzling sunrises here are a huge plus!
Best Hotels and Resorts in East End
3. North Shore
The North Shore of St. Croix is ideal for experiencing the natural beauty of the island.
It features amazing snorkeling locations, including The Wall at Cane Bay, and unique attractions, such as the Annaly Bay tide pools (my favorite hike on the island) and bioluminescent bays. So don't forget to pack your snorkel gear!
The beaches here are picturesque, with swaying palm trees, white sands, and dramatic views of the mountains and ocean. It is a mostly quiet area, but is a convenient distance to and from downtown Christiansted.
Additionally, about 1.5 miles off the North Shore is one of the best tourist attractions of St. Croix, known as The Buck Island Reef National Monument.
Turtle Beach on Buck Island is a must-visit during your stay; it is often regarded as one of the most stunning beaches in the world. I visit every time I go to St Croix, and I can say it's easily the most beautiful beach I've ever seen in the world as well.
Best Places to Stay on St Croix's North Shore
4. Frederiksted
Frederiksted, one of the two main towns on St. Croix, is on the lush west end of the island. It is a convenient location where shopping, restaurants, and other essentials are just a short drive away if not within walking distance.
Experience the beautifully quaint Frederiksted town with its stone walkways, historical gems, colorful street art, and fantastic beaches.
If you're a fan of water sports like paddleboarding, jet skiing, and kayaking, Frederiksted is an ideal place to book your accommodations. There are only a few hotels on St Croix's west end, but they're all beautiful and conveniently located.
It's also home to the port where the extravagant cruise ships dock and give visitors their first glimpse of St. Croix! Frederiksted's west-end sunsets are my favorite - they paint the sky with poignant, golden hues over the sea. It's the perfect way to relax and unwind after a long day of exploring.
Best St Croix Hotels in Frederiksted
Where to Stay in St Croix if You Are….
Traveling with Your Partner
Where to stay in St. Croix with your partner depends on what sort of experience you are looking for. The East End is unequivocally best for romantic, peaceful vibes, such as having a St. Croix honeymoon, an anniversary trip, or a private couples’ getaway.
That way, you will have access to secluded beaches and activities perfect for bonding– away from the more populated areas.
Picture being the only one on the beach with your partner, or watching the majestic sun rise at Point Udall, the easternmost point in the United States– this is what you can expect at East End!
If you both are planning an island adventure, however, I suggest staying in the lively town of Christiansted! This location is best for exploring shops, restaurants, and historical monuments.
There is easy access to transportation and bus tours to exciting excursions on the island. Christiansted is especially well-known for a vibrant night scene where you can grab drinks and food, and dance the night away!
Traveling with Your Family
Frederiksted is best for traveling with family, as it has everything you would need for a fun-filled day. There's plenty of entertainment and cultural immersion for the adults, and engaging activities for the kids!
Families can visit the historic Fort Frederik, play games at the beach, spend time at the recently renovated playground– even go to a Caribbean art museum where craft classes are frequently held.
There's a sufficient amount of kid-friendly restaurants to grab something to eat, day or night. The west side of the island is also safer for letting your kids swim in the ocean as the waters are calmer.
You will notice that this town is less crowded and more quiet than the bustling Christiansted, making for a comfortable family retreat. Swim, shop, eat, and relax all in the peaceful climate of Frederiksted!
A Solo Traveler
You're a solo traveler– of course you have a spirit of adventure, exploration, and discovery! With these aspects in mind, Northshore St. Croix is the place to stay.
It is a mostly natural landscape, though not far out from the more common areas. Northshore has endless outdoor activities- snorkeling, kayaking, ziplining, hikingp, and more!
There are also well-known bars and restaurants in the region if you happen to be a foodie, and as I mentioned before, the beaches are superb.
Beach Bums
Although the entire island is a haven for beach bums like myself, Frederiksted has those laid back vibes that simply make you lose track of time.
Whether you're fond of lazing in the sun, taking long walks on the shore, making friends at a beachside bar, or taking a refreshing swim, Frederiksted is the best place to stay. Let's not forget the watersports rentals and the unmatched underwater life!
Interested in History
Christiansted is unquestionably a huge center of history on St. Croix. In this town you can visit the Christiansted National Historic Site with its many interesting attractions.
The imposing yellow fort historically protected the island's harbor; its dark cannons remain dramatically poised toward the sea. The white Steeple Building was the first place of worship built on St. Croix.
These sites, built by the Danish colonists, date back over 200 years! Exploring the history in Christiansted is as simple as walking around and reading the informative panels on display at all the relevant locations. They paint a picture of the past as vivid as the town itself!
Interested in Convenience
Either town will be ideal for those interested in convenience. The towns have everything that you might be looking for- food, shops, souvenirs, hotels, cultural attractions, events, and nearby beaches.
Both Christiansted and Frederiksted are central locations where taxis meet to take visitors on tours or excursions. Public transportation is easily accessible.
The Henry E. Rohlsen Airport is only 15-20 minutes away from each town, and you can hire a taxi to drive you from the airport to your destination.
Things to Do in St Croix
St Croix is full of things to do for the whole family, from underwater adventures to nightlife, and history and culture to relaxing on the shorelines.
- Take a Trip to Buck Island National Monument
- Watch the sunrise at Point Udall - Easternmost Point of the United States
- Hike to the Annaly Bay Tide Pools
- Hit the Beaches!
Best Time to Visit St Croix
For the best weather, the best time to visit St Croix is between January and April. The island breeze is cool and the climate is dry, so you'll likely have a rain-free vacation!
To save on costs, you'll want to visit around June or November, when hurricane season is beginning and ending, but the weather is still fair. You might find some passing showers around these two months.
You'll want to veer away from visiting during peak hurricane and rain season, which falls between August and October. You might find the cheapest prices, but you also have a higher risk of being rained out of a nice beach trip.
Getting to St Croix
The Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix - Airport code: STX is conveniently located southwest of the island, closer to Frederiksted. While most flights fly to St Thomas, you can find some direct flights to St Croix. If you can't, it's easy to take a hopper plane, ferry, or private boat to St Croix when you arrive!
How to Get Around St Croix
Rental Cars
No matter where you stay in St Croix, my best advice for traveling around: get a rental car! Getting a rental car in St Croix can cost as little as $50 a day! A rental car will give you the ability to explore all the off-the-beaten-path beaches, hikes, and secluded gems hiding around the island.
Gas is more affordable in St Croix than on other islands due to its proximity to a gas facility and there is no sales tax in St Croix!
Don't forget they drive on the LEFT side of the road in the US Virgin Islands! U.S. Citizens can drive for 90 days in St Croix with their U.S. Drivers License.
⭐Reserve your rental car from St Croix Airport (STX)
Taxis
Taxis are readily available throughout the island and there are plenty of taxi service numbers you can keep on hand if you end up in a secluded area where you'll need to schedule a pickup!
The fares in St Croix are based on where you're going, not mileage, and are generally priced per person.
Because of the low prices of rental cars in St Croix, it will likely be pricier to travel everywhere by taxi vs renting your own car.
Taxi Costs: subject to change*
| Christiansted to Frederiksted | approx. $11/person |
| Airport to Christiansted | approx. $9/person |
FAQ: Best Areas to Stay in St Croix
Which side of St. Croix is best to stay?
Christiansted, located on the northeast side of St. Croix, is the best place to stay for an overall experience of St. Croix. This includes culture, history, cuisine, shopping, and adventure.
If you have more specific desires for your trip, it would be best to make your decision based on the information provided in this guide!
Which side of St. Croix has the best beaches?
East End has the best secluded beaches, and Northshore has the best snorkeling. Frederiksted has the liveliest beaches, with convenient amenities close by.
There's no right answer - it just depends what you're looking for in a beach!
Which island is better to visit St. Croix or St. Thomas?
In my opinion, St. Thomas has more vibrant shopping and attractive developments, while St. Croix has more easygoing vibes and relaxation.
Both St Thomas and St Croix are wonderful to visit, so it depends on your personal preferences.
Which side of St. Croix has the calmer water?
The west side of St. Croix has calmer waters for swimming and shallow areas suitable for children.
Booking travel soon? Here are my favorite reputable St Croix resources
- Book your villas a vrbo.com
- Find tours at viator.com
- Search for hotels from booking.com
- Find your car rental at Expedia
Summary: Places to Stay in St Croix USVI
No matter what you're looking for in St Croix, you'll find a great place to stay for your trip. Whether you want to be in the city, near the action, or on the beach lounging all day, St Croix is the place for you!
Head to Buccaneer, one of my favorite St Croix resorts on East End for an all-inclusive beach vacation. Or, stay in the action near hotels, casinos, and restaurants in Christiansted.
I usually opt for East End, since Jack and Isaac's Bay beaches are my favorite. But at the end of the day, it's totally up to you! I'm just here to help you plan the perfect vacation.
| Best Overall Beach Stay | The Buccaneer Hotel |
| Best City Stay in Christiansted | Sugar Apple Bed and Breakfast |
| Best Frederiksted Stay | Sand Castle on the Beach (ADULT ONLY) |
Thanks for being here! 👋
