Santa Cruz, Saint-Croix, Santa Croix - whatever you call it, we are talking about one chic corner. The Caribbean island is famous for its largest coral reef, but travelers choose the paradise land not only because of its natural delights. Every day spent here is full of impressions, and excellent service organically complements the exotic mosaic called a magical vacation.
Santa Cruz on the map
Santa Cruz Island on the world map or a detailed map of the island can be viewed using the navigation buttons (+/-). Caribbean on the map
Santa Cruz, which belongs to the American Virgin Islands, is located in the Caribbean archipelago almost at the intersection of the sea of the same name with the Atlantic Ocean. From Puerto Rico it is separated by about 120 km towards the east.
Of all the stars and stripes of the Virgin Islands, the blessed piece of land is the flattest and largest - almost 215 km². However, the status of the main city of the US overseas possessions was assigned to the administrative unit on St. Thomas. Here the center is Christiansted with a population of about 2,626 people. The second largest settlement is Frederiksted.
Holidays in Santa Cruz
Visitors to the island of St. Croix can rest assured that they will have access to all kinds of entertainment, which are generously provided Caribbean. Active leisure on land is replaced by beach languor, underwater exploration alternates with exciting cruises along the coast, after original parties, romantic picnics await in specially organized areas under the twinkling stars and the breath of the sea. Shopping will add variety to the resort life: not only is the promenade through the boutiques exciting in itself, but on Santa Cruz it is also profitable due to duty-free shopping.
The service in both the respectable restaurant and the miniature cafe is of the same quality; local cuisine will be appreciated even by travelers who are far from gourmands. The friendliness of the locals is almost the calling card of Santa Cruz, the choice of excursion routes is impressive, and a lot of offers for an unforgettable vacation will satisfy everyone. In other words, a holiday on the island rightfully deserves only the highest rating.
The nature of Santa Cruz
The landscape of the island is made up of picturesque flat landscapes, intricate bends of bays, and rocky hills called sierras. The latter are typical for the northern part of Santa Cruz, while the southern part is more extensive and much more fertile. Dense tropical forests are an ecotourism fan's dream. Lush thickets, flowering shrubs, fruit groves and spreading carpets of green plantations - the natural splendor is mesmerizing. It is not for nothing that since the late 40s of the 20th century, almost the entire territory of the island has been under the protection of the National Park Service to preserve the ecological balance.
In such conditions, representatives of the animal world also live well: numerous birds, lizards, turtles, and rats. Getting to know the underwater world will definitely be remembered forever, as diving and snorkeling here are excellent. On Santa Cruz, in addition to miraculous masterpieces, there are also oases created by man: for example, in St. George's Village - a botanical garden - almost two thousand specimens of exotic plants are collected.
Attractions Santa Cruz
The combination of natural beauty, historical sites and modern entertainment is what gives a holiday on the coast a spicy flavor. There are more than a hundred ancient sugar cane plantations on the island. These are not just half-abandoned plots of land, each of them has its own history, and tourists love to wander around ancient estates, admire stone windmills, and take photographs near the intricate towers.
The most popular excursions are:
- an overview of Christiansted, a city that has repeatedly received the title “The most charming city in the Caribbean”;
- to Fort Christiansted (mid-18th century);
- to the Historical Museum, located in the first church on the island, Stipple Building;
- to the Government House, built in the 18th century;
- to the art gallery, which is located in the former customs building;
- at Lord God of Sabah, Holy Cross Catholic Church, St. John's, Friedentshall Moravian Church;
- to the Christiansted Pharmacy (1828) with a working historic hall;
- to the Crek Dam;
- on a reef artificially created from tires near Colony Cove Beach;
- to the Santa Cruz Lighthouse.
It is impossible to visit the very best places in a day, there are so many of them on the island. Therefore, it is better to choose combined excursions - this way you can visit several attractions at once.
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When is the best time to go to Santa Cruz
Tours for December-May are in demand; hurricanes are excluded at this time, it is dry and not very hot. The average temperature for the high season is + 26-28˚. In August-September there are cataclysms that are not very global, but can interfere with your vacation.
Santa Cruz can be exquisitely passionate and naively simple, sparkling with fireworks of glamor and bringing peace, mysterious like its history and open like the Caribbean Sea. It can be different, but it can only make you regret your vacation - never.
