USVI-On-Line

With our trip fast approaching, (only 3 weeks and 6 days!), I was wondering if there were any areas on stj that are unsafe. I have been reading some about stt and areas that may be unsafe at night, but not really heard anything about stj. Also, are there any shops open later into the evening or do they close early?

Michele I've never felt un-safe on STJ but I will say this....just as you're cautious at home be that way on vacation. Don't leave your villa unlocked, keep valuables out of view, and do everything you would normally do at home. Remember it may be your vacation but there's always someone looking to rip someone off. (I'm a cop's wife and extra-cautious but I think it's a good way to be...)
I believe the shops in Cruz Bay are open until 9:00 or so. They have been in the past but don't know if that changes seasonally. Ruth??

Ditto what bevm said.

Keep your valuables secured in the villa; don't leave things out in the open on the beaches.

Some of the shops stay open in Cruz Bay; Mongoose Junction closes around 6p (or maybe 7p?).

Have a great trip.

We were there last week with our kids and never felt unsafe. We behaved just like we were at home.

We're "early" people. Have dinner by 8pm and back to the villa by 10 pm. No issues, ever, on STJ at those hours.

If you are a late night person, then be more careful as I'm sure you can get in more trouble as the hours gets later (or earlier).

STJ is a very small island with a condensed area of activity. STT is a much larger island and has more areas where more devious activities might occur.

Just use common sense as you would at home and all will be well.

Good Luck! Have Fun!

Yes, jayseadee, I think the shops in Mongoose Junction close early but pretty much every one else in Cruz Bay stays open until 9PM, normally. For some reason, several on-line web sites about St. John incorrectly state that all the shops close early, but this is not true.
Cruz Bay is very much a "walk about town with the family and see what's going on after dinner" kind of place.
- Ruth

We got back from St. John a couple weeks ago. We walked around a lot in Cruz Bay up until 10pm or so most nights and walked home up past Gallow's w/o any concerns. Just like anywhere, keep an eye out. I think the biggest thing is to be careful about locking stuff up. There'd been a string of burglaries on island I believe the week before we were there-surprisingly 5 (?) of the Cinnamon Bay camps had been robbed in the afternoon and several other villas I think. So always lock up your stuff; don't leave things in the car, etc. Just commonsense things-it's a beautiful spot and easy to forget the basic safety "rules".

I've never felt unsafe on STJ. On STX on the other hand.....

Use your head and common sense and don't draw attention. Stay in a larger group if your carousing late in the evening. Keep your valuables locked up in your villa, and your villa doors and windows locked when you're gone and when you've settled in for the night. Don't wear that expensive watch or cocktail ring to the beach or flash it around town after dark....

We've been just about everywhere at night with no problems at all, I just wouldn't walk past the basketball court at the base of Jacob's ladder at night.