First piece of advice we got from a local

Be overly polite. Respect is a BIG thing here. Say “Good morning” to everyone, everywhere. “Good day” is often used instead of afternoon, and “Good night” is greeting just like saying good evening - not just used when leaving/going to bed. Try using these phrases vs. just a “Hello” or “Hi.”

Furthermore, if someone says one of them to you, the only really correct response is to echo the phrase back. They say “good day” to you? You say “good day” back. It’s also really common to hear “morning morning!” as an early-day greeting.

Beep Beep… Yeah

Generally, it is easy to drive here. Stay left and follow everyone else. There are a few ‘intersections’ that can be tricky to navigate, so drivers will flash their lights to indicate that you should go first and they will honk twice as a Thank You. Beep honking is nice, lay on the horn honking means they think you are an idiot.

Respond to a ‘thank-you’ honk with a ‘you’re-welcome’ honk. It’s tacky to not show your appreciation.

Try your best to find your way around with a local paper map or Google Maps. Nobody here uses the route numbers, most roads don’t have names and directions are always given as “take a left at the green dumpster” kind of way.

Protect, reduce, reuse, recycle

With a small island and fewer resources, environmental consciousness is key. Stores often will not offer a bag and expect you to bring reusable bags yourself. Also, islanders prefer to see people using reusable water bottles instead of plastic.

Electricity is very expensive, so we do not use our AC and almost never use lights. Similarly, water is on a cistern system - collected rain water - so please take a short shower.

Protect your skin, but also protect the ocean. Reef-safe sunscreen only please! In fact, sunscreens containing any of oxybenzone, octinoxate, or octocrylene are banned in the Virgin Islands. You can buy the safe stuff here but it will be cheaper stateside if you want to pack a bottle.

Island Time

This can be hit or miss based on where you are. Some restaurants and bars have had very slow service, just be patient; but some places have been very quick with service and are very attentive. Tourist spots tend to have quicker service, but the food is not as good.

You can what?!?

Feel free to drink in public. We have no open container laws here. Also, take advantage of the “I’ll get one to go” mentality - even on bottomless drinks. Many locals take a yeti type cup to the bar to pour their final drink into for the ride home.

You can even drink in the car! Technically, it’s legal to drink while driving. Drunk driving is, of course, illegal.