Is St. Croix Safe? (Travel Safety Guide for 2023)

St. Croix is one of the most beautiful islands of US virgin islands. This lovely island is known for its pristine beaches, amazing history, and its peaceful setting. And, that’s why St.croix has become such popular tourist destination in US virgin islands.

But, what about safety? Is St. Croix safe to visit in 2023? Is it safe for families? Fret not, this safety guide will give you safety tips to travel smartly when you visit the island.

This guide will answer your questions such as “Is St. Croix safe”, and will answer important safety questions that you need to know before you go to St Croix.

Is St. Croix Safe to Travel in 2023?

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Common crimes in St. Croix

St. Croix is an island in the US Virgin Islands that many visits every year. The beaches are beautiful, there are many things to do on the island, and the locals are nice. But, like any other place in the world, St Croix does have its fair share of crimes. Here are some crimes that are common on the island:

Thefts

If a door is open, whether it’s a car or a hotel room, your belongings will likely be stolen. This is because SOME locals (not all steal things) will watch where you’re going and usually scope things out. They will then steal anything that is of value. It’s a good idea to leave everything of value in your hotel safe while out venturing into the towns on the island.

Drug-Related Crimes

Like many Caribbean countries, it has localized crime that has nothing to do with tourists. They usually never target tourists because the crimes tend to happen in the projects or other areas tourists don’t venture to. Tourists rarely get involved in drug-related crimes and it’s usually not a concern in the high-traffic areas (where tourists stay).

Being mugged

Being mugged as a tourist is fairly rare. But if you’re flashing expensive items on your person, there may be a small chance of being mugged. Therefore, it’s advised not to bring anything valuable on you, even if it’s on your person.

The crime rate in St Croix is 72.73%. It’s considered fairly high, but as I said, the crimes are typically not against tourists. It’s still safe to visit the island and do everything you want to do, including nighttime activities.

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Is St Croix Safe at night?

St Croix is known for its famous nightclub scene. In the touristy areas, the area is well lit and there are always people walking around. However, if you venture into the dark alleys, the projects, or other non-populated areas, you may experience some criminal activity.

To keep yourself safe at night, stay in well-lit areas in popular cities. Don’t go down the dark alleyway or near the projects.

Always call a licensed taxi to take you to places around that town. Make sure that you know the distance from your hotel to the place you want to go to, to avoid being kidnapped. You should also be aware of your surroundings, just like you would be at home.

Safest Places to Stay in St. Croix

St. Croix is a beautiful island to visit. There are many cities and towns that you can stay in during your trip. You should research where you’ll want to stay so that it’ll be an enjoyable and safe vacation. Here are some decent places that are highly recommended by tourists:

North Shore

This is where most of the resorts are and some of the best beaches. There are also private condos and villas that you can rent for the time you and your family are here. There is usually very little crime in this area of the island.

Christiansted

Christiansted is located on the northern side of St. Croix and is one of the busiest towns on the island. Many enjoy the beaches here as well as the culture.

This town is also considered one of the top places to enjoy a night out. The locals are super nice here, and you truly have no reason to feel that you are unsafe here. It is often considered the capital of St. Croix.

Frederiksted

If you want a place that’s away from the hustle and bustle, Frederiksted is the place to go. It has a laid-back vibe and you can relax on the beach without all the noise. Frederiksted is on the western side of the island. There’s little to no crime here too.

Places to avoid in St. Croix

We’ve talked about where to stay in St. Croix, but as you know, there are places that you should avoid. These places that are mentioned below often have some crime going on. Here are the places:

Deserted Beach Areas

Many beaches are deserted. While it may seem it’s a dream come true to have some privacy, sometimes crime can happen on those beaches.

Dark Alleyways In Major Towns

Christiansted and Frederiksted are the top tourist towns, but it doesn’t mean that the alleyway and the backstreets surrounding those towns are. Sometimes a mugging can happen in these areas, so if you can, try to avoid the poorly lit area.

The Projects

This is very obvious, to avoid the lower-income areas. The reason for this is that there are more drugs in that area, and it’s usually criminal to criminal. Most tourists don’t venture to these areas, so you don’t have to worry about crime if you don’t venture here.

Are Beaches in St Croix Safe?

Absolutely! Especially the ones that are not deserted. There are many beautiful beaches in St. Croix, however, only some beaches have security and police patrol because the tourists use them. The weather is generally 82 degrees year-round and the beaches are generally safe to swim in.

However, like most Caribbean islands, St.Croix does experience hurricane season. This means that sometimes it will be windy, and the waves can be a bit dangerous on the beaches.

As we mentioned before, you should avoid deserted beaches. The reason for this is that crimes can happen on those beaches. Here are some of the beaches that you should avoid, such as Ha’Penny. There have been reports where locals have advised tourists to avoid the area due to rape, theft, and being harassed.

Listen to the locals, especially the ones who are working in a tourist area. They know what happens on the beaches and can give you valuable insight on where to go instead. They are the ones living there and know the area better than you do.

When going to a beach, you should use common sense. Don’t bring valuables to the beach. Be aware of your surroundings.

If the beach has security, you should alert them if you feel uncomfortable with the locals haggling with you. Otherwise, the beaches are extremely safe in St. Croix, and you’ll have a great time!

Top Safety Tips For Traveling To St. Croix

Here are some safety tips that will help you and/or your family enjoy your vacation more:

Research the area/hotel you will be staying in. Check the reviews about that area on different travel websites like TripAdvisor and fodors.
Let your friends and family know your itinerary, in case you do run into problems.
Ensure that you are using reliable transportation that is safe. Taxi drivers can take you where you need to go, and some will even wait for you.
Dont bring valuables with you. There’s no reason for you to bring your valuables on your vacation.
Keep doors locked. It’s highly unlikely you’ll be robbed if things are locked.
Before going to any unknown area first take the advice from locals. Try to avoid the areas that locals tell you not to go into. Too many tourists accidentally become victims of domestic-related crimes because they were in the area.
Venture out late at night unless you are staying in a known safe area. A lot of crime happens late at night