Stcroixboix, I agree completely. You were a big help in our decision to choose The Buccaneer.

"Safety" relates to one's comfort zone. I think some places which are poor, can be perceived as unsafe by some people who prefer Disney perfection.

Like in the Dominican, where I toured the farm areas and the city of Santo Domingo with a friend who lives there, I left with a very good impression of the island and its people. I loved the simple little farms and the people who waved at us.

The other couple who were with us, went home saying they thought DR was 'dirty', which I did not think at all. I believe that's how they interpreted the poverty.

Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. An open mind is a very good thing.

Some places actually are more unsafe than others.

Many consider Mexico to be unsafe.

Because some people "consider" it does not make it a fact.

I agree. I feel much safer in Mexico than I did in St. Thomas, St. Croix or Jamaica. One of the reasons why we keep returning to Mexico for vacation year after year. People who believe in the news media hype or the people who never even been there or don't know how to read a map are missing out on a truly great destination, which is fine with me. It keeps the prices and crowds down.

I live in West Texas, about 3 - 4 hours from a few border towns of Mexico. I am safer in Caribbean Mexico than I am in my own backyard. There are lots of drugs and associated crimes in this area.

I also feel safer in Mexico (La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta) than the Caribbean (Dominican Republic, USVI, Jamaica).


As one example, local residents specifically advised me not to walk along after dark on the West End road in Negril because a woman had recently been mugged there. I have never heard of anything like that in many many trips to PV.

Tabernash2: I think there are a good number of reasons why St. Croix is off the radar for some folks. There isn't a lot of airlift there. It is difficult to get there from the rest of the Caribbean (and even the rest of the USVI). There isn't a lot of cruise ship traffic. And one of the biggest reasons, I have always felt, is that the people of St. Croix like it that way.

To KVR: I understand why you didn't like St. Thomas. You seem to like the AI experience, which is antithetical to the St. Thomas way of life. ;-) Too bad you never experienced the Texas Society Chili Cook-Off.

And suze: Why are you even looking at this forum, if you don't like the Caribbean?

Yes. That's my point. We "feel safe" based more on our own comfort zone and experiences, than on crime statistics.

eastenderusvi~ Actually I love the Caribbean. Gorgeous part of the world. I've had many wonderful experiences there. I just don't believe it is "safer" than Mexico was my point.

tabernash2~ It's not about my "own comfort zone" when a local tells me their friend got knocked down and her purse taken a couple weeks ago at 10pm as she was leaving their home.

That was your experience. Again making my point that many times our feelings are based on anecdotal evidence, not statistics.

It was "anecdotal evidence" that a woman had recently been mugged?

There is no "right answer" here. Some people prefer different places....Thank God!!

KVR didn't like St John.....I absolutely LOVED it...just differing opinions.

Tabernash loves St Croix, which is fine....it's great that you found a place you really loved. Not everyone is going to agree with your choice is really the point here.

I don't care where you go in the tropics....if you are dumb enough to be in bad areas that you wouldn't be at home, well, be prepared to have a bad experience.

Common sense goes a long way. So whether you are in Mexico, Jamaica, DR, or the USVI......there are places you need to avoid at certain times of the day if you want to play it safe. Do your homework, know your surroundings, and have fun!!

Yes, suze, exactly.
By definition: "anecdotal--
... using a personal experience or an isolated example instead of a sound argument or compelling evidence.
It's often much easier for people to believe someone's testimony as opposed to understanding complex data and variation across a continuum. Quantitative scientific measures are almost always more accurate than personal perceptions and experiences, but our inclination is to believe that which is tangible to us, and/or the word of someone we trust over a more 'abstract' statistical reality."

Bassguy, I agree. Same is true for any city in the US, or the world.

To me a woman being recently mugged in the exact location I am walking alone at night myself IS "a sound argument or compelling evidence" that maybe I should not do that same thing putting myself in that same situation of risk. That's called being smart, instead of stupid, and has nothing to do with "abstract statistical reality".

Whatever you say, suze.

I was on vacation here Christmas week 2014 and I did not experience any crime or problems. I think the talk of high crime in St. Croix is causing people to miss this little gem of an island. My experience was an island with beautiful topography (reminded me of St Lucia with its mountainous topography), friendly people, great beaches and water and interesting things to do and see. The I read the crime postings just before going and was very concerned and considered canceling the trip but it had already been paid for. We drove all over the island and did not experience any issues. Athough there are certainly a lot of public housing projects and abandoned houses outside the resort we stayed at (Renaiisance Carambola) it was pretty obvious where we "did not belong" and we did not stop at the housing projects or in the run down sections of Christensted or Frederiksted. I also noticed that the island did not have young guys "hanging around" or driving around with loud music or staring at us as we drove by. Instead the island was quiet and although obviously experiencing bad economic times from the state of housing and roads outside our resort, it did not seem at all dangerous. So my opinion is go to this beautiful island, use your common sense and stay in your car in the run down sections! We did that for a week and were 100% fine and never bothered or molested by any locals. While you are there Definitely do the bioluminescent bay tour if you are there when the moon is ¼ or less - otherwise you will not see bioluminescence but you will have a nice kayak paddle. Also go to some of the island restaurants such as Rowdy Joes (ten minute ride from the hotel) and the Buccanneer hotel restaurant. Both are excellent. Also go see Udall point and Sand Point while you are on the island. And finally, rent a car - you will need it for the island and to get decent food.

Thanks for your report, TravlerX.
Glad you enjoyed St Croix.
We are hoping to return someday soon.

My wife and I are going to STX for thanksgiving 2015.

We are staying on the east end, but will be driving around a lot.

A lot of people here said "just stay out of the bad areas".

But what are the bad areas? It seems Csted is safer than Fsted. Is there any truth to that?

I read a lot to get back to your hotel by sun down. Why is that? People seem to insinuate that the island is a free for all after sunset...

Thanks for any and all replies!

To a great degree, Christiansted is safer than Frederiksted, but you have to drive past a housing project to get into Christiansted, so I guess it's all relative. As I discovered, I could easily end up in the wrong part of town without knowing really how I got there.

Having said that, I've never had a single problem on St. Croix, and I've driven around late at night from one end of the island to the other.

It's a great island, and if you exercise even a modest amount of caution, you'll have a wonderful time. The people are for the most part very friendly. It's actually my favorite of the US Virgin Islands.

I agree, also.