Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands

Charlotte Amalie, is the main town on the island of St Thomas and the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It offers elegant dining, exciting nightlife, and world-class duty-free shopping. The city's reputation as the shopping mecca of the Caribbean draws visitors from all over the region and around the world. Imported goods from all over the world and stores tucked into remodeled Danish warehouses line each side of the picturesque Main Street. Cobblestoned alleys with numerous boutiques lead down to the waterfront.

Blackbeard's Castle is the earliest fortification in the US Virgin Islands. Other attractions include Fort Christian, built in 1672; the Coral World Observatory; the Frederick Lutheran Church of 1850; Government House on Government Hill (1866); Venus Pillar on Magnolia Hill; Bluebeard's Tower, the 19th-century pirate's one-time abode; and the Synagogue on Crystal Gade, one of the oldest in the western hemisphere.

Things to See & Do

* Shopping in Main Street
* Blackbeards Castle
* Fort Christian
* Coral World Observatory
* Waterfront area

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - US Dollar (USD)
Language - English
Land Area - 83 sq km
Population - 119,000 (Virgin Islands)
Electricity - 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT minus four hours
International Country Telephone Code - + 1 - 340

Port Location - Most cruise ships will dock at the Havensight Pier about a 5-10 minute taxi ride outside of downtown Charlotte Amalie. However, some cruise ships tender in the Charlotte Amalie harbor. If it is a very busy day in port, the overflow must dock a bit further out at Crown Point Marina, west of Charlotte Amalie.

Transport Links - St. Thomas' airport is the most widely used gateway to the U.S. Virgin Islands. A number of major US airlines offer flights to St Thomas. Local airlines offer service between St. Thomas and St. Croix and other destinations in the Caribbean

Taxis are common throughout St. Thomas. Buses run regularly between Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook (on the eastside of the island) and Charlotte Amalie and Bordeaux. Charlotte Amalie also offers city buses for local transport and to and from the airport. Most major rental companies and several local rental companies rent cars on St. Thomas Passenger ferries from St. Thomas to St. John depart from Red Hook (on the east side of St. Thomas) and Charlotte Amalie.