From Danish Colony to US Territory
The Danish West India Company established a trading post on St. Thomas in 1672, and Charlotte Amalie (named for a Danish queen) grew into one of the Caribbean's premier free ports. The island's natural deep harbor and lenient trade policies drew merchants from across Europe, and for a period it was one of the busiest entrepôts in the Atlantic world.
The United States purchased St. Thomas along with St. Croix and St. John from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million in gold — motivated primarily by strategic concerns during World War I. Residents became US citizens in 1927 but still cannot vote in presidential elections. The territory has its own legislature and elects a non-voting delegate to Congress. The economy today runs almost entirely on tourism, with cruise ships accounting for a significant share of visitor arrivals.
Getting Around St. Thomas
**Taxis:** The main way to get around. St. Thomas taxis are shared open-air vans (called safaris) that run fixed routes at published fares — no meters. The government posts official fares at the pier and at viusvi.com. From Havensight, a shared fare to Magens Bay runs around $7–9 per person each way. From Crown Bay, expect slightly different rates. Tipping is customary.
**Rental cars:** Available near both piers from major agencies. Note that St. Thomas drives on the LEFT (a legacy of the Danish era, maintained after the US purchase). Roads are steep and narrow in places.
**Water ferry to St. John:** Ferries run from Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook on the east end to Cruz Bay, St. John. The 45-minute Charlotte Amalie ferry is the most convenient from the cruise piers. St. John has no cruise ship terminal itself, making it a quieter destination for snorkeling at Trunk Bay.
**Walking:** Charlotte Amalie is flat and walkable. From Havensight to Main Street takes about 30 minutes on foot along the waterfront.
Tipping in St. Thomas
St. Thomas is a US territory, so tipping norms mirror the continental US.
- **Taxis and safari vans:** 15–20% of the fare, or $1–2 per person for a shared safari ride. - **Restaurants:** 18–20% is standard. Check your bill — some tourist-area restaurants add a gratuity automatically. - **Beach attendants:** $2–3 per chair setup or if they bring you drinks. - **Excursion guides:** $5–10 per person for a half-day, more for a full-day trip. - **USD is the only currency in circulation.** No need to exchange money.