Caribbean · Territory
Virgin Islands: Travel Guide & Requirements
Virgin Islands of the United States · Virgin Islands of the United States
The Virgin Islands is a territory in Caribbean with its capital in Charlotte Amalie. It has a population of 103,792 (#191 in the world) and covers 1,910 km². The official language is English. The currency is the United States dollar (USD, $).
Where is the Virgin Islands? Map of the Virgin Islands
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico.
- Region
- Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 18.35° N, 64.9333° W
- Neighbours
- none (no land borders)
- Coastline
- 188 km
- Virgin Islands
- Capital
- Largest cities
Map of the Virgin Islands showing Charlotte Amalie (capital) and the largest cities: Saint Croix.
Before you go
8 things to know before you travel to the Virgin Islands
- Best time to go: December to April — when daytime highs in Charlotte Amalie are around 26–27°C.
- Money: the United States dollar (USD) — 1 euro is about 1.1222 USD.
- Plugs: type A and B, 110 V / 190 V, 60 Hz — mixed voltage: check the socket before you plug in. Dual-voltage chargers (100–240 V) work everywhere.
- Emergency numbers: Police 911, Ambulance 911, Fire 911.
- Language: English is official.
- Driving: on the left — speed limits are 20 mph in built-up areas and 35 mph outside built-up areas.
- Time zone: UTC-4 in Charlotte Amalie.
- Capital: Charlotte Amalie. About 103,792 people live in the Virgin Islands.
Key facts
Virgin Islands at a glance
Languages spoken: English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.)
Geography & history
About the Virgin Islands
The Danes secured control over the southern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Sugarcane, produced by African slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish holdings, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. In 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the northern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John and inflicted severe damage to structures, roads, the airport on Saint Thomas, communications, and electricity. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria passed over the island of Saint Croix in the southern Virgin Islands…
Read the full history
The Danes secured control over the southern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Sugarcane, produced by African slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish holdings, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. In 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the northern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John and inflicted severe damage to structures, roads, the airport on Saint Thomas, communications, and electricity. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria passed over the island of Saint Croix in the southern Virgin Islands, inflicting considerable damage with heavy winds and flooding rains.
Location
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Climate
subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November
Terrain
mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land
Highest point
Crown Mountain 474 m
Natural resources
pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism
Natural hazards
several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Driving
Speed limits & road rules in the Virgin Islands
The default speed limits in the Virgin Islands are 20 mph in built-up areas and 35 mph outside built-up areas. Posted signs always take priority over these defaults.
- SPEED
LIMIT2020 mphBuilt-up areasTowns and cities - SPEED
LIMIT3535 mphOutside built-up areasCountry roads
- International Driving PermitNot a party to the IDP conventionsCheck with the embassy whether your licence is accepted
- Driving sideDrive on the leftOvertake on the right
Speed limits: OpenStreetMap wiki — Default speed limits (CC BY-SA 2.0). Road-safety laws: WHO Global Health Observatory. Compare speed limits and alcohol limits by country. Defaults for cars; local signs, weather and vehicle type can lower them.
Weather
Best time to visit the Virgin Islands
The best time to visit the Virgin Islands is December to April, when daytime highs in Charlotte Amalie are around 26–27°C. May to June are also a good time to go. September is the warmest month (29°C by day), February the coldest (25°C at night), and September the wettest with about 146 mm of rain.
- Jan26°C26°C
- Feb26°C25°C
- Mar26°C25°C
- Apr27°C26°C
- May28°C27°C
- Jun28°C28°C
- Jul29°C28°C
- Aug29°C28°C
- Sep29°C28°C
- Oct29°C28°C
- Nov28°C27°C
- Dec27°C26°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in the Virgin Islands
Plugs & sockets
110 V / 190 V, 60 Hz · Mixed voltage: check the socket before you plug in. Dual-voltage chargers (100–240 V) work everywhere.
Emergency numbers
Save the local numbers before you travel — 112 or 911 may not connect here. All countries →
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Currency · 26 October 2026
United States dollar exchange rates today
The Virgin Islands uses the United States dollar (USD, $).
What other currencies cost in USD
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where the Virgin Islands ranks
How the Virgin Islands compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in the Virgin Islands
9 airports and airfields — 1 large, 1 medium and 0 small, plus 4 heliports. 4 have scheduled passenger flights.
Borders
No land borders
The Virgin Islands has no land borders with other countries. Coastline: 188 km.
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: Charlotte Amalie (52,000)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics
Export partners
Haiti 14%, Guadeloupe 7%, Malaysia 7%, Martinique 7%, Barbados 7%, British Virgin Islands 5% (2019)
Top exports
refined petroleum, jewelry, recreational boats, watches, rum (2019)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to the Virgin Islands
Frequently asked questions about the Virgin Islands
Where is the Virgin Islands?
What is the capital of the Virgin Islands?
What language is spoken in the Virgin Islands?
What currency does the Virgin Islands use?
What is the calling code of the Virgin Islands?
Does the Virgin Islands have land borders?
What is the speed limit in the Virgin Islands?
When is the best time to visit the Virgin Islands?
What plug type does the Virgin Islands use?
How many airports does the Virgin Islands have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.