Rent Caribbean Villa

CRUZ BAY , ST. JOHN

Janis Gibson, President of Villas Caribe, has often referred to the quaint town on St. John of Cruz Bay as the "Boulder Colorado of the Caribbean".  Indeed, the town is small, friendly and chock full of quaint streets, fabulous art and craft galleries, exceptional restaurants and overall has a very laid back feel.   Frequent ferry service connects St. John to neighboring St. Thomas as well as to nearby Tortola, Virgin Gorda and even Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands. 

Cruz Bay is the main town on the tiny island of St. John that is only accessible by boat or ferry.  It is located on the west coast of St. John and is the island's largest commercial center and main port  for the island. 

Visitors arrive on St. John via ferry from St. Thomas and walk directly from the ferry dock into this quaint town.  Narrow streets reveal a variety of shops and restaurants offering a unique array of gifts and hand crafted art and jewelry.  The entire town is basically completely walkable and so it adds to the inviting feel of this colorful Caribbean town.

I ndeed, Cruz Bay has a funky and collegial feel to it and is home to many expats who hail from artistic backgrounds. 

Cruz Bay is the hub of the island and worth a visit, even if only for one day from St. Thomas.  The town is easily navigated by foot and cabs are available as well to take visitors to the National Park the main highlight of the island.  Watersports shops and boats are available for rent in the town as well.

Luxury items as well as handicrafts.  The Cruz Bay shopping area extends from Wharfside Village (which is located around the corner from the ferry dock) through the streets of town to the North Shore Road and Mongoose Junction.  Mongoose Junction is a fabulous and inviting stone shopping center that offers exceptional art galleries, studios and great boutiques. 

A private villa rental is an ideal choice for visitors to St. John.  Many villas available from Villas Caribe are located on the hillsides above quaint Cruz Bay and within a short drive of it's many shops and restaurants. 

The Aurora villa is located near Cruz Bay and offers exceptional sunrise to sunset views.  The villa overlooks the waters of Pillsbury Sound out towards St. Thomas.  Indeed, the views of the twinkling lights of St. Thomas are truly magical from this wonderful home that offers four bedrooms, four baths and a private swimming pool.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/aurora-st-john

The Ambiance villa is  a lovely hillside home offering dazzling vistas from Rendezvous Bay to St. Thomas as well as fabulous sunsets.  The villa features terracotta tiled floors, tasteful rattan furnishings and colorful island artwork.  Ambiance is a great choice for couples as it offers three identical master suites each with outdoor showers and lovely views.  Outside, there is a private swimming pool for the ultimate in relaxation.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/ambiance

The Blue Tang villa is a cozy retreat that offers privacy and luxury.  A spectacular villa it offers two bedrooms and two baths. and spectacular view of Great Cruz Bay and St. Thomas beyond.  The interiors feature custom maple cabinets, upscale appliances and granite countertops.  A 60 foot verandah is comfortably furnished and located next to the private swimming pool.  The villa is located just five minutes from Cruz Bay and the famous National Park beaches are only a 10 minute drive away.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/blue-tang

Contentment is a spacious five bedroom villa located just a short drive from Cruz Bay.  The villa offers exceptional views of St. Thomas and Pillsbury Sound.  The home is well appointed and offers an open floor plan which makes it an ideal home for entertaining.  The villa has five bedrooms and 6.5 baths.  Four of the bedrooms are perfect for couples  while the fifth bedroom with it's bunk beds is more appropriate for children.  The balcony of the spacious Great Room overlooks St. Thomas and the private infinity edge styled swimming pool.  The pool deck is complete with wet bar and refrigerator.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/contentment

Ginger Thomas  is a short drive or a 15 minute walk to Cruz Bay.  It is named after the USVI's national flower and built on two levels.  Ginger Thomas has two bedrooms and offers ocean views of Cruz Bay's harbor and St. Thomas beyond.  The villa is nicely furnished and well equipped.  Outside, there is a fully tiled deck and private swimming pool.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/ginger-thomas

Tango Mare is located just above beautiful Hart Bay and offers panoramic views from Hart Bay to Rendezvous Bay and on clear days you can even see St. Croix.  Built on one level, Tango Mare offers four air-conditioned bedroom suites each with their own bathroom featuring a private outdoor shower and private patio complete with ocean view.  A fabulous private swimming pool is complete with a waterfall edge and nearby bar pavilion provides a shady spot to while away an afternoon while sipping a tropical drink.  The coral sand beach of Hart Bay is just a three minute walk from the villa and the wonderful restaurants and shops of Cruz Bay are only a mile away.   http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/tango-mare

Casa de Sonardores is located just a short drive from Cruz Bay and offers exceptional views and magnificent sunsets.   Rich in detail, the villa offers stone and brick accents as well as rich mahogany furnishings that give this villa a very unique and opulent feel.  Casa de Sonadores (house of dreamers)  offers four air-conditioned and elegant king bedroom suites.  All of the bedrooms, also, have private balconies.  For added enjoyment there is a private swimming pool and hot tub.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/casa-de-sonadores

Janis Gibson
VillasCaribe.com <blocked::http://www.villascaribe.com/>  - Tropical Villa Rentals
LuxuryVillasIntl.com <blocked::http://www.luxuryvillasintl.com/> - Worldwide Villa Rentals
SandCastles.com <blocked::http://sandcastles.com/> - Luxury Villa Fractional Sales
janis@villascaribe.com
Toll Free: 800.645.7498       (x103)
International: 404.815.9845  (x103)
Fax: 404.601.9834

2007:  Condé Nast Traveler Magazine voted Villas Caribe Top Caribbean Villa Rental Agency.
2008:  Travel & Leisure voted Villas Caribe one of "World's Best Villa Agencies".

CORAL BAY , St. JOHN

Coral Bay is located on the  southwestern side of St. John.  It was once the main commercial and population center of the island due to it's sheltered harbor.  Indeed, it was the center of St. John's plantation life in the early 18th century.  It fell from prominence with the introduction of ferry service from St. Thomas to Cruz Bay, which is now the largest town on the island.  Coral Bay is around a 30 minute drive (but only approximately 8 miles) from Cruz Bay which is where the ferries come in from St. Thomas.

Coral Bay has become a popular spot for American mainland ex-pats, sailors, artistes and many more who live on sailboats or on the hills surrounding the harbor. 

Coral Bay provides visitors with the true experience of a quiet island life.  The area is unhurried and friendly and offers a way of life that has long since disappeared in other parts of the Caribbean. 

Coral Bay is the "other town" on the island of St. John.  It is very quiet in comparison to "bustling" Cruz Bay...Many residents of Coral Bay are sailors who live on their boats in the harbor.  The area is, also, quite populated with donkeys, goats, roosters and the famous mongoose.  Indeed, Coral Bay is probably best described as a "community" than a true town.

Coral Bay is a sleepy town where goats, donkeys, roosters and the occasional mongoose roam free and everyone is on "island time".  For those seeking the ultimate in relaxation, Coral Bay is an ideal choice.

A sleepy hideaway, Coral Bay has only one gas station, a few grocery stores and some funky bars and restaurants with lots of personality.   

Places to see on this area of the island include Salt Pond which is a wonderful spot for snorkeling.  Ram's Head is known for being a great spot for full moon hikes.  Karaoke may be enjoyed at Island Blues and shopping at the new Cocoloba complex.  A great place to purchase souvenirs is Jolly Dog or Mumbo Jumbo.  Work by local artists can be enjoyed at Sloop Jones and the Syzygy gallery.  Local dishes may be enjoyed at Sweet Plantains, Shipwreck Landing or Miss Lucys.  The Donkey Diner is known for serving some of the best breakfasts on the island and Miss Vie's Snack Shack is famous for her fried chicken.  Visitors cannot miss a stop at the famous Skinny Legs which is known for it's burgers and tropical libations. 

Salt Pond Bay Beach is a spectacular white sand beach that offers two wonderful snorkeling trails  to Drunk Bay, past the salt pond and Rams Head up the hill.

Villas Caribe is a villa rental agency with an exceptional reputation that offers a wonderful selection of villas to rent on the island of St. John, many in the Coral Bay area.

The Esprit  villa is a quaint gingerbread styled cottage perched high on Bordeaux Mountain and offers magnificent views that range from Tortola to Norman Island.  Built on several levels, the villa is nestled in lush foliage and offers many decks with different places to enjoy the amazing views.  The interiors are tastefully and colorfully furnished and the villa offers two bedrooms, two baths and a private, small solar heated swimming pool.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/esprit

Drake's Lookout is another romantic villa located on a hillside overlooking picturesque Coral Bay and the British Virgin Islands beyond.  The villa has incredible decks that provide views that range north to Tortola and East through Drake's passage down the chain of islands known as the British Virgin Islands.  Indeed, Virgin Gorda which is located forty miles to the East is clearly visible on the horizon from Drake's Lookout.  A newer home, it offers two bedrooms and the interiors are nicely done and feature rich accents of wicker and rattan and many pieces from the famous tropical designer Tommy Bahama.  The two bedrooms are both master suites and each offers a mahogany four poster bed.   Outside, guests will enjoy the sparkling private pool. http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/drakes-lookout

The  La Mer   villa is a wonderful choice for larger groups and it is located high on a hillside on Bordeaux Mountain and offers exceptional views of Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Cay and to the North to Virgin Gorda.  The interiors are nicely done and offer tiled floors and light bamboo furnishings.  La Mer  has four bedrooms and a sumptuous master suite with a king sized four poster bed and a spectacular stone shower large enough for two with views all the way to Virgin Gorda.   An inviting pool provides a cool retreat and is a wonderful spot for stargazing. http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/la-mer-st.-john

Coral Cove is an exciting property located on the point at John's Folly on St. John's East End where life is slower but the relaxation complete.  Coral Cove enjoys a beachfront location and offers four air-conditioned bedrooms.  All of the bedrooms have cable TV and VCR/DVD and each  offers a unique ocean view with a private patio.  The deck at Coral Cove provides a triangular swimming pool with dramatic views of the secluded bay of John's Folly.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/coral-cove

Winsome House  is perched high on the slope of Ajax Peak and looks out over Coral Bay, Hurricane Hole and the British Virgin Islands.  Located 800 feet above sea level, the villa offers sweeping views of the Caribbean as well as complete privacy.  Although relatively new (built in '2004), the villa as built in the style of old plantation houses and offers a Great House with dining and entertainment spaces as well as a separate two story building that houses the two equal sized bedrooms and baths.  The interiors feature rich mahogany French doors and tasteful Tommy Bahama and Indonesian furnishings throughout the house.  Outside, there is a 30 foot covered terrace that provides alfresco dining and private swimming pool.  Maho Bay and the string of North Shore beaches are only a five minute drive from the villa while Ram Head, Salt Pond and the quiet of the East End are within a fifteen minute drive.  Good dining is nearby in Coral Bay.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/winsome-house

It is unfortunate that many St. John vacationers do not venture to Coral Bay because it rewards visitors with rich rewards of unspoiled quietness, amazing vistas and a relaxing ambience.

HIKING ON ST. JOHN

St. John in the US Virgin Islands boasts an expansive and popular National Park which is ideal for exploring and hiking.  Indeed, 2/3 of the island is National Park providing hiking trails, unspoiled areas and pristine beaches for visitors to explore.

Visitors can enjoy hiking with rangers or navigating them on their own.  The park's visitor center in Cruz Bay provides complementary trail guides which offer points of interest, dangers, trail lengths and estimated hiking times.  It is important that hikers remember to wear sturdy shoes or hiking boats even if they plan on hiking to the beach and bring plenty of water, insect repellent and sunscreen.

Hiking in the Virgin Islands National Park  can be a fun and rewarding experience.   It is a great way to both see and experience the park.  The Park offers more than twenty trails on the north and south shores and provides guided hikes along popular routes. The area boasts incredible beaches and bays, rugged mountain forests,  historic  sugar factory ruins and amazing views of blue seas and nearby green islands.

A favorite   hike is the full day trip to Reef Bay which involves a fairly easy hike through lush forest and  past the ruins of an old plantation.  Visitors will need to take the public Virtran bus to the trailhead where they'll meet up with a ranger who will serve as their guide.  The park offers a boat ride back to Cruz Bay for a small charge to spare visitors the walk back up the mountain.  The schedules change, so be sure to call head for times and reservations.    The Reef Bay Hikes are particularly popular.  The hikes permit visitors to experience the secrets of the island's tropical forests, petroglyphs and sugar mill ruins on this three mile down hill hike.    The Reef Bay Trail may be best enjoyed when accompanied by a park service ranger who can point out all of the trees and plants.

The Cinnamon Bay Walk offers visitors the opportunity to visit the ruins of the Cinnamon Bay Estate which was one of the first plantations on the island.  Another popular activity is "Discovery Annaberg" where visitors can learn about the importance of agriculture in the Virgin Islands from slavery days to the present times.  Demonstrations are offered on cooking, basket weaving and include the use of many traditional techniques and materials.
Located within the National Park are some of the most spectacular and unspoiled beaches in the entire Caribbean.  Cinnamon Bay is about a mile long and the park's longest beach.  It offers snorkeling, swimming and a watersports concession that rents windsurfing equipment, kayaks and small sailboats.      

The picturesque Trunk Bay is renowned for it's underwater snorkeling trail and definitely worth a visit.  The beach offers  650 feet of underwater trails.  Due to it's popularity, the beach can get crowded on days when there are several cruise ships in port on St. Thomas but it's still worth a trip.  The National Park offers snorkeling trips from Trunk Bay Beach and visitors can experience the park's underwater life as they snorkel above a tropical reef and view the diverse array of reef fishes and corals.

The white sand beaches of the Virgin Islands have a well-deserved reputation for being among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Picture-postcard beaches fringe Hawksnest Bay, Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Honeymoon Bay and Caneel Bay.  Cinnamon Bay is one of the best beaches within the park and visitors can rent watersports equipment at this beach which offers exceptional snorkeling.   

The Annaberg Estate is located within the National Park.  It dates back to 1786 and guides are available to take visitors around the grounds and identify former slave quarters, the site of the village, windmill and other remnants.

Villas Caribe is a Caribbean and Mexico villa rental company that offers many villas in a variety of price ranges to rent on St. John.  The villas provide a home away from home and serve as a wonderful base from which to explore this unspoiled island.

Plumeria is a deluxe private villa located high atop Gift Hill.  The property features two bedroom/bath suites plus an additional twin bedded loft.  It is conveniently located just a short drive from colorful Cruz Bay.  The villa is named after the Plumeria flower.  The entrance features a profusion of flowers including the plumeria, hibiscus and oleander in the inner courtyard.  Outside, a private swimming pool provides a cool oasis.  Guests will savor the sweeping panoramic views across Pillsbury Sound and at night the lights of St. Thomas twinkle in the distance. http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/plumeria

The Cinnamon Tarn villa is located hillside above spectacular Cinnamon Bay Beach.  The home is surrounded by Virgin Islands National Park and offers exceptional views of the island's best beaches and British Virgin Islands beyond.  It offers three bedrooms, three baths and a private small plunge pool.  pool.    http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/cinnamon-tarn

The Cinnamon Bay Estate villa is actually located within Catherineberg and the National Park and offers spectacular views.  The villa has three bedrooms, three baths and a private swimming pool as well as private Jacuzzi.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/cinnamon-bay-estate

St. John is an American Paradise and offers exceptional hiking.  The paths and trails are well marked and represent easy hikes.

The La Papaya villa is an excellent choice for larger groups with it's five bedrooms and large private pool.  The villa is located in Chocolate Hole and provides a great base for exploring the National Park. http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/la-papaya <http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/la-papaya> 

DINING ON ST. JOHN

Dining on St. John is a pure joy as the island offers a variety of restaurants offering a variety of cuisines in a variety of price ranged.  Indeed, on this tiny island visitors can find something tasty no matter what their budget.

Dining on the island is typically relaxed and informal.  Only a few restaurants require a jacket and tie.  Generally, men should wear slacks and a shirt with buttons and women should wear pants or a casual sundress in the evenings.

The Asolare restaurant is one of the most special restaurants on the island.  Asolare translates into "leisurely passing the time".  Be sure to make reservations arched of time and secure a table on the balcony overlooking the town of Cruz Bay and one of the most magnificent views from the island.  The chef offers a wonderful blend of contemporary Asian fusion with some fiery Thai flavors.

The Fish Trap has been around for over 20 years delighting diners with some of the freshest seafood at surprisingly reasonable prices.  The restaurant is casual and comfortable and offers a covered patio setting for alfresco dining or you can chose to eat in their air-conditioned bar. 

La Tapa is a restaurant featuring eclectic dishes in a bistro like atmosphere.  The owner offers a changing menu of wonderful soups, tapas and exceptional desserts.    The food is Mediterranean and Spanish inspired. 

The Lime Inn is another fixture in Cruz Bay that has been around for over twenty years.  It is a charming open air-restaurant that offers enormous portions and fabulous service.  The restaurant offers fresh fish and seafood, great pasta dishes, juicy burgers  and decadent desserts.  Wednesday night is all you can eat shrimp-go hungry and go early! 

Le Chateau de Bordeaux is located high up in a romantic spot atop Bordeaux Mountain with exceptional views.  The interiors feature wrought iron chandeliers, fine linens and Victorian antiques.  Fine gourmet dining and reservations are highly recommended.

Chole and Bernards offers one of the best dining experiences in the Virgin Islands.  It's renowned chefs prepare nightly specials featuring fresh island fish, steaks and a variety of inventive options. 

The Caneel Bay Resort is another great spot for dining.  Visitors can choose from three of their restaurants.  The elegant Turtle Bay restaurant offers romantic dining and candlelit tables.  The popular Equator Restaurant is located on the grounds of a former sugar mill and offers exceptional views of the Caribbean and twinkling lights of St. Thomas and an eclectic menu of Caribbean fusion cuisine.  The Caneel Bay Beach Terrace is the place to be for one of their sumptuous lunch or brunch buffets or their weekly Grand Buffet.  All meals feature the finest cuisine.  Lighter fare may be enjoyed in the Caneel Bay Beach Bar. 

Casual Italian fare may be enjoyed at Cafe Roma.  Located upstairs in Cruz Bay, diners can enjoy wonderful pizza and pasta dishes in a casual atmosphere.

Villas Caribe is a villa rental agency that offers exceptional private villa rentals on the island of St. John.  The villas make a wonderful base from which to explore this tiny and unspoiled island.  Villa guests may, also, choose to dine in and take advantage of the exceptional markets and offerings and prepare their own home cooked meals.  Alternatively, for a completely pampered experience Villas Caribe's concierge service can arrange for private chefs to come to the villas for a special evening.

Avalon is a spacious five bedroom villa that is an ideal choice for large families or groups.  The villa is located in Chocolate Hole just a few minutes drive from the restaurants in Cruz Bay and famous National Park beaches.  IT offers wonderful views from it's perch high on Maria Bluff.  Spacious and tastefully decorated with a private pool, Avalon is sure to please.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/avalon-stj

For couples or small families, the cozy Beach Walk property is a water lovers dream.  It is located just twenty paces from the shoreline where exceptional snorkeling may be enjoyed.  The villa offers two equal air-conditioned bedrooms with baths and a private hot tub for additional enjoyment.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/beach-walk

Cocotier is a luxurious villa located on a hillside above the Caribbean Sea.  The deluxe property features four bedrooms  and is set within the upscale and gated community of the Virgin Grand Estates.  The villa serves as an exceptional base for a St. John vacation and offers all of the comforts of home with an elegant island twist.  Fully air-conditioned, the villa is tastefully decorated and furnished with exotic teak and mahogany pieces form throughout the world.  Each bedroom has a private bath that offers tumbled marble accents and showers that open to the sea.  Outside there is a private swimming pool and spa.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/cocotier

Visitors seeking the utmost in luxury will be right at home at the new Hawksview Estate.  The property is located on five acres within the Virgin Islands National Park boundaries and provides a panorama of breathtaking views.  The views stretch from ST. Thomas and the Caribbean Sea to the west, the deep blue Atlantic Ocean to the north and to the nearby British Virgin Islands in the east.  The villa offers superior architecture and captures the essence of old world sophistication and charm with it's exposed beam ceilings and arched windows and doors.  Details include rich mahogany woodwork, Bulgarian limestone and Italian marble floors and a stylish mix of Caribbean and European furnishings.  The villa offers four bedrooms suites, each with an en-suite bath and all with stunning views.  Other amenities include a fitness room and home theater complete with a 51 inch Sony flat screen TV and DVD player with surround sound.   Outside is a spacious furnished verandah overlooking the private, expansive private swimming pool.  http://stjohn.villascaribe.com/villa-listing/hawksview-