Before heading to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2026, the most important thing for U.S. citizens to know is that while it is a U.S. territory and a passport is not technically required for entry, carrying one is highly recommended to make the return process through Customs and Border Protection much smoother. You should be aware that driving is on the left side of the road, even though the cars are primarily left-hand drive models from the States, which can be disorienting for first-timers. The island uses the U.S. Dollar and English is the official language, but the cost of living is significantly higher than on the mainland due to the necessity of importing almost all goods. Additionally, St. Thomas is a major cruise hub, so checking the cruise ship schedule is vital; on days with five or more ships in port, popular spots like Magens Bay and the shops of Charlotte Amalie become extremely crowded. Finally, remember that the sun is exceptionally strong near the equator, and the island strictly enforces the use of non-nano mineral sunscreen to protect its fragile coral reefs from chemical damage.