Sun, Sand, and a Drink in Your Hand
Nothing evokes a sense of paradise like lying in a lounge chair on a pristine resort beach with a cold, tropical cocktail in your hand. If you are here on St. Croix you are in luck, there are a number of resorts island wide offer just such an opportunity for pure bliss. Let the sun warm your skin, feel the sand between your toes, and taste some of the tropical libations the island has to offer.
First step, find a spot to lounge. While all of the beaches on St. Croix are technically public, the beauty of utilizing resort beaches are the amenities. If you are a guest at a resort the beach side amenities will likely be offered to you as part of your stay; however, for non-guests many resorts offer use of their facilities for a small fee, or with a food or beverage purchase. If you are looking for true relaxation, believe me it will be worth paying for the amenities. In addition to close parking, restrooms, and beach side bars and restaurants, many resorts also have lounge chairs, umbrellas or cabanas, some even offer beach side food and beverage service. This saves you the hassle of packing up a beach chair and cooler, and hauling everything from wherever you can find parking to the beach. In addition to the amenities, resort beaches are kept clean and pristine by the resort staff, making them even more beautiful. Included below are links to some resorts that are great spots to spend a day lounging.
Once you have settled into your ideal beach side spot, the next step is tricky…which cocktail shall you choose? If you want to taste the local flavors, try a rum based cocktail like a Dark and Stormy, Rum Punch, Mango Mojito, or a Cruzan Confusion. Both Cruzan Rum and Captain Morgan Rum are distilled here on St. Croix, so the list of rum drinks available is limitless! Another local favorite cocktail is the Bailey’s Banana Colada (or BBC), a decadent frozen drink featuring Baileys Irish Cream, rum, banana liqueur, fresh banana, and Coco Lopez. If you are a fan of the dessert-like frozen cocktails, you may also want to try a Bushwacker or a Lime in da Coconut. For something deliciously fruity, but a little lighter enjoy a fresh mango or banana daiquiri. For those that prefer beer, you can find a variety of foreign and domestic beers as well. Don’t worry, all of the resorts also offer great virgin drink options for those who want the tropical experience without the alcohol.
Now for the final and most important step, sit back and relax! Sip your drink and let the Caribbean experience wash over you. This is the way paradise was meant to be experienced, so enjoy a leisurely day on St. Croix with the sun, sand, and a drink in your hand.
– Jennie Ogden, Editor
