All Inclusive On St. Croix?

St. Croix as an All-Inclusive Destination

Many folks will plan a visit to St. Croix based on other Caribbean resort vacations. As an incredible do-it-yourself island of experiences, you may be missing a lot of the unique island vibe if you stay at an all-inclusive adults-only resort on St. Croix. It’s a common search, though on St. Croix there is only one all-inclusive resort, Divi Carina Bay. The advantages are pre-paid dining, drinks, and access to a beach and pool; the disadvantage is unchanging food, drink, beach and pool, on an island with many incredible options for all of these things.

There are a number of smaller hotels and two large resort-style hotels which are not all-inclusive, but have all the elements available:

  • The Buccaneer is the top-of-mind choice for a St. Croix getaway. Convenient to Christiansted and familiar to fans of “house hunting in the Caribbean” shows, this family-friendly resort features three beaches, two pools, and a renowned golf course. It stands out as a premier alternative to all-inclusives, offering a variety of dining and activity options.

  • Situated on the secluded north shore, Carambola Beach Resort may be good for those with Bonvoy status as it is Marriott Renaissance property. This hotel blends traditional tropical charm with "retro luxury." This beachfront haven features a pool and an on-site dive shop perfect for shore diving, it also serves as an ideal base for hiking to the Carambola Tide Pool. Along with a championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the resort was built by Laurance Rockefeller on the iconic beach where the finale of the movie Trading Places was filmed.

One-Week Comparison of All-Inclusive vs. Hotel on St. Croix

All-Inclusive Plan for 2 for 1 week

Transportation to/from airport: $75 Cash Each Way = $150
All-Inclusive Plan = $750 a night = $5,250
Meals = $0
Drinks = $0
Total Cost = $5,400

Beachside view of Divi All Inclusive adults only resort with palm trees, and a sandy shoreline under a clear blue sky.
Swimming pool area at Divi Carina Bay resort with lounge chairs, umbrellas, palm trees, and a view of the water in the background.
A Divi Carina Bay hotel room with a large bed, nightstands with lamps, a flat-screen TV, and a balcony with ocean view.
Poolside view with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and palm trees overlooking the ocean at Divi Carina Bay
View of a swimming pool area at Divi Carina Bay with lounge chairs, and palm trees under a partly cloudy sky.
Poolside view at Divi Carina Bay overlooking the ocean with palm trees, lounge chairs, and a cloudy sky.

Independent Plan for 2 for 1 week

Rental Car from Centerline: $440 + $60 Gas = $500
Grapetree Bay Hotel = $325 a night = $2,275
Groceries plus 1-2 meals at day a local restaurants =$1,600
4 Excursions for 2 people @$150-300 per couple = $950
Sunrise at Point Udall, Various Beaches, Hikes = $0
Total Cost = $5,325

Grapetree Bay Hotel room with a large bed, nightstands, a painting on the wall, and a balcony with a view of the ocean.
Sunrise on the east end of St Croix over the ocean with cacti and rocky coastline.
Lunch on the beach with Buck Island in the distance
Person snorkeling off the beach in a shallow bay with a clear blue sky overhead.
Sunrise at the easternmost point of the United States - Point Udall St Croix USVI
A boat excursion on Turtle Beach, on the west side of Buck Island, with people walking along the shore, under a clear blue sky.
A sea turtle swimming underwater with coral and smaller fish in the background.
A sunset cruise with Lyric Sail, a large sailboat on the water during sunset with a crew onboard.
Tropical beach on the northwest side of St Croix with palm trees, white sand, and blue ocean under a clear sky.
Fort Christiansvaern, part of the Christiansted National Historic Site on St Croix USVI. One of the best preserved colonial forts in the Caribbean.
A bowl of seafood pasta garnished with herbs on a wooden table on the water during sunset at Ama.
Grapetree Bay Hotel swimming pool illuminated in blue near tropical palm trees at sunset

Why Freedom To Explore Is A Good Thing

Unlike other Caribbean destinations defined by walled-off mega-resorts, St. Croix operates on a different model. This is an island designed for exploration, not isolation. There are reasons the all-inclusive concept is not popular across the United States, and on St. Croix, skipping the resort package unlocks the opportunity for a more authentic experience.

1. The Culinary Experience

A primary selling point of an all-inclusive is free food and drink. However, in St. Croix, being tied to a resort meal plan is actually a limitation, not a perk. St. Croix is widely known as the culinary capital of the USVI.

By booking a standard hotel or a vacation villa, you gain the freedom to explore a dining scene that rivals major metropolitan cities. Consider the value of a refrigerator and microwave or oven to extend your dining enjoyment as leftovers.

  • Christiansted Boardwalk: You can walk from bar to bar along the harbor, sampling fresh mahi-mahi, conch fritters, and craft cocktails while watching tarpon swim in the water below.

  • Farm-to-Table: The island has a rich agricultural belt. Restaurants here source ingredients from local farms like Ridge to Reef, meaning your salad was likely picked miles away, not shipped in on a barge.

  • Local Flavor: You would miss out on authentic "pates" and “roti” from roadside stops or authentic Crucian barbecue at places like La Reine Chicken Shack if you were obligated to eat at a hotel buffet.

2. Activities Are Spread Out, Not Walled In

On many islands, a resort is the destination. On St. Croix, a resort is just a place to sleep and the island’s geography demands mobility. The best experiences are scattered across three distinct landscapes: the arid East End, the lush rainforest West End, and the historic towns in between.

Visitor Priorities vs. Resort Bubbles:

  • Snorkeling: The best snorkeling isn't usually off a hotel beach. It is at Cane Bay, the Frederiksted Pier (famous for seahorses and octopuses) or Buck Island Reef National Monument, which requires a boat charter.

  • Hiking: You cannot find the Annaly Bay Tide Pools inside a gated community. Getting there requires a hike through the rainforest, offering views no hotel balcony can match. Goal Hill and the Hams Bluff Lighthouse are among the worthy hikes on St. Croix.

  • History: St. Croix is home to two historic towns, Christiansted and Frederiksted, both featuring 18th-century Danish architecture. Walking these streets, their respective forts, and parks give you a sense of place that a resort cannot replicate.

3. The Economy of "Community Tourism"

St. Croix thrives on a community tourism model. When you stay at a boutique hotel, a short-term rental home, or dine at independent restaurants, your travel dollars go directly into the local economy rather than to international hotel conglomerates.

This vibe is palpable on the island. Locals are incredibly welcoming because they are accustomed to visitors mingling in town, not hiding behind gates. This creates a safer, friendlier atmosphere where "going off-property" is the norm, not a risk.

4. Privacy Over Crowds

The all-inclusive model relies on volume - crowded pools, lines for the buffet, and claiming beach chairs. St. Croix offers the opposite luxury: space.

The Rental Advantage: For the price of an all-inclusive package elsewhere, you can often rent a private villa in St. Croix with:

  • A private pool with infinity edge on the Caribbean Sea (no sharing with strangers).

  • A full kitchen (perfect for breakfast on the patio).

  • Panoramic oceanfront views without obstructions.

5. Rental Cars Unlock the True Island

To truly see St. Croix, you need a vehicle, not a shuttle bus. If you ask on a forum about taxis or public transit there will be many comments saying you need to rent a car. Driving on the left (a quirky holdover from history) is part of the adventure. There are more tips on driving on St. Croix here. Having your own vehicle allows you to "beach hop"—starting your day with sunrise at Point Udall, the first sunrise in the United States, and a hike to Isaacs Bay Beach, stopping at Hay Penny beach where a mile of undeveloped beach awaits and and ending it with sunset cocktails at Rainbow Beach.

The Verdict: How to Book Instead

If you want the convenience of an all-inclusive without the restrictions, build your own "inclusive" package:

  • Stay: Book a home, a boutique hotel, or a larger hotel like The Buccaneer which offers breakfast and luxury without the lockdown feel, or a bungalow at Sand Castle on the Beach.

  • Eat: Set a daily dining budget and use it to explore a new restaurant every night. Make sure you have a plan for leftovers which can be a great cost-effective lunch.

  • Do: Rent a car for the week. The money you save on resort fees will easily cover the rental and gas.