I learned to stay at an eco retreat in the US Virgin Islands

It’s easy to forget that the Virgin Islands are part of the United States. St. John’s in particular is so lush and untouched that it feels a world away from the states, but in reality, it’s only a three-hour flight from Washington, D.C. It’s one of the smallest and most fascinating of the three. While the main Virgin Islands, St. John’s, is only 20 square miles long, two-thirds of the national park land is protected.

After landing at St. Thomas airport, we took a 45-minute ferry ride to St. John; That in itself was fun. The warm breeze, blue water and friendly sea captain waiting with a drink ready made it feel like a picnic. Upon arrival it was clear that this destination is not tourist oriented. In the meantime, there are no all-inclusive resorts in St. John’s. This island offers both lush, mountainous terrain and stunning, white sand beaches. Around the world, beaches like this are filled with resorts and tourist traps.

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Instead, St. John’s Island has managed to make their island a pristine destination, one that embraces and shares its history openly, parts of which can be found on any walk. It is a mix of cultures, particularly African, European and Caribbean; Incomparable natural beauty; Warm, friendly people; And most importantly, the ability to soak it all in without the crowds and pretense that makes this a truly special place. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that delicious pain relievers are available at almost every facility.

I spent 3 days at Cinnamon Bay Beach, an eco-retreat in St. John, right on the beautiful shores of Cinnamon Bay Beach. In the year Reopening in November 2022 After being damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017, Cinnamon Bay reopened on a sustainable basis. Working with local communities to ensure the region’s environment and continued growth is a priority, Cinnamon Bay’s mission is to provide travelers with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the unspoiled scenery of St. John.

Staying at an eco-resort doesn’t mean hassle.

Cinnamon Bay Beach and Campground is a welcome alternative to all-inclusive resorts that cruise most of the Caribbean. Being in a camp allowed me to feel a connection to the place I stayed. I was immersed in the fabric of the island in a way that cannot be done while staying in a hotel room.

There are different types of accommodation at these camps, different from eco-tents; They provide fan, lamp, electric socket, queen size bed, linen and balcony. Group tents suitable for groups of 4; Tent rentals for vacant lots including amenities; And recently opened cottages are concrete buildings that offer the comfort of a hotel room.

Additionally, Rain Tree Cafe, which serves breakfast and dinner daily, serves lunch at their food truck. When food isn’t being served, the space is great for hanging out, group activities or catching up on screen time – it’s one of the few places with WiFi.

Coming to showers, there are four bathrooms with bathtubs, showers and toilet stalls. As someone who likes their creature comforts, I was pleasantly surprised to find everything I needed even though I wasn’t staying at a convention hotel.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to see unique destinations.

Many people think that you have to spend a lot of money on a vacation to the US Virgin Islands. The average for a 2-person eco-tent I stayed in was $175 per night, and that’s far from some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. Guests who prefer to be more cost-effective can opt for an empty space for just $50.

Because St. John’s is simply amazing, there’s no need to scrimp when it comes to picnics. Some of my favorite activities during my trip didn’t come with hefty price tags.

You can rent affordable kayaks at Cinnamon Bay Campground and explore the pristine waters of the Virgin Islands. This area is known for sea turtles and we easily saw three species here: Hawksbill, Green and Loggerhead sea turtles. The turtle habitat at Cinnamon Bay has been undisturbed, unlike the area’s most popular snorkeling spots. It was an absolute joy to see them so close and carefree.

The Cinnamon Bay Loop Trail is adjacent to the property and is a non-strenuous one-mile trail that explores historic sugar plantations complete with stunning views of the surrounding islands and sea. A short drive away is St. John’s most famous beach and one of the most photographed in the world. Truck Bay, a quarter mile of white sand, was one of the most spectacular places to spend an afternoon taking painkillers.

Another wonderful and worthwhile walk was along Reef Bay Road. This incredibly lush trail is open to the public, free of charge, and features ancient petroglyphs dating from 900-1500 AD. the impressive ruins of Reef Bay Sugar Mill; And an incredibly dense forest floor. Along the way we made several stops to cool off at beautiful, rushing waterfalls. The trail ends at Reef Bay, an unspoilt beach that looks like something out of a postcard. It is worth considering that it is not accessible by car.

If being one with nature isn’t your thing, this is a great way to push your boundaries.

I consider myself an outdoorsman, but sleeping outdoors is not under the stars. As my friends on the trip welcomed the disconnection from their screens and technology, I initially felt a surge of anxiety. Similarly, while most people would love to sleep to the cacophony of waves, birds, frogs, insects and rain, I felt a sense of tension increased the first night.

Admittedly, it took some adjusting and I had to acclimate myself to being in a new environment. Having no other choice, I focused on deep breathing and calming techniques to let go of the comfort of being in a place that was literally in nature. It took me a while to get comfortable with not checking my emails, texts, or social media, but once I let go of the rush to connect, I felt better. Minimize bug bites – definitely bring bug spray.

There’s something so special about waking up to the sound of crashing waves and being able to walk a few feet away to feel the same cold water under your toes. At Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground, you can do just that. That’s reason enough to push your limits and stay here, with a beach like this one that’s almost empty all day long.