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 Got questions? Cruisers share about Jost Van Dyke.
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Other Eastern Caribbean Cruise Ports:
Freeport • Grand Turk • Jost Van Dyke • La Romana • Labadee • Nassau • Princess Cays • San Juan • St. Croix • St. John, USVI • St. Maarten • St. Martin • St. Thomas • Tortola • Virgin Gorda
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Best Cocktail
Painkiller. Legend has it that this delicious -- and potent -- cocktail was invented by bartenders at Jost's Soggy Dollar Bar. The "true" Painkiller is made with Pusser's dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, orange juice -- and freshly grated nutmeg on top.
Where You're Docked
Actually, you'll be anchored and tendered ashore to one of two different bays (the two are connected by a hilly roadway and intrepid hikers can walk from one to the other): White Bay and Great Harbour.
Getting Around
On Foot: Easy. At White Bay, divided in two by a crop of rocks, use the beach to walk from Ivan's "Stress Free Bar," bearing in mind that you have to negotiate a rocky path to cross over to the Soggy Dollar side. Wear shoes. At Great Harbour, there's a roadway (sometimes a sand roadway) that runs along the harbour and all the cafes and bars front that.
Taxis: Not really necessary unless you don't want to walk from one bay to another. Ask a bartender to call one for you or look for one at the dock at Great Harbour.
Renting a Car: No need.
Hanging Around
 Everything. The mountainous Jost Van Dyke, just 4 miles long and home to about 150 residents, is compact -- and one of the Caribbean's true getaway spots with nary a posh resort or casino in sight.
Great Harbour is the more "developed" side of the island, with numerous wood-shack eateries, open-air cafes, and bars. The most famous attraction on Jost (pronounced Yost) is Foxy's, a sprawling open-air bar in Great Harbour that's centered around the infamous Foxy. There's live entertainment, wacky celebrations and okay bar food. It's a big yachter's destination.
More peaceful is White Bay, where Ivan's "Stress-Free" bar and the infamous Soggy Dollar are located. As are the nearly-endless lines of lounge chairs, at no charge. For shoppers, there's not much except for Cocoloco's in White Bay, which stocks fun and funky Caribbean fashions, jewelry and souvenirs.
Don't Miss
Shopping provides a break from the bars and beaches. Get started at at Cocoloco's in White Bay, a cute boutique-in-a-hut that sells everything from bathing suits to sundresses to souvenirs.
In Great Harbour, Foxy's has a huge gift shop with lots of apparel and Cuban cigars.
Beaches
Best Beach: White Bay
Best beach for snorkeling: Sandy Cay
Lunching
Casual, in-town joints: Soggy Dollar (White Bay, 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) makes a great burger or flying fish sandwich -- plus the aforementioned Painkillers. Relax in one of the bar's great wicker rockers while you wait.
Foxy's (Great Harbour, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.) for bar food, attitude and atmosphere.
Gourmet Lunching: No such thing.
Staying in Touch
Dream on. No Internet cafes on the island and no ATMs.
For More Information
British Virgin Islands Tourist Board: 800-835-8530
On the Web: www.bviwelcome.com
Cruise Critic Message Boards: Caribbean
The Independent Traveler: Caribbean Exchange
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