A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix

Our local cooking experience with Carmen and her family was hands down the BEST experience I have ever had on vacation! ❤️ From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed like family. It wasn't just about cooking or enjoying amazing food; it was about sharing their culture, hearing their stories, laughing, and making memories that we will carry with us long after this vacation is over. Carmen and her family have something truly special. Their warmth, hospitality, kindness, and genuine love for what they do made this experience unforgettable. We came as visitors and left feeling like we had made friends. If you are visiting St. Croix, I cannot recommend this experience enough. Don't just go out to eat while you're here — take the time to experience something real and special with Carmen and her family. Thank you for opening your home, sharing your food, and making us feel like part of your family. This is the kind of experience that makes a vacation truly memorable. We will never forget it! ❤️🇻🇮

Carmen was warm and funny, an absolutely amazing host. The food we cooked was so good, and Carmen served a traditional Cruzan drink that was delicious. I literally want to go back just to hang out with Mrs. Carmen again! :-)

The experience was amazing. I loved it so much. However, it was the miscommunication with the meet up spot. The text message from trip advisor said one thing and the host said another which caused major confusion. I think Trip Advisor should just rely on the host to send out the meet up spot. I recommend not putting it in confirmation email and then texting to the attendees. Just let the host text. But Carmen was amazing. I highly recommend the experience.

We were welcomed from the time we pulled in her driveway to her lovely two story yellow home. We immediately were offered a delicious guava drink followed by choosing our meal of different sized crab. Catching those little boogers was fun. Many steps to cleaning preparing them all while getting information about crabs, the island and the island food. Carmen is charming and we had a wonderful time. I would say it's a don't miss when you come to St Croix.

We had the most enjoyable time with Carmen and her crew. An experience like no other on island. From beginning to end Carmen was welcoming, very professional, engaging and very knowledgeable about true Crucian culture. We felt like we were in a family gathering having the most amazing time. The music, environment, and atmosphere was pure vibes. My favorite part of this experience was ALL of it. 🤗 My recommendation to anyone visiting St. Croix is to book with Carmen and then head to the Beach. 😁

Hands on crab experience. Great back yard! Carmen and Glen were great!. Learned a lot about St Croix and the harvesting of crabs!

Carmen was so welcoming and it was a great experience. Highly recommend you check this out while in St. Croix!

Carmen hosting an amazing evening! Great food and company! So glad we found this activity! Fun for everyone!

Such a fun and informative evening! Carmen and Cynthia were excellent hostesses. We learned a lot, had delicious food, and met interesting people. We left hungry for more!

It was good fun learned interesting things. This is making me enter more, the spices are good and add a lot.

Although it is a cooking class, it is also a bit of an adventure. The chef gave us history, culture and the adventure of selecting our crab, preparing it for cooking, and eating.

Dinner with Carmen was simply amazing!!! She is an excellent host that makes sure everyone is having not only a good time, but the best time. The cooking class is very entertaining and there is never a dull moment. Even as you are waiting for the crabs to be ready, you will be enjoying a brief history lesson about the island, Cruzan lingo (my favorite), and a delicious appetizer. Carmen’s crab recipe is time-proven and the results are undisputed.

I had an amazig time with Hanging with the Locals, specifically the Crabs with Carmen event. I grew up in the Virgin Islands and I returned home from college(FAMU) this Christmas season with one wish to experience a part of my local culture that I have not yet, and this experience was just that!! I was able to learn a completely new aspect of my culture that I had never been exposed to and I recommend all locals and travelers to experience it at least once. I will be coming back with friends and family in the near future. Thank you got curating this experience Carmen!❤️

We visited St. Croix for Christmas, and Hanging With the Locals was the highlight of our trip. Carmen is a treasure and a wonderful host. My husband and I traveled with our three boys (ages 12 to 26), and the experience felt far more like a family reunion than a paid activity. It was warm, personal, and genuinely welcoming. Carmen also shared helpful tips for attending the festival at the Village. Highly recommend for families looking for an authentic local experience.

Was a great experience. Carmen was such a cheerful and friendly host. Learned a lot about local customs (and crabs!) Everything tasted delicious.

This was such an amazing experience for my fiancée and me!! If you don't do anything else during your stay in St. Croix I would highly recommend booking with Carmen. This excursion is fun, family friendly, safe, and the best way to experience local food and culture. All of the food was delicious!!! This experience honestly felt like visiting family rather than just an excursion. I can't speak highly enough about our time at Crabs with Carmen!

I had an outstanding experience—everything was handled with professionalism, care, and attention to detail. Carmen and staff went above and beyond to make sure all my needs were met, and the entire process was smooth and enjoyable. I couldn’t be more impressed. Highly recommend! Heather Lewis

This was an enjoyable experience. Carmen and her staff were knowledgeable and helpful. Everything was done in easy to follow instructions and the food we made was delicious. Highly recommend this class.

This was the best way to engage and interact with the locals. We learned so much about crabs and what it takes to ensure the crabs are safe and ready to eat. Food was delicious. Atmosphere was warm and inviting. Company very entertaining. I would definitely recommend this experience if you're visiting St. Croix.

I live on the island, and had no idea that there was a beautiful place to experience love, good food and knowledge. Crabs with Carmen was an all around exceptional experience. She is a beautiful person. Her food and family and venue is magical. Make sure you make a reservation the next time you visit the beautiful island of St Croix!

House is back off road but once you’re there they make you feel at home! Very hospitable, knowledgeable , and just all around fun . Interesting stories, educating facts and not just about cooking. The food was tasty as well not to mention nice drinks too.

My friend and I attended the informational session on St. Croix its people and culture. Carmen provided her personal experience of island life. We sampled mangos, took pictures in the carnival pieces and dance in a little beach side parade. This was an awesome experience and I love the three generations offering this fun activity.

Carmen and crew were fantastic! The crabs were delicious...the whole experience was informative and fun. Carmen is a wealth of info..so personable...this was a fun experience for the whole family. Definitely recommend...great value for the money as well. We will be back! Thank you Carmen

Such a great experience! Highly recommend! Great food and fun times! Leaning about the trees and the crabs and the process was really interesting. Picking out the crab and learning some lingo was a highlight.

The evening was so much fun and the food was delicious. We picked our live crab (I named mine🤣) and he was delicious. The owner/hostess, Carmen, was warm, generous and funny. She shared a little island history, taught us some island slang, and kept us laughing all evening. When she found out that it was my first time there, she picked us up the next day, took us on an island tour, let us hit the beach, and we visited a local hangout with great people. She was the highlight of our trip! We're going back because of the experience we had with her. You've definitely got to sign up for this one!

Crabs With Carmen is an unforgettable experience and a must-do in St. Croix. Carmen takes you on a fascinating journey from catching crabs and learning how she carefully and respectfully maintains them, to the cooking process that ends with one of the most delicious meals you'll ever have. But this experience goes far beyond just cracking crab shells. You'll walk away with a deeper appreciation and understanding of St. Croix’s rich culture and traditions.

If we could give 25 stars, it still wouldn't be enough! We had an unforgettable time limin’ with Carmen and her incredible team. The vibes were amazing, the food was outstanding, and the whole evening was pure joy. If you're lucky enough to snag a spot, don’t miss out—this experience is truly something special. See Ayo! Amy, Katherine, Regina & Brianna

Everything was great! They were welcoming, helpful, & made the process fun! I would book again & recommend them to others. Thank you!

Wonderful! I went with my husband and our daughter to Crabs with Carmen and what a nice experience this was. Carmen and all of the ladies were wonderful and welcoming. I would definitely recommend the highly! Such a pleasant and fun time!

Crabs = fantastic Carmen = fantastic Total Experience = out of this world fun! Very informative, feels like hanging out with the family!

This was a funny engaging And learning experience. Carmen was a very fun host and her team was very caring and attentive.

We had a wonderful evening with Carmen and Rochelle. We learned a lot about island living while enjoying the chance to help cook our meal.

This was an experience unlike any other. Culture History and pure Fun. Our group plan to return and bring a bigger group. The food was delicious. The Ambience unmatched. We learned so much about the island and Land Crabs. This is the ultimate team building event. A TIME WAS HAD with Crab with Carmen!!

Crabs with Carmen is an absolute must-do for anyone visiting or living in the Virgin Islands! This authentic Crucian experience is something I highly encourage both locals and tourists to partake in. Carmen expertly guides you through the fascinating art of catching, preparing and cooking crabs alongside her mother and other family members, offering a rare glimpse into deh culture! The crab and rice dish is delicious, and the overall crab experience is both fun and educational. However, what truly sets this experience apart is how Carmen beautifully weaves the island's culture into the event. Through vocabulary lessons and captivating storytelling, she shares the rich history and traditions of the Virgin Islands in a way that feels personal and engaging. And let's not forget the Guavaberry rum—absolutely delicious! It's the perfect complement to the whole experience. A perfect 5 all around! Whether you're a local or a visitor, this is one cultural experience you won't want to miss.

Can’t think of a better way to get a taste (literally😊) of Cruzan culture, cuisine, and hospitality. Carmen and her team welcomed us to a gorgeous home, educated us about the food we would be prepping, local fruits and seasonings and even some dialect. The food and drinks were authentic and amazing, background music relaxing, and environment spectacular. What a way to immerse yourself in beautiful St Croix.

This was a REAL cultural event, opportunity to learn about guava berry, torching and purging crabs. The owner shown her crucian skills with our dialect. The evening was fun filled , tasty food, and great company. The guava berry rum is the real thing.

What an amazing cultural experience and I was born and raised in the US Virgin Islands. The evening was rich in tradition, culture and overall education about our beautiful island. As Governor, it’s rare that I find the time to take advantage of island excursions but this one is a “must” when you are in St. Croix. Did I mention the food was amazing??? The beauty is, you cook it for yourself in a backyard with a mix of tourists and locals alike. Carmen is extremely knowledgeable of our living culture and shares her experience of being the descendant of rich African, Puerto Rican and Crucian heritages. Don’t forget to ask to take home some local fruit from the many trees in her backyard. Looking forward to going again real soon.

If you’re looking for a true authentic experience with family and friends, this is the perfect place for your group. This was my 5th time and each experience has been magnificent. It’s a 10 out of 10 each time. My family and friends enjoy themselves while getting an overview of St. Croix culture. You get samples of local fruits, local sweet treats and so much more. Yes, the rum punch tops it off. The experience is exceptional even if you don’t eat crabs. When visiting beautiful St. Croix, be sure to book the ultimate experience with- Hanging With The Locals!

My family and I participated in the Hanging with the Locals for the New Year! It was an educational and fun event. Carmen is a great host who is very knowledgeable about the culture of the VI, specifically St. Croix. The atmosphere was comfortable and inviting; the service was excellent; the appetizer, meal and dessert were delicious and she has a friendly and helpful team! This experience exceeded my expectations!!

Carmen and her family were AMAZING! The food , the experience was phenomenal! I cannot say enough wonderful things about this experience!! They treated us like family from the time we walked up until we left! The food and experience was amazing!! My husband and I were celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary the night of our experience… and I can honestly say it was just like celebrating with family! We would highly recommend this experience…

Awesome experience. Mas and staff were timely, professional, friendly. We learned a lot and had good drinks and food. I'm so glad we did it and wait to do it again!

I loved the dialogue between Ms Carmen. The experience was amazing. I will recommend to my friends to book this experience.

This cultural experience is to die for. Carmen was very funny, full of information, and willing to answer any questions. I would recommend this experience to everyone. Thank you Carmen & staff

Outstanding event, learned so much and had a great crab dinner. Carmen and team were great, very hospitable. Highly recommend!

Carmen is so awesome! She is so kind and informative. She is super proud of her Island and its history. Her mother shared her knowledge with us as well. Both a wealth of knowledge and a pleasure to have spent the evening with. Carmen even gave us guidance on other things to do during our stay. The meal was amazingly delicious and it was so interesting to work with her and her hands-on style of a cooking class. Loved everything about this experience. Thanks a million!!!

First of all Carmen is the sweetest person ever and she’s so knowledgeable of her country and the whole crab experience was absolutely amazing. She teaches you how to purge the crab and what they need to eat in that process. She tells you about the fruit trees on the property and how picking them when they’re ripe. We got to clean our crabs and season them and also pitched in with cooking process. She’s great and I don’t want to forget about Michelle who’s her assistant. Thanks for a great evening. Please if you can make it I would absolutely say go you won’t be disappointed.

Cooking with Carmen was amazing! It was like being with family. We had a fantastic time, ate well, made new friends, and learned so many things about the local culture. I would do it again and recommend to others easily. It's a must-do!

Oh my gosh, what a wonderful evening with Carmen and crew! She welcomes you warmly onto her beautiful property and teaches you all about the crabs, the process, the food, and the culture. She truly makes you feel as if you've gone to your best friend's for a cookout while also providing excellent knowledge on the local culture. You can tell she adores St. Croix, and if you didn't love it already, you certainly will after leaving Carmen's with a full stomach. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is so wonderful, and this was an experience we will NEVER forget!

Oh my gosh, what a wonderful evening with Carmen and crew! She welcomes you warmly onto her beautiful property and teaches you all about the crabs, the process, the food, and the culture. She truly makes you feel as if you've gone to your best friend's for a cookout while also providing excellent knowledge on the local culture. You can tell she adores St. Croix, and if you didn't love it already, you certainly will after leaving Carmen's with a full stomach. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is so wonderful, and this was an experience we will NEVER forget!