As unglamorous as it is, parking is a hot topic here in St. John, especially in Cruz Bay. Parking comes at a premium in town, and I have a few updates to share with you all.
New Paid Parking Lot
There is a new paid parking lot in Cruz Bay called El Gissmo. This lot is located beside Nature’s Nook and across the street from the bulkhead, which is where the Crown Bay ferry (Inter Island Boat Services) docks. This lot is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. The rates are as follows:
Daytime: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- 1 hour – $5
- 2 hours – $15
- 4 hours – $25
- All day – $50
Evening: 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Up to 2 hours – $15
- Over 2 hours – $25
- Overnight – $50
Please note that these are the same prices as Slim Man’s parking lots in Cruz Bay. And yes, he recently increased some of his fees. Two hours during the day is now $15, rather than the $10 it was previously.

Free Spots Now Pay Spots
There are four spots in front of Mongoose Junction in the area of Made in St. John that are now pay spots. If you are looking at Mongoose Junction, this is the area to the far right. Rather than pay a parking attendant like the new El Gissmo lot, you will scan a QR code to park in those spaces. This is the only area at Mongoose Junction where you will need to pay to park. The other customer spots remain free.
FYI: Mongoose Junction has two owners. The new paid spaces belong to Mongoose Junction 2. From what I read online, the owner grew tired of policing these spots, so the meters were installed.
Curious where all the parking in Cruz Bay is located? Click here to check out Explore STJ’s Logistics map. It includes free and paid parking lots, markets, dumpsters, and other important spots. (I will add the new El Gissmo lot to this map this week.)
Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with me!
Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour
See the island of St. John with a resident. See the nooks and crannies that many visitors miss. Explore the beaches, historical sites, perhaps a tiki bar or two, and much more. Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.