Rent a Car vs Taxis ... Cost/Parking options?

Hi!

So I can't decide if we should rent a car for about $60 (+$30/Insurance) or just take a few cabs.

Here's what we want to do:

Conquest Arrives 9AM, All-Aboard 5:30 PM

--Visit Maha for 45 minutes to watch planes between 11-noon

--Lunch and light shopping in Marigot for an hour or so

--Pictures at Harrold Jacks Lookout

--Shopping on Front Street 2 hours

--Visit Yoda Guy

How long would it take to get from cruise port to Maho, then from Maho to Marigot, then from Marigot to Front Street via Harrold Jacks?

How much for those taxis for 2 people?

If we rented a car, is there ample parking and do you have to pay?

What are everyone's thoughts please?

Thanks!

Jeff aka Recovery Dude

We just rented from hertz a few weeks ago and had an overall good experience. We first went to maho from the cruise port and it was about a 20 minute drive. Then drove about 30 minutes to orient beach and finally back to front street. Maho parking is free and we found a lot near front and we paid $4 for 2 hours

Jeff -

We rented a car for our trip in 2015. We went to Maho for about 30 minutes (tough to park there) then to Marigot for lunch and some shopping. And then kept going up the coast to swim. I forget the name of the beach but it was North of Marigot.

We were going to attempt to circle the island but the kids were having fun swimming.

We headed back by 3 and got back by about 4:15. Had 20 minutes of shopping then ran onto the boat.

I'd rent again. Its an easy way to explore and get off the beaten path. The other thing would be to rent a driver for a day. But then your experience is determined by the driver.

Have fun.

-Sean

It really depends on the number of "legs" you are thinking about. For two, each taxi ride will likely cost between $12 and $24. If you are making just one stop, a taxi makes sense - for three or more, renting a car is more economic. Driving on the island is not difficult, sometimes finding parking space takes a bit of time or a couple of dollars. One final consideration is that you will probably use close to an hour of your stay with the details: lining up the rental, going to pick up the car, dropping it off, and finding a parking spot at one or more stops.

Do you need a special driving license to rent in St Maarten? We are US citizens.

Do you need a special driving license to rent in St Maarten? We are US citizens.

No nothing in st. Marteen

Are there any rental car facilities at the port?

Thanks.

Are there any rental car facilities at the port?

 

Thanks.

There are several agencies right at the head of the pier. After you book the car, they will take you to a nearby lot where the rental cars are kept.

There are several agencies right at the head of the pier. After you book the car, they will take you to a nearby lot where the rental cars are kept.

Perfect, thank you.

We rented a Harley when we first visited in 2013 and had a great time.

This year we are returning but with my in-laws who have never been to the island so we intended on hiring a car to visit Maho for the planes then round to Marigot and then onto a lovely beach we found that wasn't that busy then head back for a few hours retail therapy.

What's the best thing to do....pre book or wait till you arrive then find a hire company, anyone got any recommendations???

Hi!

 

So I can't decide if we should rent a car for about $60 (+$30/Insurance) or just take a few cabs.

 

Here's what we want to do:

 

Conquest Arrives 9AM, All-Aboard 5:30 PM

 

--Visit Maha for 45 minutes to watch planes between 11-noon

--Lunch and light shopping in Marigot for an hour or so

--Pictures at Harrold Jacks Lookout

--Shopping on Front Street 2 hours

--Visit Yoda Guy

 

How long would it take to get from cruise port to Maho, then from Maho to Marigot, then from Marigot to Front Street via Harrold Jacks?

 

How much for those taxis for 2 people?

 

If we rented a car, is there ample parking and do you have to pay?

 

What are everyone's thoughts please?

 

Thanks!

 

Jeff aka Recovery Dude

You are way better to take taxis for your itinerary IMHO. You have a lot planned and parking in both Marigot and Phillipsburg can be a good 15 minutes from where you want to be in those towns. So that is 60 minutes alone for just parking and getting to where you want to be and back to your car.

Also you will arrive in Marigot around 12:30 from your plan which is great for lunch but many of the stores in Marigot close in the afternoon and open again around 3, some 4. Some are open and the market place should be open.

Taxis are easy to find at all of your destinations and I don't think that the price will be all that different between taxis or a car rental for your day.

Also if you have the taxi drop you in the are of Front St in Phillipsburg and walk and shop in the direction of the ship by the time you get to the end of the shopping another 10 or 15 minute walk will bring you to the pier.