Car rental in St.Maarten

[rsail203]

We're thinking of renting a car from Avis in St. Maarten for 2 days prior to our cruise. Has anyone done this? How did it go? Are the roads easy to get around? Does the car rental GPS work okay? Is Avis rental at the airport or would we need a taxi to get to Avis?

[rsail203]

I asked this question on the St. Maarten forum, but there has been no response. Can anyone help me?

 

We're thinking of renting a car from Avis in St. Maarten for 2 days prior to our cruise. Has anyone done this? How did it go? Are the roads easy to get around? Does the car rental GPS work okay? Is Avis rental at the airport or would we need a taxi to get to Avis?

[rsail203]

I asked this question on the St. Maarten forum, but there has been no response. Can anyone help me?

 

We're thinking of renting a car from Avis in St. Maarten for 2 days prior to our cruise. Has anyone done this? How did it go? Are the roads easy to get around? Does the car rental GPS work okay? Is Avis rental at the airport or would we need a taxi to get to Avis?

[taglovestocruise]

14 minutes ago, rsail203 said:

I asked this question on the St. Maarten forum, but there has been no response. Can anyone help me?

 

We're thinking of renting a car from Avis in St. Maarten for 2 days prior to our cruise. Has anyone done this? How did it go? Are the roads easy to get around? Does the car rental GPS work okay? Is Avis rental at the airport or would we need a taxi to get to Avis?

        A little biased but...                                                                                                                                                                                             It's not only necessary, it's a neccesity! The island is seven miles by seven miles in size (37 sq miles) and made for adventure. Explore! Duty-free shopping; incredible restaurants; 37 fabulous beaches, each one different from the next; Wednesday and Saturday market days in Marigot and Philipsburg; the Museums; the Zoo; the Butterfly Farm which is a wonderful experience especially for childrens; exciting casinos, where you can "invest" your money; dancing/clubs/nightlife; and, numerous activities on the island all require a car. As for car rental companies - several of the well-known brand name rental companies are represented on the island, as well as dozens of local companies on both sides of the island. 

Both International and Foreign Driver's Licenses are acceptable for renting a car. Driving is on the right hand side, as we do in the USA. A major credit card or cash are acceptable for renting a car and most cars come with Unlimited Mileage. The main road around the island is 99% paved macadam, in good shape, and one lane in each direction. The unposted speed limit is 35 mph, which provides a relaxing ride. There are no super highways; but, people speed and carelessly pass cars in both directions. Drive carefully/obey the speed limit!

Several car rental companies have booths at the Airport Arrivals Terminal and although their representatives will be waiting there to attract your business, it is wise to reserve a car in advance, especially during the mid-December to mid-April high season. Also, make sure you rent a car with air-conditioning; you'll need it.

[FlyerTalker]

Well, the Avis website would tell you exactly where their office location would be:

 

www.avis.com

 

And no reason why the GPS would be offered but not be functional.

[alcpa1]

St. Maarten is easily driven especially with a GPS.

I know at one point the French side was closed to border crossings but surely it is open by now or will be by the time you sail. FYI, it's almost impossible to find "border" markings so I wonder how the closures went.

[Host Kat]

On 4/29/2021 at 2:55 PM, rsail203 said:

We're thinking of renting a car from Avis in St. Maarten for 2 days prior to our cruise. Has anyone done this? How did it go? Are the roads easy to get around? Does the car rental GPS work okay? Is Avis rental at the airport or would we need a taxi to get to Avis?

 

@rsail203

 

Howdy! 

 

Used the Search feature on this forum with "car rental" as my key word. Found the following "oldie but goodie" thread from 2019 that might help you a little bit too:

 

 

Also, your three threads re car rental in St Maarten have been merged into this one thread.

 

Happy sails,

 

Host Kat 

[lhsail]

It’s been several years, but we’ve rented cars a couple times on St. Maarten before GPS. Very eay to get around.  

[LeeW]

Have been to St Maarten many times but I only remember the local rental agencies at the port.  Don't remember seeing any of the big US brands at the port.  In fact I don't see any Avis outlets on the island on their web site but it does show up on another search site at the airport.

 

A major travel site shows two Hertz outlets near Philipsburg, nothing near the port, and all the normal players near the airport.  You would waste a lot of time from a cruise going to the airport to pick up and drop off a car.  Better to use one of the companies at the pier.  Try Coastal - it seems to have port rentals if you want to make an reservation.

[sofietucker]

1. Go to the AARP travel page; it's Expedia, but go thru AARP link--and you *don't* have to be a member for killer deals.

2. We found rentals from Princess Juliana airport for 2 days in late June 2021, unlimited mileage, for $27. I said, $27. Can drop the car at the car place near the ship for a small fee.

3. Have done this all over the Caribbean, easy peasy (well, depending on island roads). Budget, Avis, Fox, etc. Go with a big name.

4. St Maarten/Martin has hardly and roads, lol! You'll be fine. Watch out for chickens and goats on the way to Pinel Island. Cheers!

[o-state girl]

You can also download the Google map for the island to your phone before you leave home.  If you download and save it on your phone, you can use it even with your phone in airplane mode.