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Cost from cruise terminal to Darkwood Beach

Jezo

By Jezo,
in Antigua

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PORT ROYAL

PORT ROYAL

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Posted
33 minutes ago, Jezo said:

What's the best way to get there and back for the day?  We want to head over there, hang out for most of the day, and then go back to the port.  Should we hire a car for the day or just use a taxi?

Taxi Fares ……https://www.antiguanice.com/v2/documents/Taxi and tour fares - ABTB final.pdf

Outward driver will be pleased to be booked for the timed return.

 

Public Bus from “Terminal” outside the port area.  But this is not the best way.

 

No need to hire a car.

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Jezo

Jezo

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Thanks, so to Darkwood beach, $26+tip total each way for the three of us?

 

Where is the taxi stand?  I remember leaving the ship and walking out to St. Mary's street last time we were there to meet a tour we were going on.  Is the taxi stand out there or in the terminal area?

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PORT ROYAL

PORT ROYAL

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Posted (edited)
28 minutes ago, Jezo said:

Thanks, so to Darkwood beach, $26+tip total each way for the three of us?

 

Where is the taxi stand?  I remember leaving the ship and walking out to St. Mary's street last time we were there to meet a tour we were going on.  Is the taxi stand out there or in the terminal area?

Exit port security, walk ahead through shopping area.  Half way through you’ll be greeted by many hawkers, plying for taxi fares.  Just say taxi to Darkwood for three only, you’ll be directed to your right to the cab area.  Driver will be introduced, escorted to taxi, off you go.

Outward driver will be pleased if they are booked for a timed return.

 

Published prices are the official government rates.  If an attempt is made to stiff one and overcharge.  Decline take the persons name and head immediately to the Tourist Board desk and register a complaint.  They will put everything right promptly.

Edited by PORT ROYAL
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Jezo

Jezo

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How do I tell the difference between the official taxies and then unauthorized cabs in the same area?  Is there an actual taxi stand and a line of taxis or just a big free for all?  I have seen both depending on where we go.  Normally there are the official taxies and then a bunch of other people in the same area who are off on their own.

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PORT ROYAL

PORT ROYAL

Posted
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, Jezo said:

How do I tell the difference between the official taxies and then unauthorized cabs in the same area?  Is there an actual taxi stand and a line of taxis or just a big free for all?  I have seen both depending on where we go.  Normally there are the official taxies and then a bunch of other people in the same area who are off on their own.

Okay…..

Heritage Quay is the controlled area after the ship/port security gates.

Cut/Copy/Paste -
 

Taxis in Antigua

In the Heritage Quay Terminal, you will find a Taxi Dispatch Kiosk with official taxi rates. Prices are reasonable and taxis are the best way to go to any of the fabulous beaches in Antigua. Most taxi-drivers are reasonably good guides as well and, considering the size of the island, can take you to most highlights in a half-day tour. Although drivers are required to show a rate card (fares are officially fixed), make sure you agree on a fare before entering the taxi. For a half-day tour, you shouldn't be paying more US$ 120 (for the taxi with as many as 4 passengers).

You have, as posted, the Official Tariff from The Antigua & Barbuda Tourist Board. ABTB.  If there still is a concern, take the rates with one, to also produce.

 

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Jezo

Jezo

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Thanks, I didn't know the taxis would be in the port area.  Sometimes you have to go out of the area and then it gets interesting.  If it's all there I would understand how folks would stick to the official prices.

 

Thanks.  I have the document and looking forward to going again.

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  • 4 weeks later...
Jezo

Jezo

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Just wanted to report back that no one respects this price list.  The taxi dispatchers, the taxi drivers at the port, and the taxi drivers out at the beaches coming back.

 

The fare to get to Darkwood beach is $40 for 3 or less people and $10 a person for anything above.  Try to say its the wrong price and they say no, the internet price list is wrong, and this is what it costs.  You can't bargain with them because they just move on to the next person.  These are the official taxi's with the people in the red shirts and the correct license plates.  They all say the same thing and other people going to similar places in the area all were told the same thing.  They wouldn't dispatch the cabs until they got enough people so they can charge more people the per person pricing and make more per trip.

 

Next time I will just find an unlicensed cab, they were taking people for much cheaper, I even had the price list on my phone and everyone said nope, sorry, not the price.  I was not in much of a position to argue as I was the one in need of a ride so it was either pay or don't go.  I was riding with the one guy saying this isnt the right price that is posted online and was told "no, thats an old list, sorry, prices have gone up".  I wasn't in the mood to be dumped on the side of the road or be denied a ride back to the port so I just paid the cash and that was that.

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Sudoku

Sudoku

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I was in the same position as you.  Earlier this month I tried using a price list to get to Catherine’s Cafe and they laughed at me stating there is no posted list of prices.  The port taxis wanted $50 each way. Outside the port area I found a taxi for $40 each way.  I feel a little bit better knowing it wasn’t just me.

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StormySeas

StormySeas

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did you guys feel safe? was there food and drinks at those beaches? (Jolly, Darkwood, Valley Church) were there chairs or umbrellas (for shade)? are there aggressive vendors? do I make arrangements in advance for the return trip or just get the nearest ride? 

 

sorry for all the questions but this is a new port for us and I want to make sure we know we are safe and have a nice beach day

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BURNSMN

BURNSMN

Posted
Posted (edited)
12 hours ago, StormySeas said:

did you guys feel safe? was there food and drinks at those beaches? (Jolly, Darkwood, Valley Church) were there chairs or umbrellas (for shade)? are there aggressive vendors? do I make arrangements in advance for the return trip or just get the nearest ride? 

 

sorry for all the questions but this is a new port for us and I want to make sure we know we are safe and have a nice beach day

We have been to all of these beaches and always felt safe. There have been a few vendors at each but a polite no thank you has always worked. Each beach has a restaurant and chairs and umbrellas for rent. All of the taxis we have used have always returned to pick us up. We have prebooked rides when we wanted to beach hop to more than one beach but if just going to a single beach we have always just caught a taxi at the port.

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  • 9 months later...
FraudBroad

FraudBroad

Posted
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On 3/30/2023 at 11:09 PM, BURNSMN said:

We have been to all of these beaches and always felt safe. There have been a few vendors at each but a polite no thank you has always worked. Each beach has a restaurant and chairs and umbrellas for rent. All of the taxis we have used have always returned to pick us up. We have prebooked rides when we wanted to beach hop to more than one beach but if just going to a single beach we have always just caught a taxi at the port.

Were you able to rent chairs and an umbrella?  How much did they cost?  TY!

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BURNSMN

BURNSMN

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All of the beaches mentioned had chairs and umbrellas to rent. If we were going to spend the day at just one the cost was $20-$30 for everyting. If we were beach hopping we told the vendors what we were doing and were always able to get them for $10 total. On occasion we decided to just spend a short amount of time at a beach and just laid our towels in the sand.

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  • 3 weeks later...
jmoak

jmoak

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Posted

Has anyone had recent experience with taxi prices?  Seems like price listed is not correct? We are wanting to just go to Ft. James and price is listed at $12...but I'm curious if that is accurate now or not...

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