Cruz Views & Rental Cars

di · Post by di » Tue Jun 17, 2008 3:56 pm

We are very fortunate to get to take a very last minute trip to St. John in early July. This is very much a budget trip for us. We are staying at Cruz Views and are thinking about renting a car for only part of our trip. Our thoughts are to walk into Cruz Bay and take a cab to the beach the first two or three days, and then rent a car for the remainder of our trip. The first few days are agenda is usually beach, snorkel, pool, relax, Uncle Joes, etc. Does this sound feasable. I know many forumites have stayed in Cruz Views and I would love your opinions about my current plan.

Thanks in advance for all of your help. You guys are the BEST!!!

theshopper3 · Post by **theshopper3** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:07 pm

Hi DI,

That would not be a problem at all. Of the 4 time we have been, 3 of those times we never rented a car and managed to get just about every where. We even took the bus to Salt Pond & then back to Skinney Legs for lunch. It was an adventure in it's self all for a $1.00.

Have a great trip.

The Shopper

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:11 pm

I've got to have wheels.

larlardb8 · Post by **larlardb8** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:21 pm

I think that is doable if you only want to rent a car for half the trip.
My boyfriend and I stayed in Cruz Views back in March. The walk to town was steep downhill but if you are in ok shape its not bad. We always got a cab home though because its one steep hill back.

There are cabs everywhere in cruz bay so you could hit up some north shore beaches the first days and then when you have the car head to some further spots to explore.

Im like waterguy and prefer a car as well, but I think you could swing this no prob.

I guess the only thing I can see being a big hassle is getting to the food/liquor store and buying groceries. But not sure if you are going that route.

Oh yeah Im not sure how much cabs are so that is something to think about as well...

Have fun!!

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:24 pm

I've also stayed at Cruz Views and would never make that climb back uphill after dinner and drinks, but I'm never going to run 8 Tuff Miles either, so I guess it depends on your stamina. CV is a great place to stay. You may want to check cab prices at this time, with gas being so high. If you go to one beach and stay there, it's probably less than renting a car. One thing to remember is that the cab doesn't leave until it's at least mostly full. You could be ready to get back to town and sit on the cab for 20 min. or more. In July, that can be a bit hot. If you go to Cinnamon or Trunk, you can get food and drinks and by the end of the day, there will be lots of people leaving, so you should not have to wait long at all. Last minute trips are usually the best. Have fun!!

cptnkirk · Post by **cptnkirk** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:28 am

We did cabs our first time on St John when we stayed at CV and it was easy for an extra five bucks they would drop us off at CV after a day at the beach. Food and drinks should not be a problem you walk right past the Dolpin market on the way to Cruz Bay. We also did the bus to Salt Pond great deal and walked to Salomon twice (long walk)Saved a couple hundred by doing this. That being said I would never not get a jeep again to convenient and it makes the vacation so much more enjoyable and care free. Tip if your early risers and ya get down to the taxi stand by around 9 or 9:30 they will take off right away usually. Never done this but hitching a ride is very acceptable on St John just point in the direction you want to go now that would save money for sure.

di · Post by di » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:09 am

Thanks for the responses. I understand the walk down is steep. Could we handle walking down the hill with beach chairs and a beach bag? My plan was to walk down in the morning, catch a cab and go to the beach. After the beach I would get a cab all the way back to Cruz Views. Is this possible or am I crazy?

theshopper3 · Post by **theshopper3** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:17 am

DI,

I would think it would be OK going down, just the back up would be tough. We have stayed up past the Gallows 3 times & some days coming back after the beach were tough, so we would just ask the driver to take us all the way up.

The Shopper

pipanale · Post by **pipanale** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:44 am

di wrote:Thanks for the responses. I understand the walk down is steep. Could we handle walking down the hill with beach chairs and a beach bag? My plan was to walk down in the morning, catch a cab and go to the beach. After the beach I would get a cab all the way back to Cruz Views. Is this possible or am I crazy?

I've stayed across the street from CV 2 times and I would not do the walk. I'm also in good shape.

Just hitting the bottom of Pocket Money Lane does not get you to the cabs. You then would have to walk down Centerline towards town. I would say it is easily a 20-25 minute walk to where the cabs hang out. It's not far...it's just straight down hill and the first hill is unpaved. If you had all your gear in a rolling cart of some sort, it may be easier...until the cart decided to run free and careen down the hill at 1000mph

Walking up, in my opinion, is like asking to be beaten with a pipe. Cabs will go up the hill. We saw them coming and going from the house across the street.

Just my $.02

cptnkirk · Post by **cptnkirk** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:52 pm

Yep can be done we did it many times. Now we did Salomon with beach chairs once from CV

now that was a trip and a half don't recomend that one next time we just took towels. If your in decent shape no problem. Some people really like to walk it's not a problem others don't. Now you want a steep hill hike Caneel Hill trail that will make a woman or a man out of ya.

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