USVI-On-Line

We'll be staying near Cruz Bay in March and are debating not renting a car, or just renting for a couple random days. Any thoughts on how easy/difficult it could be to just get a car for a day or two at that time w/o reserving ahead? Is it relatively easy to take a taxi/bus to the beaches? We've always had a car before but trying to be economical this trip. We'll be out near Frank Bay and think we can walk to Starfish for food. Thanks for any help.

toni, it's a toss up. You can call around and probably find something. But, you'll see a lot more if you get the vehicle.

Last March the island was pretty much sold out.

Cheers, RickG

In March I would guess that you will have a hard time finding a car for a few days. There are only a certain amount of cars on island and when they are gone, that is it.

You can get taxis to the Northshore beaches but unless you are at Hawksnest, Trunk, or Cinnamon you may have trouble finding one for the ride back unless you set a time for the taxi to come and get you.

The bus does run out to Coral Bay and stops at Salt Pond, but service can be spotty. The bus does not run out to the Northshore. It is a great deal to get to Coral bay for a buck, but not so good when it leaves you stranded. Taxis are not that common out on that side of the island.

I guess it depends on what you want to do on your vacation. We could never get by without a car. I like to just go when I feel like it and not have to plan for anything, so not having that freedom would really out a cramp in my vacation.

People do it, so it can be done, but for me there is so much more to see and do that a taxi or a bus can't help you with.

I was there in March and put the trip together very last minute. I was able to rent a car for just a few days and called about 2 weeks before I left. I did, however, have to call several places before finding availability. I rented from the ones next to the Front Yard. I turned the car in on Wednesday morning as we had planned to do a boat excursion that day and then the seas were too rough for the boat to get out of STT. I walked across the street from the car ferry dock and immediately rented a car for the next few days. Honestly, I think I just had incredible luck. I would definitely want to rent a car, even if for only 1/2 the week. Good luck. Ali~

Personally I could never go without a car on STJ. We just got back from our most recent trip a week ago and one day we saw a group of people waiting for a cab at Cinnamon for a really long time and I felt bad for them...

It really could be that no vehicles would be available. Unless you're able to really shift to Island Time and go with the flow, you'd be better off renting for the week. I always like to save a buck, but I'd go with less expensive accomodations before I'd start cutting out the vehicle.

We've stayed in Cruz Bay for a week without a car. It was okay for us since we are scuba divers and spent most of everyday diving with LowKey (within walking distance) and we walk a lot (several miles a day at home). There are plenty of good restaurants in Cruz Bay and we could walk to Starfish. HOWEVER, the next time we went we did rent a car. After the trip without the car, I felt like we hadn't really seen St. John.

If you've been before and know that you'd be happy with one or two close beaches, you'll probably be okay. BUT, taxi rides can really add up and you may end up spending more than renting a car.

Thanks everyone-you helped sway the decision! Finalized all the bookings for next March-airfare, Villa Blanca, Courtesy Car Rental and 2 nights on STT at the Mafolie to end our trip. We'd always had a car before but because we're staying close to Cruz Bay we thought we'd try it without. Since the place we're renting this time doesn't have the view, I don't think villa gravity is going to set in as much as it has before and we'd need that car to hit all the beaches. Can't wait to be back