JD,

No customs or immigration on the French side, assuming you are arriving through PJIA, where immigration is handled for most arrivals. I have no idea of the rules and regs if arriving at Esperance Airport on the French side.

In all our trips over all our years, we've always rented a car to have at our disposal if and when we wanted to do something without having to be at the mercy of a bus or a taxi.

That said, not too long ago we stayed at Grand Case Beach Club and for the four nights we were there we never used the car to go anywhere. But in all fairness, I have to add this GCBC stay was at the tail end of two weeks already spent traveling the island at our whim and we were ready to go no where, do nothing and just do some serious limin with no other agenda but to chill.

Car or not depends on lots of things - are you staying on a beach? Do you want to do nothing but relax in one place for most of your trip? Are there lots of meal choice options where you are without need of transport? And the list goes on and on.....

Cars on SXM are very inexpensive compared to other destinations and taxis really aren't all that convenient and can't always be where and when you want them unless you contract with a driver such as Mr. Brooks, a sponsor on this forum, or any of a few others who provide this service.

If you've been before and know where you're going, picking up a car at or near the airport isn't a bad idea and the island is a relatively easy drive, as long as you're able to deal with the suicycles and the traffic in general. That said, if you're arriving in the dark and don't know where you're going, I would pass on the car at the airport and have it delivered the next day if having one is your plan.

So many variables and so many options...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />