Vehicle Rental Options & Suggestions

As the date is drawing closer for our Feb trip to GC, we are now looking to see what we can arrange for transportation.

We will be 6 adults, 2 small children. We will renting house, near Rum Point. We arrive on a Sat and leave on a Sat.

Open for discussion is the wisdom and cost considerations for the following:

Renting an 8 passenger van or renting two 4 passenger cars. I haven't figured out any rental costs yet, and are still trying to figure this out from what I see as the three rental places (Andy's rental, Coconut rental, McCutey's shuttle ?). I see they may be a Budget also.

Not sure if a 8 passenger van will carry all of us and luggage.

Two cars would provide more flexibility in enabling group to go in two different directions. But at what additional costs?

I would like to explore the whole island, not sure if others are this adventurous.

It is my understanding the bus service is more limited to 7 mile and downtown areas, not circling the island. And taxi service (no idea so far of costs) are limited to the same areas.

Your thoughts and recommendations will be most appreciated.

Thanks.

Reliance the bus or taxi service if staying outside of the George Town-Seven Mile Beach-West Bay corridor is not advisable.

If staying around Rum point, the bus service terminates at Chisholm's Grocery store in the village of North Side, about 5 miles from Rum Point and taxi service must be arraigned for in advance. Taxi fare from the airport to Rum Point is $70 US each way, plus tip for up to 3 people and 2 bags each.

Bus route information and maps:
http://caymanislandsyp.com/Island/Getting-Around/index-2.php

When traveling with a group, we have found multiple cars make all the difference. Lets folks split off and do their own thing every now and then.

A van or mini van rental probably would not accommodate 8 people, plus luggage. The mini-vans are on the small side.

Minivans and SUVs carry a premium in regards to price, so I would guess two compact or mid-size cars would not be much more, unless you load up on insurance.

McCurley's is a good option when staying on North Side, as they have a tour van that can pick you up at the airport and drive you out to your rental (stopping along he way for groceries and supplies). Your car(s) would be waiting at your lodging.

We normally use Thirfty/Dollar (same owners) or Budget (open until 10:00 PM if arriving late). Just about every rental agency is pretty good, so relying on the best deal is not a bad strategy. The local Budget franchise has a name your own price option that has saved us some $$ on occasion. http://budget.ky/name_price.html

In addition to you considerations and others mentioned above, Avis/Cico, Marshalls and Hertz are the other on-airport rental agencies.

Update to Post:
We have settled on renting two small cars from McCurley. Present understanding is the two cars were about the same price as an 8 passenger van, so opted for the flexibility of 2 vehicles.

The nice thing about working this out with McCurley appears to be that 1 car will be at house waiting for us, the other will be at the airport. Some of group with all the luggage will go with McCurley shuttle to house, while a few of us go off shopping.

So far sounds very accomodating.

More later.