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Re: Rental Car or No Rental Car
[Re: Bip]
#196690
06/04/2019 12:56 PM
06/04/2019 12:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 740 Northern Michigan
dolfer
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 740
Northern Michigan
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Rental Car is a must for us. For me half the fun is driving around the island exploring.
Dolfer
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Re: Rental Car or No Rental Car
[Re: Bip]
#196692
06/04/2019 12:59 PM
06/04/2019 12:59 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,900
Central Florida!
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If you want to pre-arrange a taxi, you could contact TTOL sponsor Wilfred Brooks (check for his info on the sponsors list). As far as evenings in Grand Case, I believe the guy is still around that has a golf cart type situation that you can get rides for something like $10 roundtrip to the restaurants within Grand Case itself. Talk to your hotel front desk about that.
As far as rental car in general, especially this time of year, it's going to be cheaper to rent a car, versus paying for trips to Anse Marcel and Orient Beach, plus your transfers to and from the airport, which will probably run you about $35 each way, including bags to go to and from the airport. As far as missing out on things, it definitely takes a lot of spontaneity out of the trip, if any time you want to go somewhere, you have to track down a taxi. Can't imagine doing that myself on SXM, but everyone is different.
Carol Hill
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Re: Rental Car or No Rental Car
[Re: Bip]
#196701
06/04/2019 03:01 PM
06/04/2019 03:01 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
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We spent two weeks at Royal Islander Club La Plage recently and everyone suggested not to bother with a rental car because everything was right there at our finger tips and we wouldn’t need one. Well, they were right to a degree but we rented one anyway and personally speaking, I can’t imagine being anywhere on the island and NOT having a car at my disposal. And we used it a couple of times a day most days.
Everyone is different and has their own idea of what makes a trip perfect but a big part of the allure of SXM is the fact it’s one island you can freely travel without too many concerns. If you were content to stay in Grand Case, then maybe no car but if you have those other locations on your horizon a car is really the order of the day.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Rental Car or No Rental Car
[Re: Bip]
#196702
06/04/2019 03:03 PM
06/04/2019 03:03 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 680 Burlington, Ontario, Canada
JohnandBev
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 680
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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HI, if your first trip, I would pre book Wilfred for an airport pick up and drive to where you are staying - bonus you get a little tour, Wilfred will stop at a store plus tell you a bit about the island. For me just easier and if we are getting a car I get it delivered the where we are staying the next morning -we use AAA but everyone has their fave - just make sure and get all in pricing in your quote.
Don't want to start a drink and drive thread, but driving to Orient got old quickly once we realized how low the Fr limit is - so we started staying in Orient Village and walking to the beach.
Grand Case to Orient is not that far and Wilfred lives nearby Orient, my taxi rate sheet [2014?] says $15 each way for 2
But a car means you can explore, pick up supplies and generally keep your own schedule.
But beach and drinking, I would take a cab
J&B
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Re: Rental Car or No Rental Car
[Re: Bip]
#197343
06/11/2019 09:54 AM
06/11/2019 09:54 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
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Depends on your rental company. Our guy, Lesley Bruce of Kenny’s Car Rentals, usually suggest we leave the car unlocked at the beach with NOTHING in it, not even in the trunk but elsewhere, lock it but still leave nothing in it.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Rental Car or No Rental Car
[Re: Bip]
#197356
06/11/2019 10:33 AM
06/11/2019 10:33 AM
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 27
Bip
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 27
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Thanks to all responded. Landed on renting a car for a couple of days to explore and taxi for beach/dinners when we plan to drink. Thanks for the perspective.
Last edited by Bip; 06/11/2019 10:34 AM.
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Re: Rental Car or No Rental Car
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#197399
06/11/2019 04:54 PM
06/11/2019 04:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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The insurance company needs pictures showing an entrance point for a locked car.....broken windows, pried trunk or other point of entry. If the car is not locked the insurance is void now! Most rental companies advise you to lock the car and leave nothing in it when it is parked with nobody in it. Some people have had their seats split open when the criminals found the cars unlocked with nothing in it to be stolen. They can still split the seats when the car is locked and broken into but then the damage is covered!
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Re: Rental Car or No Rental Car
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#197431
06/11/2019 10:13 PM
06/11/2019 10:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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I am sure as they have requested this in the past. They are more sophisticated than you think. Furthermore not all the insurance companies are in St. MAARTEN.
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