St Barths - Saline beach-CAR OR CAB?

Hello,
How hard is it to get a cab to/from Saline Beach.
We can rent a car for $40ish.

See https://taxis.eservices-comstbarth.fr/sbh_taxi.html

If you click on Grille des Tarifs it will give you the rates. Taxi from the Ferry to Saline is €25 each way. Taxi from the airport to Saline is €20 each way.

There's also an app, but I don't know what cell service is like around Saline these days. If I were Taxiing, I would arrange a return pickup time just to be safe.
http://taxistbarthsapp.com/

If you choose to rent a car, there are two local agencies which I highly recommend. One is Gumbs Car Rental http://gumbs-car-rental.com/ and the other is top-loc http://www.toplocstbarth.com/
Both are locally owned, with excellent reputations. Both will rent at the harbor if that is yoiur preference. Depending on when you're gong, their prices may be higher than what you've already found.

I should have mentioned that taxis are readily available at the port at the times when ferries arrive/depart. There aren’t many stars the airport, but there’s a phone on the wall to call one.

We haven't been there in a long time, but I was going to say to make sure that you arrange return transportation, if you decide to do the cab. It's a really beautiful spot. Any services there now? As when we were there -- a long time ago -- there were none. And no shade. I have a picture on my wall that I took on a trip there, heading over the hill toward the water. Must be a popular picture, as I saw the exact SAME shot in Caribbean Travel and Life thereafter!

I'd recommend renting a car. Given the distance travelled, taxi rates are far too expensive IMO. Plus, it may be a challenge to get a taxi once you are at this beach. Having a rental car on St. Barth's is way more convenient. Also, be sure to bring a portable beach umbrella, beach towels, and cold drinks because you'll need them here. Hope this helps!

There are still no services on Saline, and no shade. There is a decent Creole restaurant called Grain de Sel at the far end of the parking lot from the beach entrance. The other two restaurants in the Saline area are now only open for dinner (insufficient staff/staff housing post-Irma).



https://www.access-premium.com/sites/default/files/2017-02/Lunch_4.pdf

Bahston--thanks for the info. As Sammy said, I think I would just rent a car.

I recommend taking a taxi. If you like, you can tell them what time you want to be picked up and they will be there.

Bigdaddy--why specifically do you recommend a cab? just curious, as to whether you've had a bad experience with renting a car, etc?

A little off topic but not really.

One of our very first catamaran trips to StB many, many years ago, 30 to 35 years, at least, we rented a minimoke and had a ball exploring the island with it. We went to every beach we could find and had a great day there.

A couple years later we flew over with friends and rented a car at the airport. (I think by then the Mokes were a thing of the past as far as rentals went.) We got into our car and when DH started it he realized the gas gauge registered empty so he went back to the Hertz counter and told them it was out of gas. My DH speaks no French and understands even less and unfortunately, the young lady working the counter didn’t speak much more English, or at least, that’s what we thought at the time. She did understand what we were saying though and pointed to a gas station slightly down the road and we got her drift.

We pulled up to the pump and asked the attendant for $5.00 worth of gas to which he replied, “Oui.” Now I know that doesn’t sound like a lot of gas by todays standards, but all those many years ago it was okay and we knew we were only on the tiny island for a few hours. The attendant kept pumping and John leaned out the window and told him again, “$5.00 please.” About the third time DH reminded him he clicked off the pump and came up to the window and told us, $20.00 s’il vous plait!”

We were all livid but what can you do?

Because of the language barriers we couldn't even argue the matter effectively so we gave up, paid him and went on our way. We came to the conclusion this was probably a racket they used on unsuspecting non-French speaking tourists, possibly on a regular basis. And I wouldn’t be at all surprised if, when we returned the car to the airport at the end of our day, they syphoned off the extra $15.00 worth of gas and returned the gauge to empty status again for the next unsuspecting soul that came their way and filled their own cars this way routinely. It was just ‘one of those things’ that over the years we’ve laughed over many times. Live and learn, right?

Pat, no worries about that happening today. It’s all self-serve now. If you go during hours when the gas station by the airport is staffed then you can pay in cash. Outside of those hours, at nights, during lunch, and on Sundays and holidays, a chip-and-pin credit card is required to activate the pump.

It wasn’t a major big deal at the time but it does evoke memories of earlier trips and years gone by. The friends who were with us on that trip took their daughters over a few years later, relating the story of the gas situation to them. They rented from the same Hertz airport concern and also received a car with an empty gas tank - coincidence or planned? - we’ll never know, but when they arrived at the gas station they had the smarts to show the gas attendant the five dollar bill first. And I’m sure it helped, too, that one of their daughters spoke reasonably fluent French.

As for today and and off-island trips, basically we’ve done StB enough times that there’s no strong allure for us any longer. And If I really want an off SXM island experience I’d opt for Anguilla for beaching or Saba for the beauty of the island. Just my personal preference.

In addition to the cost of taxis in St Barth, availability becomes a huge issue during peak times. Rent a car.

No matter how you get there it is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.Stayed on a friends charter in Gustavia harbor.Took a cab from there.No problem at all.The driver picked us up at the set time,and even asked if we wanted to have a drink at the bar while she waited. Make sure you take all you need for the day.Its a long walk to the bar. KP

We booked a car, 48 bucks. Now well be wild and free.