Dollar ride to coki & Sapphire beach in same day

[mariposawaterloo]

We have used the dollar ride before to go to sapphire beach- I wanted to go to Coki also (never been) for snorkeling- are these 2 beaches on the same route? Is it a long walk from dollar bus stop to coki beach- thanks for your help.:)

[rome2009]

Will be going to Sapphire Beach. What is a dollar ride?

[DanishDonut]

We have used the dollar ride before to go to sapphire beach- I wanted to go to Coki also (never been) for snorkeling- are these 2 beaches on the same route? Is it a long walk from dollar bus stop to coki beach- thanks for your help.:)

 

I'd also like to know.

[Chef P]

There are taxi drivers that run 'dollar rides' in safari buses. A safari is a truck that has been outfitted with bench seating in the back. It is open air but covered. Not all safari buses are ‘dollar rides’, some are regular taxis. The ‘dollar rides’ do not have signs identifying them as such; however they generally run the same route as the public bus and pull in or close to bus stops. If in doubt ask the driver before boarding. Also ask where they are heading to make sure they are going the route you want to go. They are for the most part un-regulated, and operate mostly to assist with the transportation needs of residents. Some 'dollar ride' drivers charge non-residents regular taxi rates.

 

 

Dollar rides are $1 for short trips like: anywhere in town between the University of the Virgin Islands and the Hospital (Schneider Regional Medical Center), traveling to points between the Hospital and Pricesmart (supermarket), traveling from one point in the country to another (country is used to describe the middle and east end of the island). The fare is $2 for longer cross-island trips like: traveling from the Hospital to Pricesmart and beyond and traveling from Pricemart and beyond to anywhere in town.

[rome2009]

Where does one catch such a ride from the port area?

[trini_ras]

Rome2009: there is a guy on this forum called the 'Islander' who knows EVERY thing there is to know about St. Thomas, do a search for his post, there are REALLY GREAT!!!

 

He posted this on another tread;

"The open air taxi by kmart you refer to is called the 'dollar ride', its a form of public transportation, but not the same as the public bus. The reference to K-mart is if you are docked at Havensight; its maybe a 10 minute walk from the ship, flat. And if you were docked at Crown Bay, you have to walk out to in front of Nisky Shopping Center, a bit further, maybe 15 minute walk but also flat." Islander

 

Hope this helps, Trini_ras

[The Islander]

mariposawaterloo - Yes Coki and Sapphire are on the same route, the East End route. Its about a 6 minute drive between the two beaches. The walk from the main road where the dollar ride drops you and Coki Beach is .6 miles, the area you walk through is a little bit seedy but generally is fine during the day.

 

--Islander

[trini_ras]

What is the route the dollar ride takes?

I was thinking from the beach to downtown to shop :confused:

[The Islander]

Sapphire is on the East End... so catching it from Sapphire, you'd have to walk out of the Sapphire Resort property to the main road, maybe 5-7 minute walk (uphill). You'd catch the dollar ride just at the top of the Sapphire entrance on the main road, same side of the road as the Sapphire entrance. Make sure the dollar ride is heading to downtown Charlotte Amalie if that's where you want to go. Or to Havensight area if thats where your ship is docked and you just want to shop there.

 

--Islander

[trini_ras]

Thank you Islander

I am thinking the prices downtown would much better than at Havensight area, I would like to do the walking tour of Charlotte Amalie

[The Islander]

No problem, you're welcome. Have a great time.

 

PS: If you want a preview of the walking tour of Charlotte Amalie check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciE8DHGZfFU.

 

--Islander

[trini_ras]

Thanks Islander, I will surely be doing that walking tour, it has some excellent photo ops. Beautiful sites all round