nsj Posted September 30, 2010 #1 Share Posted September 30, 2010 We will be in port 8am to 6pm and am leaning towards renting a car for the day. Love to visit non touristy places and would love to see the views and beaches that having a car may allow. Have rented cars before in Costa Rica and Panama so not opposed to driving in other countries. Any thoughts? Is there a strong reason why getting a car for the day would not be suggested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtaylor Posted September 30, 2010 #2 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Well, I'd say that if anyone is a candidate to rent a car and navigate on your own, you're probably one of those people. I've driven lots of places, and I certainly drive when we spend time on St. Maarten (one visit I put well over 600 miles on the rental) (click) But, if you're a first time visitor to the island, I'd recommend against doing your own driving. I've posted my reasons here before, so take a look at this earlier post, which references an even earlier post, so the prices are dated. gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khm1 Posted September 30, 2010 #3 Share Posted September 30, 2010 OP, I think that you would be fine renting a car in St. Martin. See my previous post on another thread here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1283291 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thequeen54 Posted September 30, 2010 #4 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Gary, I know not to rent from the big name rentals, so can you recommend any local places by name? My usuals don't do cruise port rentals. thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted September 30, 2010 #5 Share Posted September 30, 2010 We will be in port 8am to 6pm and am leaning towards renting a car for the day. Love to visit non touristy places and would love to see the views and beaches that having a car may allow. Have rented cars before in Costa Rica and Panama so not opposed to driving in other countries. Any thoughts? Is there a strong reason why getting a car for the day would not be suggested. Great island for this in my opinion. Stop by Fort St. Louis, it took me way too many visits before I finally made it. Account for traffic and bridge openings and you should be fine. I think that the drivers in St. Martin are quite courteous and they are very used to the many tourists who are also driving on the island. I don't like the motorcycles though. They scare me so much. I am surprised that there are not more serious accidents involving motorcycles on St. Maarten. I can't count the times when I thought that one of them was going to get hit right in front of me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtaylor Posted September 30, 2010 #6 Share Posted September 30, 2010 At the Cruise Facility, I would probably use Best Deal (recommended by a friend) or walk across the street to Arthur's (out the main gate and 100 yards to the right). I've read good things about both of them. (click) gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thequeen54 Posted October 1, 2010 #7 Share Posted October 1, 2010 At the Cruise Facility, I would probably use Best Deal (recommended by a friend) or walk across the street to Arthur's (out the main gate and 100 yards to the right). I've read good things about both of them. (click) gary thanks Gary. I assume they drive you to their "office" to pick up the car correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtaylor Posted October 1, 2010 #8 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Those ARE their offices here, and they may have some cars on site. I can't say from personal experience because I use a different vendor, who doesn't actually rent to cruisers.:) gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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