Help! Taxi!

[two4ruff]

Thanks to all the great information obtained from this site, we are looking forward to setting out on our own to beaches on St Thomas and St Maartin but....One silly question....

Do the local taxi's/trasports have set prices or is it acceptable to barter for a cheaper price?

Any help with rates would be greatly appreciated! This budget-business is not much fun!

Thanks!

59 days to go...:bounce:

[Dave_from_Marietta]

There is a voluntary organization of taxi drivers at St Maarten with set fares.

Fares at St Thomas are regulated.

But you still need to confirm the fare with them ahead of time so there's no misunderstanding and they don't try to take advantage of you, the gullible tourist.

[atigeg]

Another interesting option in St. Maarten (for the adventureous):
We took a cab to a horseback riding stable (not the Disney shore excursion one--this one was on the Dutch side), and when we were ready to return, one of the stable workers suggested that we try the bus, which would let us off near the port. We decided to give it a shot, although we were a bir surprised to discover that the "bus" was actually a van. Apparently, anyone can be a bus driver if they have a van and want to make some extra $$! As we drove along, people would periodically wave us down. We were the only tourists on board. The cost was only a dollar, and the driver was so nice...he took us right up to the port gates, even tho' it wasn't on his "route," as everyone else had gotten off in town (we made sure to give him a nice tip). Definitely a new life experience!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[jugalava]

We just came home from the 1/26 Magic.
Instead of hiring a taxi, how about renting a car? While in St. Maarten we bargained with Thrifty and got a Toyota Corolla for $40 for the day (plus about $5 for gas). (The rental place is right at the pier).
Having our own car gave us the freedom to stop whenever we felt like it and let us discover our own little "private" beach on the French side of the island. Just a possibility for you. It worked out GREAT for us!