We should get this out of the way first: there is no Uber or Lyft (yet). We are a bit behind the times here in the Virgin Islands, but that's part of our charm, trust us. So now that you are here, what do you do about getting to dinner, shopping, excursions, etc. Lets look at our options:
Private Driver - Having someone at your beck and call is quite nice. However, the cost will obviously be higher as well. You'll spend more time having fun and less time waiting for a ride, but the cost might be prohibitive for some folks. They will take you wherever you want on the island, even early morning or late at night. Let us know if you'd like to look into this option, and we will set you up with one of our recommended drivers.
Taxi Association - The most popular way to get around. The Taxi Association has a local number that you can call and have a taxi come and take you where you want to go. The costs set in advance are per person ($10 per person from the airport to AHITT plus $1 per bag, for example), and the taxis arrive quickly to our property as they are generally waiting right downtown. However, before 7am and after 8pm, it is unlikely the taxi service will pick up their phone. So if you are heading out early or coming back late, you will need to make other arrangements. They also only (generally) take cash, which is again behind the times, and often annoying as you'll have to make sure you have cash on hand. Lastly, taxis don't go to some of the more remote parts of the island, you may want to consider where you are going to be spending the bulk of your trip before making a decision.
Rental Car - This will certainly give you the most freedom and will likely save you some money if you're staying more than a few days. You can go wherever you want, when you want, and take coolers, chairs, snorkel gear, etc. with you. You can even take the car ferry to St. John for the day (check your rental agreement first). However, it's important to note that driving here is VERY different than the mainland (see our other blog post about driving). Some people enjoy the adventure, others will be stressed by it. We have had more than one guest arrive by rental car only to decide to return it the next day. Remember, you are here on vacation, so adding the stress of driving in order to save a few bucks might not be the best trade off.
Safari Bus - The pro: It's basically two bucks to go from one end of the island to the other end. If you are a "go with the flow" type person who does not adhere to a strict time schedule, then we have the bus for you. The cons: The Safaris are an open air converted pickup truck. They are limited in where they go, and they run roughly from sun-up to sun-down and make frequent stops. Very frequent. They are designed for locals who don't have other transportation to get to work and run errands. It will get you to the Red Hook ferry, and two of our lovely beaches, but not much more. It can also be used as an inexpensive tour around the island. If you are under no time constraints whatsoever, and are cost conscious, and want a real local experience, then this is the ride for you.
As always, if you have concerns about how you'll get to the hotel, ferry, beach, etc., just email or call us and we will be happy to figure out what combination of the above options works best for your trip.