Safari/Public Buses on St. Thomas

I am not a big one for the safaris, but you will probably want to look at Sapphire properties (Beach, Village, West or Crystal Cove) or Point Pleasant if you want to take the safari. Are you just here to relax and have fun or are you planning on working? And as I said, the safaris don't operate at night.

i think that's the big drawback when it comes to public transportation here... the vitran buses are not regular enough, and the safaris don't run at night. taxis can get pretty expensive after awhile. and, there is something to be said for being able to get up and go when you like. it's good on a temporary basis if you live within walking distance of a safari or bus stop... but you will eventually want your own car unless you just go from work to home. shopping and running errands can be a challenge, as we have plenty of hills... but you'll be in great shape!

Also, figuring out where the safaris are actually going can be quite the challenge...it's not someting you just hop on the first one you see and get to where you are going...it's something you will have to learn...wish I could offer more help on this, but I have never been on one in my 11 years here...

I think the safaris are actually pretty easy to figure out. There are two routes.

One route goes from west (UVI area) through downtown, out to Tutu (Kmart), turns around and goes back the same way it came.

The other route starts out west (UVI), through town, out to Kmart, and then continues on to Red Hook, going through Smith Bay, past Sapphire, et al, and through "downtown" Red Hook and back to Kmart (it's a big circle, not the same return route), and back to the west again.

There are very, very few exceptions to these two routes. The Vitran bus goes a more complicated route, actually going through neighborhoods, but it is just not reliable. The safaris are constantly running during the day, less on Sundays.

The only way to know which route the driver is taking is to ask. Ask if he (she) is going to the country or town. Country is the Red Hook route and Town is the one that turns around at Kmart and heads back.

I hope I have not totally confused you. When asking about rentals, remember "walking distance" to the safari route can be a relative thing. You might ask actual distance and if there are hills, etc.

Pineapple Village is also close to the Safari Route.

Thank you to everyone! Very helpful information!

Does anyone know if the safari has a stop near bolongo bay? I spoke with a realtor and she told me there was a stop within walking distance from bolongo bay resort, but that doesnt sound so true anymore.

Also, thanks for the route information, that actually helped a lot. Might be a long shot, but is there a route map I can find anywhere online? Thanks again!

I have not seen any safaris traveling the Bolongo Bay road - there might be a driver who has decided it might be a good unmined route but it would be irregular and not the usual route at all.

It doesn't go through Bolongo or Frenchman's Bay. The realtor probably saw a regular safari picking up a friend.

I've been behind them when they let off workers/people at Bolongo. Not saying it's regular just noticed workers/people getting off.

When I said there were very few exceptions to the routes I outlined, I was actually thinking of Bovoni/Bolongo area. I have seen them, but so rarely that I wouldn't live there or work there based on it. I used to live in Red Hook and work at the Marriott, so I traveled that road a lot, at all different times of day. Very rare to see one.

I agree - no dollar taxi route passes through Bolongo and Frenchman's Bay. I travel that stretch of road a lot and never have seen one - and I have traveled it by walking, too. On the other hand, it is not too hard to find a ride in a pick-up truck if you point up the road . . .

I have often ridden dollar taxi's from Nisky Center near Sub Base / Crown Bay area to Redhook, and I have found them reliably available from 6:30 AM until at least 7:00 PM (have not tried later than that). On holidays they can be sparse, and sometimes you may have to talk an in-town driver into going to the country, but they can sometimes be convinced. It is $1 in town and $2 if you leave Charlotte Amalie and head up Raphune Hill.

I guess I saw them at the rare times!