Touring the islands

You could almost certainly get a cab driver to do this for you.

I had thought about the cab driver option, but I'd bet it could get quite costly for a 1/2 day tour. Who knows, maybe they'd do under the table.

There are no meters. You can bargain with the cabbies.

The cabbies are the easiest and probably cheapest way to find out about the island. I was riding from the Marriott to Red Hook and a couple was getting a 'tour' of the island by the cabbie. He even was telling them the best places to buy land or homes. I don't know how much they paid him, but I learned a lot in my short trip! Of course then you have to eventually venture out on your own! It took me a week to start driving here, but once I did it was easier than I thought. Besides staying left, just follow other people. It is much easier to get thru intersections that way! Have fun!

Teresa

Cab drivers have no need to 'do it under the table'. Since we don't have meters in our cabs here, you simply negoitate the price UP FRONT, being very clear what you'd like to do, and at the end, pay what was agreed to up front.

It would of course be in your best interest I would think, to have a good idea of what area you 'might' like to see to consider 'buying' in. I'd think you could sort of start this process with properties that you might already have your eye on?

PS - I should have mentioned that I have a reliable good friend, neighbor that drives a 14 passenger van as well as an open tour bus. He has been driving here on St.Thomas for over 20 years and could easily and with knowledge and fairness, give you your money's worth.

Bou'ya:

Since the purpose of your visit is to establish where you want to live the best bet is to talk to a realtor and be shown properties. It worked for me. We were on a cruise ship stop and had contacted a realtor about a property that we found on the internet. While with her we asked where she would buy (considering our circumstances). She told us of an East End property. Well, we went, we saw, we bought. Actually we saw six properties and she did the driving.

A good STT realtor knows the island.

Good luck.

F.I.

Thanks all.

I think the cab route sounds like a good choice for us now. Of course, Island Paul, I may want to contact your friend since he's been on the island for such a long time and he comes recommended.

Hello Bou'ya,

As mentioned the taxis are not metered, however there are published rates per person per destination, discounts for kids, rates for waiting, luggage and tours... so you can use this as the rule for what the price should be and work from there at negociating a price for your extended tour.

Here is what the rate sheet says for tours on STT:

"For $30, one or two passengers can have a two-hour sightseeing tour around the island." and then it also says "Hourly rate is open to discussion and should be decided upon between the driver and the passenger(s)."

For the taxi rates & information you can go to:

http://vinow.com/stthomas/getting_around_stt/taxi_stt/

--Islander

Islander:

Thank you. $30 for 2 hours is extremely reasonable.

Island Paul:

Thanks again for your friend's information. I'll let you know when I'll be arriving.