Taxis are very expensive for groups, because the usual charge is per person per destination. I think it's about $6 one way per person from the Marriott to town, so you'd have to pay approx $48 RT just to get to town and back. That's why most people rent a vehicle - to save money and have more freedom to explore.

On Christmas day, there'll be carollers in the park in town starting very early in the morning. There might also be Santa in town offering free island tours that afternoon (he was there last year). That could be your trip to Mountain Top. The stores will be open, and most other excursions will be, too.

There are so many things to do: bike riding tour on Water Island, rock climbing, kayaking, night snorkeling, sail/power boat trips, shopping, that everybody should be able to find something that'll interest them. Oh. There's also an African-Caribbean Drum Center where you can learn to play congas, and have your own mini drum orchestra.

There are some great lunch deals to be had in the Havensight area. There's good barbecue at the Captain's Terrace in Al Cohen's Mall across from Havensight. In the same complex is Pizza Amore with great pizza. Wendy's is right down the street. Delly Deck in Havensight is like a Stateside diner. Paradise Gate across from the Butterfly Farm in Havensight has moderate prices, and they've got pool tables, big screen tvs, internet, etc.

There's also Hooters. On Mondays they have all you can eat wings, and on Sat all you can eat shrimp for $12.95. The restaurant at Paradise Point is also moderately priced. They have a good band on Wed nites.

As MS411 said above, taxi costs do add up rather quickly. It's best to rent a vehicle. Bring a Garmin GPS with you to help you find your way around the island. That's what we do.

To get an idea of taxi fares, here are a few popular spots...

Marriott to Magens Bay would be $9 pp, ow.

Marriott to Mountain Top, also $9 pp, ow - you'd want to do this in an island tour or have the driver wait for you because if you just take a taxi there and get dropped off it doesn't mean you will find a taxi when you are ready to leave (though you could have one called). There may be taxis there but they will likely be on tours. Island Tour prices: 2 hours - One passenger $50; two or more passengers $25 per person. 3 hours - One passenger $60; two or more passengers $30 per person.

To Sapphire Beach or to Red Hook (several restaurants there, the St. John Ferry dock) would be $10 pp, ow.

For more rate information visit the St. Thomas Taxis & Rates page.

On the day you arrive, the 19th, there is a great event called Miracle on Main Street. The shops downtown (Charlotte Amalie) stay open into the evening and they usually have specials all day and evening. Carolers, bands, entertainment, traditional dance groups are spread out through the town, primarily along Main Street. There are also vendors with locally made arts and crafts and usually local food/drinks too. The Virgin Islands Charter Yacht League has a Lighted Boat Parade for this event also, in the Charlotte Amalie Harbor. The Boat Parade starts at 7pm, the shops downtown are open all day and the vendors are usually there all day also - typically set up in Emancipation Park. The entertainment part of the event usually starts around 5:30pm. Its a popular event, even if you did rent a car you might want to take a taxi and get dropped in town as the parking can be difficult unless you get there early. If you take a taxi ask the driver for suggestions on where you might get a taxi when you are ready to leave, and ask for their card/telephone # in case you need to call for a taxi. Hopefully you get in early enough in the day to have time to get to the hotel, relax a bit and can head to Miracle on Main Street. 🙂

Have a great time.

--Islander

Thank you so much for your suggestions. We have decided on a rental vehicle, but will not be picking it up until the day after arrival. So definitely a taxi ride will be instore for the first day. We arrive at 4pm, not sure how much we will be able to take in that day, since we need to be at the Chicago airport by 5 am! We are all counting down the days, especially since last Tuesday, we recieved 10 inces of snow and tonight the forecast calls for windchills of 20 to 25 below zero. Definitely not hard to leave behind!

I met someone yesterday who just arrived from upstate NY. They were amazed to see Christmas lights without snow and cold weather! I reminded them that our Christmas was more like the original Christmas, because I doubt very seriously that there was snow in Bethlehem.

Today when we got up, it was -23 with the windchill factor. We are anxiously waiting to experience the near 100 degree difference in our weather...although we are NOT looking forward to returning to this. We have about a 3 hour drive to the airport in Chicago,Illinois on Thursday night and hope this weather stays north enough that we don't have to worry about our flight out. We usually travel in spring and don't need to worry as much about the weather then. I am packed and remind my co-workers just about hourly, how much time before take off. I think they may be glad to see me leave so they don't have to hear about it.:-)