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Hi:
This will be my first time visiting St. Thomas, I am only staying for 3 nights at a resort near the Airport (BW, Emerald Beach). The hotel offers free shuttle to downtown. So far I have read about transportation is that you want to rent a car or scooter.
The fact is that the island drives in different side of road, I am not sure if I feel comfortable driving. Scooter may be fun and less nervous for me, but doe not seemd to be able to find any scooter rental place for short term. In addition, the car rental on the island is expensive!!
Would I be abel to relay on bus and taxi for a short 3 nights stay?
Any suggestions/informaiton will be greatly appreciated.
thanks
If you want to tour the island and the beaches to the east than forget the scooter. The island has some steep inclines and sharp turns, too dangerous for a scooter (IMO). You may want to rent a car for at least one day to explore the island. Depends on what you want to see and do?
Emerald Beach is adjacent to the airport and about 5-10 minutes to downtown (in moderate traffic). It is right on a nice beach and is a well rated hotel.
Enjoy!
I would also suggest renting a taxi for the day to explore the island. You can also try to pickup a island tour with a taxi, you will have to try to join a group. Taxi do not like taking just one person for a tour. If you go downtown there are taxi drivers who are booking tours for the day, they usually leave at noon. You can find these taxi drivers on main street and near vendor's plaza.
Good Luck
Vince,
For 3 or 4 days you might take the shuttle into town one day, catch the St. John ferry from Charlotte Amalie and see St. John for one day. You could skip taxis on St. John by hiking from Cruz Bay to Caneel Bay along the trail and back. Another day- shuttle into town if you want to shop a bit, back to Emerald Beach - have lunch at their great restaurant The Palms, have some drinks at the pool and hang out on the beach. Next day - rent a car for one day and explore the whole island, beach hop, Mountain Top, Paradise Point, east, west, north, south - see it all. Go out that night to a restaurant that is further away from the hotel maybe on the east end or if you want to go out for a little nightlife. Then use a taxi for other getting around needs. I would say rent a car for one day and really explore and get your money out of the rental - drive around, beach hop to a few beaches, go out at night...
--Islander
