LeeWee:

We rent a full size car. However, if you plan to do some off-road driving stick with the four wheel drive vehicle. Sub-compacts and compacts may not handle the hills in STJ and STT, especially if there are several people and lots of luggage in the vehicle.

F.I.

LeeWee,

There's really no need for a jeep on any of the islands unless you're staying someplace difficult to access without 4WD. Rental jeeps are often more beat-up than rental cars because they are rented more frequently and thus have more miles on them. Also, those who rent jeeps tend to feel a need to go "off-road" for the full jeep rental experience, even though rental contracts forbid off-road driving, so jeeps tend to be more abused than the cars. The cost difference between renting a jeep and a car can be great and there are many more pleasurable things on which to spend those dollars than renting a jeep.

Thanks for the advice. It's going to save me at least $150.00.

Heck with the off road stuff - just hope you dont have to deal with rain slicked roads on some of those St. John northshore switchbacks or you may wish you had 4WD capability.
They can get pretty slippery when wet, depending on when it last rained good.
Regardless of what you get, double check the condition of the tires.

We are looking to find a jeep/car rental for the 6-20 of may for a reasonable price. sofar the best we can do is 65 a day...is that it or does someone know a better deal. We are also looking for good information on good wine selection. thanks, mary and john burt oh, any great entertainment during that time...good steel drum, reggae??? thanks

Mary and John-
Are you looking on STJ? STT rentals are going for much less.

I have rented from Hospitality Jeep Rental for years, very low key place, ask to speak to Thomas Matthews he is the owner.

He has had the best rates that I have found and will work with you on price if he is not all out of vehicles for the time you want it.

His tel. is 340-693-9160.

As far as bands and when to listen, Wed. & Fri. nights at Freds has always been the best for us. Very local place, if there is a band get there early as it fills up.

There are several other places that have music, just depends on the night of the week who has a band or not.

It is usually reggae, and I know he has been having a band by the name of Inner Visions playing on Weds. they are very good.

Good luck and enjoy your time

RM

We just returned from an amazing week in STJ and rented a Toyota Echo from Avis on STT - was fine for two adults and two teens - lots of room in the trunk. We had no problem getting up any hills anywhere. And thanks to these threads, we learned how much cheaper it is to rent at the airport - Avis allows you to take the car over to STJ.We ran into two different families that had confirmation of rentals on STJ and when they arrived there were no cars - so be careful during the prime season.The car barge was no problem either way.

Suzyq - Reservation/confirmation of rental in STJ and NO CARS - yikes!

Do you happen to recall any names of the rental companies?

I have a phone only reservation with Penns (its the way they do business) for Easter week. Maybe I'll call now to reconfirm and then again a week prior.

I think it was Hertz - the people I met were planning to deal with them when they got home as they had a trip to alaska planned in June and were going to demand Hertz give them a free car then. The other couple didn't give me the name of their company. You might try renting on St. Thoams and taking it to STJ.

I'm sorry but I have to disagree.

I've been to STJ three times, rented FWD's and still had a couple "oh my god, we're not gonna make it up" moments on the northshore roads....not off-roading. We've never gone off-road. I've never even gone to Lameshur. The northshore roads are crazy steep and curvy. And what about the East End? A lot of times you can't see where the road is over your hood cuz the incline is so steep! Heck, after a 5 minute shower, we slid down Gift Hill driving into town in FWD vehicle. We could not stop!

I cannot imagine how a regular car can make it up and around those northshore roads. It'd be the stupidest risk ever. Especially if the roads are wet and you are unfamiliar with those 90 degree curves.

Rent a Vitara. It's cheaper than a Jeep and has FWD. It isn't fancy and might be beat up but, did you come to STJ for a vacation on a relatively undeveloped island paradise or did you come to STJ to spend time in a nicely appointed car?

visiting STJ may 27-june 3. found jeep with taxes and surcharges @ STT airport (thrifty) for $390/week. is that as good as it gets bluwater? Have read about car ferry being unreliable, plus $30 one-way ferry, i am considering renting on STJ for this reason. also read about jeep shortages and rude service on STJ. shopping for food on STT would be another advantage, whats the lowdown on transpo,,,,definitely want jeep

Well, I'm not sure about a jeep kayakaster. I have always rented cars, even for STJ. I just paid Avis on STT $163 for a 6 day car rental, which included all taxes and fees.