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Teresa and I are having some discussion concerning how long to rent a car whilst at Caneel in June. I'm of the mind that we should be renting a jeep for the whole ten days. At about eighty dollars a day that will add up quick. I'm thinking it's pretty much a part of having a great bucket list trip, I.E. being able to leave when we want and go where we want. We are doing a package that includes breakfast and dinner so plan on eating a lot of our lunches off resort.
Based on what I've read on the forums, it'll cost about $50.00 for round trip cab rides for two from Cruz to Caneel? Is this about right?
My two questions are, Does anyone know who the Rental company is at Caneel Bay Resort is and do they have a presence at Cruz (for parking)? And, in our fellow travelers opinions, will we be better off renting a car for the whole trip? We're just regular ole people for whom $800.+ is a lot of money. But we want to have the best time possible on our trip.
I'm definately inclined to have one for the whole visit.
Also, what about gas prices? How do they compare to stateside?
103 days...2 hours....10 minutes
$50 round trip for two from Caneel to Cruz Bay? The taxi rates are listed above (scroll down on the "St John" tab) and it's $5 per person each way so round trip $20 plus tip. You might consider renting a vehicle for half of your trip (or one week) so you can explore. Caneel has gorgeous beaches and for several days you're likely to be more than content exploring what's there! On a car-less day you could also enjoy a day sail (usually one of the highlights of visitors' trips), on another hop on the ferry for a day at Jost Van Dyke (passports required for BVI) or a trip to the Baths on Virgin Gorda. Can't help you with a rental vehicle presence at Caneel but you could always ask them directly. Have a great time!
STT Resident wrote:
Have a great time!
You know it Mon!
Where I got $50.00 I do not know....feelin' stupid LOL.
Thanks for the input!
Varlack Ventures Car Rental is the one onsite at Caneel Bay. They have an office/lot in Cruz Bay and offer parking to their customers during office hours.
Did you check whether any of the car rental companies offer a rent for 7 days get 1 day free or anything like that? Might be worth comparing the rates different companies are offering assuming you aren't tied to renting from the Caneel onsite agency.
And STT Resident's suggestion is a good one. Rent for part of the trip! Caneel has several beautiful beaches, there are a couple trails in the area, you could do a kayak tour right on site and I am sure there are other water sports activities there too. And a boat trip for a day. So think about the things you wanted to do and then group the activities that wouldn't require a car over a few days and then rent a car for the rest of the days.
Yeah that's how T feels. But for me part of it being a dream vaca is being able to just do whatever whenever with no schedule.
I have not as yet looked at specific offers.
Thanks for the heads up on Caneels Rental offering. And thanks for giving my question it's own thread.
If you travel by taxi/safari van in STJ, just be aware they go nowhere until the van is filled up.
Then you stop at all those people's various and sundry destinations while waiting to get to yours while paying for the honor of doing so. You get to do this on your way back as well.
Here's a list of rates:
https://www.vinow.com/stjohn/getting_around_stj/taxi.php
You can go to a different beach every day and not visit them all and while you might not use a car every single day because Cannel does have lots of options for things to do while staying on property, personally, I would rent a vehicle for the entire time. This way you can come and go where you please, any time you please, especially if this is your dream vacation. I'd say, "Go for it!"
Rent something that is higher off the ground than a small compact low to ground car, tho.
You can check with Budget or Dependable Car ( www.depandablecar.com) in STT about taking car to STJ on the car barge but it depends on time of day you arrive and have to leave as to whether the barge schedule will match yours. Always add more time to what you may expect things to take as just getting luggage can take awhile sometimes.
Whatever you decide, enjoy your vacation!:D
My $0.02:
Rent for the week and rent on St. John. I have a trip report pending on the mess we had renting from a place on St. Thomas on our last trip. Have not posted it yet.
You will love having the jeep to come and go as you please while there. Trust me on this, I have been to St John many times over the past 30 years.
Ric
I noticed that no one said how much gas was. And does anyone have an idea as to what the milage of the smallest jeep is? I hate trying to budget trips.
Our gas prices in STT went up from $4.58 (cheapest price for regular) to around $4.72 last week.
STJ is always slightly higher and could be $5 a gallon but will let the St. Johnians weigh in on that
Regular gas on St. John right now is around $4.83.
I'd rent the cheepest car possible at least rent for days 3-7. You do not need 4-wheel drive, but a high clearance is plus. Honnestly, a simple car does just fine. BUt the rental agencies on STJ only rent SUVs (while most of the locals drive cars).
The first two days you will fall in LOVE with Caneel. Then you will want to see more of the island. SJT is great for exploring. IMO Taxis are total rip-off. They make you wait around until they get full load 12-16 heading in your general direction and make lot of stops. Not the way I'd want spend my vacation time.
With out a car, you'll miss out on allot of good stuff. Spend the $$ it's worth it.
